Hays Accountancy & Finance - April 2009

Commerce & Industry

Hotspots

A focus on cost management and risk control has generated a hotspot of demand for project and cost accountants as well as internal auditors.

Finance managers and controllers are also in high demand. Expats on higher salaries are being replaced with local candidates who offer greater value for money since they are equally skilled. A number of new regional offices have recently been established, generating positions. Positions have also been created in an effort to allow senior finance staff to focus on strategy and business development.

The coming quarter

Since Chinese New Year there has been a noticeable increase in job advertisements by organisations within commerce and industry. Many are finding they are swamped with applications with varying degrees of quality. Niche skill sets are highly sought after and competition is high. There is a great deal of demand for recruitment services for such assignments.

Executive recruitment

Demand within this area is growing with the view to hire equivalent skill set at reduced costs or to replace expats.

Salaries

Salaries will remain constant. Increments of 15 percent are becoming the norm, down from previous levels of 20 to 25 percent.