Ditto, except a 10 minute commute and I'm rarely in before 9.

I suppose like anywhere a bit of luck comes into play in terms of hours, work load, commute, etc. dbd was quite right to warn me about the potential pit falls of my "easier going" attitude but at the end of the day Canada is a massive country and Im sure I could find somewhere to fit.

I still hate the finance guys at El_Richos work though - nice hours and I bet a hefty, nice pay

In terms of employee protection I take it you mean there isnt as much in terms of redundancy laws and/or notice periods?

Search for posts by burton bunch. Her OH is a CA with several years PQE and who got a decent job with a small firm of CAs. According to her the conversion exam is not a piece of cake and you are well advised to get some Canadian experience before taking it.

If you are working in industry there is no real need to convert to CICA. In public practice it is OK to work as an employee, but you would need the Canadian designation to be a partner or to sign off financial statements.

It is worth pointing out that the GTA and its environs is not all of Canada. Toronto does have a reputation of trying to copy a New York style work ethic but I have not lived or worked there to know how true it is.

In BC you might find the big accounting firms operate the same here as the world over but in smaller firms, and especially away from downtown Vancouver, it is different. A 40 hour week is the norm: 8 - 4.30 (1/2 hour lunch in unpaid) 5 days a week. It is bloody hard work getting anyone to put in more than 40 hours. Unlike dbd33's experience, having a life outside work in expected. You will likely get to know most of your colleagues' families over time. Someone who hasn't got something better to do on a weekend than work will be thought of as a bit strange.

That said, you are expected to work hard during your 40 hours and to work for the benefit of the firm. "Fitting in" with your colleagues and the organizational culture is as important as your work skills. In particular you will have to lose that attitude in the bit I have bolded. It is career suicide.

Canada has a very small-country mindset which often manifests in a very parochial attitude to work. I didn't believe it until I experienced it, but if you're one of the locals you're in, if not you can generally **** off, regardless of your skills or experience. To say the least, there is very little creativity or innovation coming out of Canada, they don't seem to worry about how good you are at your job, rather that you keep you mouth shut and be married to Gordy in accounts sister or play ice hockey with Joe in marketing.

That's exactly my attitude though... When you start putting more in than you get out it's time to leave.

Agreed. It's all about your personal ROI, i think.

Edited to add: On that note, i'm off home to watch Come Dine With Me

Thats kind of what Im hinting at.

I dont go into a workplace with some teenager mood swing problem mouthing off or anything. I do work very hard and respect my employers always.

But, there always comes a time when you realise you are putting in shifts, doing favours, going out of your way and getting very little thanks, no financial reward and eventually you end up apathetic towards work which threatens your personal life.

JonBoyE, major thanks for the tips though. I dont mean to portray some image that Im a slacker (todays internet escapades excluded!!!) I just mean that while I would never be vocal about this in a work environment, no job would be allowed to rule or ruin my life. Hope that makes sense!

I do feel that if we decide to move my 5 years in practice and hopefully 3 years or so in industry with Lloyds will open up a few more doors. Practice experience as well as industry experience will certainly help a lot.

My other half has been to Vancouver and loved it. Actually stayed in Alanis Morissette's old flat which is the Gods honest truth but nothing to be proud off either She really liked it but thinks it might be a little too far away from the family. Im open to the idea mind you but part of the "Canadian Dream" of ours is owning a nicer, bigger house and we were under the impression that house prices are steep over that neck of the woods.

Scotland's 'very good schools' are the main reason we are now living in Canada (maybe that's what you meant). Everything else aside that was the deciding factor in our move. As regards work hours - yes be prepared for longer hours but somehow other things seem to make up for it (i.e. plenty of activities for weekends,etc.) and we've quite quickly adapted despite the initial shock. It's just the culture and if that's what everyone else is doing then you quickly adopt that attitude - honestly it's not as bad as it sounds. My OH works a late night here which he never had to do in Scotland, but he gets one morning off each week instead. That being said we've only been here two months so maybe the novelty's not worn off yet. Good for you for at least considering all this before you make the decision!

Work is half your waking life. I wouldn't want to waste half my life doing something where I wasn't giving of my best. I think I value my time too much for that.

That's not quite how I see it. I wouldn't want to waste half my life doing something I didn't enjoy which is not the same as giving your best all the time.

The company I work for thinks that it gets more out of me than it gives in return or it wouldn't employ me; I think the opposite or I wouldn't work for them. Such is the trade and everyone is happy.

Either way, as much as I do actually enjoy my work, I'd rather just be rich enough to not have to do it.

"Work is the curse of the drinking classes"- Oscar Wilde.

Now when are we going to get the all clear to leave as it is not so sunny tomorrow and I could murder a pint!

Thanks Merry. Been lots to think about today but at least my eyes have been opened a bit which is exactly what I was hoping to happen by signing up.

Maybe its a west coast thing but working life here is way more laid back.

Sure - if you work for the big 4 its same thing as London or any other major city, long hours and working weekends are the norm during busy season and things are a little more relaxed in the off season.

But outside of that, most companies I've worked for 40 hours is the norm, and in the summer the office is always empty come 4pm on a Friday... As for the conversion exam - definitely not a piece of cake from what I've heard, but seeing as I'm in industry theres no need to sit it.

I have absolutely no desire to work for the big 4 to be honest. I am 100% positive that their attitude towards staff is the same the world over. Assuming Id be aiming to stay in practice Id much prefer the smaller firm direction where I would be doing accounts prep as well as audits from start to finish.

Ive heard conflicting reports over the conversion exam. I dont mean to sound ageist but perhaps those who havent sat exams recently would naturally find it harder than someone like myself. Maybe not though. Id def need to be fully prepared regardless.

The job I'll be starting soon will give me valuable industry experience which'll do the cv no harm. Im just glad that not all work environment stories are hellish and that other than slightly longer days it doesnt seem all that different to the extremes that can be found here in the UK.