[anneedyou]

Hello, I'm new here and I find this forum to be so great.

I've noticed that alot of people are working in Hong Kong because they got transferred there from their home country. For those who has worked with the Big 4, did you ask them if you can transfer to Hong Kong? I'm an accounting major in my 4th year and is planning to work for the big 4 and get transfer in the future. I was wondering if they actually let you transfer. Like when you ask them if you can transfer, do they really look into it or do they just say that they will see and never get back to you?

I think what I want to ask is: Is it easy to transfer to Hong Kong in the Big 4? I'm not exactly fluent in Mandarin, but I am taking Chinese in college and is going to study abroad in China. Unfortunately, I don't speak Cantonese even though my mom is Canto.

Thanks in advance.

[nation]

Presumably you're going to audit so get your mandarin up as soon as possible. Canto helps but not as relevent for the Big 4s with all their mainland clients.

As for transferring it really depends on the manager/partners you're working with back in your home country. By that I mean, if you've been there for a few years and proved your abilities, are they the sort of people who will support your request to transfer, will they help you out with contacts in HK, will they provide references for you, will they open up doors for you when you let them know you want to transfer. Some people can very narrow minded and immature when they find out you want to leave.

You can also contact partners directly in HK after you 've built up some relevent skills and experience. You'll have access to all their names via the intranet. If you are able to land a role chances are you'll be moving to HK as a new employee rather than a transferee. A lot of companies have HR policies re poaching of staff from other offices so the partners will be very particularly to say you approached them for a job. This will affect your package and relo costs.

You will also have access to your company's intranet. If HK needs to hire a lot of people they will often advertise in your country's HR website.

[anneedyou]

Wow...thanks so much for the info.