Four high demand accountancy and finance roles

Find out which finance and accountancy roles will be in demand for the year ahead.

UK finance roles saw a bump in earnings in what has been described as a “reversal of post-pandemic trends”.

Following a 31% rise in salaries since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, finance and accountancy roles continue to offer long-term appeal.

So which specific skill sets are poised to benefit from high demand this year?
In this blog, we’ll look at the factors affecting finance department roles and what makes these roles popular, including:

• Skills shortages
• Security threats
• More stringent reporting.

Up and coming finance and accountancy roles

The most in-demand finance and accountancy roles will ride the wave of this post-pandemic salary boom. Specifically, they will hop on trends such as the return to the office, as well as enduring business needs such as security.

So, where should jobseekers train to make the most out of these finance and accountancy roles?

1. Part and newly qualified accountants

Skills shortages are still rife for part and newly qualified accountants, and demand far outstrips supply. With more workers going freelance post-pandemic, the demand for accountants is only going up. Accountants should plan their career journeys to take advantage of this trend. Part Qualified Accountants (CIMA) can earn as much as £37,500, and Newly Qualified Accountants up to £52,500.

2. Audit, risk and compliance

Businesses continue to be under threat from cyber security breaches. This has led to an increase in audit, risk and compliance professionals. Salaries in this area reflect the high demand, with Junior Auditors earning up to £36,000, and Head/Directors of Audit, Risk & Compliance earning well into six figures. 

Demand is also high for candidates with a demonstrable knowledge of data, information security and general controls.

3. Shared service centre

As organisations return to the office, finance shared service centres are regaining popularity. Grouping core service functions together improves service for customers and internal stakeholders. It also drives down costs and encourages governance. Candidates with experience of shared service centres may stand out. 

4. Payroll

Businesses continue to update payroll and HR software, with the payroll functions seeing a notable increase in temporary and interim recruitment. Likewise, we now have legislation such as gender pay gap reporting, which means teams will have to process more data. 

A Payroll Administrator can earn up to £29,000, and a Head of Payroll can earn up to £70,000.

The outlook for the year ahead and beyond

Overall, the outlook remains positive for finance and accountancy candidates. Widespread skills shortages may be a challenge for some employers, but they bode well for those professionals looking to progress. Find out how much you could earn visit the Hays salary checker.

To find out more, or to discuss your recruitment needs in this field, please contact your local consultant, or take a look at the career advice section for more insights.