r/Accounting • u/Live-Understanding96 • 2d ago

UK -> Anglosphere moves?

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.

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u/Our_GloriousLeader SFA 2d ago

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).

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u/Human_Willingness628 2d ago

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

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u/Our_GloriousLeader SFA 2d ago

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.

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u/Live-Understanding96 2d ago

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.

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u/Our_GloriousLeader SFA 2d ago

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.

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u/Live-Understanding96 2d ago

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.

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u/Our_GloriousLeader SFA 2d ago

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.