Today the UK is experiencing what is ‘likely the tightest labour market that we have seen in modern times’, according to the Institute for Employment Studies. There are now fewer unemployed people per vacancy than at any time in the past half century, and employers across a range of industries and sectors are reporting challenges with finding staff. Unsurprisingly, given their widely sought-after skills, finance professionals are among the talent that is in short supply.
According to the Talent Trends webcast, part of the Ignite Series run in October, some important trends are shaping the direction of the accountancy and finance profession. Here are highlights of the issues discussed.
Future of finance
‘Technology is a major force transforming the world of work,’ said Nigel Bicknell, head of ACCA Careers. But he pointed out that other factors were also at play, including changing demographics, evolving employee expectations, shifting social norms and values, and new types of connectivity.
The ability of the accountancy profession to thrive in future will depend on how it adapts to these forces – and how it responds to other emerging talent trends.
