If I possess a British professional-management-accounting qualification such as one from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), would I be able to find employment anywhere in the US? Would I be required to seek a different form of certification?
According to a spokesman for CIMA in New York, a person holding a CIMA qualification can obtain the status of an international associate member in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). However, he or she still must pass the required exams to obtain the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential, which in most cases is needed to practice accounting in the U.S. While the rights and privileges of AICPA membership will be a nice benefit, you'll still need to become a CPA if you're serious about working in accounting in the US.
Also, don't overlook the difficulty you may encounter when trying to obtain a visa. To work in the US, you'll almost certainly need a job before arriving and your prospective employer will need to sponsor you before you can receive a work permit or visa. This may be difficult in your case since you lack the CPA credential. You may find it easier to try to secure a student visa or one through the US lottery program. Each year, 50,000 immigrant visas are made available through the Diversity Visa Lottery Program (Green Card Lottery) to people who wish to live and work in the US. You'll need to contact the US Immigration Services to register and find more information on visa requirements.