September Market Update

NSW Accountancy & Finance

For those looking for work:

The temporary market is very busy currently, with roles being registered across government, property, pharmaceutical and not-for-profit businesses, to name a few.? There are also several organisations that are actively recruiting, despite saying this was unlikely only a couple of months ago.

Clients have been focusing on the tenure of candidates’ CVs and prefer local candidates for specific jobs, especially in areas like Hurstville, Western Sydney and Northern Beaches. They prioritize personality and culture fit, being willing to train candidates who have the right attitude.

There has been significant movement in the retail space recently. Many of our roles have been within this sector, with companies increasing headcount after the financial year-end. The goal is to have new hires onboarded and trained before the busy Black Friday and Christmas seasons.

Project-related finance roles continue to be a primary focus for senior finance contracting within the government sector. This includes finance process improvement, reporting upgrades, and specialist skills in demand, such as fixed assets experts and finance managers from large infrastructure backgrounds.

The accounting support market has been busy in the temporary space, with companies utilizing temp staff to manage extra workloads and staffing changes before committing to permanent headcount increases. The permanent market has been slower but steady, with companies having more flexibility due to an increase in available candidates, partly driven by higher unemployment rates.

For Employers:

Candidates have been transitioning from temporary contracts to permanent roles recently and there are more candidates available for temporary and contract roles than there was this time last year. ?We are meeting some high-quality candidates and commit to actively taking them to market to ensure relevant employers get first refusal of relevant talent.? Candidates are also targeting larger organizations and seeking roles that offer flexibility, including work-from-home options.

Salaries are leveling out, with both candidates and clients having expectations more aligned with the market. Candidates are increasingly aware of this trend and are approaching their job searches with greater flexibility.

Professional Practice

The demand for Accountants in Sydney remains high, particularly in specialized roles like business services, financial reporting, and corporate tax & advisory. Incorporating Virtual CFO and advisory work into roles is becoming more attractive than traditional tax compliance processing. ?Smaller firms face challenges in attracting and retaining talent, leading them to offer more competitive salaries, career advancement opportunities, and additional flexibility and perks.

Payroll Sector

There has been an increase in demand for payroll analysts over the past month within the project space, along with a demand for senior payroll officers.

CFO Viewpoint

Hays is committed to offering our clients valuable insights and unique datasets to help you make more informed decisions for your business. ?Previously, we’ve produced reports such as our annual Salary Guide, What’s Challenging Today’s Finance Leaders and our DNA of a CFO series.

We are currently working on our latest report The CFO Viewpoint and would welcome your insights to best understand the evolving challenges CFOs in Australia and New Zealand.

The survey is completed via a quick phone, or in-person interview. Once we have completed the surveys, you’ll be invited to an exclusive local event to delve into the insights and uncover the challenges CFOs in our region are facing, and potential solutions.

Get in touch if you would be interested in being one of our local executives included in the survey.