Transferring

gottcha_goin

Is it feasible to transfer to another Big4 firm located in another country after your 3 year contract is completed?? I know the facility is there and they speak of it, but does anyone actually ever get to do it? Im not talking about secondments...just actual transfers.

Jim2007

gottcha_goin wrote: »

Is it feasible to transfer to another Big4 firm located in another country after your 3 year contract is completed?? I know the facility is there and they speak of it, but does anyone actually ever get to do it? Im not talking about secondments...just actual transfers.

Your question is a bit confusing, if you are going to work for a different big 4 firm to the one you are working for in Ireland, then it would not be a transfer... If you are asking to do Irish qualified accountants take up permanent positions with big 4 firms overseas, then the answer is definitely yes!

I'm an Irish Chartered Accountant, base here in Switzerland for the past 20 years and although I don't work in practice I know plenty that do. If you are fully qualified with big 4 experience, then it should be no problem to land a full time position here either in practice or industry.

If you want to practice in your own right, then that is possible too. You just need to get a practicing cert. from the Irish institute and pass the local competency exam. This is about a two hour multi-choice exam done in English and covers the basic tax laws, auditing requirements and other reporting requirements in Switzerland. Most EU countries have the same rules.

Jim.

gottcha_goin

Thanks for the repsonse Jim. I read it back and it does sound confusing. I was more angling at whether u can transfer abroad within say the likes of KPMG Ireland to another KPMG entity in a different country )after the training contract)

Your story definitely does sound encouraging. Have you found that it is easier to relocate within Europe as opposed to somewhere like the US or Aus? or did u ever consider that option?

Jim2007

gottcha_goin wrote: »

Thanks for the repsonse Jim. I read it back and it does sound confusing. I was more angling at whether u can transfer abroad within say the likes of KPMG Ireland to another KPMG entity in a different country )after the training contract)

Well if there are openings at the time that you qualify I guess so. On the other hand if not, then there should be plenty of other jobs out there.

gottcha_goin wrote: »

Your story definitely does sound encouraging. Have you found that it is easier to relocate within Europe as opposed to somewhere like the US or Aus? or did u ever consider that option?

From my point of view Europe offers a much better work-life balance than most of the English speaking world. Here in Switzerland, we work a 45 hour week, but not a minute more, overtime is not part of the package even for professionals and it is not expected. Along the same lines, when you are on holiday you are on holiday and nobody would even dream of contacting you no matter what happens. In 20 years I've never worked a minutes overtime that I was not paid for.

Another point is that your college education is much more highly thought of over here. Most people do not go to college, so if you have a degree it really counts - your salary will be about €5,000 higher simply because you have it.

Of course there are issues to deal with as well, you'll have to get used to a new culture and learn some of the local language. Most large companies will have American English as the working language, but to really fit in you'll need to pick up some of the local language. But this is usually easier in country than going to evening courses in Ireland. When you hear the language being spoken all around you it is much easier to pickup.

Factor in the skying, snowboarding, Christmas markets, warm summers (25 - 30C or so) and the fact that your only about 2 hours a way from Dublin and what is not to like about it?

Jim.

gottcha_goin

Its surprising you never hear much about Switzerland as an expat destination for professionals (or else Im not reading the right articles). Seems like a hidden gem. The overtime thing is a critical one though..its hard to move up the ladder without doing an awful lot of it in Ireland. If thats the case in Switzerland that would be a very nice aspect of working life. Definitely would give you time to actual enjoy your evenings!

Thanks for all the information Jim..best of luck with the job over there!

tomfoolery60

gottcha_goin wrote: »

Is it feasible to transfer to another Big4 firm located in another country after your 3 year contract is completed?? I know the facility is there and they speak of it, but does anyone actually ever get to do it? Im not talking about secondments...just actual transfers.

Yes very feasible. There are both several year secondments and people who just leave for good to a new office. Added advantage is that they pay relocation costs too!