Work As An Accountant Under Work Permit Without A Degree

[Perera]

Hi All,

I'm a Sri Lankan. I have been offered a job by a thai company to work as an accountant, however, i do not have a degree certificate. I have related work experience for more than 7 years. The employer is willing to hire me, they have not yet started the process. so i thought to check with you all to plan my future activities properly.

Appreciate if you could let me know whether its possible to work in thailand under a work permit as an accountant without a degree, please note that there is a job offer.

Thank you !!!

Perera

[Mario2008]

Believe accounting is a restricted job, only open to Thai nationals. Have the company inquire at the labour ofice first if they can hire a foreigner for the job.

[Perera]

Well, i'm not sure whether they have checked it with the labour office yet.

This is exactly what i want to verify, the restrictions by the law. otherwise i might be misleaded by what the employer says. However, where can i read about what you said? i.e "its restricted to hire foreign accountants". I even tried to call Labour department, unfortunately i'm still unable to reach them over the phone, if you could let me know the direct number to labour office that would be also very much appreciated. If you know more details of this topic pls do let me know.

Thanks for your reply.

[jdinasia]

Believe accounting is a restricted job, only open to Thai nationals. Have the company inquire at the labour ofice first if they can hire a foreigner for the job.

It is, there are ways around it for multi-nationals but even then they wouldn't be likely to get an employee variance for someone without a degree.

[Perera]

What you mean is even if there is job offer from a thai company, labour department will seek for a degree in order to grant permission and even if had a degree, its prohibited to hire foreign accountants, is it ?

Believe accounting is a restricted job, only open to Thai nationals. Have the company inquire at the labour ofice first if they can hire a foreigner for the job.

It is, there are ways around it for multi-nationals but even then they wouldn't be likely to get an employee variance for someone without a degree.

[jdinasia]

What you mean is even if there is job offer from a thai company, labour department will seek for a degree in order to grant permission and even if had a degree, its prohibited to hire foreign accountants, is it ?

Believe accounting is a restricted job, only open to Thai nationals. Have the company inquire at the labour ofice first if they can hire a foreigner for the job.

It is, there are ways around it for multi-nationals but even then they wouldn't be likely to get an employee variance for someone without a degree.

It appears that the mfa site has been hacked ... or I would post the relevant material.

[Maestro]

Prohibited professions: http://www.isaanlawyers.com/images/prohibited%20professions.pdf

[ra1n85]

Do you bring a unique skillset like SAP? If not, this sounds suspect, although I've only read the very brief background you've provided.

[jdinasia]

Prohibited professions: http://www.isaanlawyers.com/images/prohibited%20professions.pdf

Yeppers, that's the old one .. ('79)

I think the newer one is more specific about accountants --- but it is clear that a foreigner can't be hired as an accountant even in that older one)

[Soutpeel]

Believe accounting is a restricted job, only open to Thai nationals. Have the company inquire at the labour ofice first if they can hire a foreigner for the job.

It is, there are ways around it for multi-nationals but even then they wouldn't be likely to get an employee variance for someone without a degree.

In an MNC they would not be hired as an "accountant" in terms of the Thai labour restrictions but under another job title...in Thailand, "accountant" implies some form of legal signatory for the entity.

As a foreigner cannot be hired as an "accountant" which would typically would require a degree, the requirement for a degree may not be applicable, as they are not being hired as an accountant...

[bino]

In an MNC they would not be hired as an "accountant" in terms of the Thai labour restrictions but under another job title...in Thailand, "accountant" implies some form of legal signatory for the entity.

As a foreigner cannot be hired as an "accountant" which would typically would require a degree, the requirement for a degree may not be applicable, as they are not being hired as an accountant...

This is correct. Ms. Bino is an accountant for a MNC, and had to seek special certifications and permissions from the govt to be titled as such, and this of course is for Thai nationals only. She does have to sign the monthly accounting reports / tax submissions as being accurate and correct on behalf of the company.

The certifications and permissions are even more stringent for the "auditors" who independently sign and authenticate the fiscal year accounting.

However, The accounts receivable / payable clerks that work under her don't have this qualification. Therefore, there might be some leeway in this if you will be working under a Thai certified accountant, and especially if you can show some special skills like the mentioned SAP accounting program. Ms Bino is dying for people who are proficient with this software.