P.G. Diploma From TRU (Accounts)?

[nottushar]

Hey Guys, I'm a lurker on this forum for quite some while now. This forum was a real eye-opener and very informative, for immigrants or future immigrants. I had some questions so I wanted to ask that. Any suggestions/criticism is welcome.

Background -
X - 80%
XII - 75% (commerce with maths)
B.Com - 51% Panjab University, India
IELTS - 7.5

I want to go to Canada, for future studies and most probably immigration. I was interested in an MBA, but was advised by my agent (Canam) to go for a P.G. diploma because it was cheaper and had better job prospects in Canada. Since I have relatives in Vancouver, I preferred going to British Columbia. Canam advised me to got to Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, because it was a University, and had a two year course, which would mean a three year work permit. This would eventually help me get my P.R. easily.
I was calculating my total cost and it came up close to $40,000 or INR 20 Lakh ($28000 as tuition and $12000 as living expenses), which was more than about 10-12 lakh, compared to a regular P.G. course of one year done from any other college. So my questions are -

1 - Does doing a P.G. Diploma from TRU so much different from doing it from a college such as Humber, Seneca, Centennial, Fanshawe, that I spend 10 lakh rupees more on it.

2 - Best option for PG diplomas? Someone suggested accounts as it had better job options compared to HR, IBM or finance. Is it so?

3 - Is there a problem in getting a P.R. after one year of study and than one year of work experience, compared to two years of studying and three years of working.

4 - Should I look into MBA options? Are they better than P.G. Diplomas?

[ad singh]

hi nottushar,

Read your post, i also thought a lot on all the aforementioned points. FINALLY , i decided to take this course only .so,I am going for the same course in the same university .

p.g diploma from tru is better than those from the community colleges at toronto because west canada has more job opportunities as compared to east Canada ( Toronto included) because market is saturated there.

2) Yes accountancy enjoys more demand as compared to hr or business management . this is due to the fact that the people going into these courses is less cause its technical field and moreover chosen by those who are willing to get licensed later on ..like ca / cga/cma. accounts filed has good demand also because of the fact that in developed country like Canada, almost every business has to compulsorily make accounts ( right form the shopkeeper to the big corporates) and everyone pays taxes .. which clearly means they need more from accounts field.

3) Its also true that one year course gives one year work permit , which squeezes the chance of p.r just because the student may find it hard to get employment in the same field and get experience of one year to apply for p.r in that one year permit.

4) MBA is good too, but for that you will need to take gmat , need work experience as manager for several years and shell out more to get the degree .So pg diploma is a lot more flexible option .

5) Yes, the course fees for tru will burn a hole in your pocket , but it is good investment . as it may provide three years work permit( more chances of p.r) and its a university..

my advice is in non expert nature , i am a student like you.

[scylla]

An MBA is far better than a PG Diploma (but also more expensive).

If you are interested in working as an accountant, you would be much better off getting your CA, CGA or CMA - rather than a PG Diploma. A CA, CGA or CMA designation is what most companies are looking for when hiring.

Keep in mind that your consultant wants to make money - that's why he's telling you the PG diploma is the best option.

I was born in Canada and have worked for almost 15 years now with one of the big Canadian banks. The advice I've given above is based on my experience in this industry in Canada.

[ad singh]

scylla i am indian chartered accountant ( CA) , i am going for post bacc diploma in accounting from tru.

i also plan to do cga alongside the diploma ( i have to give 5 papers to clear academic requirement of course based on advanced standing status for a ca )

can you please tell me ,  what are the  job prospects upon graduation from the university who is already a ca from india.

[nottushar]

 @ AD Singh - Yeah, I read your profile, It's quite similar to mine, except that I have a weaker education (no M.com or C.A.)
Thank you, this definitely answered most of my questions. I too am planning to do a CGA AFTER my Diploma, so can you give me details on that, the duration and eligibility and weather I'd have to take extra classes along with my Diploma.

[nottushar]

 @ scylla Thank you for guiding me.

Yeah, I know my agent is just interested in money, that's why I'm clearing my doubts here.

I was planning a CGA or an MBA after I obtain a PR, this is because the fee course will be less (in case of MBA, which is quite expensive) and I'll have some work experience which will not only help me get into a good university, but also help me understand the course better while I'm doing it.

Correct me If I'm wrong.

[ad singh]

yes sure nottushar,

the weather is best for us indians , as british columbia is warmer as compared to rest of canada. moreover, kamloops is the most sunny place in entire british columbia ( barring few snowy days ) .

as regards cga, you will get credits and exemptions . These credits are transferable and you will have to appear for lesser papers in cga AFTER finishing your post bacc diploma, infact the course content of this course itself mentions that this course is done by those students who wanna do professional designations..
however, my case is bit different cause i will do cga papers ( 4 / 5 papers ) along with my university course cause international students can do cga in bc on study visa. click on this link to know more........http://cga-bc.org/become_a_cga.aspx?id=6080

even you can do cga side by side.



 

[nottushar]

Thanks for the info!

OK, So I'll decide over there if I'll do my CGA along with or after the course. I'll probably do it AFTER, because I want to concentrate on my Diploma, get a good GPA.

BTW do you know how difficult is CGA? Interms of CA. Like I have passed the group of IPCC (Accounts, Tax, Cost & FM, and LAW). Do you think CGA might be 'difficult' for me?

and my Graduation score (51%) can it be a problem for my visa? Although I have good X, XII and IELTS score.

[ad singh]

I was planning a CGA or an MBA after I obtain a PR, this is because the fee course will be less (in case of MBA, which is quite expensive) and I'll have some work experience which will not only help me get into a good university, but also help me understand the course better while I'm doing it.

Correct me If I'm wrong.
[/quote]


buddy, cga wont charge you international fees for doing cga ( cause its like correspondence course). THATS THE BENEFIT OF CGA.. you dont need to wait for p.r to start cga just to save international fees..

i am not an expert, just a student...

[nottushar]

Yeah, The cost point was for the MBA. 

I'm planning CGA after Diploma because I wanna concentrate on my Diploma, and as you said, I'll have to give less exams if I do it afterwords. Diploma can be the 'base' for my CGA.

[ad singh]

have you cleared both groups of ipcc.( you mentioned just 4 subjects , where are the other two)
i am asking cause both groups will entitle you to be called ca ( inter )


academic profile plays a huge role in visa. graduation score matters , but its not the only thing they see..

i wonder why you dont wanna do indian ca first, cause indian cas are already in managerial postions in canada ( even when they didnt do cga or ca or cma in canada ) , i know its the most tough course in commerce field, but its definitely fruitful one..

anyways cga will be easier after your tru course ..


i am not an expert , just a student like you ..

[nottushar]

Na, that was IPCC, not PCC. The other two subjects long with half of accounts were in the other group. And I'm not studying any more CA subjects, it's too long.

Ok then, let's keep in touch. When do you have your flight BTW?

[ad singh]

have you applied for visa...?

so you have cleared one group of ca inter / ipcc/pcc

my flight is on 29 th to vancouver


yeah we will stay in touch.. anytime man..

[nottushar]

Na, waiting for my offer letter. BTW, do you think VISA should be a problem?

Oh, congratulations! So you've got friends or relatives in Vancouver? or going straight to Kamloops?

[ad singh]

its hard to comment on visa without knowing your overall profile . but chances are good for university applicants ... so i think you can get it .. 


clearance can be done at vancouver international airport only( study permit and all)  and not at kamloops airport..


i got a friend in vancouver..