Big Four go on corporate finance recruitment drive
Headcount levels exepcted to rise by 20% as Big Four move to cash on deal-making boom
The Big Four accounting firms are expected to go on an aggressive
corporate finance
recruitment drive over the coming months, and increase their
headcount by as much as a fifth.
The startling figures, compiled by recruitment agency ECHM, show that the
recruitment will be driven in the key areas of lead advisory, transaction
services, private equity and tax. Most of the recruitment is focused on
dealmakers with a proven track record who can fill senior roles
The accounting firms are undertaking the headhunting drive to cash in on the
record levels of global mergers and acquistions, which is expected to reach $3
trillion (£1.57 trillion) by the end of the year.
ECHM’s Regional
Recruitment Index showed a 12% rise in accountancy roles in London in Q3 2006
compared with Q3 2005, and a drop of 6% in candidates actively seeking new
positions over the same period.
‘The current
M
&A boom clearly has had a profound impact on practice firms and
the demands that are being placed on their corporate finance departments,’ said
John Hunter, ECHM’s chief executive.
Further reading:
Insider Business Club: skills gap
Autumn 2006 salary survey results released today
Half of UK accountants not getting bonuses
