Accounts is one of the integral and most important parts of any organization. Here are different levels of programs one can take up in the field of accounting.
- Diplomas
- Advanced Diploma
- Certificate III
- Certificate IV
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
Here are some of the reasons a lot of students take up Accounting:
- High demand
- Wide variety of opportunities
- Growth-oriented career
- Lucrative payout
- Excellent PR pathway
Skill-sets required and expected:
- Interest and comfortability with numbers
- Lots of perseverance
- Computation-savvy
- Keen eye for details
If the thought of job stability and potential growth in the field of accounting always excites you, studying in Australia can help you acquire all the professional skills you need to become a qualified accountant.
Professional Year Program – Accounting (SMIPA)
SMIPA is a professional year program approved by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection and developed by the three professional accounting bodies in Australia – CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants ANZ and the Institute of Public Accountants.
The reason for the development of this course is to provide a solution to the limited number of skilled professionals in Australia and increase the number of employable international students by increasing their expertise and skill-set and giving them the opportunity to obtain field training.
It is a 44-week course which includes 32 weeks of coursework and 12 weeks of internship.
One of the top benefits of completing a Professional Year Program is that the graduate is eligible to receive five (5) extra points on the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) ‘points test’ when applying for a Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa.
Eligibility Criteria
Before applying for student visa in Australia, one must have:
- A valid passport
- Offer Letter from the selected university
- English Language Proficiency Certificates
(IELTS 6.5 overall score with no score lower than 6.0 in each component or PTE Academic score 58 with no score lower than 50 in each component)
- Sufficient funds for the duration of your course of study
- Evidence of Overseas Students Health Cover
- All other relevant documents required by the Department of Home Affairs
- Eligibility requirements may vary depending upon the profile of the candidate
Pathway To Australian Permanent Residency
Because of increased demand for accounting graduates and as with other sectors of accountancy, these occupations are listed consistently in the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and Combined List of Eligible Skilled Occupations. As mentioned above, a PY graduate is eligible to receive five (5) extra points on the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) ‘points test’ when applying for a Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa.
ANZSCO Code : 221111-221113 – Accountants
What Do Accountants Do?
- Provide services relating to financial reporting, taxation, auditing, insolvency, accounting information systems, budgeting, cost management, planning and decision-making by organisations and individuals
- Provide advice on associated compliance and performance requirements to ensure statutory and strategic governance
- Provide services relating to compliance-based financial reporting, auditing, insolvency and accounting information systems; and advice on associated record-keeping requirements
- Provide services relating to performance-based financial reporting, asset valuation, budgetary systems, cost management, pricing, forecasting and the strategic governance of organisations
- Provide advice on financial planning, risk management, carbon sequestration projects and carbon pricing and provides management with reports to assist in decision-making
- May provide insight into cost performance and support the implementation of benchmarking and quality improvement initiatives
- Analyse, report and provide advice on taxation issues to organisations or individuals, prepare taxation returns and reports, and handle disputes with taxation authorities
Tasks Include
- Assisting in formulating budgetary and accounting policies
- Preparing financial statements for presentation to boards of directors, management, shareholders, and governing and statutory bodies
- Conducting financial investigations, preparing reports, undertaking audits and advising on matters such as the purchase and sale of businesses, mergers, capital financing, suspected fraud, insolvency and taxation
- Examining operating costs and organisations’ income and expenditure
- Providing assurance about the accuracy of information contained in financial reports and their compliance with statutory requirements
- Providing financial and taxation advice on business structures, plans and operations
- Preparing taxation returns for individuals and organisations
- Liaising with financial institutions and brokers to establish funds management arrangements
- Introducing and maintaining accounting systems, and advising on the selection and application of computer-based accounting systems
- Maintaining internal control systems
- May appraise cash flow and financial risk of capital investment projects
Visa Options for Immigration Per MLTSSL
- 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
- 189 – Skilled Independent (subclass 189) – Points-Tested
- 190 – Skilled Nominated (subclass 190)
- 407 – Training visa (subclass 407)
- 485 – Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) – Graduate Work
- 489 – Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) – Family nominated
- 489 – Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) – State or Territory nominated
- 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) – Medium Term Stream
- 187 – Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
