[Earla Riopel (NYCARE)]

My US CPA journey has ‘been on and off’ since I started with York University (using Wiley materials) in 1999. Besides Wiley, I have used Becker since 2000 to present, via classroom instruction at UBC (twice), and online products through Amazon library (2015). Recently, I started to add Ninja and various CPA reviewers’ videos in my review, to keep up to date with my materials, plus taking 2 sets of 4 sections in 2017 Q1 & 2017 Q3 CPA exams.

In fairness, all the above reviewers, are doing such a good job with their materials. It’s more on my part that I only started getting serious with my US CPA review in the last two years.

Losing two credits in 2010, made me lost my motivation for a while. But I still cross the US border 12-18 months every year to keep my CPA candidate member status ‘active’. In addition, I have to keep up with the accounting industry (on a budget) through writing US CPA exams, just in case I would go back and work for Canadian employers, besides working for my family members.

Sometimes I wonder if a US CPA designation is worth the time, money, lots of pain and sufferings to achieve, and use it as a professional designation in Canada, and the rest of the world.

I know, two decades ago, they have this so called ‘brain drain’ between US and Canada. Had worked with the Big 4 during tax season in 2000, and in the International Group department had Americans, and other non-Canadian CPAs working for them.

As a former Becker student representative in 2000 and a UBC alumni, I know they are still offering US CPA review courses in Vancouver(BC, Canada): https://ubcdapclub.com/certified-public-accountant-cpa/ Leslie-Anne was my supervisor back then.

It appears that US CPA is still in-demand in Canada. What do you think? I would like to hear your view. Thanks.

[AICPAy2Play]

CP eh? Sorry, bad Canadian joke. Anyways, I know the designation is in-demand in many countries and is one of the big reasons I am putting myself through the agony of passing it. I really want to move to New Zealand and they wont let you unless you have certain job certifications (CPA being one of them). I guess whether or not it is worth it depends on your situation. Do you think it will further your career? Are you looking at positions that require or prefer it?

[Earla Riopel (NYCARE)]

Thanks @AICPAy2Play! As to “CP eh?” Lol! My in-laws in the Prairie (Alberta) will definitely have a laugh. They use the ‘eh' more than we do in British Columbia (BC). My husband came from a French-Canadian family, coming from 1600's generation.

Due to job situation in Alberta, he moved to BC and has been living in the Metro Vancouver(BC) since the mid-80s. I met him 1990 in Vancouver. Actually, today is our 27th wedding anniversary.

I originally came from the Philippines, received my undergrad in the mid-80s. Worked for a chartered accountant family in Singapore for at least 4 years, before coming to Canada. Took part-time computer courses while in Singapore

When I arrived in Canada in 1990, before I met my husband, and working for a German/Italian family, I registered for computerized accounting (ACCPAC) courses. But then, when I met my husband, everything changed, we decided to start a family right away. Two kids in a row, at 27yrs old (my husband was 31yrs old then).

So my accounting career has always been a second priority, family first. However, I always want to be a CPA, even when I was in the Philippines.

To answer your question, I don't really need to get a CPA license to get an accounting job, since I have a UBC Diploma, in addition to my Bachelor Degree in Commerce (major in Accounting) from the Philippines.

However, with the type of work that I do for my family members, I can help them more with my US CPA designation. Banks and other financial institutions are more lenient to provide you some financings if you are an accountant. Being an accountant, portrays credibility. They know their investments/credits that they provide/lend you is safe.

So, pursuing CPA is always a plus for me and my family members. I know our PM is tightening on Private Corps. rules, but for us accountants, we can minimize our costs and still have a decent returns even with the new rules by the Government of Canada.

Basically, my intention is, to set-up a Private Corp. and pay myself a salary. Also, I might work for accounting firms during tax seasons, or work for the bank as financial planner on a part-time basis. I like these areas: taxes/financial planning, even with average pay. I am not so much on high salary requirement at this stage of life. But would like a decent wage, enough to help my husband with mortgages and other investments. At the same time, enjoy on what I do.

Enough talking about my life. I hope, you'll get your US CPA designation. New Zealand is a nice country (like Australia). When you're young, and when you have an opportunity, travel and work at the same time, when you can. It can be fun.

Once you have a family, you're pretty much tied/settled down. Lol!
Good luck.

[Felix The Cat]

Why do you have to cross the US border 12-18 months every year to keep my CPA candidate member status ‘active'?

I have never heard of that rule before.

[Earla Riopel (NYCARE)]

@FelixTheCat, thanks for taking the time to reply. As to your question,
“Why do you have to cross the US border 12-18 months every year to keep my CPA candidate member status ‘active'? I have never heard of that rule before.”
I just made that up for me, and there's a very long story attached to that. But, if you don't mind to be bored with my long journey of a pursuit of my accounting designation story, then fasten your seatbelt.

Pursuing a North American accounting designation is a crazy pursuit that started way back in October 1985; the year I received my B.S.Commerce first undergrad program. I have been working on getting my Canadian Accounting designation since the mid-1990s (with the former Canadian ICABC Chartered Accountants (CA) Program), on and off. Due to the scarcity of CA articling jobs around those years the 2000s, I put my CA Program pursuit on hold until Dec 2017. However, at the same, I kept pursuing my US CPA designation since I started in 1997. There were numerous sad stories attempts and a few successes that keep me motivated on not giving up on my pursuit of an accounting designation in North America.

This year 2018, not only that I am still pursuing my US CPA designation, but I am also pursuing the new Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant(CPA) designation. As per Canadian CPA-CPAWSB, I have to retake most of my UBC-DAP courses (10 years expiry date), and even take additional accounting and business-related courses, only then, I can re-start my Canadian CPA designation journey. I am in my early 50s now, but still hoping the best for my last 15 to 20 years of my working life.

In addition to being grandfathered as a Washington State US CPA candidate since 2000, I am currently a full-time student of UBC-DAP and taking English upgrading at Douglas College on a part-time basis; you never know when Canadian grad school is required in the near future, and should the North American designations are beyond my reach.

Anyway, I have to go, I have two classes today, English & Cost Accounting; pretty much at school every day, and traveling at least 2-4 hrs a day. Good luck to both of us, Canadians (and the rest of the world), pursuing the impossible!:)

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