? Pay rises, productivity & the right career moves
Venture Recruitment Partners
Specialist Consultancy focused on the recruitment of Finance & Accountancy experts across the South - Interim & Perm.
As February comes to a close, we’re looking ahead to brighter days, longer evenings, and plenty of exciting career opportunities.?
This month, we’re covering the latest on pay growth, helping you choose the right accounting qualification, and celebrating some fantastic events and challenges. Let’s dive in!
??Hottest Jobs?
We’re looking for a fully qualified accountant (a background in Audit is advantageous) with experience in financial reporting requirements and audit processes gained in industry.
Reporting directly to the Group Finance Director, this role will lead a team of two analysts, providing strategic financial support and analysis
Suitable for professionals with strong financial acumen and experience of working on best practices and projects.
This role will organise and maintain customer credit applications, assess risk factors, and monitor customer accounts to ensure payments are received before due dates wherever possible.
?? Latest News: Pay rises outpace inflation
New data from the ONS shows that annual pay growth, excluding bonuses, rose to 5.9% from October to December, up from 5.6%. Private sector earnings increased by 6.2%, while the public sector saw a 4.7% rise.
With inflation at 2.5% in December and expected to rise due to higher energy and water bills, the real value of pay growth remains a hot topic. Earlier this month, the Bank of England cut interest rates to 4.5% from 4.75%, which could influence future salary trends.
?? Help & Advice: How to pick the right accounting qualification
Choosing the right accounting qualification is crucial for career progression. Here’s a quick breakdown of the key qualifications and where they can take you:
AAT – Ideal for those entering finance without a degree. Leads to roles such as Accounts Assistant, Finance Administrator, or Bookkeeper.
ACCA – Best for those aiming for senior finance roles in multinational corporations. ACCA-qualified professionals work as Financial Accountants, Auditors, or Tax Specialists.
CIMA – Focuses on management accounting, helping businesses make strategic financial decisions. Career paths include Management Accountant, Business Analyst, or Finance Director.
ACA – A structured and rigorous qualification best suited to those looking to specialise in audit, tax, or financial advisory. A common choice for those in accountancy firms or large businesses.
CIPFA – The go-to choice for those interested in public sector finance. Leads to roles such as Public Finance Accountant, Policy Advisor, or Treasury Manager.
Read the full blog post .
?? What’s Happening at Venture?
?? Happy Birthday, Charlie!
A big happy birthday to Charlie! We hope you have a fantastic time celebrating your special day.
?? We celebrate the month of love
We’ve been embracing the season of love with plenty of doughnuts and sweets in the office. Any excuse, right?
??♂?Conquer the Calendar Challenge
We’re supporting Chilworth Partnership’s Matt as he takes on an epic running challenge for charity! In April, he’ll be running 465km, starting with 1km on April 1st and adding a kilometre each day until he’s running a half marathon daily in the final stretch.
Matt is raising money for Naomi House and Jacksplace and we’d love your support. You can follow his journey and donate here: Donate & Follow.
??? Events: Past and Upcoming
?? SCASS Ball Raises Over ￡1865!
The annual SCASS Ball was a huge success! Co-hosted with the SCASS Southern Students team, the event gave students and newly qualified accountants a fantastic networking opportunity and raised an incredible ￡1865 for The Solent MS Therapy Centre.
A huge well done to the SCASS team for organising such an important event – here’s to many more!?
?? Our latest Women in Business Breakfast
Our latest Women in Business Breakfast took place at Skylark Country Club, where guest speaker Lynne Titley shared insights on 'Productivity in a Post-Pandemic World'. Lynne, an ACCA Fellow with 25 years of finance experience, introduced her 'PAID' framework for optimising team productivity. Thank you for an inspiring event, Lynne!
These breakfasts are a fantastic way for women in finance and HR to connect, share experiences, and learn new career-boosting strategies. Keep an eye on future events here: Upcoming Events.
??See you next month!
That’s a wrap for February! With pay trends shifting, exciting career opportunities, and inspiring events behind us, there’s plenty to reflect on as we move into March.?
If you're ready for your next challenge or just want to explore what’s out there, get in touch, we're always here to help!
Stay tuned for more updates, insights, and opportunities next month. See you in March!