Ok guys this is the deal. My mother had applied for Canadian immigration via the skilled worker program in Aug 2009 and sponsored me and my sister. She primarily did it for me because she ideally wants me to have dual nationality and an option to get out of Pakistan in case things continue to get worse over here. Plus i had higher education ambitions too along with a desire to work outside Pakistan for a few years so this plan looks perfect for the time being.
I have chosen to pursue the chartered Accountancy qualification in Canada. Why? Because the CA is a prestigious qualifcation and in almost all the big firms in almost all the senior management people i see people with the CA qualifications. Besides almost all the CA's and people so deep in the accounting field i have had the opportunity to interact with, its just incredible to see their deep knowledge about almost all the important sectors of the economy.
Anyways i started my research in June 2010, and came in contact with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ontario (ICAO). I sent them a few emails, explaining to them my background, education i.e. having completed my 4 year BBA and another 2 year MBA from IBA in Karachi and they explained to me the path i would need to undertake to pursue this journey.
The first requirement to get into the CA program is to meet the minimum 51 credit hour requirement. If i have flawlessly covered this then i can directly register as a CA student with the ICAO, apply for articleships with auditing firms and work with them for 3 years during which i am expected to work while taking 3 big exams.
First obvious step was for me to submit my BBA, MBA transcripts, detailed course outlines of all the accounting and related courses i took at IBA to see how much credit i can get with regards to meeting the min 51 credit hour courses. I have already done that now, it took a lot of effort to gather this stuff from IBA and on Jan 2011 i finally gathered everything and submitted it. The lady informed me via email that the assesment takes atleast 6 months, its been almost 8 months now and i still havent heard from the ICAO. But they did tell me regardless of the evaluation i had to take the following 4 courses (Advanced Accounting Elective, Corporate taxation, Personal taxation, business law) at a University in Ontario from a list of universities recognized and listed on their website which include the following
1) Algoma University
2) Brock University
3) Carleton University
4) Conestoga College Institute of Technology
5) George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology
6) Humber College Institute of Technology
7) Lakehead University
8) Laurentian University
9) McMaster University
10) Nipissing University
11) Queen's University
12) Redeemer University College
13) Ryerson University
14) Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology
15) The University of Western Ontario
16) Trent University
17) University of Guelph
18) University of Guelph Humber
19) University of Ontario Institute of Technology
20) University of Ottawa
21) University of Toronto - Mississauga Accredited
22) University of Toronto - Mississauga - Other Programs
23) University of Toronto - RSM - Accredited
24) University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management - Other Programs
25) University of Toronto - Scarborough
26) University of Waterloo
27) University of Windsor
28) Wilfrid Laurier University
29) York University
Now considering i only at best will need to take 4-6 courses from a university, i have no desire to enter into a full time degree program just for the sake of taking 4-6 courses because of the high expense and time wastage involved. The ICAO representative clearly intimated to me that i can take these courses on an individual, part time, continuing education basis without having the need to register as a full time student at these universities. When i contacted these universities some of them confirmed to me that they do allow students to take courses on a part time basis, continuing education basis but this was only allowed to Canadian Citizens/Residents. Given that my immigration is still in process, i will definitely take this route and only pay, study the courses i need too.
We finally got our medical calls from the Canadian authorities in July 2011 and given the experiences of other successful immigrants, they tell us that is basically a sign that the immigration is accepted and everything else is basically a formality after that. On average people receive their residency visa's after 8-9 months from the date of their medical calls. And we are expecting to receive our residency visa's in Feb 2012.
Another good news is that i have received a part time job offer of one year at a construction firm in Toronto where i will be working in a junior position in their accounting department which will both allow me to earn, get used to the Canadian financial/accounting/auditing systems and ofcourse allow me to complete these part time courses on the side as well.
Anyways i have emailed to these universities about my case, what i need from them, what i am looking for. Out of these 29 universities, 11 have rejected me over the email inspite of the fact they are mentioned on the ICAO website. Some have just not bothered to respond to my queries at all and have instead just sent me automatic irrelevent responses. Some have given me the go ahead with wierd conditions that i was welcome to enter into a distance learning program with them online but if i desire to study in a classroom environment then i will have to register as a full time student. But in any case i am only elligible to apply to them officially once i have my residency visa and am in Canada.
Currently i have taken leave from the bank i am working in for 8-10 days, coming to Toronto in this time period to spend time with my father and ofcourse to do as much as possible during that time period to further help myself and the case. Given that i successfully managed to get a part time job beyond my expectations i need to make sure that the university i take the courses i need to take is in close proximity to that place.
I will only be in Toronto so it will have to be University of Toronto, York University, University of Guelph, University of Guelph Humber, George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology, Humber College Institute of Technology etc. Surprisingly i have received a negative response from the likes of Mcmaster, University of Toronto, getting a negative response from Waterloo wasnt a surprise. Getting into Wilfred Laurier and Windsor doesnt look to be a big problem but they are too far away hence i wont be looking into them.
One thing though i would like to have cleared with the ICAO is whether they will allow me to take courses from universities that are not included in their list on their website. If they give me a positive response then i can expand my search to other universities closer to my residence, employer etc. Btw i will be staying in the neighborhood of Ajax for the 10 days i will be in Toronto.
Also have to visit the ICAO to find out whats the status of my evaluation and to seek their advice in person on my current predicament.
What i have been advised to do is to plan the list of places i will visit on Oct 28, 29, 30, November 1, November 2, November 3, November 4, November 5, November 6, November 7. I will be using the Go transit system and will be walking primarily.
Will be greatful for everyone's suggestions, feedback, advice, suggestions, insights etc