So you have received your FAE results, congratulations!

The positive hiring trends in Ireland within the Accountancy sector means this is an extremely positive time to be receiving your FAE results. Demand for Newly Qualified Accountants has steadily increased for the past 12-18 months and employers are eager to employ new, vibrant and hardworking talent.

As a newly qualified accountant your skill set and professional qualifications are held in extremely high regard by organisations. Your qualification is in demand and so in order to secure your next role you need a clear idea of what you envision your next role to look like and ask yourself ‘what effect is it going to have on my career?’

I recommend playing to your strengths, what are you good at and what aspects of your job do you like the most?

If you choose Industry the choices are endless when it comes to the type of organisation you would like to work for. Throughout your time completing your training contract you may have come in to contact with companies that you now have the opportunity to be a part of. Moving in to Industry can act as an amazing career launch pad – and while you may choose a particular sector at the moment, there is scope to move in the future. Choose FMCG now and in two years’ time you may find yourself working in Technology.

For those of you who choose Financial Services, the roles which open up to you are stimulating and challenging and for many, the regulated and fast paced environment is appealing. As well as this the global nature of these business and well recognised brand names means you will gain valuable experience and professional development opportunities. Financial Services is a fast paced and ever changing environment meaning a varied career with strong opportunities for growth.

Here are our tips on how to weigh up your options and approach your job search.

1. Stay with your current employer?

It may be the case that you will stay on and continue to work for your current employer. While the majority of people in your situation may leave, do not rule it out as a career option for you.

2. Make a plan.

As mentioned above the choice you now have as a newly qualified accountant is large and will have an effect on the rest of your career. Don’t be tempted to apply for every role you see, be picky in your search and apply only for roles that you really want. As well as this, don’t take a role purely for financial reasons, ensure it ticks all the boxes you want. A clear thought out plan ensures you are efficient in your search from the beginning.

While you have this fresh new qualification bear in mind your first role may not be your “ Dream Job” but a stepping stone in the right direction to it.  Use it to gain experience and sectoral knowledge, opening up your opportunities should you choose to search for something new in the future.

3. Update your CV

While you do have choice there is also strong competition from your peers who enter the job market now as newly qualified accountants alongside you. Ensure your CV is updated, thorough and well put together to give you the best chance. Ensure you are including key words from your experience such as IFRS, GAAP, SOX, Internal Controls, Audit etc. Employers are interested in seeing all aspects of your experience including technical knowledge.

4. Meet a recruiter

Partnering with a recruitment agency can put you in a strong position. Your recruiter knows your capabilities and relevance for roles. They also have strong relationships with their clients and act as trusted partners to their clients, therefore they are able to introduce your profile to a company, before even sending a CV, creating a much more powerful connection than you submitting a CV through a portal or career page. At the latter end of the process if you are fortunate enough to receive a job offer they are aware of the true constraints on salary and will be able to negotiate the best deal for you.

The job search may be the last of your worries as you celebrate over this Bank Holiday weekend! But don’t worry we’ll be ready to chat next Tuesday when you’ve finished celebrating. Our Accountancy team are working with global clients on exclusive roles so get in touch to chat about market opportunities or our service can be as simple as offering you career advice.

Call 01-6618740 to speak with me today, email your CV to aimee@executiveconnections.ie or take a look at the current Accountancy opportunities on offer here.

The post What’s next now you have received your FAE results? appeared first on Executive Connections.

The event takes place in President’s Hall, Blackhall Place, The Law Society of Ireland and will be hosted by Etain Doyle, ACCA Ireland Chair, FCCA.

Speaking on the day is Kingsley Aikins, who will talk about the critical importance of trusted relationships in a world of ever increasing change and diminishing trust and what is involved in developing and strengthening these relationships and benefit business.

Kingsley Aikins is founder and CEO of Diaspora Matters, a Dublin based consultancy company that advises countries, cities, regions, companies and organisations on how to develop strategies to connect with their Diasporas. He has worked with over 30 countries helping them develop strategies and devise policies, projects and programmes. He believes all countries possess Diaspora Capital which he defines as the overseas resources available to a country, city, location or organisation and is made up of flows of people, finance and knowledge.

We look forward to a great afternoon with ACCA members and guests. Register for the event here.

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Why the sudden surge?

Open your Twitter feed, a news site or listen to a jobs announcement and Fintech is guaranteed to be mentioned in some form. Fintech – or financial technology almost feels like a natural progression, given the success of the already thriving Irish Financial Services and Technology sectors. These two successful industries have now collided, merging to create new companies, products, ways of doing business and endless opportunities.

The industry has been described as booming with the government supporting Fintech strongly in its IFS 2020 (A Strategy for Ireland’s International Financial Services Sector 2015-2020). The Irish Venture Capital Association reports investment of €520 billion in Fintech start-ups in 2015, making it a record year for investment.

As more innovative Fintech start-ups start to pop up throughout the city and those already established continue to scale, Dublin has an excellent opportunity to cash in on this growth. Many of our clients, established financial institutions also see Fintech as their next opportunity. These global Financial Services providers are seeking competitive advantage by adopting Fintech services for their clients. In an effort not to be left behind, they are investing heavily in technology, creating new products, services and in turn career opportunities for talented individuals.

An increasing volume of Fintech companies means increasing numbers of people working within the sector. The number of Fintech career opportunities are growing at a rapid rate due to a couple of key factors:

• The start-up scene is full of hungry entrepreneurs ready to make their mark.
• A commitment from the Irish government to provide funding and pump investment into the sector shows that they recognise the potential to boost Ireland’s reputation as an internationally recognised Fintech hub.
• Both the large global and indigenous financial institutions are tracking both the opportunity and challenge provided by Fintech companies. The international trend has seen increased M&A activity as they seek to acquire competence in this sector and/or set up innovation labs internally in an effort to launch their own Fintech services & platforms independently or in collaboration with partners.

Hiring Trends

Our list of Fintech clients is beginning to grow and as we speak to more and more candidates whose aim it is to enter the Fintech space, here are our insights as to what it takes to be successful in the area.

What are Fintech employers looking for?

• Of course it goes without saying that to enter this exciting industry employers will be looking for top talent. Those who challenge the norm and are ready to make a lasting impact on the development of the industry in Ireland will be of main interest to employers.
• Those who are visionary in their work and excited to be a part of the evolution of Fintech will also be attractive to employers.
• Many Fintech companies are scaling rapidly, and with no solid structural environment in these start-ups someone who can work without ambiguity will thrive in this sector. It is likely that project scope will change, with changing priorities and objectives being the norm. Employers are seeking candidates that can adapt in these situations, adjusting to inevitable changes in this fast paced environment.
• As it is a relatively new space, finding large amounts of people with extensive Fintech experience may not be a reality. Therefore those who can display a broad level of knowledge in the area are more likely to be hired. Furthermore those who demonstrate a passion for Fintech and are ambitious will have a distinct advantage in securing employment.
• When it comes to education and skills, candidates are required to be highly technical. In reality many of the start-ups are tech companies moving into the financial services space. Employees will need to be methodical and analytical in their work, almost scientific in their approach such is the complexity of the sector.

With an effect on Banking, Asset Management, Payments, Insurance, Trading and more, we are excited to see how the industry matures and are delighted to be directly involved, working with the best talent Dublin and beyond has to offer.

Are you ready for a career move in to a brand new and exciting industry? Is Fintech where you see your career soaring to the next level? If yes, we would love to hear from you. Call Aisling on 01-6618740 or see more of our Fintech roles here.

The post What does it take to build a successful Fintech career? appeared first on Executive Connections.

“After graduating in business studies I identified recruitment as a career that would combine the interaction of working with professionals whilst enabling me to become a specialist in a specific sector. Having recruited in Accountancy for over 10 years I now value the opportunity to partner with my clients and act as a true consultant and advisor to achieve the best possible solutions to their recruitment needs. I gain a great deal of satisfaction in working on end-to-end projects and building strong long-term relations which are mutually beneficial over time, through repeatedly working in conjunction with one another.”

Joanna’s return means increased capacity for our team to work on a variety of roles.

View some examples of the professions Joanna is currently recruiting for below.

Project Management

I am currently working on a number of Project Management roles. If you tick the following boxes and are seeking a new career opportunity I would love to hear from you.

• Previous Retail Banking Experience
• Excellent Project Management skills.
• Willingness to work on a contract position (6 months)
• Work in Dublin’s thriving city centre

These roles have excellent daily rates paying between €500 and €650 per day.

Audit and Assurance

Due to the continuous growth of the Audit and Assurance division across all regions we are actively looking to hear from experienced auditors; from newly qualified Audit Seniors through to Assistant Managers and Managers/Senior Managers. As well as all levels, I have audit and assurance roles in a number of locations throughout the country including Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Galway.

If you are ACA/ ACCA qualified, have experience working in a Big4/ Top 10 practice and have strong technical skills please get in touch with me today or apply for the role here!

Business Lead – Internal Controls

This is an amazing opportunity to work on a high profile Retail Banking project in Dublin. As the Project Director you will lead the project team and coordinate the group-wide implementation of the new Internal Controls system.

• Coordinate and manage the roll out of the new framework
• Engage with the Groups appointed external consultants to adopt best practices 
• Contribute to the development of key strategies for the Project 

This role is ideal for someone with a strong risk/ controls background and proven PM skills. Learn more here.

For more Accountancy and Finance opportunities, click here. Call Joanna today for a confidential discussion on your next career move on 01-6618740.

The post Project Management / Audit Job Opportunites appeared first on Executive Connections.

Apply for this exciting opportunity here!

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Findings from our recent survey show that 73 per cent plan to hire for short-term, temporary and interim roles in the next six months.  This compares to 35 per cent for the same period last year – more than double in 12 months.  As the economy continues to improve, organisations are increasingly turning to contract workers to fill a skills gap internally or because a permanent hire isn’t necessary. The roles coming on stream are many and varied. Currently, the most in-demand professionals are business analysts, project managers, finance professionals, senior marketing staff and specialist banking professionals within the regulatory, compliance and risk space.  Contractors with specific skills and previous experience in these areas are proving the ideal option for short-term regulatory projects.

When there’s an urgent need for staff, contract hires can be a cost-effective way to get people, who can hit the ground running, on board quickly.  There is no need for training as many are highly qualified and skilled in their field of expertise, with the majority possessing previous contract experience.  Some are “serial contractors”, choosing contract-only work, instead of permanent employment.  Having developed specialist skills in a particular industry, through a variety of companies and projects, they need little workplace adaptation – if any.

Try before you buy

Others remain more flexible about their career options, and use contract work to get a feel for a job or company.  Employers get the opportunity to trial people, who may be ideal for a role that may become permanent.  The “try before you buy” mentality sits comfortably with many of our customers and, in fact, they rate this as one of biggest advantages of hiring contract staff.  Hiring contract workers is also useful for hiring managers who don’t have the budget to increase permanent headcount towards the end of the financial year.  The fact that a company can invoice contract staff as a service, rather than headcount, is attractive to many companies.

Due to the volume of work available for contractors many are registering as a limited company, meaning they manage all their personal tax and holidays.  The flexibility of contract work means companies can tailor their staffing needs depending on seasonal requirements and live projects.  Our survey found that contract staff are being hired for short periods, to work on specific projects, and for longer-term contracts of up to two years, depending on the company’s requirement.

So, what are the drawbacks? Even though contractors are not strictly employees, it is important that they feel included in the business.  Managers should treat contractors as they would any other staff member. Include them in internal communications, for example, and invite them to company social events.  As with any employee, they will want to feel that they are a valued part of the business, and this will have a knock-on effect on productivity and helps maintain a good atmosphere.

Going down the contractor route is sometimes deemed expensive. However, it is important to bear in mind that contractors are usually exceptional employees with skills and experience that can be put to good use, making significant changes that can improve a business quickly.  Combine this with the various savings, made in the form of employer PRSI, benefits like pensions or health insurance, sick or holiday pay, and hiring a contractor can start to make sense.

This article was featured in the Sunday Business Post. Aimee Kelly is Principal Accountancy and Finance recruitment consultant with Executive Connections. Should you require advice on employing contract staff, or using contract staff to further your career call us now on 01-6618740 for a confidential discussion or email aimee@executiveconnections.ie

The post Filling the breach with contract staff writes Aimee Kelly appeared first on Executive Connections.

A career in finance is a great choice; it’s rewarding, challenging, often well paid, provides variety, finance professionals are needed the world over and businesses can’t turnover without them. But how do you get your first finance job? What questions should you be asking yourself and what questions will potential employers be asking you?

Joanna’s top tips to consider when choosing your first role

While careers are flexible journeys that you can shape to suit your ambitions and strengths, you need to choose your first steps carefully. Taking your first role in a specific industry will mean that you gain experience in just one area and a move into a different sector may prove challenging.

Form a long-term plan and work out the steps to achieve it. Remember that it’s easier to move around within a chosen industry or specialty than to make big career changes, which can reflect poorly on your CV – employers want to see consistency and passion for a chosen career path.

Do plenty of research: talk to people working in different industries and specialisms; contrast and compare lists of your interests, strengths and needs; and talk to tutors and recruitment experts who can help point you in the right direction.

If you have any queries on the current job market or are seeking a new career opportunity in the Finance space contact our Accountancy & Finance team today on 01-6618740.

The post Expert tips on getting your first finance job appeared first on Executive Connections.

Principal Consultant for Executive Connection’s Accountancy division Joanna Pringle gives her advice on making the correct career decisions and how to choose a career that will fulfill your ambitions.

“I always recommend that people consider where their strengths lie. Think about what you like to do, if you like working with figures you may focus on this area. If being a business leader is attractive to you and something you know you would be successful at, it may have an impact on the sector and industry in which you pursue a career in.

Think carefully about your first role. Have a plan as to whether this is somewhere you see yourself long term and make sure that it is in an area that you can become an expert in. If you are unsure about the industry reach out and speak to someone in the industry – whether it be a recruitment consultant or a professional currently working in the field. By doing this you will gain an insight into the industry which can help you gauge where you are best suited.

I also recommend taking a psychometric test which will examine your capabilities in a particular field or advise an alternative field if necessary. Some areas are closely aligned so don’t be fearful.

I always remind people that some people change careers totally and this is becoming something I am seeing a lot more of as time goes on. It’s not always easy to get it right first time but that’s ok!”

If you have any questions regarding career advice and where your career could take you, we are more than happy to speak with you. Call us today on 01-6618740 or for up to date advice on the current job market visit our Candidate Centre

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