What is the standard accent in finance in NYC?

Hi, I’m an international student studying in the states. I’m from Europe and have some accent. I’m trying to reduce my accent because I feel sometimes it affects the first impression I leave on people.

I’m wondering for people working in a more client-facing/sales role in finance in the US(especially in New York), what is an accent that would be seen as the standard? By standard I mean when people first hear you they won’t be too distracted by the way you speak, even if they can tell you are not a native speaker. Also I don’t want to sound too stereotypical American/British, like Californian accent or Southern accent or British accent.

In all I want to speak English in a way that no one can really tell where I’m from. What news anchor/actor/actress would you recommend me to intimate from? Would you recommend for hiring an accent reduction coach? Thanks a lot

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Unless your accent is HEAVY Indian or east Asian you're fine.  It says that you're doing all this in your second language, which is impressive to us mono-lingual guys. 

Our head of investments is off the boat.  He has a heavy accent, and re-records his video spots in his native language for his home market. 

Another datapoint is that the best spoken guys I know are off the boat African.   Not African American, African. (not SA either) They have a clearly stilted, formal, well enunciated dialect that would be my choice if I needed to pick an accent for work.*  (for personal, I'd do Italian or something similar, that's just sexy)

*For reference I have a Brooklyn/North Jersey brogue.

The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 
Whatever1984

 (for personal, I'd do Italian or something similar, that's just sexy)

Yeah the English with Italian accent has a nice and happy flow to it, similar to Italian. Some Italian Americans speak perfect English, but have that flowy happy rhythm that only an Italian would know. This is why I also love the Italian sounding flowing Spanish in Argentina. 

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 
Whatever1984

Unless your accent is HEAVY Indian

I don't know a lot about the Indian language, but they must have a lot of d's in their speaking as English speakers with the heavy Indian accent turn all the English "t's" into "d's" and the d's are hitting like every single phrase. 

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

kellycriterion

British accent is viewed favorably in most places. I can actually see this being an edge for you. Just have confidence and lean into it.

I can't stand the British accent. I generally avoid any British shows or movies. Russell Brand though is the exception - he is hilarious. In contrast, my mom is Australian and I am fine/happy with the Australian accent. I'm ok with South African as well.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

European is totally fine. College is a tough time to be international but it'll be better in the workplace. If anything people may find you more interesting

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