Research reveals recruitment challenges for accounting

Research by recruitment firm Robert Half has indicated that 89 per cent of chief financial officers in Australia struggle to find skilled finance staff, primarily due to a lack of professionals with the required niche and technical skillset.

“The top three functional areas employers find hardest to source are business and financial analysis, accounting and financial management, and control,” said Robert Half director Nicole Gorton.

The firm said ABS data showed an influx of job growth across the national financial services sector, with an increase of 800 roles across Australian financial and insurance services from May 2016 to August 2016.

Mr Gorton said the figures show signs of positivity and a steady market for finance professionals on the job hunt.

“This is despite some recent volatility within the market, specifically the uncertainty surrounding the federal election, interest rate cuts and the international political environment.”

Employment growth within the sector is still rising, albeit at a slower pace, with most of the growth concentrated within part-time rather than full-time employment, the data showed.

The steady growth compares favourably with the previous quarters’ stronger growth for financial and insurance services, a trend suggesting that businesses are becoming better at adapting to economic and political uncertainty, the firm said.

Ms Gorton added, “Finance leaders across Australia have good reason to be optimistic about their sector’s employment outlook. Positive factors such as low interest rates and low inflation continue to boost the economy.”