A&F Q2 Newsletter
Part-Qualified and Qualified Accountancy and Finance
- The Accountancy and Finance space has been relatively quiet in recent months, with fewer opportunities for many sectors. However, there has been notable growth in the Senior Finance space with live roles, which is a promising development for the Newly Qualified and Part Qualified space. As experienced professionals move up or transition into new roles, it creates room for entry-level and mid-level positions to open up so we are anticipating Q3 to provide more opportunities for mid-senior level candidates for the end of this year and the start of the new year.
- This then has resulted in job market becoming increasingly candidate-heavy, as many professionals are eager to secure new roles before Christmas and the New Year. This influx of talent brings a strong pool of high-quality Accountancy and Finance candidates actively seeking new opportunities. Many are motivated to make a career change before year-end, creating a competitive landscape for employers looking to fill roles with top talent. For companies hiring now, it’s an ideal time to connect and meet these skilled professionals who are keen to settle into fresh positions ahead of the new year.
- In Q2, there is still a clear preference for hybrid working patterns, but we have seen an increase in candidates now open to assessing local roles and ultimately then more flexible on being more present in the office.
- Continuing with the flexibility piece, over Q2 we have seen a shift in candidate preferences. Salary was predominantly a priority and a number 1 non-negotiable however candidates are focusing more on their work life balance, and this is now a key factor when describing their next ideal role over salary.
- Over Q2, we have had an increasing number of conversations with hiring managers looking to meet finance professionals with system and technology knowledge. Candidates are now taking this on board and are actively seeking additional courses/training sessions in order to stay desirable in the Qualified Accountancy and Finance space.
- With this in mind, Iconic are delighted to be partnering with Loganair in their search for a Planning and Reporting Systems Analyst to join the business in a newly created role. This role is an exciting hybrid of financial analysis, data analysis and modelling and systems rollout. We are welcoming conversations and applications from candidates with experience in financial analyst roles who have supported in data analysis projects or data professionals who have supported finance functions to create KPI and data dashboards.
Transactional Finance
- The transactional finance market in Scotland is gaining momentum as we approach the year’s end, with candidates increasingly prioritising roles that offer professional development and clear career progression. Companies providing study support and defined growth paths are more attractive to job seekers, making them better positioned to attract and retain top talent in this candidate-driven market. Candidates are becoming more selective, considering factors such as company culture, flexibility, and future opportunities, beyond just salary.
- At the same time, the payroll sector is facing a skills gap, with 40% of staff expected to leave within five years due to high stress, limited development, and job insecurity. Payroll professionals are looking for similar growth opportunities, and companies that fail to invest in training and career development will struggle to retain talent. Furthermore, many payroll workers are grappling with the rapid pace of technology, with 38% still relying on manual data entry, leading to errors and delayed payments.
- Jeanette Wheeler, MHR’s Chief HR Officer, stresses that investing in technology and staff development is crucial to transforming payroll into a rewarding and dynamic function. Modernising systems and supporting employees with proper training can reduce risks and turn payroll into a strategic asset.
Link to article:
https://www.accountancydaily.co/40-payroll-staff-plan-quit-jobs
Exams and Professional Qualifications
Congratulations on all achievements made this Quarter!
Good luck to everyone who sat ACCA exams in September, we are wishing you every success on results day in October. Whether this was your first exam or last exam, the ACCA qualification is a huge achievement so well done for putting in the hours and we hope your hard work has paid off.