Forty-one percent of the HR and finance managers have acknowledged that finding candidates with general accounting skills remains the most difficult challenge, according to new research put out by consultancy Robert Half Finance & Accounting.

Managers representing the 1,000 companies surveyed, said finding staff with general accounting skills was even harder than sourcing candidates with specialist skills in financial analysis, audit or tax.

The research also revealed that one third of HR and finance managers expect starting salaries to increase.

Robert Half’s David Jones said: ‘These figures are evidence that the role of the accountant has changed. Employers continue to seek candidates with a general accounting background that can also add value to both clients and the internal dynamics of the team. In-depth industry knowledge, highly tuned financial acumen, communication skills, IT know-how and leadership ability are becoming the prerequisites for the modern day accounting professional.'

Further reading:

1 in 3 HR managers say CVs are embellished

Robert Half: New accountants need top communication skills

Future of accountancy: a word from the experts