[Trucker90]

Hello all!

As I have just one more section to go, which I am scheduled to sit in July, I am starting to think about getting a new job.

Some info about myself –
I am currently working in education consulting in a non-US country. I am not a U.S. citizen, but I went to school in the United States for most of my life, including high school and college. I am fully bilingual, and culturally identify myself more as an American than with my native citizenship. I started studying & taking the CPA exam for the States because I am more comfortable studying in English and am hoping to move to the States again.

I got into education consulting because 1. I always wanted to teach for few years 2. I was caught in the middle of traditional family value of prioritizing marriage and childbearing once a girl graduates from college, and wanting to explore life more – and this job met my then complicated needs at the time. I have done neither, btw.

I have been at my current job for a couple of years now, and I want to transition into financial services, preferably in a North American country (read: the U.S.). For those of you who are against foreigners moving to the United States.. I am sorry, I feel more of a foreigner in my native country, I am not trying to take a job away from anybody, I truly believe I have a lot to offer to my future community. But I digress.

Anyway, I am pretty intimidated by the whole job searching process.. as job markets are very tough everywhere + the work authorization.

So I am calling all international candidates to ask you about your plans… why and how did you get started with this and what are your plans for the future?

[MuRaSensei]

I like how us international applicants have similar but also completely different situations.
I am currently job hunting and starting the CPA process in MA.

I have a Bachelors of Commerce (B.Comm – Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Managerial Finance and Cost Accounting). Its considered a 4 major degree in South Africa where I'm from and the starting point for a South African CPA. I did not do the graduate studies, work experience(articles) at an Auditing firm, and sit for the South African CPA.
Instead, I worked as a Cost Acct and Merchandise Planner for a large corporate retailer in my home country then went to Asia to teach English(8 years).
I spent a lot of time job hunting in the finance/accounting field in Asia(stopped teaching completely) and found that recent, relevant experience and superb language skills are sought after and if you don't have that, at least have a US CPA. I wanted to start doing the CPA in Japan but wasn't from one of the countries on the list that were eligible.

My boyfriend(now husband) and I decided to move on with life and head to the States – I put my CPA plans on hold to focus on the Fiance visa process(my husband is American). It was a long 2017 -leaving Japan, visa process in South Africa, then getting to the States and doing the work authorization and green card paperwork.
18 months and 3 countries after quitting teaching to focus on an Accounting/Finance career, I finally got my green card and work permit and started job hunting here in the States. An interview(including working interview) at a small local CPA company, helped me identify some areas I need to work on to become a better candidate – knowledge gaps between American Accounting Software and South African accounting software, ‘old' knowledge since I did my degree about 10 years ago, having some American references on paper.
I wanted to send my SA transcripts to NASBA Int Eval Services right away but Im also limited with finances, given I haven't been able to work in the States till now. Needless to say, its extremely frustrating and I find myself no closer to my goal from almost two years ago, the only thing that has changed is that I have residency in the US.

However, I am still pursuing this goal, I've adjusted my expectations and timeline. I've got a part-time job(in an unrelated field) and am saving up for all the applications and study. I anticipate that the International Evaluation will come back saying that I need more education. I'd like to be able to do an MS in Accounting if possible and then pursue the CPA. For now, I'm brushing up on software skills and looking for more entry-level positions.

[Author]

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