Market Synopsis and Salary Survey A Guide for Recruiting Organisations

Transcription

1 Trial Balance Consulting Experts in Commercial and Public Sector Accountancy Recruitment Market Synopsis and Salary Survey 2014 A Guide for Recruiting Organisations All data supplied based on analysis of 06/13-05/14 financial year. Last revision July 2014.

2 Trial Balance Consulting A History of Growth T rial Balance Consulting is a specialist recruitment consultancy focusing in the provision of professionally and non- professionally qualified accountancy staff to clients operating in Cornwall, Devon & Somerset. The company was founded in 2008 and has enjoyed year- on- year growth in revenue of between %. Trial Balance now serves in excess of 305 unique recruiting organisations, which includes many of the regions largest employers. In the 2013 financial year, 61% of the company s revenue was generated from repeat business. Trial Balance has implemented an ambitious plan to grow the business with additional office locations due to open in Taunton (no open) and Bristol (2014). Company growth has been entirely organic with no external financing or outside investors to satisfy. Our Clients T rial Balance currently serves sole traders, partnerships, incorporated & publicly listed companies, professional, and public sector/not for profit organisations of varying sizes and across all sectors. The company enjoys relationships with organisations with a typical turnover of between 250K- 500M+ The company currently serves clients in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset (2014 regional split left). Trial Balance currently supplies clients on a contingency basis, and as part of Preferred Supplier/Sole Supplier arrangements. The company also works as part of a panel of tiered suppliers via managed agency arrangements. A brief outline follows: Contingency. Ad- hoc supply as per our clients requirements. There is no formal contract in place though clients will often assign Trial Balance on an exclusive basis (i.e. no other agencies assigned and usually no direct advertising). Preferred Supplier. Usually following the signing of a formal contract, Trial Balance shall supply clients as part of a panel of suppliers, which may or may not run in conjunction with direct employer advertising. Sole Supplier. Trial Balance is formally assigned on an exclusive, sole supply basis, usually in return for discounted charges or an extended benefits package (i.e. an extended or revised guarantee period). Naturally this is the preferred option for the company s assignment; hence there is some flexibility with regards to arranging the most competitive fee arrangements.

3 T Trial Balance Consulting and the Commercial/Industry Sector rial Balance enjoys a particularly successful relationship with a wide range of commercial organisations operating in many sectors (see below for 2013/14 data). The company works exceptionally hard to understand the business needs of their commercial clients and to maintain long- term relationships with organisations of all sizes and specialisms. Many of the company s clients have previously commented on their dissatisfaction with the performance of other recruitment businesses, usually based on a lack of relevant candidates and/or understanding where the technical and cultural aspects of recruiting for the accountancy sector are concerned. Recruiting skilled accountancy staff for commercial clients in the Southwest is rarely a straightforward process, but Trial Balance have worked diligently to overcome many of the challenges faced in selecting the best candidates for the right opportunities/organisations. T rial Balance has an extensive client portfolio of public sector, not for profit and charity organisations operating throughout the Westcountry (see right for 2013/14 data). Trial Balance Consulting and the Public Sector/Not for Profit Sector The company supplies staff on a temporary, contract and permanent basis to a wide variety of publically funded and independently operated services, from County Councils to human aid charities. A large proportion of its supply to the not for profit sector is conducted on a preferred/sole supplier basis, but the company is equally well versed in provision on a contingency basis.

4 Trial Balance Consulting Recruitment Options T rial Balance generally offers their clients (across all sectors) four different recruitment options as follows: Permanent: The supply of candidates to be assigned by an end employer on a permanent contract basis (with no determined end date). In the 2013/14 financial year 37% of the company s placements were made up from permanent provision. Contract: The supply of candidates to be assigned and paid by an end employer on a contract basis, usually (but not always), with a predefined end date. For example maternity cover or for assistance with a fixed term project. In the 2013/14 financial year 17% of the company s placements were made up from contract- based provision. Temporary: The supply of Trial Balance employed and paid staff to complete temporary assignments on a day- to- day, week- to- week and month- to- month basis. These types of assignments can be as long or as short in duration as dictated by our clients, often released and filled at relatively short notice. An employer/employee contract is drawn up between Trial Balance and it s candidate, meaning that the client relinquishes its own contractual employment obligations. In the 2013/14 financial year 36% of the company s placements were made up from temporary provision. Self employed or limited company contractor: The supply of an independent accounting professional who will invoice Trial Balance or its client directly through their own limited company (often an umbrella company). These types of contracts can result in a substantial cost saving where employer related tax obligations are concerned. These types of contractors are generally utilised for high- end project work and interim senior management posts. In the 2013/14 financial year 10% of the company s placements were made up from the introduction of self- employed/limited company contractors.

5 Our Candidates O ne of the key strengths that Trial Balance possesses over its competitors is its extensive database of diversely experienced candidates. The company holds one of the most exhaustive registers of actively seeking and passively considering accounting individuals in the Westcountry, many of whom choose to remain with the company on an exclusive basis (meaning that organisations may not see many of these candidates via alternative recruiters or direct advertising). The company s marketing spend is almost without limit and no stone is left unturned where the sourcing of highly skilled candidates are concerned. Candidate registrations are generally sourced in the following ways: Referral, recommendation and word- of- mouth resulting in a direct registration. Via third party, Trial Balance financed advertising. The company utilises the UKs leading general and specialist web based job boards and industry related media. Unlike other recruiters, Trial Balance does not skimp in this area, meaning that all client opportunities receive maximum exposure where required. Trial Balance do not charge clients for third party advertising, and a large proportion of their existing database is made up of applications received via third party sources. Via the Trial Balance website and its social media channels. The company s website receives a large volume of traffic, as do its social media tools (Twitter, LinkedIn etc.) In 2013 the company successfully placed 62% of its clients requirements by utilising the companies pre- existing database of candidate contacts. This means that applicants can be sourced and submitted quickly where required, but always running in parallel to the company s own and third party advertising channels. Occasionally, where a vacancy requirement is of a sensitive nature, a client may re quest that Trial Balance produce no external vacancy listing, and this is entirely acceptable. What Makes Recruiting for the Commercial Accountancy Sector Different To Others? G one are the days where accountancy professionals were considered to be purely back- office, purely analytical employees. Fortunately the vocation has also shaken off its rather undeserved stereotype of being tedious or introverted. Whilst the clients that assign Trial Balance continue to require technically competent, closely experienced and suitably qualified candidates, they now seek candidates with personality, commercial awareness and excellent interpersonal skills. Accountancy professionals now liaise closely with existing and prospective customers, communicate with & manage colleagues in other departments, and negotiate with suppliers on a daily basis. Unlike recruitment for accountancy practice, which is principally candidate driven, in the Southwest of England, commercial accountancy recruitment is almost entirely client (employer) driven. Rarely will an abundant source of perfectly fitting candidates present itself but there are exceptions to this rule, dependent on the seniority, complexity or specialist requirements of a vacancy. On average Trial Balance are able to source and furnish commercial organisations with a self- imposed shortlist of between 3-6 well- considered CVs for each vacancy that arises. Suitably experienced and qualified candidates can be very difficult to source, and without the strong experience that Trial Balance possesses, many other recruiters have simply written off recruitment for the accountancy sector on the basis that they cannot source suitable candidates, or understand the needs of recruiting organisations and/or candidates.

6 What Makes Trial Balance So Successful In Recruiting For The Accountancy Sector? I n short a combination of a strong reputation built on many years of experience. The key to successfully recruiting within the profession is in the attraction of suitably experienced candidates, and the understanding of clients requirements to ensure that applicants are well suited to their roles. More than any other type of client, decision makers within the accountancy sector have complained about poor results when they have attempted to recruit directly for staff. The most common reasons for the failure of these advertisements can be put down to either a low quantity of candidates with suitable experience gained within the profession (often little or none), and/or a high quantity of irrelevant applications received. There are a number of key strengths that Trial Balance has to work with as follows: Our reputation. We are considered one of the market leaders where accountancy recruitment is concerned. This naturally draws active and passive candidates to make contact with us. Through referral. Trial Balance acts in a large number of successful placements throughout the Westcountry. Registered candidates commonly refer friends and colleagues to the company following a successful placement. Through marketing. Unlike many of Trial Balance s competitors, our advertising spend is almost without limit, meaning that our clients opportunities, nearly always receive the widest coverage through Trial Balance. We understand how to write a successful recruitment advertisement for an accounting opportunity, and crucially, when and where to market our clients requirements.

7 Accountancy & Finance Salary Survey A ccuracy of data. All data contained derived from Trial Balance candidate registration information (current salary detail), vacancy assignment and placement data gathered 1 st June st May All candidate related data based on candidates located in and/or employed in postcode regions: TR, PL, EX, TQ, TA, BA (excluding Bath). Unlike others, the Trial Balance salary survey does not contain data derived from BS postcodes, which often results in an erroneous analysis. Variations and exceptions. Salary data has been derived by a mean average of information held throughout Cornwall, Devon & Somerset. In some cases, there are regional variations in average remuneration but these fluctuations are difficult to accurately analyse. There are additional immeasurable fluctuations in data based on recruiting organisation type, size and culture. Every care has been taken to ensure the highest accuracy of data but Trial Balance encourage users to handle information for illustration purposes only, and in parallel to their own internal salary structure. General Accounts: Title: Experience: Typical: Range: Experience: Typical: Range: Qualification if applicable (Part & Full): Purchase Ledger Clerk 0-2 Years Years AAT Sales Ledger Clerk 0-2 Years Years AAT Ledgers Supervisor 2-5 Years AAT Accounts Administrator 0-2 Years Years AAT Accounts Assistant 0-2 Years Years AAT Assistant Accountant 2-5 Years AAT Accounts Supervisor 2-5 Years AAT/ACCA/CIMA (PQ) Credit Control: Title: Experience: Typical: Range: Experience: Typical: Range: Qualification if applicable: Credit Controller 0-2 Years Years AAT/ICM Credit Control Supervisor 2-5 Years AAT/ICM Credit Manager* 2-5 Years ICM Payroll: Title: Experience: Typical: Range: Experience: Typical: Range: Qualification if applicable: Payroll Clerk 0-2 Years Years AAT/IPM Payroll Supervisor 2-5 Years AAT/IPM Payroll Manager 2-5 Years IPM Bookkeeping: Title: Experience: Typical: Range: Experience: Typical: Range: Qualification if applicable: Bookkeeper (Trial Balance) 2-5 Years Various/QBE Bookkeeper (Final Accounts) 2-5 Years Various/QBE Practice: Title: Experience: Typical: Range: Experience: Typical: Range: Qualification if applicable (Part & Full): Accounts Trainee 0-2 Years AAT/ACCA/ACA Tax Trainee 0-2 Years ATT/CTA Accounts Technician 0-2 Years Years AAT Tax Technician (Personal) 0-2 Years Years AAT Tax Technician (Corporate) 0-2 Years Years AAT Accounts Semi Senior 2-5 Years AAT/ACA Audit Semi Senior 2-5 Years ACA Tax Semi Senior (Personal) 2-5 Years ATT/CTA Tax Semi Senior (Corporate) 2-5 Years AAT Accounts Senior 2-5 Years ACCA/ACA Audit Senior 2-5 Years ATT/CTA Tax Senior (Corporate) 2-5 Years ACCA/ACA Accounts Manager 2-5 Years ACA Audit Manager 2-5 Years ACA Tax Manager 2-5 Years CTA

8 Part Qualified ACCA (Commercial Financial/Management/Cost/Project Accountants): Title: Typical: Range: Trainee Part Part Part Part Qualified CIMA (Commercial Management/Cost/Project Accountants): Title: Typical: Range: Trainee Foundation Intermediate Final Specialist: Title: Experience: Typical: Range: Experience: Typical: Range: Qualification if applicable: Dealership Accountant 0-2 Years Years ACCA/CIMA Legal Cashier 0-2 Years Years ILC Bursar* 2-5 Years Systems Accountant 2-5 Years ACCA/CIMA Senior Level & Qualified: Title: Company Turnover: Typical: Range: Company Turnover: Typical: Range: New Qualified ACCA (Commercial) To 10M M New Qualified CIMA To 10M M Finance Analyst To 10M M Management Accountant To 10M M Financial Accountant To 10M M Finance Manager To 10M M Financial Controller/Chief Accountant To 10M M Head Of Finance To 10M M Finance Director 10M *= No new data available since last survey (2013) Alex Callister Managing Director/ 40K+ Opportunities alex@trial- balance.co.uk Trial Balance Consulting Contact List: Oliver Watson Senior Recruitment Consultant (Accountancy Practice) oliver@trial- balance.co.uk David Becker Senior Recruitment Consultant david@trial- balance.co.uk Stephen Roach Senior Recruitment Consultant steve@trial- balance.co.uk Gary Hale Senior Recruitment Consultant (Taunton) Telephone: gary@trial- balance.co.uk Carly Kellow Candidate Care Manager

9 balance.co.uk Elle Benjamin - Client Care Manager elle@trial- balance.co.uk Office Support Division I n 2012 Trial Balance launched its Office Support division to compliment the company s core supply of accountancy and finance staff. This division is separately staffed to cater for recruiting organisations seeking a commercial, clerical, office orientated recruitment service. To date the division has assisted a large number of end recruiters, many of which have utilised the company s services for finance recruitment previously. The Office Support division is on hand to supply temporary, contract and permanent candidates at all levels and across a wide range of disciplines including: Office Administration Office Management Reception staff Post room staff Personal Assistants Secretarial Staff Contact Centre Customer Service Legal Secretaries Audio Typists IT support & helpdesk Human Resources Call Centre and sales staff Account Managers Useful Information Trading Addresses: 22 Lemon Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2LS Exchange House, The Crescent, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4EB Bristol Address TBC late 2014 Tel: Fax: info@trial- balance.co.uk Web: balance.co.uk Company number & Registered address: C/O Francis Clark Chartered Accountants, Lowin House, Tregolls Road, Truro, TR1 2NA Company formation date: 1 st April 2008 VAT Registration number: VAT Effective date: 1 st April 2008 Insurer: Hiscox, 1 Great St Helen s, London, EC3A 6HX Professional Indemnity (limit): 2,000,000 Public Liability (limit): 5,000,000 Employers Liability (limit): 10,000,000