Skilled financial services professionals are in short supply, new research from Robert Half suggests.
The recruiter’s global hiring report finds that nearly nine in 10 (89%) of financial services executives surveyed across seven countries find it either “somewhat” or “very” challenging to find skilled financial services professionals.
Talent shortages are especially acute in Hong Kong, where 95% of respondents cited difficulties.
Meanwhile, 83% of institutions in Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK and the US are either “somewhat” or “very” concerned about losing top performers to other opportunities.
Demand is strongest for financial services professionals with accounting and finance expertise and operations support experience.
Neil Owen, global practice director, Robert Half Financial Services, said: “While some areas within financial services institutions have seen cutbacks, other more profitable product lines are receiving further investment, which has resulted in additional hiring since the beginning of the year. This is creating challenges in finding the requisite staff to capitalise on emerging opportunities. Competition for the industry’s top talent continues to intensify for middle-office and support roles, particularly accounting and finance, as well as operations positions.”
Sally Percy is editor of The Treasurer