Eight reasons not to apply
It's perfectly normal to feel a degree of uncertainty about making any big change in your life. That includes the possibility of moving overseas to work in Bermuda or the Caribbean. And for every candidate who has the courage to try something new, there are undoubtedly many others who will be content to let life pass them by.
But it’s also true that the excuses you make to yourself are often not “real”. They are simply a way to rationalise a fear of change.
We’ve compiled a list of the eight most commonly mentioned fears below:
The best time is any time once you are qualified.
The lifestyle and financial benefits are superb, no matter what stage you are at in your career. For newly or recently qualifieds, it’s ideal timing.
Similarly, more experienced candidates should know that many accountants will opt to leave "higher level" jobs back home to take up “entry-level” positions in financial services offshore. In the right situation it makes perfect sense to take half a step back in order to take a full step forward. Such applicants realise that the opportunity to gain access to this dynamic business sector will open up many more doors than it will close.
Besides, most people relocating to live and work on the Islands these days don't do it just for the money and career experience: As soon as you step out the office door, you're on vacation in the Caribbean!
Look at the managers in your office. Without meaning to be unduly harsh, do they really have such great lives? You don’t have to live your life as they do.
And even if this promotion does materialise, the tax man will be very grateful to help himself to a large slice of anything you may hope to squeeze out of your present employer.
You're lucky - you have a choice.
This is a "line to take" sometimes adopted by firms to convince you to stay where you are. In fact, the opposite applies: Your career will benefit in the long term from the international reporting experience, financial services exposure, professional contacts, personal development and the additional leverage that a higher, tax-free salary will give you in future contract negotiations.
With added experience of IFRS/US GAAP under your belt, the Islands can also be a useful route to eventually moving to the States (your financial services skills would be in great demand in New York, for instance).
This has got to be better than another year or two reinventing the wheel in a job that you may have held for the last three years.
Unsympathetic though it may sound, remember that your employer has a vested interest in keeping you exactly where you are. These days, your career is truly in your hands. We will help but you have to take the first step by applying.
The unexpected thing about living away abroad is that most people actually end up spending more quality time with their family and friends, not less. Why is this?
It’s simple: As soon as your friends and family know that you are moving to Bermuda or the Caribbean, you can bet they'll be trying to figure out how soon they can come and stay with you. And when they do visit (or you go home), you'll be spending a week or two of quality time together. That probably rarely happens even now.
Plus it’s so easy to stay in touch nowadays with the Internet, webcams, email, instant messenger services, SMS texts and cheap international telephone calls. Keeping in touch with loved ones has never been so straightforward.
As one of our candidates said: "It's not like I'm moving to the moon!"
In reality, it couldn’t be easier.
We work closely with you to identify the role that best suits you and meets your salary expectations. We also ensure you are fully briefed on the company and the Island before you have an interview to make sure you're fully prepared.
Once you have found the right job, you have the comfort of knowing that you’ll be going to work for a blue-chip employer with a guaranteed package which includes a tax-free income, free flights, paid vacation and medical/insurance benefits.
On arrival, your new employer will welcome you at the airport. They’ll sort out your work permit and arrange free accommodation for your first few weeks, giving you time to get settled. They usually throw in use of a free car (or scooter in Bermuda) for the first few weeks too.
They will also point you in the right direction when it comes to opening a local bank account, registering with a local doctor and finding somewhere to rent (perhaps by the beach, often sharing with other expat accountants).
Remember that these overseas offices are staffed primarily by expats so they can relate to what you're going through and can advise you from personal experience.
Short of having your bags packed for you, that's all there is to it.
So do quite a number of people who live and work on the Islands.
In due course, many accountants we recruit will decide to invest some of their tax-free remuneration in residential property and arrange for it to be let out whilst they are away. It’s not difficult, especially if you use a real estate agent to handle it all for you.
This is rarely a complaint!
That said, if it does get hot out at the height of summer, you will normally be near a pool or the sea should you need a quick refreshing dip.
And, as you’d expect, every modern apartment, office and car is properly air-conditioned.
It’s all true: That’s why most people will choose to stay longer than the initial contract period. Now’s the time to find out for yourself.
Apply for our free recruitment service and we'll contact you in confidence to arrange an informal, no-commitment talk. We'll be pleased to guide you every step of the way to a great new life and career abroad. Just ask us to help and we'll do the rest!
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