The Outcome of Living and Working in Thailand

Following on from our previous post from Daniel who lived in Vienna, we've asked another one of our team to get involved and tell us about his year-long adventure living and working in Thailand!  From the locals walking their pet elephants to the enhanced career opportunities, Kevin had a fantastic time and now that he's back, he wants to encourage others to go overseas.  Talking about his experience he said:

"Gaining that information from each country on how their cultures and how their businesses work, and how people interact with each other...  It definitely grew me as a person and the experience that I gained was incredible"

See what else he had to say here:

Don't forget, you can submit your own video for the opportunity to win the prize of £1,000 (or equivalent in your currency)!

See the below post for guidelines on how to enter the competition or alternatively email Emma: emaloy@thinkgr.com for further details!

WORLDWIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCED ACCOUNTANTS

There is a world of opportunity out there for experienced and qualified accountants,   maybe not as much as pre global down turn; however, there are still plenty of roles available if you look across the global market. Accountancy is still a profession that is in high demand.

The main effect of the current economic climate for experience accountants seeking a new role is that potential employers are focused on finding specialists and often have very specific skills/experience criteria they seek to match. 

 

There is another interesting swing around the globe also worth noting.  Insolvency is in high demand in a number of countries, including Australasia and the Caribbean and on the reverse side Transaction Services is in demand in Europe.  

Language skills, in particular fluent German or French, can be a ticket to secure very interesting, sought after roles throughout Europe, including Switzerland. Alternatively, Mandarin and a proven track record of career progression is appealing to employers in Hong Kong, China and Singapore, whilst Arabic speakers can enjoy an excellent career throughout the Middle East.

Audit experience in the financial services sector will secure that offshore experience, weather it is the Channel Islands, Caribbean or Luxembourg.   

Audit remains the skill in the largest demand. Mainly because CA firms are the biggest employer of accountants and they need a large number of auditors to service clients who have to be audited.  In the current market employers generally require experience of auditing the relevant sector their clients are in.

The demands of employers have definitely tightened up. Historically they would be happy to cross train sectors and provide language training.  

However, it is highly likely criteria will open up again as the economy stabilises again.  Previous financial down turns and recessions have seen a high demand for experienced accountants in the following years and there are signs this will happen again.  Although many firms tried not to decrease the number of trainee accountants they hired in recent years, they had no choice in the end. We are also seeing statistics that show new generations are not choosing accountancy as a career, which will lead to a further shortage.

A recent survey published by the Education and Employees Taskforce targeted 11,000 13-16 year olds in a bid to chart the job aspirations of teenagers against the employment market from now to 2020. It stated that less that one in 30 young people are currently considering jobs in banking and finance which will result in experienced accountants being in even more demand.

A report conducted by Markit, surveying the UK job market has documented a rise in the need for both permanent and temporary accounting/financial professionals from 2012 to 2013. The report which collates data supplied by recruitment agencies also noted that the key skills that are in short supply in accountancy is ‘Accounts, Audit Managers, Credit control, M&A, Tax and Purchase ledger’.

       

With the job market gradually improving both internationally and domestically and the need for experienced accountants and their skill set greater, the openings for accountants is on the rise and the opportunities are better and will continue to increase. Having an ACCA qualification is your ticket to opportunities all over the world and the future looking far more positive than it has in recent years.  

Written by Abigail Stevens, Managing Director, Think Global Recruitment

OPEN FOR ADVICE - ASK ABIGAIL

It's the New Year and for many of you that means making resolutions of changes you wish to make in your life, whether it is starting the gym or changing jobs.

In my career I am proud to say that I have helped improve people's lives from every Continent in the World and understand the obstacles that are in the way of progressing your career Internationally. I have updated my blog to provide an 'Ask Abigail' section to allow anyone that has questions to ask. Just click on the tab or here to find the list of topics that I am happy to provide comment and advice on.

Above is a cut-out of a feature in the December issue of the CA magazine where I was asked to provide comment for accountants who are considering 'Finding work in Canada'. I was approached by ICAS to supply comment on the topic because of the experience I have in not only the Accountancy recruitment sector but also in regards to moving overseas and relocation. I take pride in providing honest and free advice and have in the past discussed provided comment in multiple international accountancy journals.

Isn't life easier now it's so mobile...

As you can see, it's been a while.  Like many, I just never seem to find time to post my bloggs.  I have started many, but never finished them.  I have been inspired to write many, but forgot by the time I stepped off that train.  Why it has taken me soo long to download blogger onto my phone is beyond me.   Well here I am now!

What has been new since the last blogg?  So many great things.  Visits to Barcelona, London, Australia and New Zealand to name but a few.

Australia has certainly 'hotted up' and not just because the wet summer is finally having a rest, but in the recruitment sense.  We have had a good number of requests from firms seeking accountants to join their teams.  The roles are spread accross the entire vast country, offering exciting, different places to live for everyone.  From Sydney to Melbourne, Perth to Adelaide to Brisbane and other far spread beautiful locations.  The positions are just as varied including audit, transactions services, recovery/insolvency, financial and management accouting and advisory. How great is that!?

Back in Europe opportunities continue to flurrish, especially, but not exclusively, if you have language skills.  We are delighted to have assisted a large number of accountants to secure roles in Switzerland, Luxembourg, Holland, Belgium, the UK mainland and offshore in the last couple of months.  Seriously there is a world of opportunity out there!

Another exciting thing at Think Global Recruitment, is that we are speaking to our wide range of clients and other businesses to find out if we can expand the industry experience they seek internationally.  If there are any employera out there that can not find the best tallent locally and want to Think Global, then please do get in touch.  We would love to see if we can assist.  Likewise if you are an experienced international recruitment consultant/manager or believe your specialist sector experience could Think Global I would live to hear from you.

So it is all about vacancies and worldwide opportunities.  Think Global Recruitment is expanding through success.  My personal biggest challenge at the moment is attracting the very best experienced consultants and managers to join our team.    I believe other consultancies are experiencing this and we would welcome any tips on how to do this?