IS IT WORTH IT? Accounting Professionals reveal Dubai Odyssey I

Based on the Philippine Statistics Authority data, roughly 2.2 million Filipinos are working overseas of which an estimated number of 260,000 are deployed in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Most of them flew in search for a better life in terms of financial stability. The number includes CPA and accounting professionals who push their fate further outside the comfort zones of our country. Most of them flock in Dubai for massively countless financial opportunities and ease of access.

“Step outside of your comfort zone and go beyond the boundaries that you and others have set for yourself.”

― Julius Veal

Undaunted with the challenges of the foreign land, these professionals take on new personal and professional heights with diverse compelling goals. Most of them seek for greater monetary or financial rewards in terms of work compensation. Some break through territorial boundaries for the sheer drive of gaining experience overseas, traveling and probably soul searching, while a few left the country with no clear reason at all. Whatever brought them to where they are, it was not the usual road paved with gold; they have to surpass the great challenges upfront in order to survive.

Alyn, Peter, and Emmanuel bare it all in an unadulterated Dubai exclusive interview.

The Turning Point

Peter:  My heart was broken some time in 4Q2011. I left my job and rested for few months. I was soul searching. Then an offer from my cousin came. She will bring me to Dubai. She’s been encouraging me before to come to Dubai but I’ve always answered, “Later..” When she contacted me again, I decided to get all my documents and fly to Dubai. I’d guess lack of purpose in life during that period made me decide to find that purpose in Dubai.

Alyn: For a better future! I was working in the City Gov’t and we all know or at least familiar with the Govt “system”- promotion could come in yearsssss if you’re lucky or you’ll be stagnant, inside connections with high rank officials is almost essential to get promotion, increment or even to be a regular employee, learning environment is poor or very limited… In short, less opportunity for growth in all aspects.

Eman: Initially, I really had no plans in working abroad. When I resigned from my job in Cagayan de Oro, my plan was to look for a high paying job within the city. After months of looking, I found myself still jobless because the job offers that I had were not economically satisfying.   Then my parents talked me into going to Dubai for work. They said that CPAs in Dubai are highly in demand and are highly paid.  So I got in touched with my CPA friends in Dubai and asked a few questions about the job opportunities in the UAE.  They said a lot of good things and these convinced me. 

The Process

Can you give a quick overview on the requirements for someone to legally work in Dubai?

Peter:  You can come to UAE on a Visit/Tourist VISA and find a job. The company will sponsor for your Employment VISA (valid for 60 days). Once you have this, you’re already legally employed. Within 60 days, you need to get medical certificate and get your Emirates ID (and Labor Card if you are working in a company under the UAE Labor Law). Then the Employment VISA will be converted to Residence VISA under the company’s sponsorship which will be valid for 2 years. This is renewable.

The Cost

Eman: If you have plans to work in Dubai, start off by processing your scholastic records. You must have your documents attached with a red ribbon from the DFA and then have that authenticated by the UAE embassy. That could cost at around Php 15,000. After completing all that, you can secure your airline tickets and UAE tourist visa at around Php 30,000. When you finally get here, you must have an allowance that will last for a month at around Php 70,000. Therefore, one must have over a Php100,000 to be able to come and start a life here. It’s pretty costly but you can recover all your expenses within a couple of months. 

Peter: VISA and Ticket package now costs around AED2,300 (estimate). That’s around Php28K. Additional cost would be your local ticket to Manila, airport taxes, ticket to Singapore/HK if you know how to come to Dubai without a relative that can sponsor you in Dubai, cost of living for the first two to three months etc. Initial cost would be around Php50K plus Php20K per month for the rent and cost of living. There would be friends who can help with the cost if you are friendly. In our room, we give it forward. Those who have less income or still don’t have work will pay less rent/food sharing. Currently, my roommates just contribute fixed amount for the food and grocery and I fill in the rest. I have flexible cost of living depending on consumption.

Alyn: Approx Php24,000 monthly rent (bedspace), Electricity & water, food, transportation, VISA for 2 months and ticket when I came here last 2012-Php50,000

 

Initially, that's roughly Php50,000 and an additional cost of living allowance of Php25,000 to Php50,000 depending on the lifestyle, spending habits, and period in between jobs.

Notes on Job Hunting

How did you apply for a job?

Eman: As advised by my friends here, it’s better to just apply online than to roam around looking for a job which is a waste of time, money, and effort. Most companies here, big or small post their job vacancies online via dubizzle.com, bayt.com, monstergulf.com to name a few.

Alyn:   Online sites

Peter:  I’ve applied online. I’ve also sent my CV to friends so they can forward it.

            Distribution of CV through friends would be the most effective way.

 

How long does it take to get a job (on average)?

Peter: I got calls for phone interview a week after I arrived in Dubai. But most offers were so low and my expected salary is beyond their budget that most ended the call with “Thank you” without a job offer. I found my job 1 month after arriving in Dubai. And I started working after a month because the documentation process took a while.

Eman: If you’re not choosy as to the kind of industry, then you will be able to find a job in less than a month. The demand for CPAs here in Dubai is quite high. In addition, if you don’t set your standards too high (i.e. high salary expectation even without UAE experience), then you will surely get a job in less than a month.

Alyn:   A month or less (generally it’s easier and faster for females to get a job)

           

On job hunting, does it matter if you are licensed or not?

Alyn:  Not really. Maybe 40% of the time. What matters here is the experience you have in UAE, it’s an investment.

Peter: License from PRC would matter but not so much. There are job postings indicating that they prefer someone with accreditation like CA or CPA but it’s not required. Experience in GCC (Gulf Cooperation Country) would matter more. Driver’s License would also be a factor in finding a job (probably for the next job in UAE).

Eman: Not really but it’s a plus. The primary thing that employers look for in applicants is having a UAE experience.  I know a few people who do not have a CPA license but are earning quite well because of their experience. So in your first few years of gaining experience, don’t expect too much that you can land a high paying job.

Work Environment, Professional Growth and The Pay

How was your work environment? Is it professionally rewarding in terms of career growth?

           

Alyn:  Currently my work environment is very good- that feeling when it doesn’t feel “heavy” to go to work. The colleagues I have are all supportive, understanding and have that “professional/educated” attitude.

Yes indeed! When I came here, I made it as a goal to work as an accountant (since I can barely have that designation in the Phils). I was given the opportunity to work in a medium size company and the pros of it is that you are exposed in multi-tasks. I was able to learn more like a lot in accounts and apply those in practice. I can consider this experience as a good foundation in the career path I wish to take in the future.

Peter:  NOPE!

At first, while learning the trade of the business, you feel excited. Then there will be a point when you want to move on but you can’t. There is no movement within our company. The only way to move up is to move out and find another company. You would be stagnant if you stayed.

Eman: To be honest, I don’t like my current job. I am an auditor for a local audit firm but compared to my audit job back in the Philippines my job here is way too relaxed. Over time is not allowed here, we go home at exactly 6pm or even earlier.   I’m only tasked to do external audit so there are times that there are no longer external audit clients so we just sit idle and pretend to be busy. I’ve been            sitting idle since August 2014. I feel like my knowledge in audit and accounting has already evaporated. I’m sure you would advise me to find a more productive job, but it’s not that easy. I   have a contract of two years and I just cannot breach that without having a labor ban. So I my advice, before you take a particular job, know first what you’re getting in to. Search the internet for information about that certain company (most companies in the UAE have websites) or Ask Filipinos (if any) in that company about things that may jeopardize your career growth.

How much is the compensation (range)?

Peter:  It depends on which company you are in and what position you hold and if you are willing to wait for a better offer. You can find job offers for AED3.5K easily. But there are offers for AED8K if you know where to find it. You should also have a good looking CV

Eman: I know a few Filipino CPAs that earn as low as AED 2,500 (almost Php30,000) and some very few that earn as high as AED 15,000 (around Php180,000) even without UAE experience.

Alyn:  My basis will be limited for those Filipinos I’ve known who is working in accounts or related area… from AED3500-AED20000 (PHP 42000-240,000)

What are the possible job positions available for accounting professionals?

Peter:  Accountant!

Cost Accountant

Accounts Assistant

Management Accountant

Analyst

Payroll

Etc

Receptionist cum accountant

Eman: If you’re a CPA coming here for the first time to look for a job. You can land a job as an accountant at any industry. You can also try being an auditor here. Whatever company you land into, just make sure that company can give the professional growth you deserve. 

Alyn:   From Accounts Assistant/ Junior accountant to don’t know…

            Sky is the limit!

           Learn more about Dubai on the second installment of the interview and discover the challenges, struggles, and opportunities as Eman, Alyn and Peter shed their final verdict.

References:

http://www.poea.gov.ph/stats/2013_stats.pdf

http://web0.psa.gov.ph/content/statistical-tables-overseas-filipino-workers-ofw-2013