Salary Survey Update by Regional Director, Aaron

Meet our Transactional Temps and Interim Specialists

Why is it that so many people and businesses in Yorkshire trust and rely on Sharp Consultancy to support their temporary and interim financial recruitment strategies? Sharp Consultancy is Yorkshire’s largest, most experienced and best-connected independent company committed exclusively to financial recruitment. We’re the true specialists. Unlike so many other firms, financial recruitment is all we do - so we’re probably the most focused and knowledgeable company in the region. And in Yorkshire, no other specialist Temporary and Interim Finance Recruitment team enjoy as many years of combined finance sector experience. Therefore, both our Transactional Temps and Interim Specialists divisions are the most knowledgeable in the region. Karen PitchforthKaren Pitchforth has over two decades of recruitment experience, dedicating more than half of that to Sharp Consultancy and is pivotal to our Interim Specialist division. Dedicated to South Yorkshire businesses, Karen has a vast network of part-qualified, fully qualified, or qualified by experience interim finance specialists in the region.Karen's Company ProfileKaren's LinkedIn ProfileColin MolyneuxColin Molyneux’s career spans almost 25 years and now in his second stint with Sharp Consultancy has been a key component in our Interim Specialist division. His expert focus on sourcing and placing Qualified Interim professionals across West Yorkshire and has a concrete commitment: whether it’s days or hours, he’ll meet your deadlines. Colin's Company ProfileColin's LinkedIn ProfileStuart DouglassStuart Douglass has been an integral part of our Interim Specialist division since 2016, building on a career spanning over 25 years. He focuses exclusively on senior interim roles within West and North Yorkshire and covers Part Qualified, Qualified by Experience and Qualified requirements. His deep understanding of the finance market means he is a trusted advisor to many clients. Stuart's Company ProfileStuart's LinkedIn ProfileDeanna CrosbyDeanna Crosby has established herself as a leading Transactional Temps expert in South Yorkshire. She focuses predominantly on the Barnsley, Doncaster, and Rotherham areas supplying variety of Transactional Temps including, Finance/Accounts Assistants, Credit Controllers, Sales and Purchase Ledger Clerks and Payroll. Dee provides a rapid response to meet her clients’ needs. Deanna's Company Profile Deanna's LinkedIn ProfileLiam O'FlahertyLiam O'Flaherty has over 20 years of finance recruitment experience. Now in his fifth year with us, Liam specialises in Transactional Temp recruitment throughout West Yorkshire. His deep understanding of the local market, combined with his consultative approach, ensures that both clients and candidates receive unparalleled service and support. Liam's Company ProfileLiam's LinkedIn ProfileTom TurnerTom Turner is now in his sixth year in recruitment, and entering his 3rd year with Sharp Consultancy, where he has quickly established himself as the go-to transactional temp specialist in the Sheffield market. Covering all aspects of transactional finance, Tom is the person to find the right fit when it comes to temp Finance Assistants, Accounts Payable Clerks, Accounts Receivable staff and payrollers. With shrewd judgement, he makes precise recommendations.Tom's Company Profile Tom's LinkedIn ProfileSo, with circa 100 years of combined Transactional Temps and Interim Specialist recruitment experience, and more than a third of that within Sharp Consultancy itself, the real question is not why is it that so many people and businesses in Yorkshire trust and rely on Sharp Consultancy to support their temporary and interim financial recruitment strategies? But more why would you choose to go anywhere else? Our aim is to earn your trust by providing a superior experience. To discuss how Sharp Consultancy assist you and your business speak to one of these leading experts in their field on 0113 236 6300 or 0114 261 1700.

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The trends have changed, but the landscape remains challenging — albeit in a positive way. We may well be in the midst of a perfect hiring storm.

It feels like the market has come a long way in a relatively short space of time, with the challenges of 2022/23 behind us and a more ‘rational’ outlook across the market, it certainly bodes well for businesses and candidates to find exactly what they need throughout the ever-changing South Yorkshire region.

The drive across the market throughout 2022/23, which resulted in increases to packages on offer to attract high-level candidates has remained. With the most noticeable impact being entry level and graduate hires, who saw substantial boosts in packages from newly AAT qualified candidates to ACA/ACCA studiers, as clients invest in future succession planning across all sectors, especially professional practice.

On the contrary, flexible and remote working opportunities have dwindled, drastically so in certain sectors. This major talking point is due to businesses urging or even insisting employees return to the office. Consequently, this has induced a certain degree of uncertainty among employers and has spurred the passive candidate market into a more active one.

The demand for ACA and ACCA qualified candidates with technical accountancy training remains high, driven by the technical requirements within finance functions. In response, a wave of technically proficient accountants equipped with commercial mindsets are emerging in the market, bridging the skills gap. The challenge of the market is not only in the shortage of technical abilities but also the growing need for commercial support in Financial Planning & Analysis, and Finance Business Partnering.

"The demand for ACA and ACCA qualified candidates with technical accountancy training remains high."

Businesses today are actively seeking candidates that possess a commercial mindset, capable of extracting and interpreting raw data, performing market trends and cost analysis, and communicating their findings effectively to senior management. This is particularly relevant with the integration of Power BI. They also appreciate candidates with a desire for involvement in key projects like M&A activity, growth, and investment which offer stimulating experiences.

Contrastingly, while the market for qualified candidates is becoming more stable, transactional market conditions are still fluctuating. Salaries are beginning to plateau; however, discrepancies still exist across sectors and sizes of businesses. Interestingly, SMEs defy this trend by continuing to boost salaries, an indication of the valuable contributions these candidates can bring to a business.

At the senior end, the market continues to show strength, offering a diverse range of packages. The broad opportunities this market represents signifies its health, even though the volume seen in 2022 is yet to be matched.

Overall, the outlook is certainly positive. With the prospect of a period of significant political change over the next 12 months aligned with what has already been described as a soft landing by experts across the UK economy, we should see further growth across the candidate and client pool. As confidence continues to flourish throughout the region and the expectation for it to carry into early 2025, we expect packages will continue to rise but at a slower rate with more emphasis around salaries and less emphasis across flexibility and remote working, ensuring that the market remains buoyant between now and Q3 of 2025.

Aaron Pepperday is Regional Director at Sharp Consultancy and focuses upon the recruitment of senior finance and accountancy professionals across the South Yorkshire region; contact Aaron on 0114 261 1700 or aaronp@sharpconsultancy.com.