Technology may be connecting the global economy in a way that makes the world seem smaller, but for some newly qualified accountants, there is nothing to beat physically relocating to somewhere new.
It is not always a money-driven dream either. Though accountants who qualify at a college in London can fit smoothly into jobs in other capital cities, for some of the quality of life is more important.
The appeal of an accountancy career overseas
Particularly if you are someone who went straight from school to college and worked hard on your accountancy degree studies, the experience of a “gap year” may have been lost.
Joining a financial firm in an exotic location is a great compensation for that. It’s a way of combining solid career progression with new adventures.
There is also a lot to be said for adding to your accountancy qualifications with the first hand experience of financial control and management overseas.
Younger financial centres such as Hong Kong and Singapore, or emerging economies like Japan, India and Brazil, provide great opportunities for newly qualified accountants. Rapid progression and immediate management experience could be available for the right candidates.
The three attractions of moving abroad as accountants
One financial firm surveyed 200 qualified accountants and found that 77% of them were toying with the idea of moving abroad to further their career.
The reasons presented by the professionals they questioned, included the attractiveness of finding a more stable economy with better prospects.
They also reported that motivation for immigration came from a lower cost of living abroad, particularly when compared to London, of course.
Thirdly, this particular research concluded that there was a view that other countries could offer accountants more chances for quality family-time, recreation and socialising outside of working hours.
How easy is it to transfer accountancy skills aboard?
If you have your eyes on a complete relocation when you get to the end of your degree final year, the good news is that accountancy qualifications are relatively flexible and transferable.
Particularly as accountancy acumen nowadays comes from being comfortable with financial software and cloud-based systems that can be accessed from any location worldwide, or even on a tropical beach!
You will of course need to research the accounting legislation and procedures in the country you choose. However, that could well be both interesting and straightforward for someone newly emerging from a college course in accounting.
To discuss studying accounting as a preparation for moving to your dream job overseas, contact Mont Rose College in Ilford.
