Thinking of moving back to India after a failed business in Dubai, how is the finance job market in Kochi/Bangalore?
I’m 26M, currently in Dubai, and I’m seriously considering moving back to India by the end of this month. I’m posting this because I need some honest perspective from people working in India, particularly in Kochi, Bangalore and other major cities in South India.
I have around 5 years of UAE experience across senior accounting, management accounting, costing, financial reporting and FP&A related work. I was previously in a good paying job with a decent work life balance.
Around 8 months ago, I made what I thought was going to be a big step forward. I left that job and started a business with a very close female friend.
Unfortunately, things went very badly.
There were serious financial issues involving the business. Around AED 50,000 (₹12 lakh) was involved, and another company has also initiated a criminal case against her. I personally haven’t filed a complaint against her, and I’m not posting this to criticize her or seek sympathy, so I’d rather not get into the details of that situation.
The end result for me is that I’m now roughly ₹10 lakh in debt, with a maxed out credit card and a few EMIs.
Eight months ago, life was going pretty well. Today, I’m honestly at probably the lowest financial point I’ve experienced.
I’ve used most of my savings just trying to survive here. I’m still applying for jobs in Dubai, but I’m barely getting interview calls. The UAE job market has been extremely difficult for me lately, and with my remaining savings, I can probably survive here for another month.
If I return to India, I can stretch the same money for roughly three months, which gives me more breathing room to find a job and start rebuilding. So I’m seriously considering going back.
I understand that ₹18–20L may be ambitious depending on the role and company. I’m not expecting someone to tell me what i want to hear I’d genuinely like to know what the market is like.
For those working in finance/accounting/FP&A in India:
What salary range would someone with my experience realistically get?
Would my UAE experience be valued, or would Indian employers treat me more like someone with 3–5 years of ordinary accounting experience?
And if you were in my situation, would you:
A) Stay in Dubai and keep trying for another month despite burning through savings, or
B) Go back to India, reduce expenses dramatically and rebuild from there?
I have to make this decision by the end of this month.