My girlfriend graduated from a US university, but will have to move to Canada because of Visa issues, is it true that she would need to re do her bachelor’s in order to be a licensed accountant in Canada?

Navigating Accounting Qualifications: A Graduate’s Dilemma in Canada

Relocating to a new country can be a daunting experience, especially when it comes to validating your professional qualifications. This is the situation my girlfriend finds herself in after graduating from a prestigious university in the United States and now facing visa complications that require her to move to Montreal, Canada.

As a Canadian permanent resident, she is enthusiastic about continuing her career in Accounting. However, we’ve encountered a troubling hurdle: information suggesting she may need to repeat her entire Bachelor’s degree at a Canadian institution in order to be eligible for licensure as an accountant.

She earned her degree from a top 20 university in the U.S., accumulating the required 150 credits, gained valuable experience working for a year at one of the Big Four Accounting firms, and has successfully completed two of the CPA exams. Given this impressive background, it seems excessive—if not absurd—that she would have to start anew with her education to practice as an accountant in Canada.

This has sparked a few questions for us. Is it possible for her to take an exam or pursue a certification that would validate her existing knowledge and experience without the need to redo her entire degree?

As someone unfamiliar with the intricacies of the accounting profession in Canada, I am reaching out for insight and guidance. If you have any advice or resources that could help her navigate this process, it would be greatly appreciated. Your expertise could make a significant difference in her journey to achieving her career goals in Canada.