mmwong

Hi,

I am an American university student in the last year of accounting studies. I have studied briefly in the UK before and would like to move there to work upon finishing my degree.

Does anyone have any advice for/ against doing so? What additional credentials are necessary to enter accounting in the UK? How easy is it to obtain a job in accounting in UK relative to US (not that difficult to get job with large firm in US)? What salary is like? What standard of living is like in Scotland (most likely Edinburgh)?

Thanks for the help!

MW

JAJ

You'll need a visa to work in the UK, unless you're a British/EEA/Swiss citizen:
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk
http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk

The UK is planning to overhaul its skilled immigration system soon.

Realistically, you're probably going to be best served by getting some good work experience and doing your U.S. CPA qualification before you think about moving.

Although the US CPA qualification isn't fully recognised in the UK officially (because they don't give full recognition to UK accountants), lots of employers will be happy with it, especially those that have U.S. links.

One option maybe to get an UK qualification based on CPA recognition is the Irish chartered accountant professional organisation. They operate in Northern Ireland, and might accept you if you were living in Great Britain, and they do give recognition to US CPAs (not in all cases however): http://www.icai.ie

If you wanted to settle in the UK long term it would make sense to have one of the UK accounting qualifications as well as US CPA - you choice is either as an English, Scottish or Irish chartered accountant, a chartered certified accountant (ACCA) or a chartered management accountant (CIMA). Under current policies, all except Irish CA would involve some extra exams, although as a CPA you would get good exemptions.

mmwong

this will give me a great start! thanks for your time and help! mw

mmwong

i will be taking the US CPA exam through the pathway 2 option. will that make a difference, easier to obtain a position in the UK?

JAJ

Most UK employers and professional bodies won't care how you obtained US CPA. However, passing the CPA exam on its own won't do, most employers will expect you to have a state CPA certificate or license, and AICPA membership.

If you plan to apply for ICAI membership by reciprocity, then it might make a difference, but you need to research that yourself. http://www.icai.ie

mmwong

i was just speaking with a us-based firm and was informed that i would be able to start working in the uk under the firm for several years without additional credentials. however, all the useful information will come very much in handy if i were to decide to stay there long-term. thanks for everything and please let me know if you can think of anything else i might need to look into. --mw