Mid-year hiring landscape
The current Accountancy & Finance market is cautious but active. Hiring is slower and more selective, with employers prioritising long-term value, hybrid flexibility, and experienced talent in strategic roles.
Key insights:
- Strategic hiring over backfills: Roles are redefined for cost efficiency.
- Hybrid is essential: 70–80% of candidates demand it, even as in-office days rise.
- Permanent roles favoured: IR35 and rising costs push contractors toward permanent jobs.
Top employer challenges
- Slow decision-making: Delays in approvals and lengthy processes lead to losing top candidates.
- Balancing flexibility demands: Navigating hybrid expectations while maintaining culture, training, and collaboration.
- Quality over quantity: High applicant volumes but fewer qualified candidates, especially in specialist and senior roles.
Top candidate expectations
- True hybrid working: Non-negotiable for most, with flexibility seen as standard rather than a perk.
- Clear progression routes: Candidates want transparency on growth opportunities and career paths.
- Culture and values alignment: Decisions increasingly influenced by wellbeing, meaningful work, and company values.
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