Accounting and finance professionals remain in high demand in Q2 2017

The latest Robert Walters South African Jobs Index revealed that the number of vacancies for accounting and finance professionals has continued to increase steadily at 7% across South Africa in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the same period last year.

There has been pressure amongst businesses to reduce costs and improve efficiencies with the need for real data and business intelligence evident across all industries and levels.

“More than often, the finance and accounting functions is the owner of such business critical information, creating a demand for finance professionals,” says Lance Maree, Associate Direct at Robert Walters - South Africa.

Growth for accounting and finance professionals

Demand has grown steadily for accounting professionals of all levels of seniority across a range of specialisations in accounting such as:

• Audit
• Governance
• Risk
• Technical

Organisations continue to focus on hiring professionals that have experience in the same industry that the business operates in. Employers are more inclined to hire candidates that know the market to allow a seamless integration into the business. 

This is often challenging as the sector faces a short supply of candidates with the right skills sets.

Organisations continue to focus on professionals with relevant industry experience allowing for a seamless integration into their business which remains a challenge as the industry faces a shortage of candidates. 

Hiring advice

Hiring trends for the second half of the year are expected to continue as they have in recent periods, with high demand for senior equity candidates.

Employers are encouraged to review competitive recruitment strategies to secure equity professionals. Strategies like shortening the hiring process and reducing the time from interview to offer can be effective in securing candidates who are engaged in more than one offer

Overall, companies that are flexible in their hiring approach, particularly around what is non-negotiable and those that provide a clear picture to the potential career path available, will be more appealing as an employer.

About the South African job index

The Robert Walters Job Index tracks advertising volumes across leading job boards in South Africa across the accountancy and finance, banking and financial services, IT, sales, marketing across South Africa. The Index was launched in Q1 2013.

Find out what you're worth with the Robert Walters Salary Survey.