Accountancy and Finance Salary Guide 2013

Thanks to the Real Time Information (RTI) initiative and pension auto–enrolment, payroll professionals are in demand and employers are willing to pay a premium for the strongest candidates.

The recession has given credit managers the chance to shine and highlight their value to the business. The Eurozone crisis has resulted in an increased demand for candidates with experience of international debt collection and language skills.

Capable bookkeepers are highly sought-after and employers prefer candidates who have at least five years’ experience. Accountancy Support staff who have payroll experience are also highly sought after.

Organisations are competing fiercely to secure the best part-qualified candidates. Salaries have remained fairly static, with organisations choosing to differentiate themselves via the level of professional study support.

Excellent opportunities will always exist for the best professionals. Experts in VAT, insurance premium tax, operational tax, non-domicile taxation, compliance and the new Patent Box tax, are highly sought after.

Employers are continuing to prize specialist treasury skills. Technology is transforming the sector, thus candidates with knowledge of SunGard, SAP Treasury and IT2 are the most requested.

The practice recruitment market has remained quiet, with salaries and benefits remaining static. Promisingly, the signs for the coming year are more positive as accountants’ clients are becoming more confident about expanding again.

Basic salaries have remained constant in Qualified Accountancy. However, we have seen the return of the counter offer as job seeker confidence heightens and staffing challenges intensify.

The financial services industry remains an attractive destination for candidates. Employers still seek expertise in financial analysis, change management and regulation

As the economy begins to recovers, organisations will need to boost their internal audit teams to allow for more ‘value add’ such as making business cases and supporting business decision-making.