Hays Accountancy & Finance - April 2007

New Zealand

Hotspots

Auckland:

  • Company accountants with experience in the manufacturing and IT sectors.
  • Management accountants and financial or performance analysts with a NZCA qualification particularly within the FMCG industry.
  • Tax specialists with 2 to 3 years and New Zealand tax experience for CA firms and the commercial sector.
  • Newly qualified financial accountants.
  • Assistant accountants with New Zealand commercial experience who are studying towards their professional qualifications.
  • Credit controllers/payroll clerks, particularly individuals with NZ experience and/or specific software experience.
  • Experienced business advisory staff at an intermediate and senior level.

Christchurch:

  • Qualified accountants.
  • Experienced SAP accounts as a number of companies are implementing SAP and requiring extra resources.

The coming quarter

Vacancy activity and demand will remain high for newly qualified accountants, since these candidates typically change roles once they qualify. There has also been a recent surge in demand for management accounting and financial accounting staff that has generated movement in the market. This is expected to continue. Business expansion will create opportunities for management accounting and financial analysis professionals as well as accounts payable and accounts receivable clerks with two years or more experience. With the end of financial year approaching temporary and contract work will remain high.

Executive recruitment

Demand for specialist executives such as risk and compliance managers, treasury managers and tax managers have increased and this is expected to continue. In the Profession, demand for senior accountants, senior auditors, audit managers and business services managers remains extremely high. Qualified and experienced candidates with corporate finance and management consulting experience are in high demand as are directors/senior managers within external audit.

Salaries

Auckland salaries will continue to rise due to the high demand for experienced NZCA qualified staff, with many commercial organisations paying premiums to recruit top talent. In Christchurch salaries will remain the same over the coming quarter.

Candidate trends

In Auckland the high demand for experienced management accountants and financial analysts is driving employers to be more flexible in their recruitment, especially towards candidates with strong experience but no professional qualification. The flow of newly qualified candidates has slowed noticeably as most candidates wait for their annual salary review before considering other opportunities. In Christchurch there is an increase in candidates taking temporary/contract work whilst waiting for the right permanent role to become available.