Bermuda FAQs

What are the benefits of living and working in Bermuda?

Spending a period abroad after qualifying presents a fantastic opportunity to widen your horizons, to develop both as a person and as a professional.  Accountants coming out of their initial training contracts are often looking for a change. Finding a job in Bermuda can offer an ideal solution. Locations such as the Island offer an excellent chance to grow both personally and professionally, to learn from exposure to different cultures and to internationalise your work experience.  It's an investment in your future. 

Additionally, many accountants will have qualified without any direct experience of the financial services industry.  In today's global employment market, the best firms are looking for professionals with well-rounded, international experience. By opting for a Bermuda job, candidates can therefore benefit greatly from the opportunity to add another string to their bow.

What is the Island like socially? Will I fit in?

Bermuda is a community with high standards of living and time spent on the Island is likely to be one of the happiest spells of your life. Tourism and the flourishing international business industries have brought affluence with them, leading to a generally low level of crime. Due to the friendly, safe and courteous atmosphere in both the local and expatriate communities, most newcomers find it exceptionally easy to establish lasting friendships and participate in an active social and sporting calendar.

Where do most of the expatriates come from?

Following on from its historic colonial ties to Britain, a large proportion of expatriates come from the United Kingdom. However, there is also a large number of professionals from Canada together with representatives from many other countries including America, South Africa and Australia.  Given this diverse mix of professionals, life on the Island facilitates the making of many long-term friendships and networking with other finance professionals from other countries.

What are all employers wary of?

Given Bermuda's occasionally conflicting tourist image and the need to conduct international business professionally, employers are wary of the small minority who may be considering coming here for a working vacation'. At the end of the day, companies are looking for talented, motivated professionals who will get the job done. The small minority should look elsewhere.

Can my partner/spouse come with me?

The best way to accomplish this is if your partner can obtain a job and work permit independently before arriving in Bermuda. Where the spouse does not have a separate permit, the immigration authorities will only allow a couple to come if one of them has secured a work permit and they are legally married. 

It can sometimes be difficult for a dependent spouse who has not previously found a job before arrival to search for work on the Island, given the immigration authorities' policy of favouring native Bermudians to visitors when granting work permits for local positions.

In conclusion, the best route is for both partners to secure employment separately before arriving on the Island. This will be easiest to accomplish if both possess internationally recognised professional qualifications, such as accounting skills, or if the other partner possesses secretarial or administrative support skills.

I've heard that Bermuda is expensive. Is this true?

Because virtually everything is imported and there is customs duty levied on most imports, it is fair to say that prices are relatively high, comparable to London but expensive in particular compared to North America. It's the same in most similar international financial services jurisdictions. However, this is more than compensated for by the fact that there is no direct income tax and salaries tend to be very competitive. In addition, certain expenses such commuting are virtually zero and you need never take a summer holiday again!

Nonetheless, whilst the more disciplined are able to save significant sums, many people prefer to enjoy a greatly enhanced standard of living not available at home and indulge themselves through extensive travel, material possessions and participation in a wide range of social and recreational activities.