Accounting is the perfect job for digital nomads. According to FlexJobs, this is the number one ranked profession that is sought after by many businesses and industries. The main jobs of maintaining financial records and analyzing data can be accomplished through online communications. This includes preparing tax documents. As a result, accountants can work anywhere from their own homes to exotic locations such as Bali or Brazil.
There is a shortage of professional accountants with degrees throughout the US. This is the result of Baby Boomers retiring from the profession. Many of them now travel, and they learn to do their job from remote locations. Traveling seniors may work only part-time as accountants for their former employers or as freelancers during tax season. Many countries, including Costa Rica and Mexico, offer special programs for retired people who want to live and work remotely.
The accounting industry wants to attract a newer, younger group of people to this profession. Many young people studied and completed the educational requirements for degrees in business and accounting remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020-21. Educational requirements include a bachelor’s degree in accounting and/or business administration. Advanced degrees are necessary for high-paying jobs. This includes the certification necessary to be a Certified Public Accountant.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary is about $68,000 annually for a basic accounting job. Experienced accounts, including those with a CPA, can earn $100,000 or more a year. The average senior accountant makes about $84,000 a year.
The Remote Experience
Many experienced accountants moved into their own homes during the Covid pandemic. They realized that they enjoyed the remote work in the comfort of their own surroundings. They also understood how easy it is to practice their profession from any location, as long as they had internet and phone communications. Many people, including accounting personnel, took advantage of the opportunity to travel when it became safe to leave home.
Travelers, including accountants, discovered that the cost of living was much less in other countries. They could live well on their current pay, or even less, in some countries. Many companies are content to keep remote workers in any location on the payroll as long as they do the job.
Where do You Want to Live?
At least 34 countries offer special Digital Nomad visas. These special visas are generally good for a year, and they can be extended. Germany, Norway, Ireland, Spain, and Portugal are a few of the European countries offering these special visas. Extended visas can be applied for in most European Union or Schengen countries if you wish to stay for more than 90 days, or if you want to travel while you work.
Try Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, Antigua, and Dominica among other beautiful Caribbean islands for remote living and work. Mexico, Panama, and Belize are only three of the many Latin American countries that will welcome digital nomads. Thailand, Indonesia including Bali, Malaysia, and other Asian and Middle East countries also welcome digital nomads.
All countries have some restrictions, and you do have to show proof of income. Mexico has a temporary residence visa for $190 that can be extended for more than one year. The income requirement is only $1,620 a month, making this one of the lowest monthly requirements. Mexico is also home to more than 1.5 million retired US and Canadian citizens, some of whom work remotely.
Panama requires an income of only $36,000 a year. The visa costs $300, and it is good for nine to 18 months. Greece offers a visa for 75 Euros that can be extended for three years to people who can show they earn 3,500 Euros a month.
Abu Dhabi requires a monthly income of $3,500 a month with an annual visa that costs $287. Malaysia requires an annual income of $24,000 with a visa that costs $220 for a year.
All of these countries and more offer a cost of living that is less than the US, along with a rich cultural experience. This is an opportunity for accountants to live aboard and explore the world!