Types of employment for Accountants in the UK

There are two main types of employment in London and the UK for Accountants - Contract or Permanent jobs. Neither type is better than the other, it is simply a matter of what best suits you as an Accounting & Finance professional working in the UK.

Contract jobs for Accountants in the UK

Contract work is the most common type of employment for overseas accountants arriving into the UK, especially when you initially arrive in London. Contracts are issued for a defined period of time but are not necessarily for a short period of time. The contract may only be for two months or it could be for two years. It is very common for contracts to be extended. Contracting accountants are usually paid per hour or per day for their work.

Permanent jobs for Accountants in the UK

In a permanent job role you are directly employed by the company that you work for and are paid a salary. You have rights to holidays and other employee entitlements and are permanently placed in the position until either you or your employer terminates your employment. Your hourly rate will typically be lower than that of a contractor to account for the added security and employee entitlements that you receive. Many accountants on the Tier 1 Highly Skilled Migrant Visa, Ancestry Visa and Right of Abode take the opportunity to move from contract work to permanent employment.