Job Prospects: Sydney (rental, how much, house)

[emx2]

I'm an accountant (CPA) from the US, with public accounting and industry experience (controller level)... how difficult would it be for me to find a job in Sydney? I read somewhere that employers look for applicants with local experience. While I understand that, is it going to be near impossible for me to find a job?

[WildColonialGirl]

It depends, would you have a work visa in yourself own right (or your partner's) or would you be wanting to be sponsored?

There are several categories of accountant on the skilled occupations list
Accountant (General) 221111 CPA/CA/IPA
Management Accountant 221112 CPA/CA/IPA
Taxation Accountant 221113 CPA/CA/IPA
External Auditor 221213 CPA/CA/IPA
Internal Auditor 221214 VETASSESS

[emx2]

I would have my own visa.

To add, my experience is pretty varied - tax, SOX (I don't know how much this applies in Australia), and more recently corporate accounting.

[WildColonialGirl]

This is a fairly slow board, but I thinkt here are a couple of business types. Would it be appropriate to contact a recruiter?

This says the prospects are good
http://joboutlook.gov.au/occupation....ects&code=2211

Why are you particularly interested in Sydney? Have a look at the past threads on here and you'll see the prospects in several other cities are better, plus there are regional centres where the cost of a house is much lower.

[emx2]

Thanks for the link. It's good to know there is a strong need for accountants What I'm more specifically looking for though is whether as a foreigner I'd have a harder time getting hired. What I would hate is to have to start at the bottom, esp considering how expensive Sydney is. And yes I'm actually trying to get a friend to connect me with a recruiter, as I think that it'd probably be best to get a feel from someone who has direct experience with the market etc. Meanwhile, as I wait, I was hoping someone on here could shed some light.

Sydney is personal preference.

[stevey_m]

I would check out some of the expat forums, as even though it is on the SOL, lots struggling to find work. The SOL is a little mickey mouse, lots of professions that really should be removed as some of the professions listed do not have enough roles to be filled. You would really do a lot of homework on this as can take years depending on the route you want to take.

pomsinoz.com
expatforums.com

What type of visa are you looking at Working Holiday or going for PR and looking to relocate permanently?

Best bet get into a Multi National, work a few years and see if they would relocate you. This is by far the easiest and cheapest option!

As for Sydney, I would avoid unless you are making a very good 6 figure salary. Melbourne, even though not as expensive is a much nicer city.

As WildColonialGirl pointed out this is a fairly slow board outside of NA.

Have a look at www.domain.com.au to get an idea of rental prices. If you are coming from NY or SF, you will not be as shocked.

forums.whirlpool.net.au is a very active Australian forum and you can ask about the job market for accountant roles.

As you are looking to move from the US, suspect you will find the cost of living a little different here...

Would you be looking to move here and try to find a job or after you hopefully get a visa, see if you can find an employer to hire you before you land. The latter will be very difficult.

Have you considered the relocation costs ie, visa, flights, temp accommodation, rental deposit(bond), 1st months rent(if you do not have a job they might want 6 months rent up front), freight shipping, money to cover you if you cannot find a job quickly?
This could equate to anything from $20000 and upwards.

[BCC_1]

Originally Posted by emx2

I would have my own visa.

To add, my experience is pretty varied - tax, SOX (I don't know how much this applies in Australia), and more recently corporate accounting.

Corporate accounting is usually in high demand. SOX and non-AU tax, would be much more specialised. SOX would be a very, very small part of the industry. Accountants, especially qualified with a few years experience don't tend to struggle for work.

[emx2]

Thanks for the responses.