Hays Accountancy & Finance - January 2010
Professional Practice
Hotspots
Within professional practice, demand continues to be highest for seniors and qualified supervisors, particularly business services. Demand for these candidates has predominantly come from boutique firms that continue to take advantage of recruitment freezes among many of the larger firms to secure the best talent. We have seen some movement among the second tier firms, particularly within business services and we expect recruitment within these firms to increase in 2010.
Demand will also increase this quarter for intermediate accountants with two to three years experience in response to increased workloads and lean structures. There is however a shortage of experienced, high quality candidates.
The coming quarter
Several firms have indicated they will recruit for additional permanent staff this quarter, particularly at the senior level in response to workload and client growth.
Executive
We have seen a high demand for partners in business services with a transferable fee base. We expect this demand to continue. Demand also remains strong for insolvency professionals at a senior level, and to a lesser degree, business services managers.
Employer trends
Firms are starting to seriously consider salary increases, with many expected to offer increases in January. Employers are becoming more flexible regarding candidate profiles in areas where there are shortages. They are consequently moving the recruitment process along more quickly. Having said this, they do still prefer candidates with stable work histories and strong academic results.
Candidate trends
There is a definite shortage of quality CA qualified candidates looking to move within the profession. Given that many accountants seek out industry positions upon qualification, this demand is not expected to abate in the near future.
Candidates continue to favour roles offering job stability and opportunities for career development; they no longer change roles primarily to achieve a salary increase.
