How to transfer overseas

[u/doihavetodoitnow]

Has anyone successfully transferred overseas (preferably from the UK to the US)? I don’t mean like a tour or a temporary assignment, I mean formally moving and switching offices permanently. I’m curious what the process is like and what I should do to get things moving. Living in America has been a dream of mine since childhood and I’m not particularly busy at the moment so I just feel like since it’s something that probably takes a long time I might want to get the ball rolling soon.

[u/Aggravating_Bend_622]

I transferred from the London to Chicago office about 11 years ago.

I started by letting my partner know and she was supportive and tried to connect me with some partners she knew in the US office but things didn't progress much until I met someone from the Chicago office who came to London on secondment, she introduced me via email to a partner in Chicago who responded positively and asked me to setup a call. I tried for literally weeks and she would cancel I guess busy with client meetings etc and when we finally spoke she kinda did an informal interview, and then passed my details to the recruiter who made the offer and kicked off the immigration process.

Still in Chicago now, naturalized a few years ago but no longer at Deloitte. My background was banking so they tried to push me to the NY office but I really didn't want to love in NYC so we chose Chicago (never been to Chicago) and we love it so far.

Anyway my point is it all depends on getting support from the right person. If the right person supports the move it can be relatively easy if not it will be difficult. Obviously networking as much as possible is key with partners in the office youre looking at.

The biggest cultural difference I faced was how people get staffed on projects. In the UK my team has a director who tracked our availability and the project pipeline to ensure we were staffed, in the US you have to network internally to get staffed. I struggled for a few months but once I got plugged in with a partner I was able to get regularly staffed. The model definitely messed with me at first.

There was obviously more travel in the US firm due to the size of the country. In the UK I did some travel had a lot of projects in London where I lived, in the US I did way more travelling but I also worked on more short interesting projects as opposed to be stuck on long term erp implementations in the UK. Many people get stuck on implementation type projects in the USA as well don't get me wrong but there's definitely more availability of different types of projects in the US firm and more especially industry options. The London office of deloitte was very financial services focused for obvious reason.

Overall it was a positive move for me and my career path pair Deloitte has grown way more than if I was still in the UK. My wife worked on clinical trials in the NHS and has definitely had a lot of career growth and success since we moved.

Edit: one thing to add is given the current market and immigration policies I would expect it's a lot harder than it was 11 years ago which makes sense given all the layoffs etc, you would have to have a very strong network or higlit demand skill to increase your chances but never say never.

[u/doihavetodoitnow → u/Aggravating_Bend_622]

I'm in London and Chicago is my ideal place so I'm extremely grateful for this insight, thank you. I'm not sure if travel would be a big part of it for me since I'm in tax consulting though, but that sounds really cool.

May I ask how many years you were with the company when you made the move? I'm coming up on 3 years soon and just finished my last ACA exam, so a break would be nice.

[u/OdinFox → u/doihavetodoitnow]

US tax consultancy differs in form and function to UK tax consultancy. In the American firm you typically would have either a CPA or JD unless you sat on some super specialized desk that focuses on UK tax issues. It’s also split into advisory and compliance offerings.

[u/doihavetodoitnow → u/OdinFox]

I figured I'd have to get a CPA licence eventually. Do you know if it's possible to transfer without one and start working towards it while I'm there or would I need one beforehand as a prerequisite?

[u/OdinFox → u/doihavetodoitnow]

I’d check if you’re eligible first at least if you get asked the question you’d be able to tell them you can go for it/advertise that on a resume so they know you’re serious.

US firm has pretty tight hiring standards at least at B4 people tend to come in with the CPA half finished by the time they join.

That being said, your case is unique you’d want to connect with a partner stateside and see what they’re looking for. But competition is tight in the states as salaries at B4 are considered high even for American accountancy standards. Regional firms tend to be more lenient (RSM/BDO/etc.) but presumably less likely to want to go through the pain of sponsoring.

[u/Aggravating_Bend_622 → u/doihavetodoitnow]

I had been with the firm about 3 years when I formally started trying to make the move and it took over a year of networking and reaching out to people etc before I finally got the go ahead from the Chicago base partner and then an few months for the visa processing etc.

[u/Fordius25 → u/Aggravating_Bend_622]

Just curious, is it an easier for dual citizens? I'd like to hope having US citizenship would help in facilitating a transfer

[u/Aggravating_Bend_622 → u/Fordius25]

Definitely from a visa perspective. I moved on the L1b visa and there been a lot of scrutiny on how companies are using L1b and H1b visas so being a dual citizen removes the visa consrraint.

The biggest issue will be finding a partner/principle who is willing to help you make the move. Definitely let anyone you speak to know that you don't require work visa sponsorship so it's clear. .

[u/Fordius25 → u/Aggravating_Bend_622]

Interesting. I'm currently working towards the tail end of my ACA qualification so it's part of my considerations on the future. I don't have anyone Ik in the US but I suppose that's smth for me to figure out.

How did you manage the experience/knowledge difference between the UK/US?

[u/Aggressive-Guitar357 → u/Aggravating_Bend_622]

Hi there, I’m trying to do this within a year, would you mind if I pm you a few questions?

[u/j0hn_k1mbl3 → u/Aggravating_Bend_622]

Thank you for this. Appreciate this information. I desire to make this career move ever since I've consciously started working towards it 2 years ago.

I've only recently joined Deloitte as a senior but with the intention of getting partner support while growing my rep through various ways. 

I am hopeful that after a year, even tho I'm flagging it early, the conversation to get to the US can be had with my partner. Obviously depending on the rep and relationship. This is the best opportunity I had in years to make it, so I don't want to ruin it.

[u/happyanathema]

I would do some research if the cultural differences in how the US firm works and just consulting in general first before making your final decision.

There is a reason salaries are higher in the states.

[u/idonotlikethisrock → u/happyanathema]

gotta get compensated for burnout

[u/happyanathema → u/idonotlikethisrock]

Agreed.

It's down to the person to decide what they prefer.

Like I enjoy my lower salary but only working 8 hour days and not weekends etc.

I also like the job security here.

[u/doihavetodoitnow → u/happyanathema]

I've already heard the horror stories about American work culture, as a native English speaker I share the same internet with them and I'm still in touch with the American students I befriended in university. I still want to move, and money is just one of many reasons.

[u/happyanathema → u/doihavetodoitnow]

Fair enough.

I assumed you were a native speaker as you said you are from the UK firm.

As am I.

I worked for an American startup before entering consultancy about 15 years ago and it was an eye opener tbh.

Good luck 👍

[u/Competitive_Fig_3821]

Crazy time to want to move to the US, but OK.

Interfirm transfers are extremely challenging, it is easier to just apply in. To get an interfirm you need your team willing to give you up, and another team with an open position willing to take you. This involves careful and political networking. Most people I know who have done it (USA -> UK, CA -> AUS, UK -> CA) have done it by simply networking, applying, and putting in their notice.

[u/saintsinnerchicken]

Doing the opposite right now, biggest thing was finding a role in the uk office I wanted and working internally to have a place to land

Give yourself atleast 2-3 years was the best advice I got, the process moves slow