The document discusses 2016 salary and hiring trends for accounting and finance professionals in Edinburgh. It finds that confidence among employers is driving increased hiring. While demand for accounting and finance staff is rising, finding qualified candidates remains challenging, especially those with niche technical skills or commercial experience. In-demand roles include CFOs, accountants, and back-office staff. Salaries are rising 2-4% on average across roles and company sizes. Retaining top performers is also a key concern, with businesses planning to offer higher pay, bonuses, flexible work, and career development to keep staff.

1. 2016 SALARY AND HIRING TRENDS
FOR ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE PROFESSIONALS
EDINBURGH

2. The stronger labour market is
being driven by increased
confidence among employers
and workers alike
HIRING TRENDS IN ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE
CONFIDENCE IN
EDINBURGH
EXPANDING TEAMS
As a result, 40% of Scottish
businesses are reliant
on interim professionals
for management or
C-suite roles
PERMANENT STAFF
IN SHORT SUPPLY
Businesses are adding
headcount to their accounting
and finance teams

3. RECRUITING FINANCE PROFESSIONALS IS A CHALLENGE
88%
of CFOs are challenged in finding skilled
professionals in Edinburgh

4. SPECIALIST PROFESSIONALS ARE HARD TO FIND
LACK OF NICHE,
TECHNICAL TALENT
1
LACK OF COMMERCIAL,
BUSINESS SKILLS
3
GENERAL DEMAND
OUTWEIGHS SUPPLY
2
TOP THREE REASONS FOR THE SKILLS SHORTAGE

5. FIVE HOT SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR 2016
• ACA/ACCA/CIMA with
5–10 years’ post-qualification
experience
• Part-qualified CIMA/ACCA with
management accounting skills
• Technology and software skills
in advanced Excel/SAP/Sage
• Business partnering and
communication skills
• Financial modelling

6. PERMANENT ROLES IN DEMAND
• CFOs and finance directors with
strategic and commercial skill sets
• Financial controllers/business
partners
• Qualified/part-qualified
management accountants
• Credit controller/purchase ledger,
sales ledger and payroll clerks

7. TEMPORARY AND INTERIM ROLES IN DEMAND
• Financial transformation/system
improvement experts
• Financial reporting professionals
• Financial planning and analysis
professionals
• Accounts assistants, credit
controllers, and purchase ledger
clerks

8. SALARIES EDINBURGH
Chief Financial Officer/
Group Finance Director
SME £84,100 - £103,600 £84,400 - £110,700 3.9%
Large £93,200 - £143,900 £93,500 - £148,800 2.2%
Finance Director
SME £61,300 - £100,600 £62,200 - £105,800 3.8%
Large £74,500 - £123,500 £75,000 - £128,200 2.6%
Qualified Management /
Financial Accountant
SME £34,200 - £40,600 £34,700 - £42,100 2.6%
Large £43,300 - £55,800 £43,800 - £58,800 3.5%
Financial Controller
SME £46,500 - £62,200 £47,700 - £64,200 2.9%
Large £56,100 - £64,700 £56,600 - £68,100 3.3%
Financial Business Partner
SME £44,500 - £52,900 £44,500 - £55,600 2.8%
Large £46,500 - £54,900 £46,200 - £58,800 3.6%
JOB TITLE COMPANY SIZE 2015 2016 % CHANGE

9. SALARIES EDINBURGH (CONTINUED)
63%
of CFOs have offered a higher salary than originally
planned to secure a talented professional
Financial Planning &
Analysis Manager
SME £60,800 - £67,200 £61,300 - £69,600 2.3%
Large £62,500 - £69,900 £62,700 - £73,100 2.6%
Financial Analyst
SME £36,700 - £43,800 £36,900 - £46,700 4.0%
Large £38,400 - £49,000 £39,100 - £51,700 3.9%
Credit Controller
SME £16,500 - £25,300 £17,000 - £26,100 2.9%
Large £19,400 - £28,000 £19,700 - £29,300 3.1%
Payroll Administrator/Clerk
SME £17,700 - £21,900 £18,200 - £22,400 2.5%
Large £19,900 - £24,800 £20,400 - £25,300 2.2%
Purchase/Sales Ledger Clerk
SME £16,200 - £24,100 £16,500 - £24,800 2.4%
Large £20,400 - £26,600 £20,900 - £27,300 2.6%
JOB TITLE COMPANY SIZE 2015 2016 % CHANGE

10. RETENTION A KEY CONCERN IN EDINBURGH
78%
of CFOs in Edinburgh are concerned about losing
top financial performers
43%
A RISE IN REMUNERATION
OR BONUSES TO CURRENT
EMPLOYEES
50%
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
IN A BID TO KEEP TOP PERFORMERS, BUSINESSES WILL BE OFFERING:
40%
FLEXIBLE WORKING
OPPORTUNITIES

11. REMUNERATION TRENDS FOR EXISTING STAFF
20% of CFOs
EXPECT TO INCREASE
BONUSES AWARDED
50% of CFOs
PLAN TO INCREASE
SALARIES

12. DOWNLOAD THE 2016 SALARY GUIDE
For more accounting and
finance salary and hiring trends,
download the full Robert Half
2016 Salary Guide at
roberthalf.co.uk/salary-centre
2016
SALARY GUIDE