TN visa for accountant position

C

caroline2007

New Member
Hi, I am looking for an accountant job in US now. I realized that lots of accounting jobs with different titles such as Accounts payable specialist, Accounting Assisstant, Billing Coordinator, AP Assistant, etc. Some requires minimum education is above high school, some requires associate degree.
Even though most jobs' minimum education is low, they usually hire at least BA degree. It should fulfil the requirement for TN.
How about the job titles? How to make sure the jobs titles we applied fulfil the requirements for TN?
thanks
 
Please refer to NAFTA list of professions. Only CGAs can get TN visa. The job titles which you are mentioning are catagorized under administrative/clarical job titles.

I was working as an accounting assistant in Canada but I can not get similar type of job here legally. Thats what I know abt these types of jobs. If you find this information wrong, please let me know because I would also like to start working again.

Thanks
 
First,

You need to have either a bachelors degree in business as an accounting major or a designation - CMA, CGA, or CA to be an accountant.

Second, most of the positions you named are typically clerical and/or support positions in an organization.

An accountant in the US is typically a CPA which is similar to a CA.

The CMA and CGA are typically employees at a company and would typically be the accounting manager or CFO.

From what you are also asking, the title is extremely important. The simpler the better. You just need to show how your degree is specifically related to the job. If you have a degree in Art History, you are going to have a very difficult time getting an accounting job.

Do you have any of the above designations or degree?
 
First, thank you so much for replying me. I was waiting for a long time, but nobody answers me. :(

I have a degree - bachelor of Commerce. I hate U of T put all accounting and finance programs under Commerce title. I hope it won't be a problem.

Right now, I may have a few options and those options titles are Accounts Payable specialist, Client billing Coordinator, etc. I am worried about whether it's fit for TN requirements.
The problem is whether those titles fit for the TN requirement?
If not, I don't want to waste my time applying them. Can you tell me?
thanks a lot!



simsd said:
First,

You need to have either a bachelors degree in business as an accounting major or a designation - CMA, CGA, or CA to be an accountant.

Second, most of the positions you named are typically clerical and/or support positions in an organization.

An accountant in the US is typically a CPA which is similar to a CA.

The CMA and CGA are typically employees at a company and would typically be the accounting manager or CFO.

From what you are also asking, the title is extremely important. The simpler the better. You just need to show how your degree is specifically related to the job. If you have a degree in Art History, you are going to have a very difficult time getting an accounting job.

Do you have any of the above designations or degree?
Click to expand...
 
So you have a bachelor of commerce with a major in accounting? If so, this shouldn't be a problem. You just need to look at the positions you are applying for and make sure they are accounting related and that they require degree with an accounting background.
 
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Job title is important

From my experience, job title is important. As your mentioned, "A/P specialist" is better than "Client billing Coordinator", because the first one is more obvious related to Accounting. I got an offer as “Credit specialist” before and did not work out, because the lawyer thought the job title could be a potential problem for approval.

Your degree is OK. I have the same as “Bachelor of Commerce” in Accounting major. As long as it is Accounting major, it really doesn’t matter how they call it. BTW, you don't have to be a CGA or CPA or whatever to get a TN visa. As long as you have a degree in accounting major, it will be good enough. Trust me, I got twice for difference employers and renewed once already. It is not as hard as people think.

Good Luck.
 
Thanks Simsd & CATN2007.

My degree is only showing like "Bachelor of Commerce". I hope the immigration officer knows it.
I will go to border tomorrow. Wish me luck!
=)
 
Some suggestions:
1. take your transcripts. you can show the accounting courses you've taken. Though a Business Degree should be sufficient.

2. Does the job description/duties state that an accounting/business degree is required? This will be important and your letter should explain this when discussing the roles.

Good luck.
 
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