Accounting (SMIPA)

What is the Skilled Migration Internship Program (Accounting)?

The Skilled Migration Internship Program (Accounting) is a Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) approved course that equips students with the professional and practical skills required to work in the Accounting industry in Australia. This program is one of the pathways from university to employment within Australia. The program has been designed, under Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)
guidelines, principally for international students seeking to gain permanent residence. At the completion of your program you are able to apply to gain 10 additional points towards migration. The Skilled Migration Internship Program (Accounting) does not guarantee permanent residence, but does assist in gaining the additional points required.

ECA’S Skilled Migration Internship Program (Accounting) is aimed at graduates of an Accounting Bachelor or Masters degree that have recently graduated and are holding a 485 Skilled Graduate (temporary) visa or Bridging Visa A. For details on the 485 visa, visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website at:

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/professional-year.htm

The program takes participants through the fundamentals of Australian workplace practice, Business communications and the professional code of conduct and ethics expected of professionals working in the IT industry. This includes a 12 week work experience module.

About Education Centre of Australia

Education Centre of Australia (ECA) is a modern and diverse educational institution that emphasizes innovation and excellence in our educational programs and research across a wide range of disciplines that are in demand in Australia. ECA is offering the Skilled Migration Internship Program (Accounting) in partnership with Institute of Chartered Accountants, CPA Australia and National Institute of Accountants.

What Professions are covered?

The three occupations nominated by the Australian Government for the Professional Year are:

• Computer Science
• Accounting
• Engineering

At present ECA is offering the Professional Year in Computer Science and Accounting . Engineering are expected be approved later in 2008.

What are the Entry Requirements?

To be able to enrol, your study must be related to one of the above fields as a visa requirement and you must study the Professional Year related to your study.

To study Professional Year, you must have completed:

• a two year study program in Australia in a qualification related to Accounting
• Completed over a minimum of 16 months in Australia.
• Minimum of IELTS 6.0

What documents do I require?

• Resume and Cover letter
• Certified copies of all certificates, degrees and transcripts with English proficiency results
• (IELTS)
• Passport copy
• Bridging A or 485 GSM visa
• Skill Assessment code & Professional Membership number, provided by the relevant Professional Body

Course description:

The course covers Business Communication including working in teams, planning, problem solving and self management. It also covers Australian Workplace Practice which includes workplace safety issues and other Australian Government Regulations. This is where students undertake a 12 week practical work experience (unpaid) program in a company to assist them in developing their employment skills.

The internship module is an all important component of the SMIPA (Accounting). It allows students to experience work with a credentialed company in a professional environment. The SMIPA (Accounting) covers material approved by Institute of Chartered Accountants, CPA Australia and National Institute of Accountants. Graduates of the SMIPA (Accounting) are entitled to membership of ACS.

The course is structured over 4 Modules with a total of 44 weeks tuition. The mode of delivery is face to face teaching (classroom based) with students attending 10 hours of classes per week. Traditionally ECA policy is to limit class sizes to no more than 25 students. ECA believes that this will provide for a more effective and efficient learning environment. This policy has also been determined to:

• Ensure the safety and comfort of students
• Ensure quality of education by allowing better student / teacher interaction

Students may not apply to have any prior learning recognized for full or partial unit credit. According to the Australian Federal Government Recognition of Prior Learning cannot be awarded towards a Skilled Migration Internship Program in Accouting.

Course Structure

Opening Boot Camp

The Skilled Migration Internship Program (Accounting) opens with a “boot camp” conducted by ECA. This one day boot camp covers registration and induction, and at the end of the day participants will have a full understanding of course structure, content and purpose. The boot camp workshops will illustrate how practical and relevant to the actual workplace the SMIPA (Accounting) program is.

Australian Workplace culture and practise- 130 hours (Classroom based)

This is a comprehensive program that introduces students to the Australian way of work and business. This module consists of a 130 hours of classroom based training, where participants learn about common work practices, values and the things that are important in the

Australian workplace culture. The module covers:

• Resume writing and things employers want in a good portfolio
• Interview techniques and how to prepare for an interview
• How to develop a career plan
• How to understand and respond to employers expectations
• The importance of socialising to Australian Business culture
• How participants can contribute positively to the culture diversity in the Australian workplace
• Management systems and how they are aimed at achieving continuous improvement in business
• The importance given to a safe and healthy working environment in Australian workplace culture, as achieved through Occupational Health and Safety guidelines (OSHE).

Business English Communication- 130 hours (Classroom based)

Communicating in the workplace can be different to every day interactions. This module equips participants with the skills needed to communicate verbally and in writing as a business professional. The module covers:

• Using appropriate written and spoken English in the workplace.
• Writing reports and other documents relevant to the participant’s profession.
• Understanding workplace culture and the different modes of communication that are appropriate to different groups in an organisation.
• The different types of communications in the modern workplace.
• Awareness of the role of language in the workplace and how to communicate effectively with colleagues, subordinate, superiors and clients.
• Using initiative, problem solving skills and critical thinking in workplace contexts.
• Chairing and participating in meetings using appropriate language and record keeping
  techniques
• Delivering presentations to work colleagues, managers and clients

Professional Internship/Work Experience

Participants in Skilled Migration Internship Program (Accounting)will undertake 220 hours of work experience in a well respected company. They will be required to conduct themselves as professionals in the field and will be required to demonstrate the practical application of the skills learned in the previous modules.
Participants in this module will be assessed in the following general skill areas:

• Demonstrating a knowledge of their particular industry including the local and international developments.
• Demonstrating knowledge of the specific company assigned to the participant including company structure, the functions of the various divisions and in particular knowledge of the division or section in which the participant is placed.
• Maintaining a diary of workplace activities and learning.
• Demonstrating knowledge of OSH&E, equal opportunity in the workplace, and following OSH&E regulations.
• Dressing appropriately, being punctual and reliable.
• The ability to work independently as well as being an effective member of a team.
• Performing assigned tasks and demonstration a variety of job seeking and job keeping skills
• A portfolio that documents the learning that takes place during the internship including a reflective learning journal
• The creation of a Career Plan which includes employability skills that have been demonstrated, evaluated and documented.
• Understanding the various management and organisational structures that exist in the Australian workplace.
• Demonstrate how legislation governing employment in Australia relates directly to their experience in the workplace.
• Use their experience in the workplace to evaluate personal, educational, and career plans.
• Show an understanding of how lifestyle choices affect the workplace and society as a whole.
• Relate emotional health and well being to personal productivity.
• Demonstrate an understanding of what is needed to build and maintain healthy relationships in their adult lives
• Setting short term and long term goals with a process for revision.
• The participants ability to access services, resources and advice related to their
  educational, career and their personal goals, and to critically evaluate these services.

Professional Component

Participants will complete this component online. This comprises content knowledge from their particular field of study. For students undertaking Professional Year in IT the following topics will be covered:

• Strategic Business Frameworks: The participants will look at basic risk management plans for simple projects including the impacts on social, business and ecological environment.
• IT Service Management: Participants will show an understanding of the role of IT as a client service within and between organisations.
• IT Governance: Participants will be able to understand and identify legal requirements and constraints imposed on a project. They will also display knowledge of how to contribute to compliance issues.
• Ethics: Participants will have a working knowledge of a code of ethics, standards and professional practise and be able to apply these in basic projects.
• Strategic application of information systems. Participants will be able to analyse an organisations business goals and determine how an information systems strategy will support these goals. The management and revision of such a strategy will also be covered.
• Professional development: Participants will understand the importance of taking responsibility for their personal career planning and ongoing professional development.

Closing Boot Camp

The final boot camp involves the closing ceremony and Graduation. Participants will have a

chance to reflect, as a group, on the past year’s learning and also be able to begin Networking

and socialising with people in the industry. Graduation certificates will also be issued.

Course Assessments

Students need to attend for 80% of the program to pass. They need to attend for 90% of the

Professional Internship. To be awarded the professional year certificate students must pass all

modules.

Fee Structure:

Application fee: $275.00

Program fee: $12,605.00

Total: $12,880.00

What’s included in the Program fee:

• Workshops & Program Resources inclusive of all fees
• ACS Membership
• Professional Internship Placement
• Online Professional Element
• All Insurances for Professional Internship (12 weeks)
• Boot Camp – Orientation & Graduation Ceremony
• Assistance with job placement on competition of Professional Year Program

Condition of Enrolment
I hereby apply for enrolment in the Skilled Migration Internship Program (Accounting)to be run by ECA, in accordance with the Conditions of Enrolment outlined below.

1. I hereby declare that the supporting documents supplied and the information on the form is correct and complete. I further declare that the tertiary academic results submitted are accurate, truthful and a complete record of all results I have obtained from every tertiary institution I have attended.
2. I acknowledge that if I fail to disclose my academic record it may result in the Institution (ECA) revoking an offer or terminating my studies at any stage.
3. I authorize the Institution (ECA) to verify my academic and professional qualifications, and work experience by contacting any of my previous colleges or employers, or through any other means. If any of the material presented to support my application is found to be false I understand that the Institution (ECA) reserves the right to inform other tertiary institutions and regulatory bodies.
4. I understand that a condition of enrolment is to supply originals of all documents used to support the application.
5. I acknowledge that the personal information I have provided may be released to government agencies as required by the law. I authorise the university to disclose information relevant to the application and enrolment to third parties for the purpose of progressing my application and enrolment and administering my program. I also authorise the Institution (ECA) to release information about me and my enrolment, including my photograph to the Australian Computer Society.
6. I have read and understood the policy and condition www.eca.edu.au/professionalyear
7. Transfer of Fees: ECA will not transfer fees, paid to it by me, to another program at another institution; or to the account of another student.
8. Refunds: Full Refund-ECA will provide a refund to the original fee paying party, within 14 days of receipt of written notice of cancellation by me, of all tuition fees and insurance fees paid where: ECA is unable to offer the Professional Year and where a suitable alternative cannot be provided.

Step by step procedure

Step 1: Fill in the Application Form

Download an application form from the ECA Website (www.eca.edu.au/ECA/) or collect one from your education agent. Please ensure you complete all relevant sections, and the information is accurate.

Step 2: Produce Certified Documents
Attach certified copies of any certificates, academic transcripts or results notices that show you meet the entry requirements of your selected course.

Step 3: Submit the Application
Submit your application form and any certified documents to Student Admissions at Education Centre of Australia. You can do this the following ways:

Step 4: Receive a Letter of Acceptance/Offer Letter

Successful applicants will receive a letter of acceptance that includes the name and details of the course they have applied for and the details of the course fees. It will also have an attached document that includes all the terms and conditions of enrolment at ECA, including the refund policy, so it should be read carefully. The letter of acceptance should be signed by the student and returned to ECA by the above methods with the first payment. Signing the letter of acceptance also indicates that the student has read and accepted all the attached terms and conditions of enrolment.

Step 5: Payment of Course Fees

The letter of acceptance will include all the payment details. Course fees must be paid in advance of course commencement. Your payment should consist of course fees, an application fee, and 1 year compulsory health insurance.

Methods of Payment: Students may pay by Cash, Direct Deposit, Credit Card, EFTPOS,Telegraphic Transfer or Bank Cheque.
Bank Details

Bank Name: HSBC
Account Name: Education Centre of Australia
BSB: 342078
Account Number: 050127001
Swift code: HKBAAU2S

Step 6: Receive a Conformation of Enrolment

Upon receiving your signed letter of acceptance and your first payment, ECA will send you a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).