[Denzil3003]

I'm totally confused as to what points I can claim... If I summarise my situation can anyone help me with roughly what points I maybe able to get?

30 years old
BSc (Hons) in Agriculture from Newcastle Uni (seems to be on list)
No job offer in NZ (although may be a distinct possibility)
Now work as a qualified accountant (auditor) which are on long term skills shortage list and immediate skills shortage list.
Have worked as an accountant for 6 years (3 years post qualification) but obviously this is different to my degree. However, I am an ACCA qualified accountant...

I have no idea which qualifications count, whether they would need to be assessed, what experience points I can claim, etc...

[peebles16]

Hey Denzil3003
Someone much more knowledgable than me will be able to give you more information but here's my understanding of EOI points. I think you can only claim points for your qualifications if they are directly linked to the job you are applying for under long-term skills. Does that make sense? So if applying under accountancy then couldn't claim for agriculture degree - I think?? Best trying out points calculator on NZIS with different combinations of what you can claim for and then take it from there?
Good luck

[Denzil3003]

Peebles - Ah ok, thanks... But presumably I would be able to claim for my accountancy qualification (ACCA) which is an internationally recognised qualification but I presume that would need assessing by them...

[peebles16]

Yep think you should be able to claim for ACCA but can't help you with whether it needs assessed or not. We didn't go down that route as OH had to be registered with his professional board to gain employment so they did assessment. Think if you search in NZQA section of this site you bound to find something.

[renew]

your degree will get you 50 points and you wont need to get it assessed if it is awarded by a university on the approved list. It does not matter that you dont use this degree in your current job.

I dont see your degree on the Long Term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL)
http://glossary.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/063ECB35-F5D5-44D8-8325-7041A727A9D5/0/1093.pdf You may be equivalent to the horticultural but from what you have written I dont see that you have the experience. I therfore dont think that you could claim bonus points for this.

You may be able to obtain bonus points if you met the requirements of Auditors as listed on the LTSSL. So a Degree majoring in accounting AND membership of NZICA. Best check with NZICA about this . Witgout meeting this requirement you cant get qualification or work experience bonus points. You would however get the general points for work experience.
http://www.nzica.com//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home1
I am guessing if you got bonus points you would likely be selected quickly.

good luck

[Denzil3003]

So I would get 50 points for my degree but wouldn't get any extra points for being an auditor (which is on the immediate skills shortage list) because, despite being a qualified accountant with 6 years work experience in auditing, I haven't got a degree in it... This isn't looking hopeful... :(

I wouldn't get any bonus points for my agriculture because I haven't used it for 6 years... because I've been working as an auditor... If they have an immediate shortage of auditors it doesn't seem to be that easy to help them out...

[renew]

So I would get 50 points for my degree but wouldn't get any extra points for being an auditor (which is on the immediate skills shortage list) because, despite being a qualified accountant with 6 years work experience in auditing, I haven't got a degree in it... This isn't looking hopeful... :(

I wouldn't get any bonus points for my agriculture because I haven't used it for 6 years... because I've been working as an auditor... If they have an immediate shortage of auditors it doesn't seem to be that easy to help them out...

hi,
How many points will you have as it stands?
The best option is probably to get a job offer - loads of extra points and you are "prioritised" though the EOI and ITA stage. Though it may still take a while. If you are in the position you could go over as a tourist and do some hunting for work. Then once you have an offer sumbit EOI etc. It works out cheaper that way as well.

cheers

Ian

[Denzil3003]

hi,
How many points will you have as it stands?
The best option is probably to get a job offer - loads of extra points and you are "prioritised" though the EOI and ITA stage. Though it may still take a while. If you are in the position you could go over as a tourist and do some hunting for work. Then once you have an offer sumbit EOI etc. It works out cheaper that way as well.

cheers

Ian
I've done a bit of trying out things on the EOI calculator thingy and I reckon worst case scenario I have 110 points... Really don't think I would have a problem getting a job as my own firm is hiring people in audit at exactly the right grade in Auckland and if I could get my office in the UK onboard then I'm sure it would get sorted... Just means being so sure it's what I want that I am brave enough to approach my partner here...

Give up work and go over as a tourist?! I'm an accountant - I couldn't bear to do anything that reckless (I hate living up to the stereotype sometimes!) :laugh Seriously though, I don't think that's an option for me as I personally couldn't finance it or cope with the potential insecurity.

I've contacted the ACCA in the UK, ACCA global and NZICA to see what they come up with. When I get a response I'll write it here for future reference...

[Andjul]

We are this situation too but i read in the summary of terms:

"For your work experience to be recognised, it must be relevant to your recognised qualification or relevant to your current or offered skilled employment in New Zealand. Or, you can show us that you work experience is skilled because it provided you with considerable specialist, technical or management expertise"

Does not the last sentence give some hope that in some situations you can claim for both or am i just clutching at straws?
In the EOI it does you some space as to why you think it should be recognised.

[Denzil3003]

I think I need to make sure my ACCA qualification is recognised and then my experience will count too (especially as I had to do 3 years experience at a recognised employer to get my qualification!)

I'd like to think that my work experience has provided me with considerable specialist and technical expertise...

[Andjul]

I find it very common that many people dont end up in careers that they have qualifications in, out of 6 people with degrees i know only 1 has a career in her Degree course.
Often we just don't know what we want to do at 18 long term so we do degrees that we think sound good or by peer pressure/parents etc. Or people do degrees in very common things like media, history, art, IT etc and find so much competion at the end of it as they are competing with tens of thousands of others who have similar degrees so have to end up having to take other jobs. (which their degree may still help them to obtain as it shows one can study and probably has fair intelligence at least)
A few years ago i was working alongside a PHD in a clerical job as his specialist job in research had run out of funding and he could get no other job at the time due to his speciality.
Oh if only i knew at 18 what i know now it would be so different :)

[renew]

i dont think that you will have trouble with work experience being counted. However the requirements are differnet and exact if you want or need bonus points. You must have the qualification and work experience listed in the long term shortage list.

have a look at the current selection to see if you would be selected.


good luck