Job and career outlook 2013 (Part 1)

Recruitment firms anticipate the continued shift towards Asia from multi-national companies will see increased opportunities, as companies need accounting talent to help them compete in the challenging environments in which they do business.

Additionally, the early signs of pick up in the banking sector are expected to lead to improved career opportunities. At a regional level, continued growth in countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand will also create demand for experienced talent to support the growth of MNCs business activities. Accountants are also essential to support the small business sectors and regional enterprises widening their footprint across the Asia region.

Going North

Martin Cerullo, managing director at Alexander Mann Solutions, points out that there is increasing demand from firms in Greater China to attract talent from overseas. This includes current nationals working abroad, second and third generation Chinese individuals and other nationalities with specific skillsets. “This is very evident in campus recruitment, but also increasingly so in a more structured and systematic approach for experienced candidates,” remarks Cerullo.

While job opportunities still exist locally, Louisa Yeung, managing director with Michael Page believes the mainland is where new opportunities exist for qualified accountants with a few years of experience under their belts. She says like Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai have become relatively mature environments for accountants. Therefore, it is the second tier cities where many international and regional as well as domestic companies are setting up shop where career inspired accountants might find their rewards.

“Quality companies still require quality accounting and finance professionals,” says Yeung. “Second tier cities might not have all the comfort levels that Beijing and Shanghai can offer, but for those that raise their hand and go there they can quickly improve their knowledge and experience levels, and most likely gain promotion.”

Simon Lance, regional director of Hays in China is another recruitment specialist who keeps a close watch of emerging trends. “There are certainly career opportunities in accountancy and finance that didn’t exist five years [in China],” he says. ”For example, we seldom saw finance operation managers and commercial finance managers five year ago, but these skills are now in demand especially in mainland China.”