eFinancialCareers

Newly qualified accountants in Scotland are in the privileged position of being able to cherry-pick the best roles, such is the current demand for their services.

A report by recruiter Joslin Rowe is the second in as many months to suggest the financial services industry in Scotland is thriving to the extent that roles simply cannot be filled.

New permanent roles have rocketed up over the past 12 months by nearly 43%, and 2,930 new jobs were created in the third quarter of this year alone – up by 900 on the same period last year.

“The accountancy market is incredibly hot,” says Margaret Dyer, director of Joslin Rowe’s Scottish operation. “Strong candidates are receiving multiple offers and are often finding a new position within just weeks of starting their search.”

Still, accountants might want to consider their options. London is also experiencing a skills shortage in this sector, to the extent that it has had to bring in an army of antipodeans. Salaries for lower-level accountancy roles in Scotland range from £37k to £45k, while the City offers a £50k starting salary.

Not that Scottish accountants have pound signs in their eyes (well, unless you count the reflection of the spreadsheets). The survey reckons that firms are not engaging in bidding wars, but instead snaring candidates with better benefits and a clear route up the career ladder.

“Many of the candidates we have placed have moved on from their current accountancy firm because they realise they can move up the career ladder faster in a new company,” says Dyer.