Having an American accent working in the U.K?

I'm Taiwanese American, I have a neutral American accent. I am planning to attend post-grad school in the U.K and possibly work in the U.K post-graduation.

I was wondering if having an American accent or just a non British accent is something that would work against you in the U.K/London in the financial sector. I understand places like London are very diverse, and there will be various accents you encounter day to day. But I wonder if there are any particular feelings towards Americans or people who speak with an American accent?

 

I worked in London with an american accent, altho I'm ethnically "white british", as they would say there, so if there are racial differences I wouldn't know about them. People do not look down on americans in my experience - you are something of a curiousity if anything, but we are very common there. However, class is noticeable in the UK, and accents are a major way this is transmitted. Finance in the UK is predominantly filled with upper class brits who went to "public" schools(i.e. private prep), and this is a sort of cultural "boost" that you will be missing out on. These people all speak with an upperclass "Received Pronunciation" accent (the Queen's accent basically). That said you won't have the barrier that you would if you had a lower class northern accent. This won't keep you out of jobs, but just something to be aware of.

 
Most Helpful
arbjunkie:
I worked in London with an american accent, altho I'm ethnically "white british", as they would say there, so if there are racial differences I wouldn't know about them. People do not look down on americans in my experience - you are something of a curiousity if anything, but we are very common there. However, class is noticeable in the UK, and accents are a major way this is transmitted. Finance in the UK is predominantly filled with upper class brits who went to "public" schools(i.e. private prep), and this is a sort of cultural "boost" that you will be missing out on. These people all speak with an upperclass "Received Pronunciation" accent (the Queen's accent basically). That said you won't have the barrier that you would if you had a lower class northern accent. This won't keep you out of jobs, but just something to be aware of.

Thanks for this information. I'm glad to hear it shouldn't be a problem, maybe it would possibly be an curiosity in a positive way since I'm Taiwanese born and speak with an American accent which even slightly bleeds into my Chinese. I can also speak conversational Italian since my fiancee is Italian which I think is somewhat important, knowing a 2nd European langagauge in Europe.

 

Just want to flip the table to the other side . How do Americans (presumably the ones working in Finance i.e New York )  view the British Accent(the RP one) . Do they think its a shitty one or they view it as more polite and superior one

 

Aliquam non qui unde in eum. Similique et illum accusamus molestiae nisi quae et tenetur. Occaecati minima quod culpa dicta optio.

Aspernatur consequatur quis aperiam qui iusto. Iusto recusandae voluptate consequatur suscipit facere. Omnis dolorem quisquam velit aliquid.

Sed error ut itaque. Eum voluptatum autem ea quam fugit. Eligendi accusantium enim consequatur qui voluptate. Reprehenderit deserunt eos provident porro.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”