Hello I am a Canadian citizen wishing to become a CPA. I know to become a CPA requires varying experience depending on the state.

What is the process a Canadian citizen has to undergo when seeking employment in the U.S i.e work permit, green card etc. ? and is this a difficult process?
I noticed on the US government website they only had work permits for international students who wanted to work during their studies, but no permits that allowed permanent full time employment after.

I also was considering just taking the exams (and hopefully passing them) and using the CPA certificate as a resume enhancer to gain employment in Canada under a Chartered Accountant at a firm (and have this serve as my experience requirements for becoming a CPA) has anyone taken this route before?

Is it likely a Canadian firm would find a CPA certificate desirable and hire me although my goal is to be licensed as a CPA and not as a CA? Similarly, I could always change my goals if I were hired by a Canadian firm and aim for my CA, however having completed my CPA exams (with no liscense) would I be exempt from the CA examinations ? (perhaps that is not a question for this forum).

In Canada you can't even take the Chartered Accountant Examinations unless you have been offered employment by a firm, which is why I am exploring the CPA option because you can take the cpa examinations and at least get a certificate to enhance your marketability to firms.

Anyway I know this may be confusing and overwhelming but anyone who has any feedback/input/suggestions feel free to shed some light it would be greatly appreciated.

Quote: I also was considering just taking the exams (and hopefully passing them) and using the CPA certificate as a resume enhancer to gain employment in Canada under a Chartered Accountant at a firm (and have this serve as my experience requirements for becoming a CPA) has anyone taken this route before?

To be honest, passing the CPA exam does not mean much these days even in the U.S (have a look at the careers section of this forum) so it even means less in Canada.

Quote: Is it likely a Canadian firm would find a CPA certificate desirable and hire me although my goal is to be licensed as a CPA and not as a CA?

No.

Quote: Similarly, I could always change my goals if I were hired by a Canadian firm and aim for my CA, however having completed my CPA exams (with no liscense) would I be exempt from the CA examinations ? (perhaps that is not a question for this forum).

Quote: In Canada you can't even take the Chartered Accountant Examinations unless you have been offered employment by a firm, which is why I am exploring the CPA option because you can take the cpa examinations and at least get a certificate to enhance your marketability to firms.

That's why its called "Chartered Accountant", the requirements are the same in Australia, England, Ireland etc.

Passing the CPA exam barely increases your marketability with big and mid-sized CPA firms in the U.S.

Here is the difference between Canada and the U.S.

If you manage to land a job straight out of school with a reputable CPA firm then you will be making just as much as a CA, and if you are a recent CPA with no public accounting experience then you will be making way less, in Canada will call them CGAs.

Bottom line, if you really want to be a CA, then try applying to the UofT MMPA program, otherwise do like others who couldn't secure a CA spot, move on and pursue CMA/CGA instead.

I can't thank you enough, youve been so helpful.

This clears up a lot for me.