With the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) soon to be implemented in India, international accountants and business advisers Mazars in Birmingham decided now was the ideal time to take on a secondee from one of their Indian offices.

Avinash Rao, who is normally based at the firm's Mumbai office, reports on his experiences: "Having been with Mazars for over seven years I jumped at the chance to take a secondment in the UK, especially since it would mean I could get a head start on using the auditing standards that will soon be in India.

"I wanted to come somewhere that was totally different from home and that could offer me a great working experience.

"The Mazars global partnership meant I was able to move easily between offices and I soon became familiar with my new Birmingham base.

"I arrived in Birmingham in early February and settled in pretty quickly. Everyone has been really supportive and made me feel very much at home.

"I've been involved with a range of audit assignments from day one and it's been invaluable to use the UK auditing software as we don't yet have these systems in India. 

"As well as taking home the experience of different auditing processes, I'll also remember how different the work culture is. At home everyone I work with is Indian, but here the people are from many different places. It's been great to have the opportunity to work with such a culturally diverse range of people."