“It was much more than a professional exchange - it was an opportunity to learn and contribute” | Charlotte Blakeway

For many professionals, the idea of gaining international experience can feel exciting but difficult to turn into reality. Finding the right opportunity and stepping out of your comfort zone often requires a little bit of curiosity and a lot of courage.

For Charlotte Blakeway, that opportunity came through INPACT. After more than six years with our member in the UK - Rayner Essex, where she progressed from Audit Junior to Audit & Accounts Manager, Charlotte wanted to challenge herself in a new environment. Having always been interested in international work and keen to practice her Spanish in a professional environment, she began looking for opportunities that would allow her to gain experience abroad.

Through INPACT contacts, Charlotte was introduced to Consultores Integrales in El Salvador. What started as a chance to work in a Spanish-speaking environment became a seven-week professional and cultural exchange, where she gained new skills, built international relationships and discovered the value of sharing experiences across the globe.

“I initially thought they might see it as them doing me a favour by helping me gain some experience. But actually, they really saw it as me bringing value to their firm. It became a genuine exchange.”

During her time in San Salvador, Charlotte worked alongside the Consultores Integrales team, developed her professional Spanish skills, experienced a different accounting environment and built relationships that continue beyond the end of her placement.

Can you tell us a little about your background and how this opportunity came about?

I started at Rayner Essex in 2018 as a junior in the audit department. I completed my ACA training contract, qualified with them and stayed for six and a half years, progressing through to assistant manager and then manager.

I really enjoyed my time there, but towards the end of 2024 I started thinking about what I wanted to do next. I had always wanted to work internationally, use my Spanish (I studied Mathematics with Spanish at university) and experience something different, and it felt like the right time to explore that. So I left in February 2025 and have been travelling around Latin America and working remotely as a bookkeeper for the past 18 months. Leaving Rayner Essex was completely amicable and my bosses and colleagues were extremely supportive of my decision. It wasn’t because anything was wrong, it was simply a personal decision to challenge myself.

Before leaving, I met Daniel Perez at the awards ceremony for the International Accounting Bulletin in London, where INPACT was recognised as a Rising Star Association. Since I speak Spanish, I was interested in any connections in Central or South America and asked whether he knew of any opportunities where I could gain international experience.

Daniel shared the opportunity with contacts across the association, and eventually two firms expressed interest: one in Chile and one in El Salvador. I had never been to El Salvador before, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to experience somewhere completely new.

What was your first impression when you connected with our member, Consultores Integrales?

I was really pleasantly surprised by their response. I think I initially thought they would be doing me a favour by giving me an opportunity, but they were genuinely interested in what I could bring and explained that they believed I could add value to the firm.

When I first met José, the partner, I expected something closer to an interview. Instead, it was much more of a friendly conversation. He told me about the firm, their work and where I could contribute.

From the beginning, it felt very welcoming. It didn’t feel like I was just joining as an outsider, it felt like I was becoming part of the team.

What was your main motivation for the experience?

Definitely gaining international experience. I had used Spanish in social settings before, but this was an opportunity to really challenge myself and see whether I could work professionally in the language, communicate with a team and feel comfortable in an environment where everything was happening in Spanish.

The biggest thing I wanted to gain was confidence, and to prove to myself that working in Spanish could be part of my future career.

Obviously, there were challenges, especially with professional terminology and people speaking quickly, but overall it showed me that I could adapt and communicate effectively in another language.

What skills or perspectives did you take away from your time with Consultores Integrales?

The biggest thing I gained was the professional vocabulary. There is a big difference between being able to have conversations in Spanish and being able to discuss accounting and audit topics confidently in another language. Working in that environment every day was incredibly valuable and gave me much more confidence using Spanish professionally.

I also learned a lot about the importance of being open-minded when working internationally. When you spend several years in one firm, you naturally become familiar with certain processes and ways of working, so it was a great reminder that there is not always one right approach. I went there with an open mind, wanting to learn from their experience, understand their approach and see how different perspectives can add value to the way I work.

Were there any differences or similarities between working in the UK and El Salvador?

There definitely were many similarities. One thing I really liked was the relationship between partners and the wider team. At Rayner Essex, I was used to working closely with partners, and I found a similar environment at Consultores Integrales. They were involved in the day-to-day work and were very approachable, and I could see that they had great relationships with everyone in the firm, even with the most junior members of staff.

Because it is a smaller firm, there was also a strong family atmosphere. The team culture was something I really enjoyed and there were several team lunches during my time with the firm, to celebrate birthdays and even the national “Day of the Accountant”!

Was there a moment where you saw the value of your own international background?

One thing that stood out was an audit engagement for a local foundation connected with Save the Children UK. Consultores Integrales needed to communicate findings and recommendations in English, so I was able to help translate documentation for the UK organisation.

It was a great example of how international experience works both ways. I was learning from their environment, but I was also able to bring something valuable from my own background. It showed me that international experience is not just about adapting to another country, but it is also about connecting different perspectives.

Was there anything about the culture or working environment that surprised you?

One thing that really surprised me was how early the working day started – their standard hours were around 7am to 4pm. At the same time, I really liked seeing the flexibility the firm offered to younger team members who were studying at university, such as allowing them to finish earlier when they had classes. It was a nice example of how a structured working environment can still accommodate people’s commitments outside of work.

What advice would you give to someone considering an international opportunity?

The biggest thing is to be adaptable. When you go somewhere new, you are entering someone else’s environment. They already have their routines, relationships and way of working.

My advice would be: don’t wait for people to come to you. Make the effort yourself. Ask questions, invite people for lunch, suggest doing something after work and find ways to get involved. You are the person who has chosen to enter their environment, so you need to be curious and take the initiative.

What impact has this experience had on you professionally and personally?

Professionally, it has given me confidence that working internationally is something I can genuinely do.

Before this experience, I hoped working in Spanish would be possible, but I had never tested myself in that environment. Now I know I can work with a Spanish-speaking team, adapt to a different workplace and bring value in an international setting.

It has also created relationships that continue beyond those seven weeks. The team at Consultores Integrales was incredibly welcoming and knowing I now have connections in a different part of the world is something I really value.

Personally, it was also a hugely positive experience. I met new people, experienced a different culture and proved to myself that stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to opportunities you never expected.

Charlotte’s experience is a reminder that international opportunities can sometimes begin with a simple conversation and the willingness to explore what comes next.

Through her time with Consultores Integrales, she gained more than professional experience in another market. She built confidence in her ability to work across cultures, strengthened her Spanish skills and developed relationships that extend beyond the seven weeks she spent in El Salvador.

As INPACT continues to connect firms and professionals around the world, experiences like Charlotte’s show the value of looking beyond borders - not only to learn from others, but also to recognise the knowledge and perspective we can bring ourselves.