eFinancialCareers

The 2007 salary survey from recruitment firm Joslin Rowe makes interesting bedtime reading for Scots financial services workers interested in finding out whether they’re being paid the right rate for their job.

According to the jobs covered in the survey, a call centre operations director with a typical annual salary of £70k is the top-paid job in Scotland right now – although some companies are paying as much £90k, with a bonus of up to 15% on top, for the right person.

Pay has risen 5% to 10% in the past year, according to Joslin Rowe. However, the rate of increase may yet slow as the pace of hiring lapses. Overall 59% of the 78 companies surveyed said they were looking to increase their headcount in 2007, down from 84% in 2006.

Where are the hot vacancies this year? Joslin Rowe identifies gaps for final salary and SIPP administrators, medical and commercial underwriters, compliance candidates with European and US experience, and custody and third-party administrators. Meanwhile, on the temporary side legal secretaries are thin on the ground, as are fund accountants, with the result that hourly rates have jumped to £10 and £15 an hour, respectively.

Commenting on the report, director Margaret Dyer told The Scotsman: "There has been a general swing among candidates away from a move mentality. They want to join an organisation to progress their career."

Pay figures:

Call centre operations manager: £40k, plus bonus of 5% to 10%

Senior underwriter: £35k, plus 5% bonus

Marketing for life and pensions: £40k, plus 5% to 10% bonus

Compliance manager: £45k, plus 3% to 20% bonus

Fund account manager: £45k, plus 3% to 20% bonus

Financial controller: £45k, plus 5% to 15% bonus