11-11-2004, 05:18 PM
I have worked with Deloitte. in Dubai for three years and have moved on to a bank - internal audit. However, I have an idea about other Big 4 in the UAE and other middle east markets and will try to be objective.
Here is how I see your querries
Ques
1 - How is EY Middle east as a working place/environment?
Answ
Its a good professional market (Big 4, MNCs, Banks and large companise only). The work environment can be to some extent compared with the first world and one gets the opportunity to work with a host of nationalities at times upto a dozen ! Practices usually cater to long work hours compared to industry here.
Non work place environment differs greatly from city to city I'll put Dubai on top (with regards to facilities and the general feel good environ) and Riyadh at the bottom of the list.
2 - Which office is the better one of following Bahrain/Dubai/Muscat/Kuwait?
I gather that the head office of EY for the region is in Bahrain, but I hear that the offices in Kuwait are very good with Europeans/western management at the top (which is always good compared to arabs or pakistani / indians). Muscat must be a small set up. In Dubai EY is ranked at no.2 (after the Andersen merger) and have a huge list of clients. Pay wise all Big 4 fall within the same categoery in Dubai except for KPMG (more of a labour camp).
3 - What shall be the minimum pay in USD at any of these offices?
Well for a a newly qualified ACA I'd put the tag at USD 1,600-2,000 for some one with three years PQE USD 2,500-3,500 (the higher side only in industry).
4 - How much does it costs (average) if one lives with family at any of the places?
Dubai/Abu Dhabi is the most expensive with a cost of a family (couple one child) renting out a one bedroom appartment, a leased car, and life style comparable to that of a CA in Pakistan will cost you something like USD 1,300=1,500 on an average.
Muscat, Kuwait and Saudi cities (I am not sure about Bahrain) are cheaper because of the rent which is around 60% of the cost quoted above.
5 - Whatz the expected worth of a Middle Eastern EY Professional Experience in Pakistan after say about 6/7 years?
I am afraid it won't add any thing to the career, middleast is just good for making money especially if you continue to work in Practise (since there are no taxes, major corporate laws here and you loose sight of what is happening in Pakistan). Better career prospects for people working in MNCs or Banks (where the compatibility still exists)
Most professionals in the Middleast use it as a launching pad to move / migrate to the West where expereince is highly valued in Pakistan.
Having said that I have seen people working in Practice here moving on to Pakistan at 'Director' level in large Pakistani/MNC Companies in Pakistan.
Please feel free enquire further if I have left out something or You need further information.
"Allah does not change the state of people unless they change what is within themselves" Quran 1311
Edited by - Pracs on Nov 11 2004 122051 PM
Here is how I see your querries
Ques
1 - How is EY Middle east as a working place/environment?
Answ
Its a good professional market (Big 4, MNCs, Banks and large companise only). The work environment can be to some extent compared with the first world and one gets the opportunity to work with a host of nationalities at times upto a dozen ! Practices usually cater to long work hours compared to industry here.
Non work place environment differs greatly from city to city I'll put Dubai on top (with regards to facilities and the general feel good environ) and Riyadh at the bottom of the list.
2 - Which office is the better one of following Bahrain/Dubai/Muscat/Kuwait?
I gather that the head office of EY for the region is in Bahrain, but I hear that the offices in Kuwait are very good with Europeans/western management at the top (which is always good compared to arabs or pakistani / indians). Muscat must be a small set up. In Dubai EY is ranked at no.2 (after the Andersen merger) and have a huge list of clients. Pay wise all Big 4 fall within the same categoery in Dubai except for KPMG (more of a labour camp).
3 - What shall be the minimum pay in USD at any of these offices?
Well for a a newly qualified ACA I'd put the tag at USD 1,600-2,000 for some one with three years PQE USD 2,500-3,500 (the higher side only in industry).
4 - How much does it costs (average) if one lives with family at any of the places?
Dubai/Abu Dhabi is the most expensive with a cost of a family (couple one child) renting out a one bedroom appartment, a leased car, and life style comparable to that of a CA in Pakistan will cost you something like USD 1,300=1,500 on an average.
Muscat, Kuwait and Saudi cities (I am not sure about Bahrain) are cheaper because of the rent which is around 60% of the cost quoted above.
5 - Whatz the expected worth of a Middle Eastern EY Professional Experience in Pakistan after say about 6/7 years?
I am afraid it won't add any thing to the career, middleast is just good for making money especially if you continue to work in Practise (since there are no taxes, major corporate laws here and you loose sight of what is happening in Pakistan). Better career prospects for people working in MNCs or Banks (where the compatibility still exists)
Most professionals in the Middleast use it as a launching pad to move / migrate to the West where expereince is highly valued in Pakistan.
Having said that I have seen people working in Practice here moving on to Pakistan at 'Director' level in large Pakistani/MNC Companies in Pakistan.
Please feel free enquire further if I have left out something or You need further information.
"Allah does not change the state of people unless they change what is within themselves" Quran 1311
Edited by - Pracs on Nov 11 2004 122051 PM
