BUILDING GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES

Sharp Consultancy's Salary Survey 2025/26: Resetting the Landscape: Strategic Shifts in Finance Recruitment

It would be remiss not to start by addressing the elephant in the room — 2024 was a challenging year.While there were many reasons for this and numerous industries were affected, recruitment likely bore the brunt of it, particularly in the 6 months post-election(s).Whilst key roles and critical hires remained unaffected, certain head counts and processes were scrutinised and investment paused with internal restructures and automation utilised to reduce costs, in some instances, at the expense of employees. We subsequently saw an increase in candidate activity, with the talent pool strengthening. As those pressures eased in Quarter 4, recruitment processes saw improvement and green shoots have emerged. Optimism is on the rise in key hiring processes, albeit with a caveat. The cloud of additional cost increases in April, which is still dissipating. The senior finance and C-Suite market remains relatively unaffected, both regarding opportunities and candidates, it is the levels below that we have seen more change. In the evolving landscape of working dynamics, the volume of hybrid working is gradually waning despite sustained interest from candidates, presenting fewer job opportunities. While the blend of office and remote work remains desirable, it is no longer the predominant factor, indicating a notable shift in priorities for clients and candidates’ acceptance alike. Conversations with candidates underscore a growing desire around the importance of having a supportive mentor or manager and many professionals are increasingly open to a full-time return to the office if it guarantees enhanced guidance and avenues for professional advancement. "The salaries throughout transactional finance have stabilised across the region."Throughout the professional practice market, some similar trends have been observed but there have been noticeable differences in the past year. Salaries across the range of candidates in professional practice, from AAT to fully Qualified (ACA/ACCA) individuals are still rising and those firm’s able to offer competitive salaries alongside stronger training contracts are beating out the competition in a candidate market with a growing focus on study support packages and career advancement opportunities for Part-Qualified candidates, indicating an increase in demand from employers and the volume of available job seekers. The salaries throughout transactional finance have stabilised across the region, in what feels like the longest period of stability seen since Q4 2020 and we expect transactional finance salaries to remain stable throughout 2025/26, with anticipated salary increments to be moderate compared to the significant increases observed throughout the last 2 years. AI & Systems (process automation) continues to impact accountancy and finance, in particular, across larger functions but this has increased the need for wider interim support to assist with the transition and implementation especially with large, automated processes. Whilst 2025-26 will not be the same marketplace for recruitment as seen in previous years, there is certainly a growing level of optimism and whilst a more settled market may be seen as a negative in some areas, for those that have weathered the peaks and troughs over a longer period of time, it will feel very normal and a strong setting for both employees and employers to take advantage and thrive, with an increasing emphasis on growth and development.Download the full Salary Survey here!

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Get off on the right foot and quickly settle into your team with our top tips for getting the most out of those early weeks in a new job.

Be prepared to help – and don’t wait to be asked!

Show that you are proactive by offering to assist with particular tasks – as well as giving you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge it will also give you a chance to learn more about the processes and systems that are used within the team. Whilst you are getting up to speed, be careful that you don’t take on too much or volunteer for something which you are not comfortable tackling. And remember, your own workload and responsibilities will quickly increase as you settle into your role.

Be reliable – and if you need help, ask for it

Even if you are highly experienced in your role, you will still need time to get up to speed on the particular systems and working methods within your new company. If you are unsure about something don’t be afraid to ask. Also make sure that you are clear on any deadlines that need to be met and that you understand what is required from you and in what format.

Share your experience and be proactive

Whilst it is important to take time to learn about the business, don’t be afraid to demonstrate your worth and share your knowledge and experience. By making useful contributions to meetings, offering suggestions on alternative approaches to tasks and sharing your opinion on the best course of action you will show that you are someone who is keen to be involved and can be a team player.

Avoid office politics

Make sure you keep relationships professional especially in the early days when you are trying to establish who everybody is. Saying too much about a mutual acquaintance, sharing negative opinions about your former colleagues or company or making jokes at other people’s expense won’t do you any favours in the long run. Being polite and friendly and showing your worth through your efforts and expertise will pay dividends long-term.

Take time to get to know everyone

It is vital that you make time to speak to your line manager and establish lines of communication and reporting during your early weeks. It is also equally important that you get to know people right throughout the business. Your line manager will more than likely seek the thoughts of your peers as to how they see you settling into the team so ensure that their feedback presents you as positive, proactive and someone they think they can work with

Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment of temporary, interim and permanent finance professionals. With offices in Leeds and Sheffield our highly experienced team of consultants recruit for positions throughout Yorkshire and beyond. CONTACT US today.