Thursday 14th August, 2014

According to the latest professional hiring index by Robert Half, senior executives across UK businesses plan to increase staff levels significantly over the next six months.

Professionals throughout the UK’s industries, particularly within financial services as well as those employed across the broader accountancy professions, will experience strong job prospects - an increase of 44%.

According to HR directors surveyed, talent shortages are abundant, with a net 93% indicating that it is very challenging or somewhat challenging to find skilled professional-level employees today.

Financial services and finance & accounting will experience the highest hiring levels. However, the research shows that it may not be that simple to fill these roles. A net 97% of executives said that it is either very challenging or somewhat challenging to find skilled professionals today.

The top three areas in which CFOs are struggling to find skilled candidates are business and financial analysis, accounting and financial management/control and audit.

A closer look into those employed across the broader accountancy professions shows that 45% of finance directors are expanding their teams and adding new positions over the second half of 2014.