[kfancy9]

Hi everyone!

I was just wondering if anyone out there has a similar experience to mine and any advice. I’m in the process of taking the CPA exams right now and after I pass I’m planning to move to Canada. The state I’m in requires a year of work experience to get licensed and I won’t have that by the time I move. Does anyone have any advice for getting that work experience abroad, specifically in Canada? I understand it has to be verified by a US CPA but I was wondering how easy it would be to find a US CPA to work for. Also I saw a suggestion about getting experience by doing flex work with intuit or other online tax services – is this sufficient? Any other suggestions/advice are appreciated.

[AGI]

It depends where you are going in Canada….

If you are going to the big cities, like Toronto, not difficult. To be exact, your goal will be to aim for law / accounting firms that have both US and Canada clients, they will have license on both side — someone will have it.

If you are not in the accounting firm track, then aim for big companies (especially companies that sell goods or logistic / transportation or firms who severed them). They will have a license on both side also.

You can do any flex work or even online work (or volunteer) under anyone that have a US license and willing to sign for you. This is a technology work and people work remotely. No one will care if you are in the office or in Miami beach with your laptop.

———
If none works, NASBA can do international experience verification with states who take them, aka pay money to solve the problem.

New York - NYC
Passed CPA Exam (11/2014)
In search for a position in NYC that will fulfills the license requirement.

[kfancy9]

Thank you!

Toronto is where I'm heading so it's good to know there will be some opportunities. I wasn't sure if there were additional requirements about the work experience to where it couldn't be remote or volunteer so that's good to hear as well.

What is the international experience verification? NASBA verifies your work even if it's not under a US CPA?

[AGI]

https://nasba.org/products/experienceverification/

You will be match with a US CPA, which that individual will verify your experience, and the CPA will judge your own working experience to determine if it fits.

There are plenty of opportunities in Toronto. If you are not picky about your dream accounting job, and be open minded, you will find them. Check your states' requirement. (In NY, being an accounting professor counted as qualified experience, as long as you got a CPA signature!)

Depends where you live in Toronto, going to Buffalo will be another option. It's only 1.5 hours away. If you make the drive, you can do it, or going home only on weekends, find a remote Buffalo based job, etc.

New York - NYC
Passed CPA Exam (11/2014)
In search for a position in NYC that will fulfills the license requirement.

[kfancy9]

Ohhh okay. I've thought about commuting to Buffalo but I'd like to try to find something in the GTA first. Thanks so much for the suggestions, it's given me a lot to think about!

[Author]

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