I saved following tips around 1 year back, this could be useful to forum friends;
"Hi every one,
I have been receiving various questions from my fellow members of ICMAP. Most of these questions are of similar nature.
1- Which is the best time to come to Canada?
2- Which is the best city to live?
3- How much are living expenditure?
4- How is Climate?
5- What I should bring with me while coming to Canada?
6- What I should do (Education wise) before coming to Canada?
7- What professional designations are in Canada and which is better for CMAs of Pakistan?
8- How is the job market for CMAs of Pakistan in Canada?
9- What level of job I will get when I come to Canada?
10- What are salary ranges?
11- How should I start searching my first job?
12- Other tips.
I am pleased write the following lines to guide our members who are trying to settle in Canada. Please note that everybody has his/her own experience and he/she will guide you accordingly. It is not necessary that what is good for me will be good for you too. My intention is to share my knowledge, observation and experience which may differ from others.
1. Which is the best time to come to Canada?
Most Canadian companies close their financials by December 31 and staff also goes on Christmas vacation at that point of time. They always plan to complete their work, a couple of months ahead. The companies start hiring people by September/October. So there is good demand for accounting professional during that season. The worst period is from June to August because; this is school vacation period and companies hire students only and gets tax benefits. So they stop hiring people other than students. The job market will be very slow during that time.
2. Which is the best city to live?
Toronto is the financial heart of Canada, whereas Quebec in manufacturing hub. Language is the biggest hurdle in Quebec as their official language is French. Toronto is also referred as to GTA which comprise three main cities say Toronto, Mississauga and Makham. Toronto has the best transit system as compared to Mississauga and Markham. Most Pakistanis live in Toronto and Mississauga. To me the best living place to new comers is Toronto because you might not have a car in the beginning and commuting may be a problem in Mississauga and Markham. Once you are settled, you may move to another area of your choice. Most job opportunities are in Toronto and Mississauga. To me most convenient location for new comers in Toronto is Thorncliffe Park Drive, East York where I live and love. School, Mall, Mosque, Library, Dr. Office, Halal Foods Shops, Transport etc are at walking distance and on top of that Pakistani community, which is a great help for new comers.
3- How much are living expenditure?
Total living expenses are about $2000.00 per month. Rent is a major item on your expense list which will be about $900.00. Transportation will be $110.00, Laundry $50.00, Grocery $500.00, telephone internet, cable $100.00 and others about $300.00. You can save some rent by living in basement whose rent is normally $600.00 but I would recommend you not to do this saving because there are other serious issued involved with this venture.
4- How is Climate?
Summer is very short in Canada. It may last not more than 4 months from June to September. October is a little bit chilly and November to March will be extremely cold, again April to May will be a bit chilly. As I state earlier, the best time is from June to August. You can acclimatize yourself with changing weather. It rains in most of summer. The normal temperature in winter ranges from -10c to -20c which may go up to -30c. In summer normal temperature is 20c to 25c which may go to 30c.
5- What I should bring with me while coming to Canada?
As a new comer you must bring as much stuff as you can to save money here. The things you must not buy from Pakistan are warm clothes and shoes. Even the best quality from Pakistan will not work here. Dont buy leather stuff. Bring as much clothes like shirts, jeans, t-shirts, bed sheets, curtain, utensils, socks, towels, etc as you can.
6- What I should do (Education wise) before coming to Canada?
You must get expertise on Advanced Excel and Words which is highly demanded here. QuickBooks, AccPac, MS Great Plans are software which are used in small business and are in good demand. However, you should also take advantage and do SAP, People Soft, (ERP) to enter into large businesses here. Visit the websites that I will tabulate under Job Market to assess software in demand here. If you can finish, you should do ACCA/CIMA before you come to Canada. These institutes have mutual recognition agreements here so you will get your certification without wasting time and you will able to get a good job.
7- What professional designations are in Canada and which is better for CMAs of Pakistan?
There are three professional bodies here say CA, CMA, CGA. You cant do CA because you will not be able to get internship here. CMA is the most demanded designation here. CMA gives exemptions from entrance exam so you have to complete their strategic leadership program for 2 years which will cost you about $9000.00. You can get more information from
www.cma-ontario.org. If you did your CMA Pakistan recently (Under new syllabus), you will be able to get complete exemption up to level 3rd and 3 papers of level 4th. You can get more information from
www.cga-ontario.org. CGA will cost you according to your performance but the minimum estimate is $8,000.00.
8- How is the job market for CMAs of Pakistan in Canada?
CMA Pakistan has no recognition here. You will be able to get entry level jobs on that basis. However, if you perform better you can make room very easily.
9- What level of job I will get when I come to Canada?
You will have to start over your career from scratch. In most cases you will get entry level job. If you upgrade yourself with Canadian designation and experience you will be able to get better jobs.
10- What are salary ranges?
Generally you get $13 to $15 per hour in entry level jobs. Once you are appointed full time you may get job ranging $25,000.00 to $40,000.00.
11- How should I start searching my first job?
The first thing that you need to do is to revise your resume. Canadian style is quite different from Pakistani style. Ask someone to help you out in this regard when you come to Canada. Then you should send your resume to different employment agencies. The biggest one is Accountemps. I would strongly recommend not going to Accountemps in the beginning. Apply in small agencies first and after some experience you should go to Accountemps. Always remember most Pakistanis go to Accountemps which retains 60% job in Canada, and ruin their profile their and never get a job.
Employment agencies will give test of Excel, Word, Accounting, Data Feeding etc. You chances to get a job quicker will depend on your performance.
12- Other tips.
Canada is different culture than Pakistan. Many habit which we dont care in Pakistan, amounts a lot here. Leave your dirty attitudes in Pakistan and try to understand Canadian culture. So here are few tips:
a. Use magic words frequently Thank you, you are welcome, please, sorry, etc.
b. Most Pakistanies even our members will not be helpful to you. First question they will ask you is that Why you have come to Canada? Another statement, Children will be ruined here we are planning to go back to Pakistan.
c. Always remember coming to Canada is very hard and coming back to Pakistan is even harder.
d. Always meet with successful people. Fail people will discourage you.
e. Get your first job as soon as possible irrespective of nature of job. As it is matter your survival.
f. Always be punctual and never reach late anywhere. People wont wait for you.
g. Dont go anywhere without an appointment, even to your close friends.
h. Be communicative, if you are running late, just let the person know.
i. Never ever say any wrong word to anybody.
j. Dont be personal with new people say what is your salary, designation etc.
k. Dont poke you nose unless you are asked.
l. Never criticize any one, Hay what a bad colour you are wearing.
m. If you think that someone is making a mistake, dont say you are wrong, say Can we do it this ways and then tell you opinion.
I have tried to sum up as much detail as I could. However, I hope our other member will also share their experiences and provide you with some valuable tips.
Wish you good luck."
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