Finance and accounting jobs continuing to rise, research shows

Jobs in the finance and accounting sector continued to rise in the first quarter, according to research from the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo).

The research showed that vacancies continued to increase by 10.2 per cent year-on-year in the months leading up to March, despite warnings that a Brexit could result in thousands of job losses in the sector.

Increase

The research found that temporary and contract vacancies in the finance and accounting sector increased, rising by 29 per cent, a result of an increase in workload in the months leading up to the end of the financial year.

APSCo Chief Executive Ann Swain said: “The pace of change surrounding legislation and technology, as well as several high-profile relocations, means that continual hiring of specialist skill-sets is required just to keep the sector’s wheels in motion.”

Bright

Recent research from jobs and recruitment website Reed revealed that accountants currently have the highest earning power in the sector, with the average starting salary currently standing at £50,463. This is 46 per cent more than the average predicted salary of £34,567.

Discussing today’s graduates, Reed Communications Manager Lynn Cahillane said that it was “little surprise” that they are looking to earn more now than a few years ago, as they have “a lot to contend with”, such as student loans and rising living costs.

She added that “the future looks bright” for the thousands of graduates who are entering the job market for the first time, as there are more opportunities and more attractive pay packages being offered in 2016.