Recently, we’ve seen a moderate increase in project accountant roles as organisations look to implement new systems or synchronise systems to provide better reporting; a trend which has been fuelled by the aftermath of the recession as companies look to streamline their businesses and improve reporting capabilities. It is not yet clear as to whether this is a short term trend that demand will reduce as efficiencies are delivered.
The reticence to move by some of the top accounting talent is waning as new opportunities arise and accountants become less fearful of the risks associated with changing employers. Despite this, we are starting to see an increase in competition for talented ACAs from the Big 4. Demand has increased sharply, particularly from the financial services sector meaning that strong candidates have more than one offer to choose from and that employers must be able to present a clear career path to secure the best.
In line with the demand for newly qualified ACAs we continue to see demand for commercially minded accountants, particularly ACA and CIMA qualifieds with strong post qualification experience. Those candidates who have worked in commercial analysis roles are in high demand in all commercial sectors, most notably in FMCG where commercial analyst roles are on the increase.
Senior shared services roles are coming onto the market as companies look to expand their shared service offering here in the UK or overseas. This links in to the demand for commercially minded individuals as more organisations look for distinct behavioural skill sets.
In response to bulking up the lean teams created by the recession, many employers are looking to recruit either fixed term contractors or permanent employees. The financial services market is recruiting very heavily for temporary accountants to fill the gaps created by cut backs in 2008 while the rest of the market looks to invest in long term stability with permanent appointments.
Risk and compliance roles are on the increase particularly across the Banking & financial services, FMCG and Oil & Gas as organisations get on top of new regulations and legislations.
Links in blue go to current vacancies on the Badenoch & Clark website and are live and up to date as of 14 July 2010
