- Don’t expect to save truckloads of money in the UK, even if the salary is twice the amount you used to earn in India.
- Meet CA Ayush Laddha, a former KPMG India Associate Director who turned down offers from Big 4 firms in the UAE and Australia to pursue an industry role in London.
- Here’s how he landed the job via LinkedIn, and his journey/experiences so far.
Small-town boy dreams of working overseas
I hail from a quaint town in Rajasthan, India.
Like many Marwadis, my career path seemed clear – become a Chartered Accountant (CA). And so, I embarked on this well-trodden route.
When it came time to start my mandatory CA articleship, the world of the Big 4 was still a mystery to me.
With my friends, I traveled to Mumbai and dropped our CVs at nearly two dozen firms. Luckily, Ernst & Young (EY) saw potential in me and here started a unexpected journey with a Big 4.
In 2014, I earned my CA qualification and began my career as a consultant in KPMG India’s CFO Advisory division – a dynamic team with immense exposure to challenging work.
Yet, like so many small-town dreamers, I yearned for international opportunities.
In 2019, I had the incredible experience of a four-month secondment at KPMG South Africa, fueling my desire to work abroad.
By 2021, I had devoted nearly eight years to KPMG’s CFO Advisory division. It was time to spread my wings and explore new horizons in a foreign land.
The big question then became: How would I kickstart my job search and chart this exciting new chapter in my career?
LinkedIn aiding my job search process
I had an opportunity to move internally with KPMG, however applying for an internal transfer meant taking a step back.
Since I was a third-year Associate Director at KPMG India, I didn’t want to start from a level below and work as a Manager. Also, I was keen on getting into an industry role instead of another Big 4…
I shortlisted Australia, the UAE, and the UK as my potential job locations and focused on LinkedIn for my job search.
Here are the steps that I followed,
- Updated my LinkedIn profile
- Indicated on my LinkedIn profile that I’m willing to work outside of India
- Used LinkedIn filters effectively, such as selecting options outside India, be it the UK, the UAE, or Australia.
- In the job section, I specified my exact job role at KPMG. (Recruiters and sometimes the Partners of Big 4 firms may request to see your LinkedIn profile.)
- Used keywords on my LinkedIn page. ( As a Financial Reporting Professional I mentioned dealing with IFRS, Ind As, and financial reporting automation.)
It worked… Recruiters discovered me on LinkedIn and contacted me directly.
At one point, I had offers from two Big 4 firms in Australia and the UAE and an independent insurance distribution platform in the UK.
Deciding on London, UK
At the beginning of my job search, I was unsure of which country I was more aligned with.
But along the way, I realized that I wanted to work in the United Kingdom (UK) preferably London.
I rejected all the other opportunities and focussed on roles in the UK. I was honest and transparent with other recruiters who reached out to me.
Here are a few reasons why the UK was on top of my list.
- UK’s diverse culture and the opportunity it offered me to work with different nationalities, including Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Chinese, and Koreans.
- Offered direct flights to India. As someone who tends to get homesick, I knew I would revisit India every six or seven months.
- The UK has a thriving Indian community.
Breakthrough Beyond the Big 4
In my early attempts, I encountered challenges in receiving responses from companies I reached out to on LinkedIn.
This was primarily because I was aiming for an industry role rather than a position within the Big 4. Unfortunately, many of the industry roles I applied for did not provide visa sponsorship.
(If an employer doesn’t offer visa sponsorship, they may not consider your CV. Therefore, prioritizing job openings with visa sponsorship should be your main focus.)
Luckily, a few months into my job search I was invited for an interview by The Ardonagh Group for a Technical Accounting role.
My interview with them was one of the most challenging interviews I’ve ever experienced.
Perhaps this was my primary motivator for opting for this company.
Overall, the interview process in the UK isn’t as swift as it is in India. I had a two-to-three-week gap between my first and second round of interviews. Even obtaining the first interview took a couple of weeks due to scheduling constraints.
But I stayed calm, and in September 2022 I relocated to the UK and began my professional career overseas.
A new journey begins.
The salary is significant in the UK
I noticed that in India, employers rarely disclose the salary in recruitment posts… Salary negotiation is a common factor.
On the flip side, the UK job market operates differently. 90% of employers transparently mentioning salary information in their job postings. This leaves little room for negotiation, as the terms are typically well-defined.
- For a manager-level position, I’ve seen packages ranging from £65,000 to £70,000 and above offered by the Big 4 firms.
- For senior managers, they usually offer around £90,000 to £95,000.
- For Finance Directors, the salary typically starts at £120,000 or higher.
Here are a few salary-related pointers you should keep in mind if you are considering applying for a job in the UK.
- If you are on a sponsored Visa, consider yourself on the lower end of the salary range. They’ll include sponsorship and relocation costs in your package.
- There is no salary breakdown in the UK, such as a basic House Rent Allowance Exemption. It’s solely your salary which will be subject to tax and National Insurance.
- Use a salary calculator on Google to determine your take-home pay.
Expenses are extreme too
You cannot say – I’ll work in the UK for three years, save millions of pounds, and return to India.
The salary is hefty, but so is the cost of living.
- High cost of living: Inflation is at an all-time high in the UK. Your savings will likely be similar to or slightly higher than what you usually earn in India, even if your salary has doubled.
- Extreme housing prices: Don’t expect to find a one-bedroom apartment in London for less than €1600 or €1700 a month. Rent would eat away around 60% to 70% of your monthly expenses.
- Away from family and friends: You might experience homesickness.
- Restricted salary growth: Salary hikes in the UK are less significant than in India. Bonus amounts are minimal, and the career growth rate is slower.
The pros easily outweigh the cons,
- Better quality of life: The UK has excellent infrastructure. It boasts a universal healthcare system and a robust education system.
- Good work-life balance: The great work-life balance offered by the industry is what won’t let you leave the country. The companies respect your life outside the office. You’ll rarely see someone working on the weekends.
- Weather: The air quality and cold weather in the UK are lovely, for me at least.
Current job opportunities in the UK
In the finance sector, there’s currently a range of roles to explore, including Auditors, International Tax Professionals, Technical Accountants, and Commercial Accountants.
Additionally, opportunities can be found in fields like Accounting Advisory Services, IT Auditing, and Finance Automation.
2022 a large number of immigrants moved to the UAE including myself. However, at present, the job market is experiencing a slowdown, resulting in fewer available positions.
Nevertheless, as time progresses, we can anticipate an improvement in the situation.
Wrapping up…
So, you want to relocate to the UK ?
Before embarking on an international journey, it’s essential to understand your WHY.
Saying you’ll work abroad for a few years, accumulate wealth, and return home might not be enough.
Your motivations should be rooted in personal and professional growth, enriching experiences, and a deep understanding of the unique path you wish to carve.
Planning on moving to the UK, or any other country to accelerate your career? Let us know in the comments.
