Bimal is an MSc Accounting graduate from NCI. Originally from India, he relocated to Ireland in 2023 to pursue his higher studies and build a career in accounting, finance and tax. After graduating, Bimal secured a graduate role in the Transfer Pricing department at Deloitte. He is now developing his professional career while also studying towards his ACA qualification with Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background:
My name is Bimal Sabu, and I am originally from India. I moved to Ireland in September 2023 to pursue my higher studies and build my career in accounting, finance and tax.
I completed my MSc in Accounting at National College of Ireland, which gave me a strong academic foundation and helped me understand the Irish business and professional environment. I am currently working in a graduate role in the Transfer Pricing department at Deloitte, while also studying towards my ACA qualification with Chartered Accountants Ireland.
My journey has been a continuous learning experience. Moving to a new country, completing my studies, entering the Irish job market and starting my professional career have all helped me grow personally and professionally.
What made you choose Ireland as a place you wanted to work?
I chose Ireland because it offers excellent education, a welcoming international environment and strong career opportunities in accounting, finance and professional services. Ireland is home to many global companies, which makes it a great place for graduates who want to build an international career.
Studying at NCI in Dublin gave me the opportunity to learn in a diverse environment and also understand the Irish workplace better. I wanted to build my career in a country where I could continue learning, gain practical experience and develop professionally.
What was your most memorable experience from your time at NCI ?
My most memorable experience at NCI was meeting people from different countries and backgrounds. It helped me become more confident, open-minded and adaptable.
Completing my MSc in Accounting was also a very proud moment for me. The support from lecturers, classmates and the college community made a big difference throughout my journey. NCI helped me grow not only academically but also personally, especially as an international student adapting to a new country.
How did you hear about your role?
I heard about the Deloitte graduate role through a job site. I was actively looking for graduate opportunities in accounting, tax and finance, and the Deloitte role stood out to me because of the learning opportunities, professional training and career development available through the graduate programme.
What did the recruitment process involve and how did you prepare for it ?
The recruitment process involved an online application, assessments, a video interview, a final interview and then the offer stage.
To prepare, I researched Deloitte, the graduate programme and the Transfer Pricing department. I also prepared examples from my studies, previous work experience and personal journey to show my skills, motivation and ability to work in a professional environment.
I focused on understanding the role, improving my interview answers and showing how my MSc in Accounting, previous experience and interest in tax and finance matched the opportunity.
Can you describe the visa process you underwent ?
When I first came to Ireland, I was on a Stamp 2 student visa while completing my studies. After finishing my course, I moved to Stamp 1G, which allowed me to stay in Ireland and work after graduation. I was on Stamp 1G for one year.
After securing my graduate role, I moved to Stamp 1A, which supports my training contract and professional qualification route. The visa process required planning, collecting the correct documents and making sure I understood each stage clearly.
For international students, I would say it is important to stay organised, check the requirements early and keep all immigration and employment documents ready.
What is a typical day like in your current role?
A typical day in my current role involves client work, preparing files, administrative tasks, team meetings, emails and training. As I work in Transfer Pricing, I am learning how multinational businesses manage transactions between related companies and how this is documented from a tax perspective.
Every day is different, which makes the role interesting. Some days involve more technical work and preparation of documents, while other days involve meetings, communication with the team and learning from senior colleagues.
What do you enjoy most about your current role?
What I like most is the opportunity to learn every day. Working in a professional services environment gives me exposure to real client work and helps me understand how tax, accounting and business decisions are connected.
I also enjoy being part of a graduate programme because it gives me structure, support and the chance to develop step by step. Working while studying ACA also helps me connect what I learn in my exams with real professional practice.
What has been the most challenging part of your graduate journey ?
The most challenging part of my graduate journey has been managing many changes at the same time. Moving to a new country, adapting to a new education system, finding a graduate role, understanding the visa process and adjusting to Irish work culture all required patience and consistency.
Balancing work and ACA studies is also challenging, but it has taught me discipline, time management and resilience. Each challenge has helped me become more confident and focused on my long-term career goals.
Top 3 tips for students and graduates entering the Irish job market ?
1. Start early and stay consistent.
Apply for roles early, keep improving your CV and do not feel discouraged by rejection. Every application and interview is a learning experience.
2. Build both technical and soft skills.
Your degree is important, but employers also value communication, teamwork, confidence, professionalism and a willingness to learn.
3. Be open to opportunities and trust the process.
Your first opportunity may not be your final destination, but every role and experience can help you grow. Stay patient, keep learning and believe in your journey.