Recently Qualified working abroad?

Dick Turnip

Hi, just wondering if anyone has any experience working abroad as a qualified accountant. I'm doing my FAE's this Autumn and was hoping to move abroad shortly afterwards for a change of scenery more than anything else. I'm working in audit at the moment but wouldn't mind moving into industry into the financial or management accounting side of things.

At the moment I'm thinking of USA/Canada for a year then moving on and travelling a bit so not particularly interested in Oz/NZ just yet but if people wish to share their experiences of getting work over there then please do as I'm sure someone will find it of benefit.

I'm currently thinking of heading to the U.S. on a 1 year graduate visa. Has anyone gone to the states on this? Any issues or points to highlight with this process? I was thinking of New York or Boston but would probably be interested in any of the big cities. Are there many jobs out there for recently qualified? What are wages like over there (i'm sure varying wildly but still...)?

I was also thinking of Toronto or Vancouver maybe if anyone has any insight into the Canadian side of things.

Basically looking for any stories or tales from people who went out as recently qualified accountants to foreign shores for work and their experiences to date. i.e. Where are you working? what area of accounting/finance? Was it hard to get a job? Many other jobs out there? A general idea of wages/salaries?

People who ended up in Europe/Asia feel free to add aswell Particularly people who are working in foreign speaking countries without a foreign language as I'm not au fait with any other languages :o

Clanket

As you say, someone might benefit from it.

I worked as an accountant in Australia for a few months. Very easy to find work when I was there in 07/08. Although I never tried looking in Sydney or Melbourne which I've heard are full of accountants.

If you go to Cairns look up KPMG and go to them directly. They were always short staffed. I could have got a lot more than I did had I not went through a recruitment agency.

If you go to Perth go straight to all the oil, gas and mining companies - Woodside, BHP, Rio Tinto. They're always looking for accountants and money's great.

As you say, someone might benefit from it.

jonnybravo

Currently working in Auckland. Took me four weeks to get a job so jobs aren't that plentiful around here. Got a job as a AP Manager - couldn't get put forward for any accountant jobs as I came straight out of audit in Ireland and didn't have any NZ experience. There are loads of audit jobs here but I didn't want an audit job plus I am only here on a 1 year WHV but if you were looking to stay long term in NZ it'd probably be the easiest way to get sponsorship. NZ is a great country though and I'd recommend it to anyone - its just a gorgeous country.

Sydney apparently has loads of jobs and I know a good few from work that have gotten jobs there quick enough. Wasn't a huge fan of the city when I was there though but that could have been cause it spilled rain for the whole time.

censuspro

4 weeks to get a job is really not that long. However, to answer the OP directly, if I was you I would decide on a place and grab the opportunity with both hands.

Dick Turnip

Thanks for the replies so far.

censuspro wrote: »

if I was you I would decide on a place and grab the opportunity with both hands.

Yeah i know. I'm currently getting steadily more excited about the fact I could be qualified, all going well, this year. So every foreign destination is catching my eye at this point.

At the moment I'm really leaning towards the states. Would love to spend a year in New York but like I said - open to suggestions!

joint 11th

Qualified as chartered in 2009 myself, thinking of heading abroad to work once my current contract expires at the end of May.

I have already used my WHV for Australia, and loved my time out there.

Ideally I would like to head to either Canada or NZ, however I would like some work leads sorted before I head out.

If anyone out there can put me in the right direction to seek employment abroad id be glad to hear from yous.

Thanks

Luminant

joint 11th wrote: »

Qualified as chartered in 2009 myself, thinking of heading abroad to work once my current contract expires at the end of May.

I have already used my WHV for Australia, and loved my time out there.

Ideally I would like to head to either Canada or NZ, however I would like some work leads sorted before I head out.

If anyone out there can put me in the right direction to seek employment abroad id be glad to hear from yous.

Thanks

I've got a contact who is looking for an Irish CA for a Sydney business and will sponsor but would want at least a 1-2 year commitment. Anyone interested, let me know. Probably suit someone who had used up their WHV but wanted to go back or who was coming to the end of theirs and wanted to stay.

Uncle Mclovin

I'm also close to qualifying. CPA though. Don't how well it's recognised worldwide.


I was thinking about travelling when I qualify. Someone said to me about the Cayman Islands. Has anyone any experience of working here. I know that you need a job secured before getting a work permit.

dietgirl

Hi can you private mail an email address

Luminant

Hi Uncle, I think you will be fine with CPA as they are pretty good at reciprocal recognition with many of the other national and international bodies. I run a couple of international recruitment businesses and have never had a client reject someone because of CPA if their experience was suitable. What I would say about the likes of the Caymans though is that the demand is primarily for audit so if you haven't got that sort of experience, the number of opportunities might decrease for you but there are other types of job around - just reduced numbers. By all means, PM me if you want some more specific advice.

ManwitaPlan

Hi Luminant,

just wondering could you expand on the other jobs aside from audit in the Caymans?

I would really love to live there (heart almost set on it) but I really hate audit.

Is there much on the advisory side out there? Also as far as audit is concerned what is the work like? As far as I know you need to be qualified to get a work permit...now that means no Juniors/semi-senior..is it basically back to square one grunt work?

cailinoBAC

I’m working in Gibraltar with my ACCA. Just a closer country to throw into the mix.

Luminant

ManwitaPlan wrote: »

Hi Luminant,

just wondering could you expand on the other jobs aside from audit in the Caymans?

I would really love to live there (heart almost set on it) but I really hate audit.

Is there much on the advisory side out there? Also as far as audit is concerned what is the work like? As far as I know you need to be qualified to get a work permit...now that means no Juniors/semi-senior..is it basically back to square one grunt work?

Hi there,

The other roles I have seen folk doing out there have been within the finance function of the hotels/resorts but generally they are limited. Others have been working in the finance function of the firms so the back office rather than in the field. A lot of the jobs with the finance companies there tend to be filled by secondees and so maybe you might want to think about joining a company with a Caymans operation and seeking an internal transfer?

TheScriptFan

Uncle Mclovin wrote: »

I'm also close to qualifying. CPA though. Don't how well it's recognised worldwide.


I was thinking about travelling when I qualify. Someone said to me about the Cayman Islands. Has anyone any experience of working here. I know that you need a job secured before getting a work permit.

Hi there - I am qualified CPA, you are in an excellent position to move abroad. CPA is very well recognised abroad, we have recently had a mutual agreement with CA Canada and there is an agreement with CPA Australia. I have returned from working as an accountant in Vancouver Canada for 3 years. I had no problem getting a job, I took the U35 Working holiday visa, and then was sponsored by my company to stay on an additional 2 years. In the end I missed home so left to return to Ireland. When I arrived (2006) there were plenty of jobs, however there are a HUGE amount of Irish over there now so it is getting more difficult. I started off in Toronto and did not like it one bit - but that was a personal choice. I organised work over there, did not have anything set up before I left, but I did have quite alot of savings so was not frantically looking for work.
Regarding the Caymans etc - personally I would not touch that with a barge pole. It is apparently very soul-less, hard work. Yes you earn good money, but anyone I know (4 people) have not enjoyed the experience much, enjoyed the first 6 months with sunshine etc, but got very bored after that. But again that's personal opinion.
I cannot recommend Vancouver enough, it is a fantastic city, alot to do and very vibrant. The Irish have a good reputation as hard workers and so are well received.

Good luck!!