Now that we’re into H2, it’s a good time to reflect on what we’ve seen across the Accountancy & Finance market in the first half of the year.
Hiring Trends:
The market has been buoyant especially around the Qualified space, demand for high-quality finance professionals remains steady especially in FP&A, commercial finance, and technical reporting roles.
Businesses are being more selective, but they’re still hiring just with sharper focus and longer decision cycles.
We have seen a slight shift across interview formats with the senior level being focused around process improvements and profitability. Whilst more junior roles have been focused on personality and culture fits.
What’s Changed?
More companies are moving back to full-time office working, particularly in SMEs and high-growth environments where collaboration, culture and visibility are seen as key. This has been a decisive shift especially in Essex and something candidates need to consider early in the process.
Salaries have largely stabilised after the sharp rises of 2022–23 post covid, the upcoming changes could still affect this however businesses are still willing to pay for the best talent on the market.
Contract/interim roles have picked up, particularly in transformation and systems projects. SAP and Power BI appear to be the most common with roles registered in H1!
Many SMEs are consolidating finance teams, which means wider remits for fewer hires but also richer roles for the right candidates.
The Market Right Now:
The market is busy, there’s strong demand, especially for commercially-minded finance professionals.
But with more applicants per role, preparation is key.
- Know the role, competencies and how your skillset solves their pain points
- Understand the business, how they make their money and more importantly how in the economic landscape they could lose money!!!
- Be clear on your value, where you’ve made a difference and identify what sets you apart from any other finance professional!
Too many good candidates fall short by not preparing properly for interviews and in this market, that can be the difference between landing the offer or missing out.
Looking Ahead:
H2 looks promising, with growth returning in pockets particularly in tech-enabled finance, PE-backed environments and businesses undergoing change.
Employers who move decisively and communicate clearly will still win the best talent.
Whether you're hiring or considering a move now’s a good time to have a conversation. Why not contact one of our specialist consultants here at Rutherford Briant, who will be able to assist you in your search.