The results of a survey released by global recruitment firm Hudson have placed accounting and bookkeeping skills among the top 10 most sought-after job functions.
By reviewing job listings on Seek for the 2015-16 financial year, the firm found the most-advertised functions included ‘financial accounting and reporting’, ‘taxation’, ‘accounts officers & clerks’ and ‘payroll’.
Also making the top 10 were ‘management, accounting & budgeting’, ‘accounts receivable/credit control’, ‘accounts payable’ and ‘financial managers & controllers’.
‘Business services and corporate advisory’ and ‘analysis and reporting’ functions took first and last place in the top 10 list, respectively.
In April this year more than 2,000 Australian employers were surveyed by the recruitment firm to gauge hiring intentions, and 1,330 employees were asked about their attitude to work. The annual Hudson Report offers insights into the jobs landscape, for this year and beyond.
The results published in the latest report indicate a buoyant job market for the second half of 2016, with a third of employers reporting plans to increase hiring. The result represents a net effect of over 22 per cent, higher than that of the last four years. The six-month net effect forecast is calculated by taking the percentage of employers that intend to increase permanent staffing levels, and subtracting the percentage of those who expect to decrease staffing levels in a six-month period.
Dean Davidson, the executive general manager for Hudson Australia & New Zealand, suggested the trend showed market confidence in “confusing” times.
“It appears that despite confusing economic and political signals, employers are getting on with the job at hand and investing in the people they need to grow their business,” Mr Davidson said.
However, the survey of employers and staff also revealed that inadequate training initiatives leave employees feeling ‘let down’. The results further showed that 44 per cent of employees surveyed were actively looking for work elsewhere, 32 per cent were open to new opportunities and 24 per cent were happy to stay with their current workplace.
The survey’s employee results showed that professionals are responding to the healthy job market. According to Mr Davidson, workplaces need respond to the need for better retention programs, which reinvest in staff to avoid a “wave” of departures.
“The number of employees with their eyes on the exit has jumped significantly since last year.
“More professionals are convinced that the buoyant job market is here to stay, and are considering how they can build their career in this environment. This should sound alarm bells for employers, who will need to redouble their retention efforts and be ready to manage an uptick in staff departures,” Mr Davidson said.
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