Australasia - Finance and Accounting jobs UK

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Australia is renowned around the world for its high standard of living, political and economic stability and spectacular landscapes. The lure of Australia is evident in the considerable number of people who migrate there under the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) Migration Program every year. Australia actively encourages the immigration of skilled migrants who can help to contribute to the country’s strong economy. Over 100,000 people will migrate to Australia every year for the next four years, further enhancing the existing multicultural population.

New Zealand is a land of diversity, from wallabies to whales, sand to snow, Lord of the Ring’s landscapes to Auckland’s skyscrapers. New Zealand offers great career opportunities for finance professionals but getting a job in New Zealand may be a challenge if you have not arranged work before arriving. The more experience and qualifications you have to offer, the better your chances will be in securing a position. However, even well qualified migrants may take six or more months to find suitable employment and may have to consider moving from one specialist field to another.

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Visas in Australia

If you have accountancy or finance qualifications you may be eligible to enter the country under their Skilled Migration Program. Under this program you are assessed on a points based system where points are allocated according to your work experience, qualifications and language proficiency. Age restrictions may apply.

If you are a well-qualified and successful business person wishing to move to Australia under the business migration categories, there may very well be an opportunity for you to eventually gain permanent entry to Australia. Each business migration category has different requirements for entry to Australia. In most cases you will be granted a four-year temporary business visa initially, and then after satisfying evidence of a specific level of business activity or investment, you will be able to apply for permanent residency. A direct permanent residence category will still be available for high-calibre business migrants sponsored by State/Territory governments known as the Business Talent visa.

Did you know?

Accounting and Finance graduates are in demand: more than 23 per cent of employers who had difficulty recruiting enough graduates in 2007 wanted to recruit more Finance and Accounting graduates (Graduate Outlook Survey 2007, Graduate Careers Australia).

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Visas in New Zealand

New Zealand’s immigration laws and procedures are rather strict, particularly in the areas of employment. If you want to live and work there, you will require an employment Visa. British passport holders can enter New Zealand as a visitor for up to 6 months on arrival without a Visa, provided they can satisfy an Immigration Officer that they meet the immigration requirements. Visitors in this particular case must have an onward ticket out of the country.

If you are seeking to live and work in New Zealand you will need a skilled migrant visa.

You must ensure that your passport is valid for one month beyond the date which you intend to depart New Zealand. Passports can currently be renewed only at the British High Commission in Wellington.
Lone parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information contact the New Zealand High Commission in London.

Jobs in Australia

Although the majority of accounting, finance and banking opportunities in Australia are permanent roles, there are also shorter term temporary roles in Sydney and Melbourne available in these industries.

Professional Accounting Bodies

Australia has various accounting bodies in place to help and support you in the advancement of your career. If you need career development or just want up to date market information, the following accounting organisations provide invaluable advice. They also hold various informative seminars, lectures and workshops. For more information, take a look at their websites.

CPA Australia

CPA Australia is the largest professional organisation in and with nearly 80,000 members in Australia alone it is the world’s 6th largest accounting body.

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)

The IIA in Australia provides internal auditing professionals with general guidance and information on best practices in the field.

Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia is the organisation that represents Chartered Accountants in Australia. The ICAA represents 43,000 Chartered Accountants and 11,000 of Australia’s best accounting graduates who are involved in the world-class post graduate CA program.

National Institute of Accountants (NIA)

The National Institute of Accountants (NIA) is a professional organisation for accountants recognised for their practical, hands-on skills and a broad understanding of the total business environment.

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Jobs in New Zealand

As the largest city in New Zealand there plenty of opportunities in Auckland but it’s Wellington, the capital city and home to the New Zealand Stock Exchange, that acts as the finance hub. With low unemployment and a buoyant economy there are great opportunities for skilled workers from abroad.

Accounting Bodies

There are various accounting bodies in New Zealand in place to help and support you in the advancement of your career. If you need career development or just want up to date market information, the following accounting organisations can provide advice. They also hold seminars, lectures and workshops.

Institute of Chartered Accountants in New Zealand (NZICA)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in New Zealand is the main professional body for the representation of New Zealand’s Chartered Accountants. It has more than 29000 members.

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants is an internationally accepted professional qualification in management accountancy which specialises in accounting for business. CIMA has nearly 160,000 members and students all over the world. Its New Zealand head office is based in Wellington.

Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA)

Despite being Australia’s largest professional accounting organisation, the CPA is a widely accepted qualification in New Zealand. The head office of the CPA in New Zealand is based in Auckland.

Australian salaries

Job title	Pay rate	Annual salary	GBP £
Finance Director/CFO	$800-1200 per day	$150,000-200,000	341-512	64,000-85,300
Financial Controller	$600-800 per day	$100,000-140,000	256-341	42,700-59,700
Internal Auditor	$50-75 per hour	$70,000-100,000	21-32	29,900-42,700
Finance Manager	$500-700 per day	$90,000-130,000	213-298	38,400-55,500
Management Accountant	$35-45 per hour	$65,000-90,000	15-19	27,700-38,400
Financial Accountant	$35-45 per hour	$65,000-90,000	15-19	27,700-38,400
Assistant Accountant	$23-27 per hour	$45,000-65,000	10-12	19,200-27,700
Payroll Accountant	$18-25 per hour	$45,000-65,000	8-11	19,200-27,700
Credit Controller	$20-26 per hour	$45,000-55,000	9-11	19,200-23,500
AP/AR Clerk	$18-22 per hour	$40,000-$50,000	8-9	17,000-21,300

New Zealand salaries

Job title	Pay rate	Annual salary	GBP £
3 years+ Post Qualified Accountant	$45 per hour +	$85,000+	17	32,000
Qualified Accountant	$40-55 per hour	$75,000-85,000	15-21	28,200-32,000
Qualified Financial Analyst	$40-60 per hour	$75,000-90,000	15-23	28,200-33,800
Qualified Systems Accountant	$45-70 per hour	$75,000	17-26	28,200
Part Qualified Accountant	$30-35 per hour	$60,000-70,000	11-13	22,600-26,300
Assistant Accountant	$25-30 per hour	$55,000-60,000	9-11	20,700-22,600
Credit Controller	$22-27 per hour	$42,000-55,000	8-10	15,000-20,700
Accounts Assistant	$20-25 per hour	$40,000-50,000	8-9	15,000-18,800
Payroll Assistant	$20-30 per hour	$45,000-55,000	8-11	16900-20,700
Accounts Payable Clerk	$20-24 per hour	$38,000-45,000	8-9	14,300-16,900
Accounts Receivable Clerk	$18-24 per hour	$38,000-45,000	7-9	14,300-16,900

Australia Lifestyle

Education and schooling

The Australian education system is divided broadly into five areas: preschool, primary school, high school, career and vocational training, and university level-institutions. Schooling is compulsory for students in most states and territories until the age of fifteen. Although students are able to leave at that time, most students do not leave until they complete their Year 10 qualification, with many students continuing on to complete their Year 12 studies.

You can choose to have your children educated in public (state government) or private (independent) schools throughout the country. Education at public schools is free in most states, although most schools do have a small voluntary annual fee to cover extra activities.

Most Private schools fall into one of two categories, schools administered by the Catholic Education Office, and independent schools of other religious persuasions administered by their own boards. Private or independent schools have their own fee structure and receive a subsidy from both Federal and State governments. Many private schools are either exclusively all boy or all girl schools.

Sydney

The hub of Australia's economic activity, housing as it does 65% the nation’s financial industry, including the Reserve Bank, the Australian Stock Exchange and the Sydney Futures Exchange. Several international firms choose Sydney to centre their Asia Pacific base. Most of the banks and broking and investment houses have their offices based near the Australian Stock Exchange.

Melbourne

The focal point for financial and insurance services in Victoria, and most of the jobs are in areas such as stock broking, venture capital, fund management, banking and investment banking. Around 600 financial institutions have offices in Melbourne's Central Business District (CBD) and it is also home to the headquarters of two of the largest banks in Australia: National Australia Bank and ANZ.

The Move and Stay website has more detailed information should Australia be your chosen destination.

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New Zealand Lifestyle

New Zealand is one of the top 4 locations that Britons choose for their new lives overseas and who can blame them? Not only does New Zealand boast beautiful natural landscapes but it also prides itself on low crime rates, low pollution levels and little congestion. It is also a cheaper place to live than the UK, which is particularly appealing in light of the current economic downturn. For more information on relocating to New Zealand, we recommend you visit the Immigration New Zealand website.

Education and schooling

Schooling is available to children from five years old, and is compulsory from ages six to 16 with various education and care options available to parents with children aged five years or younger. Most schools are taught in English, but some schools teach in Maori. Most secondary students in New Zealand attend Government-funded secondary schools, high schools, colleges or area schools which provide a comprehensive curriculum of academic, sporting and skills-based learning options.

New Zealand’s tertiary education system includes universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and private training establishments. New Zealand universities are internationally recognized, their qualifications are respected, and students studying there will benefit from full immersion in the English language. There are seven state-funded universities in New Zealand.

Health Service

New Zealand's national health system is very good by world standards. Everyone is entitled to comprehensive medical care from cradle to grave. All vital health care is provided free through the public health system.

This means that whilst there are some routine services, such as visits to doctors and dentists that have to be paid for, the more expensive services such as hospital treatments and procedures are, with a few exceptions, free to all residents.