Navigating Accounting Credentials: My Girlfriend’s Journey from the US to Canada

Recently, my girlfriend faced a significant challenge after graduating from a prestigious university in the United States. Despite her achievements, she now needs to relocate to Montreal due to complications with her visa status. As a Canadian Permanent Resident, the move is essential, but understanding the implications for her Accounting career has proved daunting.

One particularly concerning piece of information we stumbled upon online was the possibility that she might need to repeat her entire bachelor’s degree at a Canadian institution. This seems quite perplexing, especially given that she graduated from a top 20 university in the US, completed the necessary 150 credit hours, and gained valuable experience working for a year at one of the ‘Big Four’ Accounting firms, not to mention her progress with the CPA exams.

Our primary question reflects the frustrations many face: Is it really necessary for her to redo her bachelor’s degree, or are there alternative pathways she can pursue to validate her qualifications? We are eager to learn if there are any exams or certifications she could take to demonstrate her competency and expedite her entry into the Canadian accounting profession.

If you are familiar with the accounting landscape in Canada or have insights on how to navigate this transition, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Understanding the requirements and processes will help us take informed steps forward in her career while she adapts to her new surroundings. Thank you in advance for your guidance!