MyCIMA

Global Salary Surveys and Singapore

Posted: Wednesday 07 April 2010 by Romesh
Replies : 9
Keywords: Global, Qualified, salary, Singapore

Hi all,

I am considering moving to Singapore after becoming a qualified CIMA member and am having trouble working out the sort of salary I could expect.

CIMA does provide some useful salary surveys, but these do not cover Singapore unfortunately.  Does anyone know if there are plans to extend these surveys to other countries?

Additionally, if anyone is able to offer any advice as to a salary range for a newly qualified CIMA member in Singapore, with 12 years pre-qualification experience and in a management position, it would be greatly appreciated.

CIMA in Singapore

Posted by Frederic Wong Pow Fa on Thursday 08 April 2010 08:02

Dear Romesh,

 

I do agree with you that unfortunately the salary survey does not cover Singapore.

 

unfortunately also, the CIMA awareness in Singapore is not as high in Singapore as compared with the ACCA. However, due to the change in business environment CFOs in commercial organizations in Singapore are recognizing the importance of CIMA. But not many are aware of it but more and more are coming to know about CIMA.

 

Barclays Capital sponsors their granduate to CIMA as well as cycle and carriage.

 

Try applying to UK companies in Singapore and there is a possiblity that the boss is CIMA and will know about it. If not not many frankly.

 

May be we can keep in touch.

 

I am working for the Singapore Manufacturers' Federation and we just started running the CIMA program and we are assisting CIMA Singapore in the promotion. Going slow but at least it is a start.

 

Regards,

Frederic

re: CIMA in Singapore

Posted by Romesh on Monday 12 April 2010 11:54

Hi Frederic,

Thank you for your response.  It is disappointing that CIMA is not as recognised in Singapore as I might have hoped, as I do think it is the right qualification for me and my career goals.

I guess I have a few options, which include obtaining a few years post-qualification experience before going or even sitting ACCA.

I figure I would need to be offered a minimum of S$6,000 per month in order for a move to be feasible, but it is very hard trying to work out what I would need in qualifications and experience to get that, while sitting over here in the UK!

ACCA/CIMA in Singapore

Posted by Frederic Wong Pow Fa on Wednesday 14 April 2010 04:12

Dear Romesh,

 

Just for your information, we are seeing a trend whereby a lot of ACCA are now taking up CIMA.

 There are so many ACCAs now in Singapore and those who want to differentiate themselves take CIMA.

 True that CIMA in Singapore is not well recognized but it is surely but slowly being established.

 

Regarding employment in Singapore, the new strategy for the Singapore government is to increase productivity and rely less on foreigners and therefore the cost of hiring foreigners will be increasing.

 

Hope this information will help you and all the best in your career.

 

Regards,

Frederic

 

 

Hi

Posted by Suraj Vishwakarma on Friday 16 July 2010 08:53

Hi Romesh & Frederic

 

I have been going through your discussion. My case is similar to Romesh one. I am based in New Delhi, India having 11 years of Pre Qualification experience and just cleared my TOPCIMA Exam in May-2010 sitting. 

I was also planning to migrate to Singapore after completing my CIMA exam, but it seems I need to reconsider my decision. Apart from CIMA pass. I have three other Indian professional qualification i.e. Company Secretaryship (ACS), Cost & Management Accounting(ICWA) and degree in Law.

I need your candid opinion about my decision to migrate to Singapore.  

Thanks & Best regards

Suraj Vishwakarma

Dear Romesh, BTW where are u based 

CIMA

Posted by Frederic Wong Pow Fa on Monday 19 July 2010 03:30

Dear Suraj,

I advise you to look for headhunting firm who are looking for staff in Singapore.

 

Once you secure a job in Singapore, it will be easier to get a Permanent Residence in Singapore.

 

I am also a foreigner and from Mauritius and when I applied for PR in Singapore it was easier but now the government has drecreased the quota for PR and it is not so easy, unless you are working in Singapore.

 

Even though CIMA is not so recognized, it is slowly becoming more and more recognized in Singapore but not yet.

 

Look for Hays Singapore recruitment, they support CIMA in the UK. I think if I have time I can give a call to their Singapore office especially those in charge of recruiting Finance people.

 

If not all the best to you Suraj, always happy to support fellow CIMA friends.

 

Regards,

Frederic

Thanks Frederic

Posted by Suraj Vishwakarma on Monday 19 July 2010 07:06

Hi Frederic

 

Thanks for your reply. I have checked up with other friends & immigration consultant also regarding moving to Singapore. So far I am informed that unless, I have PR status for Singapore, it is difficult to get a job there because generally company are avoiding the hassle of sponsering a candidate.

So I am going for strategy of first getting PR Visa then search for job. I am told that way I will get more response.

 As such I have shortlisted on one Immigration consultant, who will help me in getting PR Visa alongwith help in finding me a suitable jobs there in return of fees.

He has told me that as per my experience, I can get minimum salary of Singapore$ 7500 PM. You being already there, I request you to please advise me whether I can expect this salary level based on my above experience.  

Also requesting you to advise me whether I am right in this direction.

Best regards

Suraj Vishwakarma 

 

 

Be very careful of immigration consultant

Posted by Frederic Wong Pow Fa on Monday 19 July 2010 11:58

Dear Suraj,

 

Singapore is very straight forward and sometimes you must be very careful about those Immigration consultant. For countries like Australia or Canada, immigration consultant can be useful, but in Singapore they are not.

 

Even though the government has decreased the number of foreign workers there are still companies who are hiring professionals like you and application for employment pass for foreigners.

 

Once you get a job in Singapore, then you apply for PR. It is difficult to apply for PR directly and I do not know who tell you this.

 

I have helped people from China and some immigration consultant do take advantage of the ignorance and heresay of many and thing that the can help.

I have experience with applying PR and EP for my friend and close friend from China and usually all information is on the ICA website: ICA.gov.sg.

The Immigration of Singapore is very straight forward and do read carefully what is on the website and you can write to them.

 

I would strongly advise you not to trust too much immigration consultants and read up the information that is found on the offical Singapore government website, it is very reliable.

 

Hoe are you going to get a PR if you do not have a job in Singapore. I don't think it has changed but to be sure check and make sure to read the ICA website.

So many people from China and India have been wrongly advised by the so called Immigration consultant.

 

Regarding your salary, it depends on where is your degree from. Singapore discriminate a lot from where you get your degree and if the degree is recognized or not.

 

Usally if you have a skill which is high in demand like SAP consultant, it is easier to get a job in Singapore.

 

My advice again is to try to get a job in Singapore as it will be very difficult for you to get PR without a job, hope I am wrong.

 

Read the ICA website carefully before paying money to immigration consultant.

 

All the best bro :)

Thanks Frederic

Posted by Suraj Vishwakarma on Tuesday 20 July 2010 09:32

Hi Frederic

 

I am very thankful to you for your advise. I will definitely check with ICA website about the immigration policy. Well I have taken contact no. of one person also from the Immigration Consultant who has secured PR Visa through that consultant. He was 70% satisfied with the service. Now he is second phase i.e.  Immigration consultant is helping him finding him job. 

 This immigration consultant has SMC Management Consultant Pte Ltd based in Singapore, which is helping him to get the suitable job. May I request you for your feedback on this SMC Management Consultant, if you know them.

Further regarding recognition of my other  qualification, I am Associate Member of The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (Indian Corporate Secretary) and The Institute of Cost & Works Accountant of India (Indian Management Accountant). The Institute of Cost & Works Accountant of India has even tie-up with CIMA, UK for exemption in certain exam for member.

I hope, I can have some weightage for these two qualification. Apart from the above, I have cleared my CIMA exam and will very soon apply for Associate Membership (ACMA). That surely will put some more weight in my profile.

May I further request you to have your personal mail-id to forward you my profile for your better understanding and advise.

Thanks for your co-operation  & prompt response 

Best regards   

Suraj Vishwakarma 

Hi Frederic

Posted by Suraj Vishwakarma on Thursday 22 July 2010 06:00

Hi Frederic

 

It seems you being busy. I will be grateful to you, if you could spare some time and advise me on my previous mail.

 

Thanks a lot for your all help

 

Best regards

Suraj Vishwakarma