Canadian Accountant seeking advise

[yvrpinoy]

Hello All,

First of all thank you very much in advance for your comments/suggestions. I visited Singapore the first time in Feb 2010 and I fell in love with the city nation. I am seriously looking at moving to Singapore and work for 2 years and at the same time travel around other Asian countries.

I am originally from the Philippines but now a Canadian citizen. I have been living in Canada for the past 22 years. I have a university degree (Economics) from the Philippines but had to complete a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Canada as a requirement to earning the Certified General Accountant (CGA) designation, one of three professional accounting designations in Canada. I have 12 years accounting experience, 8 years of which was with the private sector (controller was my last position) and the last 4 years with the government sector where I am still employed as Finance Officer (started with responsibilities in budgeting and forecasting, currently financial analysis, procurement/contract management).


My intention is to find finance related work (financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, etc) in the private sector in Singapore and so I am wondering since my finance work experience is with the government sector, that this would be a disadvantage and a challenge for me. Also I am wondering if anyone knows of any CGA currently working in Singapore or if the CGA designation is recognized in the country. CGA does have a mutual recognition agreement with ACCA UK and so if this would increase my chances, I could obtain this designation (by completing and passing a Tax course) before coming to Singapore.

Thank you all.