Strong demand for contractors in accounting and finance is likely to flow through to stronger demand for permanent accountants in the next six months, according to the latest Robert Walters Job Market update report.
The report found that 74 per cent of hiring managers will be hiring mid-level professionals in the next six months.
The research suggests that this hiring is likely to be driven by structural change and replacements.
Gavin McDonald, associate director of finance at Robert Walters Melbourne, said hiring managers will need to look beyond direct industry experience to best fill some positions.
“In the next six months, we expect employers will continue to look for relevant industry experience, and on many occasions the stronger candidates on the market with more to offer companies in the long term will not be successful. This is explained by a continued conservative approach to hiring resulting from a lack of vacancies," he said.
“We recommend hiring managers look outside direct industry experience and consider high-performing candidates with transferable skills."
The Robert Walters Job Market update report also found:
• 40 per cent of accounting and finance hiring managers are less likely to hire in the next six months while 15 per cent are more likely to hire in the next six months; and
• 41 per cent of hiring managers said wages will increase in the next six months, 54 per cent said salaries will remain the same, and 5 per cent said that salaries will decrease.
