Chartered Accountants
 

I'm gonna do my CACEE form this September and I'm wondering if there are any CA or CA-to-be here and can give me some advice.

i = CA + am involved, to a degree, in the recruiting process

good luck - hope you're well 'rounded (i work for biggest big 4, grades ARE NOT the be all and end all, a rounded person is a 100 times better candidate)

just write a professional story/reason why you are a good fit for the firm, for a career with whichever firm you're applying with, get who you are across on paper - let them know how/why you're interesting

but most importantly, make an impression at the info/recruiting nights - that's where you make it

whats the difference, costs/benefits of
CA, CGA, CFA, etc?

google them, look into it

basically, from an ignorant person's view, CA>CMA>CGA from the perspective of accounting (all are VERY good designations to have, i know millionaires who have either of them - it's what you do with the designation that matters)

CFA is more of an investment designation, perhaps doesn't provide the job security of an accounting designation, but equally can make you tits loads of money (often CA's go on to get their CFA's) - it's a great designation to have, lots of hard work to get, though (from what i hear)

all in all, it depends more what you want to do with them, so look them up + go to career fairs

there are many other designations, including the CBV that is quite a tasty idea, MBA's are never bad, either (as long as you get it from a good school, and not UBC, where its 99% chinese/indian exchange students)

first u need a good cacee form that makes u stand out...so u get an interview

before the interview...research the firm and know their values, cultures
at the interview....suck up to the interviewer

I disagree with the CA>CMA>CGA designation statement. The differences between designations were more pronounced between the designations say approximately 10+ years ago. If you look at the curriculum between each program now you will notice that the CGA program is more CA-like and the CA program is more CGA-like, which is why the old guard CA’s grumble about how soft the new CA’s are. Major difference between the program is the type of training that you will find between a CA or a CGA.

From my experiences CA’s are more cut from the same mould (i.e. certain amount of audit hours required, certain amount of tax hours required), whereas CGA’s tend to be a bit more specialized in whatever industry that they work for. I cannot quite say which is better because I have met people who know nothing with either designations.

Ultimately, one cannot go wrong with either designation if you intend to stay in western Canada; however, back east (namely Toronto) there is still a predominantly bias towards CA’s.

Thanks, I'm just wondering wut's the best approach during the recruiting sessions. I know there will be at least 10 ppl hounding each recruiter and I don't know how to squeeze myself in. I'm the sort of guy who waits his turn but I know being courteous won't get me anywhere.

Also, do the recruiters prefer ppl with business background? I've been doing business on the side during these years and I'm wondering if it's a good idea to mention it.

I went to recruiting last year, and the firms said they hired 50% from DAP (diploma in Accounting program) UBC. You don't necessarily need a business degree. They like DAP students because most of the students are working at the same time while obtaining their diploma, they have diverse majors (science, economics, engineering, comp sci), and they are more focused in accounting.

Another important thing while you are attending the recruiting session is to hand out business cards to the people you talked to. I've heard from one rep that at the end of the day they sort out all the cards into "good piles" and bad ones, and they also check the attendance sheets to see who went.

Of course, you will be going into with a set of questions to ask the rep about the job, the firms culture and so on, but try to talk about other things other than work. Try to see if you can spark a connection with the rep and that will set you apart from the other canidates.

I'm a CMA. My older brother is a CA.

Make sure you know what kind of work you want to do BEFORE you pursue a designation. Don't chase the letters. Choose a career that you would enjoy and then pursue the means to achieve that.

I'm pursuing a position as an accounting manager or controller. My brother is pursuing partnership. They are very different careers and for the most part, have different designations that pursue those kinds of jobs.

All the best!

Kev

^^ +1

Don't fall into the trap about the letters. Each designation has it's own benefit.

CA = audit experience, public company relations, more of a financial reporting specialty and can open a public practice firm
CMA = manager, controller position with a focus on leadership and managing experience
CGA = industry accountants that do well in industry (can also have a public practice firm but not as easy as a CA)

My background is CA and I am writing my UFE this year. I would suggest you really focus on which degree you really want because none of them are easy. From my experience I would not become a CA because I don't like public practice (personal preference) and I really want to be in industry but I got suckered into the imaginary "prestige" of the CA. CA do think they are the better designation but I disagree and it really depends on you.

If you have more questions pm and I can try to help you out.

if you wait in line, you'll never talk to anyone - be assertive, ask questions, don't be rude - know when its your turn to talk, know when to leave a person (go out on a high)

to the other comments - 50% from DAP? nope, we select the best suited recruits based on a number of factors - if 50% come from DAP, that's just because that's how the numbers work out - no plan for that

yes, take business cards - they don't have to be CUS, DAP or whatever SFU's equivalent is - make your own - i did, and you may stand out more

but, no, there is not 'good' and 'bad' pile - but make a good impression, this will certianly help ppl remember your name

no, CACEE's aren't scanned through for a certain grade level - all CACEE's are read

as for which designation to go for - everyone is right, do what's right for you - CA was best for me, CGA would definitely not be right for me - that's me, though

recruiting season starts REAL FUCKING SOON! so, get your nice suit out, put a smile on your face, and just get out there and meet ppl - you don't need really snazzy questions about hte firm or anything - just meet ppl (From staff to partners), find out who they are, what they like to do, how their career has fitted into their goals - and have a discussion, not a question/answer period!

if you can't keep up a conversation, well, you're probably doomed in life, anyways :)

best of luck to everyone out there - you'll see me at select events (but you won't know who i am :) )

^^+1 Great advice again you need to make yourself stand out from the others so you have to be politely aggressive

Oh ya GOOD LUCK!!