Salary survey: Accountancy recruitment market
Candidate attraction is the flavour of the month in today's accountancy recruitment market.
With a limited pool of experienced candidates, employers have reviewed and improved their attraction methods, which is tempting many candidates into the job market.
With turnover high and a buoyant market, the replacement of departing staff is dominating recruitment at present.
This trend is also driving the temporary market, with employers using contractors in a vacancy until a permanent replacement is found.
While the market is positive, particular shortages of candidates exist within certain specialist areas. In line with the focus on candidate attraction is a review of salaries.
For the most part, salaries are remaining competitive since it is an integral element of many candidates' decision to accept an offer.
Once an offer has been made, it is not uncommon for candidates to come back with a request for a higher package before accepting. The response from employers to these requests is mixed.
While most employers resist additional salary pressures, some are prepared to meet candidate requests, which increases the market's overall salary expectations.
Despite market and media commentary, some employers remain unaware that the recruitment process is moving very quickly.
Once they receive a CV, employers need to act quickly to secure their ideal staff member since solid candidates with the required experience are usually available for less than 72 hours.
Stretching the recruitment process unnecessarily only leads to disappointment.
According to the 2007 Hays Salary Survey, typical salaries in Brisbane's accountancy and finance commerce and industry market are:
* $41,000 for a graduate assistant accountant
* $43,000 for a payroll clerk
* $42,000 for a graduate fund accountant
* $55,000 for a credit control supervisor/manager (1-5 staff)
* $78,000 for a tax accountant
* $80,000 for a management accountant (turnover up to $150m)
* $100,000 for a finance manager (turnover up to $50m)
www.hays.com.au