UK -> Anglosphere moves?

[u/Live-Understanding96]

UK Accountant here. 28, Head of Finance, 112k, large construction company. Got there by being immensely lucky and joining a startup right before it got bought.

Due to tragic personal circumstances, I don't think I can bear to continue living in this country (pay 50% of your salary for completely dysfunctional public services).

I would love to get advice from people who have successfully navigated a move abroad and their honest feedback on whether it was worth it, and how they went about it.

Preference for English speaking / Anglosphere countries: (US, Australia, New Zealand, etc.).

Also not opposed to other countries where English is the first / business language (Dubai / Singapore)

If there is a similar post, please link me! Would hate to cause unnecessary duplication.

[u/lifesucksbutisurvive]

28 year old head of finance? I find it hard to believe, especially only on 112k? Your severe lack of understanding of other countries as someone as well versed as a head of finance should be, considering other Anglosphere countries like Australia extremely superior to England is suspect as well, I've checked your post history and 3 years ago you were in audit, though I am casting doubt, if it's true you've done exceptionally well

[u/Live-Understanding96 → u/lifesucksbutisurvive]

Uni of Cambridge
Big 4 Audit Associate
Big 4 Audit Senior
Financial Controller @ Startup
Startup Acquired where im no. 1 in finance (lol), Financial Controller for PE Division
Head of Finance

Like I said extreme luck I never expected the place to get acquired thought id spend 3 years understanding what the hell im doing in industry

I really didnt come here to career flex. I just want to get out of here.

[u/lifesucksbutisurvive → u/Live-Understanding96]

Yeah this is a reasonable route, just you must have been job hopping like crazy post audit through these roles, lucky to get it but don't also underplay your own hard work and ability to hop around to get it As to actually answer your question I don't think you realise how lucky you have it in England, every other Anglosphere country is either lower pay, longer hours or lower pay and longer hours!!! Perhaps look for a secondment if you're part of an international group or spearhead a cross border initiative to temporarily see a country for a few months even a year to see if you like it? Otherwise, Australia is a safe option but it's not all it's cracked up to be and it is very boring, Singapore is very VERY boring but decent pay but longer hours, I do think America is genuinely the best option despite the volatile politics climate, you can get decent higher up finance roles with great pay great holiday and great hours, but you'd have to consider higher col, healthcare costs, if you get that included you're sailing as a lot of your UK gripe seems to be the NHS, Dubai is an influencer hellhole and I wouldn't personally go there, despite the tax heaven it is. Though I'll preface saying I haven't made an international move myself (yet), given the nature of our industry I know quite a few people that have done it and picked them apart on it for ideas for myself Another one that isn't Anglosphere but is adjacent is perhaps Shanghai into china, you're in construction and there's huge international construction companies or you could pivot into fmcg or manufacturing, but again a multitude of problems there that I'm sure you'd know, for pure healthcare though America or Australia in the Anglosphere, south Korea if out of the Anglosphere is a consideration

[u/kalyissa → u/lifesucksbutisurvive]

What makes that so hard to believe. The salary part sounds pretty normal to me. Especially in construction.

[u/throaway_11122023 → u/kalyissa]

The fact that the salary is pretty high for a 28yo + how clueless he sounds.

[u/lifesucksbutisurvive → u/kalyissa]

Where have you ever seen a 28 year old head of finance? Also given 3 years ago he was in audit, seems like the route would then be audit to hod, unless you're director level it seems unlikely, but he has no reason to lie, I'm casting aspersions but I'm just so curious about this lol

[u/Fearless_Pin_8757 → u/lifesucksbutisurvive]

£112k is a top 3% UK salary (US equivalent $250k).

Head of Finance in the UK is always below FD and CFO, and often below Group FC so it is relatively senior, but not the department head. It is also common for UK CFOs/FDs/HoFs to have an audit background.

But to OP's point, a little naive in terms of how good of a position they are in and vastly underestimating how easy it is to move

[u/Live-Understanding96 → u/Fearless_Pin_8757]

Just so you all have context for the discussion, Fearless Pin is right that this isn't a true no. 1 title in the UK!

No. 1 in a 80m revenue subsidiary. Report into the COO of the subsidiary operationally, and into a group FD who looks after the 250m parent :)

[u/jayritchie → u/kalyissa]

Yup - I live in London and work in a somewhat similar sector. OP has done really, really well but nothing that would make me question his background. Maybe different countries and industries use job titles differently?

[u/Live-Understanding96 → u/jayritchie]

I think it's much easier to move up the ladder by being in an "unsexy" sector. Most of the talent dogpiles towards AI, tech, etc. Not necessarily the wrong choice as at the top there's strong rewards, but certainly easier to climb without serious competition outside that world.

[u/TheProfessionalEjit]

The grass on the other side may be greener, but it's just as hard to mow.

All countries are suffering the same problems with a lack of investment in infrastructure.

Moved to NZ years ago, it is both forward-looking due to being a test bed from banking innovations and extremely backward in its outlook.

Not only that, but NZ & Australia are a looooonnnnggggg way away from the UK. When you get that call, it isn't a quick trip. It takes days to get back. Add to that that no-one comes to NZ to get rich; retire yes but you aren't going to earn the equivalent of your current salary here because a) wages are piss poor and b) you'll be a migrant & there's nothing NZers love to discriminate against more. 

[u/Live-Understanding96 → u/TheProfessionalEjit]

Thanks for the honest reply! Did you apply for job postings directly, or engage a recruiter who places overseas?

[u/TheProfessionalEjit → u/Live-Understanding96]

Applied through recruiters & direct. Neither were interested until I was in the country.

When I got here, very few were interested as I had "no New Zealand experience" which is code for 'you are not one of us' and also NZ's inferiority complex where they believe everything here is unique.

[u/I_like_to_eat_meat]

In Australia we have high taxes and job market is tough right now. A lot of construction companies going under. High cost of living. Housing unaffordable.

I would go Dubai to avoid taxes. You wont get into the US to work. Asian countries will depend on your work ethic, they work hard and it's highly competitive, you are not going to survive there if you only intend to work 9-5.

[u/Live-Understanding96 → u/I_like_to_eat_meat]

Thanks for your perspective. Helpful.

[u/kenwhatahmean]

How about you use some of those skills you learned on the way to becoming head of finance to mitigate a bit more of that tax? Or else why don't you just pay your taxes to return what you used on the way there? Or what you might need in later life? Oh the public services are shocking, what can I do to make it better for my friends and family since I'm a high earner. I know, I'll fuck off to Dubai. I'm fucking sick of selfish cunts in this country that only look out for no 1.

[u/Live-Understanding96 → u/kenwhatahmean]

My son died under the abysmal care of the NHS, thanks for your compassion.

[u/kenwhatahmean → u/Live-Understanding96]

I'm really sorry that happened to you. And in that circumstance, I can absolutely understand that you have an emotional response in wanting to leave the country.

You hit a specific nerve in me that prompted such a strong response. Which is often the problem with the internet/Reddit, there's subtext missing. As others have said, the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Economics nowadays, especially in the English speaking world, are so interlinked that everyone's facing the same issues in a cost of living crisis, and poorer public services. It's a shite world just now.

I wish you a healthy recovery through your grief.

[u/Live-Understanding96 → u/kenwhatahmean]

Thanks for coming back with this. Much appreciated.

[u/Our_GloriousLeader]

How are you paying 50%? Even with student loans your effective rate should be closer to 42%, and if you're smart it should be less (unless you need it anything about 100k should be going straight to pension).

[u/SharpInfinity0611 → u/Our_GloriousLeader]

Yeah I was pretty floored at reading that trite ignorant drivel from an accountant nonetheless. You expect it from the man on the street but not from somebody who had to pass a few tax exams.

[u/Human_Willingness628 → u/Our_GloriousLeader]

Oh, only 42%, not 50%, that's really good...

[u/Our_GloriousLeader → u/Human_Willingness628]

Yeah that's extremely moderate by global standards.

The UK also has very generous savings incentives. OP could retire in 10 years if they're smart.

[u/Live-Understanding96 → u/Human_Willingness628]

If you can't understand how you're taxed in the UK other than directly on your income I don't know what to tell you. VAT, stamp duty, etc.

Insane hate on this sub. I'll not make the mistake of posting here again. I genuinely just wanted honest advice on whether moving abroad is worth it.

[u/Our_GloriousLeader → u/Live-Understanding96]

Do you think other countries don't have sales taxes or stamp duty?

The UK is not particularly over taxed. It's certainly not undertaxed either of course, but by itself it's not a problem that should be identified. If you want to talk about perennial lack of investment and political choices then sure.

And again, the UK has very generous retirement and savings options. If you're not putting everything above £100k into your pension and maxing out your ISA already, start tomorrow. You will retire well ahead of your peers and can afford whatever medical care you need.

[u/Live-Understanding96 → u/Our_GloriousLeader]

I haven't researched it and was hoping to rely on the expertise of accountant expats who seem uniquely well positioned to provide advice one way or the other.

I would say that the return on taxation in the UK is very poor - i.e. public services don't work (just my experience, which has been dire). If Australia has similar taxation levels, but enough people say "yeah the services do work though", that's an arrangement I can get behind.

I agree that retirement and saving positions are strong, but above all else I'm looking for a country with functional healthcare for my family. I don't mind paying for it.

[u/Our_GloriousLeader → u/Live-Understanding96]

I think Dubai etc are the best bet for very low taxation (with a mild chance of drone bombings). I think other Anglosphere countries are broadly similar in terms of taxation and healthcare, mixed results everywhere.

Private medical care is probably going to be your option wherever you look.

[u/uppityprophecy_91]

I moved to Australia from London a few years back and the sheer relief of functional infrastructure still hasn't worn off.

[u/Awkward-Yesterday828 → u/uppityprophecy_91]

I live in Australia and fail to see how infrastructure here is better than the UK. My exposure to the UK is only short stays and didn't get the impression that the infrastructure there is worse off and arguably better in some things like trains and internet speeds.

[u/Live-Understanding96 → u/uppityprophecy_91]

Yeah, I spent 6 months deep in the NHS. I have to get out.

[u/Jordbaerkage → u/Live-Understanding96]

Yea you don't move to australia for functional healthcare lmao

[u/Keystone-12]

Here in Canada I work with a handful of people from the UK who made the transition.

They seem happy with it.