I'm an accountant considering moving to Australia to join a few friends who have already moved there. My friends have said it's the best decision they have made as they really enjoy living there but could you tell me what else I should take into consideration before I make such an important decision? A recent Robert Half survey indicated that almost half of UK finance professionals surveyed would like to work abroad at some point in the future as they believe it would enhance their careers. A qualification in accounting is traditionally one of the most widely accepted qualifications across the globe, which makes working overseas a viable option for accountants. Moving and finding a job abroad is not an easy feat and you should take into consideration the below before making such a move: Why do you want to go? This is the first and most obvious question to ask. This is a personal matter and tends to be the key to the whole process and must therefore be addressed before any other matter. Do your research. Once you have answered the question why, you will be able to best assess where you would like to go by researching into which countries are most likely to offer what you are looking for. This may include career options, working visas, locations you’d like to live in and qualifications you may need for the roles you are considering. Consider your timing. Going abroad for a number of years is disruptive and puts quite a strain on social and family ties. The best time to go tends to be when you are most mobile and have relatively few responsibilities such as a mortgage which is why working abroad is such an attractive option for younger people. For some more tips on working abroad, the FinanceJobsAbroad.com offers advice on planning your trip, what to do before you leave home, finding a job and somewhere to live in your new country, what different cities and locations offer, tips and tales from other travellers, and planning your return home. Phil Sheridan is Managing Director of Robert Half. Founded in 1948, Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialised recruiting firm providing placement services for accounting, finance and office support. There are more than 360 Robert Half locations in North and South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. For more information about Robert Half please visit www.roberthalf.co.uk