Resilient Accounting Jobs Market in 2011

Job opportunities for accountants were relatively strong during 2011’s turbulent year, in comparison to that experienced by other financial professionals.

In its quarterly barometer, figures compiled by eFinancialCareers revealed that UK finance job postings followed a similar pattern for 2011 to that of the overall job market, with a strong first six months, only to fall away in the second half of the year.

Focusing attention solely on the accounting profession however, job opportunities in the first three quarters of 2011 rose gradually, peaking at 2,252 in the third.

The final quarter, a period notoriously sluggish for recruitment - as professionals are more interested in receiving their expected bonus, than seek a move away - did see a fall to 2,014 but like-for-like comparisons with 2010 nonetheless showed a modest improvement of modest 7%.

Commenting on the figures eFinanceCareers editor Paul Clarke, said: ‘Demand for accountants has continued to increase on the back of large recruitment requirements from the Big Four firms and the fact that financial services organisations are still hiring for particular functions.’