July 2010
UK banking jobs said to be resilient to substantial shocks
People in UK banking jobs may be interested in the outcome of the recent stress tests of European financial institutions.
However, one economist suggests that the testing did not employ a worst-case scenario - and was not tailored to focus on UK banks.
"I don't think the emphasis was on the UK really," says Alan Clarke, UK economist at financial services provider BNP Paribas.
But he adds that "UK banks are able to withstand a reasonable-sized shock", which may reassure people already in or seeking banking jobs within the sector.
Mr Clarke adds that a positive outcome that might emerge from the stress tests - which the continent's banks passed - could be an improvement in confidence.
If this occurs in the single-currency eurozone, he argues that trade may gain as a result.
The impact this could have on business banking remains to be seen, as Mr Clarke also concedes that, with house prices down, financial institutions are unlikely to want to increase their lending to companies too soon.
Find information on the latest Banking & Financial Services jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 30 July 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Cyber security experts could help in office support jobs
Placing cyber security experts into office support jobs could help them to spread the message of best practice throughout a workforce.
The Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA) explains that a greater awareness about online security issues and how to tackle them can help internet users to protect themselves.
In business, this might be achieved by hiring into office support jobs people with a technical knowledge or broad understanding of anti-virus software or network perimeter security.
Nicholas Lansman, secretary general of the ISPA, says: "The work that cyber security professionals do is incredibly important and ISPA welcomes the effort to encourage more people in to this profession."
His comments come as a new online initiative is launched to help identify people with the necessary technical knowledge to become cyber security evangelists.
The Cyber Security Challenge features competitions and games aimed at people of all backgrounds, with those whose awareness of security is the greatest to be awarded with one of 30 prizes.
Find information on the latest Office Support roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 30 July 2010.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, office-support.
Identikit employees may not suit permanent placements
People in HR jobs may be overlooking the importance of diversity when trying to fill permanent placements in the current economic climate.
Rachel Krys, campaign director for the Employers Forum on Age, concedes that turbulent times may make it tempting to hire an individual who closely resembles the team already in place.
However, if that group consists only of people around the same age, she argues that the added bonus of different levels of experience may be lost.
"Having people of all different ages makes a much stronger and much more adaptable team," she says.
"When you put lots of people who are the same together, it is actually really bad."
Her comments may inspire people in HR jobs to take a new approach to filling the permanent placements that are put at their disposal.
By opting for an older applicant with demonstrable experience, they could find they are able to add an assured employee to their workforce while also demonstrating an awareness of - and avoidance of - ageism.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 30 July 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
People in HR jobs asked for opinion on PAYE
Individuals in HR jobs are among those being consulted by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system.
The taxation authority is looking to improve the existing arrangements for PAYE and is inviting managers, as well as people in HR jobs or accounting jobs who work on payroll duties, to express their opinions.
"We want to explore how the PAYE system could be improved to make it easier for employers and HMRC to administer," says Stephen Banyard, director of the business customer unit at HMRC.
He adds that the feedback from people who use the PAYE system on a daily basis is to help the authority learn more about their views of real-time information collection.
The government's public-facing advisory site Directgov explains that PAYE is the form of tax applied to the incomes of employed people, while self-employed individuals are asked to fill in a self-assessment form.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 30 July 2010.
Categories: .
Age UK welcomes right to stay in permanent placements past 65
The news that employees will no longer be forced to leave permanent placements when they reach the age of 65 has been welcomed by one elderly people's charity.
Age UK claims that everybody wins from the decision, which was outlined in the coalition government's plans for its administration and is now being pursued by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
Charity director Michelle Mitchell says: "People over 65 will have full employment rights for the first time. The economy will benefit from older workers' precious skills and experience and their increased buying power."
However, some protections were already in place for people in permanent placements, as the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills notes.
Among them was the entitlement to request to be allowed to stay on past 65, as well as a ban on employers retiring staff at an earlier age, unless they were able to demonstrate an objective reason for doing so.
Updated: 30 July 2010.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, permanent-placement.
Summer internships could help students secure office support jobs
Students hoping to raise their chances of gaining permanent placement in the position of their dreams could find summer internships help prepare them for office support jobs and other roles.
Business analyst PricewaterhouseCoopers explains that internships - even if they are unpaid and simply involve handling some administrative duties - are a foot in the door and can allow students' favourite employers to appear on their CVs.
Working in an administrative role during the break from university could also allow students to build the network of contacts they may need to secure permanent placement in office support jobs following their graduation.
"If students are to maximise their appeal to potential employers they must be focused on long-term career planning and the long university holidays provide a perfect time to do this," says director of talent recruitment Sonja Stockton.
The analyst recently suggested that a rise in temporary roles might be seen as companies look to reduce staffing costs in accordance with tight European regulations - unlike in the US, where companies have been able to reduce salaries and downsize their workforce as necessary.
Find information on the latest Office Support roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 30 July 2010.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, office-support.
Holidays prove important in perception of permanent placements
Companies wishing to make permanent placements appeal to the best possible candidates could find increased holiday allowances to be one way in which to do so.
Figures from IFF Research show that holidays are among the most important aspects of a job offering in terms of achieving a positive outlook on the position.
The study addressed people in part-time, full-time and self-employed positions to determine how holiday entitlements differ between different permanent placements.
In the public sector, satisfaction levels were relatively high at 68 per cent of employees; however, this proportion dropped to 42 per cent in the private sector.
The analyst suggests that part of the gap could come from the fact that teachers typically receive lengthy holidays and are part of the public sector.
However, IFF Research joint managing director Jan Shury adds that companies in the private sector may want to consider increasing holiday entitlements as an alternative to wage cuts in the current economic climate.
Employment and benefits is an area of focus for the research firm, which was established in 1965 and covers six main thematic topic strands.
Updated: 28 July 2010.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, permanent-placement.
Private sector temporary staffing may balance public sector cuts
Temporary staffing in the private sector could be one way to offset the cuts in employment expected in the public sector.
Small business portal Bytestart explains that its users are among the largest overall contributors to HM Treasury in terms of taxation.
"As the bloated public sector is shrunk it's vital that small businesses are there to provide employment and stoke the engine of the economic recovery," says director Emyr Williams.
Despite the economic turbulence seen in recent years, the ability of small firms to provide both temporary staffing opportunities and permanent placements may be improved under the coalition government.
Mr Williams explains that the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats seem "far more pro-business" than the Labour government which preceded them.
He also notes that business owners often adopt an entrepreneurial spirit when faced with economic circumstances that seem difficult on the surface.
This allows small firms to maintain optimism where others might see a threat, he concludes.
For more information on temporary roles and permanent placements contact Poolia Recruitment Specialists today.
Updated: 28 July 2010.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, permanent-placement, temporary-staffing.
People in HR jobs told to strengthen succession plans
While employee succession plans are one way to keep positions filled with talented individuals, those in HR jobs may want to reassess their own preparations for if a senior member of staff leaves.
According to figures from PricewaterhouseCoopers, vacancies are typically filled by the intended successor only one in three times.
The business analyst suggests that company leaders and those in HR jobs may instead want to maintain a list of "exemplar" employees who are able to inspire their colleagues.
Preparing for change is a key part of making any major decision, the firm adds, such as downsizing the workforce or taking other austerity measures.
"Companies need to ensure employees remain engaged during any subsequent changes as their support is equally vital to return on workforce investment," says human resource services partner Richard Phelps.
The analyst previously urged business leaders to adopt the appropriate tone in dealing with staff and customers alike as a "make or break" factor in maintaining a healthy relationship.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 28 July 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Systems investment mooted to help those in HR jobs excel
People in HR jobs can perform to the highest standard if companies invest in the systems that they need in order to do so, it is claimed.
Analyst Aberdeen Group indicates that "substantial gains" can be made through individuals in HR jobs if they are given the technology to integrate issues such as payroll, workforce management and other core duties of the department.
In its assessment of the sector, the research firm focuses specifically on companies with employee numbers ranging from 50 to 1,000 individuals.
"The state of the economy is driving organisations to invest in core HR systems to manage costs, ensure compliance and allow HR personnel to be more strategic," writes Jayson Saba.
Mr Saba is Aberdeen Group's human capital management practice research analyst, responsible for assessing industry trends in enterprise HR systems and succession planning, employee performance and talent acquisition tools.
His expertise includes a stint with a provider of self-service employee benefit tools and a number of years helping to run his family's business.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 27 July 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Permanent placement could allow dynamic individuals to help business finance
Permanent placement of dynamic individuals into finance jobs can enable prompt action from businesses during "precarious" economic times, according to analyst Aberdeen Group.
In its report How Best-in-Class Plan, Budget and Forecast in Today's Dynamic World, the research firm outlines how forward-thinking individuals can be a key element in responding to a changing sector landscape.
"Highly effective financial planning, budgeting and forecasting can successfully enable decision-making even in periods of unprecedented change," writes analyst Cindy Jutras.
She adds that five key elements play a role in this, comprising performance management, knowledge management, technology, process and organisation.
However, a separate report from Aberdeen Group indicates that a lack of investment into putting individuals into permanent placement could be leaving firms at risk during tough economic times.
In Effective Talent Management Drives Profitable Business Growth, Kevin Martin writes that cutting workforce investment leads to burnout and low morale, impeding business growth as a result.
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 26 July 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
Encouraging communication could be key for people in HR jobs
People in HR jobs may want to encourage communication among the individuals that they employ in order to keep information flowing around their workplace.
Martin Lyne, marketing director for small to medium-sized enterprises at telecommunications firm Everything Everywhere, explains that communication is a useful way to promote interaction through a range of different media - and not just face to face.
"Having the necessary tools and processes in place to promote open communication is therefore a must for business leaders," he argues.
For people in HR jobs, candidates with a significant presence on social networking platforms, including the business-specific site LinkedIn, could be an indicator that they are willing communicators.
Mr Lyne suggests that mobile phones are enabling an increasing variety of methods of communication among workers.
With the latest handsets, these include email and video conferencing while on the move, helping to compensate for times when a face-to-face meeting is impossible.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 26 July 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Investment banking jobs predicted to see change
Candidates applying for investment banking jobs in the years to come could face a different landscape due to a number of present-day trends.
The latest Financial Activity Barometer from John Gilbert Financial Research (JGFR) shows how the recent recession and turbulent economy have led to a likely change in the industry.
Chief executive John Gilbert says: "The retail financial services industry is set to go through a major restructuring, which is likely to have far-reaching effects on savings, investment and borrowing behaviour."
One effect that could impact on candidates for future banking jobs is the proposal to separate retail and investment activities to protect consumers against stock market risks.
Two-thirds of the public support this idea, according to figures from JGFR due to be elaborated upon in a coming report.
JGFR undertakes its research in order to help financial organisations of all types predict consumer behaviour in the coming months, so that they may ensure they achieve a positive relationship with their primary customers.
Find information on the latest Banking & Financial Services jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 26 July 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
SME taxation takes up time of those in financial services jobs
An ever-changing taxation regime is taking up the time of small and medium-sized enterprises' owners and the people in related financial services jobs, according to the Chartered Institute of Taxation.
Immediate past president Andrew Hubbard says: "Small businesses and their advisers will spend a lot of time playing around with the numbers, trying to work out the best way to structure themselves, as opposed to getting on with running the business."
This is due to the changing taxation landscape for small businesses, with some fairly complex rule updates over the past year for people in financial services jobs that serve commercial customers to attempt to understand.
For instance, Mr Hubbard notes that being self-employed has advantages including the biannual nature of paying tax - rather than through the pay as you earn system - and the greater opportunity to claim financial relief due to expenses.
He adds that greater stability is needed in small business taxation, in order that firms might be able to plan for the long term with greater confidence.
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 26 July 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
Human resources figures told employees want firms to be honest
A human resources expert has suggested that a greater number of employees would like their bosses to be frank and honest about the overall performance of their company.
Claire McCartney, resourcing and talent planning adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, believes that by providing this information to the workforce, they can unite around a shared aim as well as developing new ways of working together to meet challenges.
"The relationship and contract between employee and employer works both ways and employees need to ensure that they are actively seeking out development opportunities and contributing their best in this difficult climate," she stated.
Ms McCartney's comments come in the light of a survey by chrysaliscourses.co.uk, which found that one-third of workers felt unappreciated by their bosses and 63 per cent admitted they were considering a change of career as soon as possible.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 22 July 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
HR jobseekers told work experience a valuable asset
Work placements and internships can be an asset to HR jobseekers looking to get a foot on the career ladder, it has been suggested.
Vodafone's UK HR director Matthew Brearley said there are a great number of bright and capable young applicants leaving university seeking employment.
However, to succeed in being hired he thinks candidates need to stand out from the crowd, HR Magazine reports.
He admitted that while internships are not an absolute barometer of a strong potential worker, they are a good thing to have done and graduates with experience in some form tend to show better judgement and a pragmatic approach to the world of work.
"From our own experience at Vodafone we are always looking for grads who are bright, web savvy, positive and have that spark of energy," Mr Brearley added.
This follows comments from Peter Panavotou at The Write Stuff, who advised jobseekers to try and fill gaps in their resumes where possible to help them appear more attractive to employers.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 22 July 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Office support jobseekers told temporary work shows good work ethic
Temporary jobs can be a good route for graduates in a competitive jobs market, according to one expert.
GraduateFog.co.uk founder Tanya de Grunwald said that students leaving higher education are adopting a harder attitude towards their career by putting the need to pay off their debts, such as loans, ahead of professional ambition.
She believes that this may be a result of the level of money graduates need to pay back and the current crop of university leavers going up against those who did not secure permanent placements last summer as firms offered fewer positions.
"They may not be glamorous long-term solutions, but part-time work, temping and volunteering are all worthwhile. Don't feel it's a 'step down' after your degree," Ms de Grunwald commented.
She added that, by taking such a position, young candidates can demonstrate a good work ethic to potential employers for the future.
A survey published last week by the Association of Investment Companies found that 32 per cent of students would take a job with a higher salary instead of following their career ambitions to pay off their debts.
Find information on the latest Office Support roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 20 July 2010.
Categories: london, market-and-industry-news, office-support.
Finance and accounting group welcomes govt response on gender diversity
People in accounting jobs are being told that the government response to a report about trying to encourage greater gender diversity in the City has been positive.
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation's Accounting and Financial Services sector group chair Bill Haynes believes it is good that the coalition administration accepts the problems underlined by the document.
He said that while the primary objective is making sure the most talented and capable candidates are appointed to directorships, regardless of race or gender, "it is crucially important to recognise the need for a productive and balanced team profile within the board."
Mr Haynes added that both applicants and businesses need to accept that current hiring processes will lead to the same people succeeding, particularly when boardrooms are susceptible to "group think" and are not creating solutions to problems in the finance and accounting sector.
The Treasury Select Committee hinted that the lack of diversity in senior positions may have helped to undermine performance in the industry during the economic downturn.
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 20 July 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
HR jobs providers told market is stable
Those in HR jobs may be encouraged to learn the jobs market has been described by one industry specialist as steady.
Chief executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation Kevin Green said Office for National Statistics (ONS) data published this week is positive.
ONS revealed the unemployment rate for the quarter leading up to May 2010 was 0.1 per cent down on the preceding three-month period, standing at 7.8 per cent.
Mr Green remarked: "These figures are an encouraging sign of the stability returning to the jobs market as was borne out in our Report on Jobs last week with an upturn in [some] sectors."
However, according to the expert, the public sector could help to bring down potential redundancies by copying efficiency measures implemented in private companies.
Many businesses have done well to hold on to their best talent during the recession, he explained, while still being able to reduce their costs.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 16 July 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Acas publishes HR guide to dealing with Equality Act
People in HR jobs are being told that how a company conducts its operations will need to be altered as a result recent legislation passed in parliament.
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) has published guidance to deal with changes in the Equality Act in order to help business better understand how it will effect their day-to-day activities in practice.
Among the issues that might impact on companies are rules governing third party harassment, which could result in employers being liable if a staff member feels aggrieved in this way.
People in HR jobs have also learned that pre-employment health questionnaires will no longer be given out to new workers as from October.
John Taylor, Acas chief executive, said: "Fairness in the workplace is good business and motivates staff as well as improving effectiveness and productivity."
Athough it is an independent body, Acas is largely funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 16 July 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Branson discusses leadership in human resources
People in HR jobs are being told that the success of their industry should lie in allowing professionals to share ideas and set the culture when it comes to hiring processes.
Sir Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group which runs a wide variety of operations in areas such as transport and entertainment, told HR magazine that his company's guiding principle for staff usually revolves around setting some parameters but largely letting individuals "get on and do their stuff".
He said: "The key to effective people management is ensuring everyone has a little of people management in them."
Furthermore, Mr Branson admitted that although there are process and approach systems that encompass the company structure, the different Virgin brands have some freedom about what they want to do.
Writing for People Management on Monday (July 12th), Serene Consulting chief executive Kevin Balchin advised people in HR jobs to stand up to macho management styles.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 16 July 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Finance and accounting firm calls for slower timetable
People in accounting jobs are being told the roadmap for adopting a universal financial reporting method needs to be slower.
That is according to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), one of the Big Four auditors, which said it fully supports an aggressive timeline in trying to attain a single set of global stands, but believes the current one is not sufficient given the complex nature of the projects.
The finance and accounting firm said that despite the International Accounting Standards Board's commitment to additional outreach, it is pessimistic that target dates can be met for adopting the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) in the US.
"We do not believe that constituents have the resource bandwidth within the targeted board timelines to complete effective, thorough analyses of the accounting, business and operational impacts," PwC added.
Since 2001, the IFRS has been adopted by companies in more than 100 countries including the UK and although the US has yet to convert, it did sign a memorandum of understanding four years ago to conform to the standard.
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 14 July 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
Banking jobseekers told career advice should be in university courses
People looking for London banking jobs are learning that university students should receive advice about their careers as part of their qualification.
Dan Hawes, co-founder of the Graduate Recruitment Bureau, believes guidance sessions could be included in the timetable to help them in the post-recession fight to secure work.
A report by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation had warned that the economic downturn was having a disproportionate effect on youth jobless numbers and there is the potential for a generation of 16 to 24-year-olds to be at risk of being scarred by long-term unemployment.
However, Mr Hawes stated that students in their final year of university could benefit from learning about CV writing, interviews and assessment centres if is part of the curriculum.
"By and large, most graduates decide to look for work when they leave university, by which point they are possibly back at home with their parents, miles away from their uni," he said.
Find information on the latest Banking & Financial Services jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 14 July 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Office support jobseekers told new skills could help them stand out
Those looking for office support jobs are being advised to add new skills to their resumes as it may boost their chances of landing a role.
According to Peter Panavotou, senior consultant at CV advice service The Write Stuff, filling in gaps in the fields of education and employment may help a candidate stand out from the crowd.
His words come as the Guardian revealed last week that employers are now looking at more than 70 resumes per vacancy.
Mr Panavotou said that bosses like to see evidence of candidates being proactive in their hunt for a position - whether it be for an office support job or another sector - but do not appreciate applicants who expect opportunities to arrive on a plate.
He added: "Even if it is something completely unconnected, you can fill a gap while also building skills with something such as a first aid course."
Find information on the latest Office Support roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 14 July 2010.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, office-support.
People in HR jobs 'need to show moral leadership'
People in HR jobs in the UK should be aware of unethical behaviour from company bosses or managers and be willing to stand up to such attitudes, it has been suggested.
Writing for People Management, Serene Consulting chief executive Kevin Balchin noted a trend in a wide range of organisations towards "macho management".
Furthermore, he suggested that there is an increasing tendency in public sector bosses to consider "quiet, considerate" forms of management as ineffective and "too slow to demonstrate a real result".
Mr Balchin said he is worried about what he sees as attempts to "graft" private sector methods of leadership on to the public sector, when such approaches are unproven or disregarded by the other private firms.
Last month, the human resources director of the Metropolitan Police Martin Tiplady told a meeting of industry figures that he hoped the sector would bring greater value to companies going forward.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 14 July 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Banking jobs recruitment increasing
People aspiring to work in the City are finding that more banking jobs are becoming available in the capital.
The Financial Times reports that opportunities are on the increase and with other areas of the UK labour market looking less appetising, recruitment in the Square Mile shines more brightly.
"A telling sign of the City's returning confidence is Royal Bank of Scotland's plan to hire almost 600 graduates this year," it said.
Furthermore, the publication stated that signs will remain encouraging as long as confidence is not dashed by problems in the eurozone, the sovereign debt market or the introduction of a new bank levy in the UK.
Last week, the Confederation of British Industry revealed that people in financial services jobs had seen increased business activity at its fastest rate since 2007.
Find information on the latest Banking & Financial Services jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 14 July 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Accounting firm says boot camp has boosted graduate hires
A boot camp set up by finance and accounting company Accenture is leading to a significant number of young aspiring professionals securing a job, according to one of its recruitment figures.
Jessica Davies, graduate recruitment schemes and process lead with the organisation, told the Association for Graduate Recruiters conference that 85 per cent of participants in the initiative are being offered positions, People Management reports.
This compares with a success rate of 40-60 per cent of university leavers gaining employment with the finance and accounting firm before the introduction of the boot camp.
Ms Davies stated that it took the company four months to create and deliver its first event, which Accenture believes offers something different to graduates by "giving them a raw view of the business, our values and getting them to tackle real-life client issues".
Accenture employs around 190,000 staff in 120 countries.
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 14 July 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
Finance and accounting firm announces six new partners
Accountancy age reports that the UK firm has promoted five staff working in London - Pauling McGee, James Nicholls, Andy Cotter, David Isherwood and Julie Rice - while Paul Bates has taken up a senior position at its Leeds office.
BDO's managing partner Simon Michaels stressed that those in accounting jobs with the organisation are its lifeblood and "at BDO we strive to create an environment where the highest calibre individuals have the chance to thrive within a collaborative culture where clients come first".
He added that is particularly important it is able to "nurture, develop and promote" fine employees within its ranks.
BDO is the fifth-largest accounting organisation in the world and has in excess of 1,000 offices in more than 100 countries, serving a range of clients including firms in telecoms, retail and real estate.
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 14 July 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
People in HR jobs told transferable skills good for their company
Company bosses and people in HR jobs could find that the productivity of their employees is significantly increased, if their transferable skills are used for a variety of projects, according to one expert.
Mike Petrook, a spokesperson for the Chartered Management Institute, indicated that there is an increasing clamour for such work and that from the organisations they have talked to, employers are "bringing different people for different projects".
He said that firms were looking at the skills staff offer and then, when a task is complete, using those abilities elsewhere in the organisation.
A report published this week by Capita suggested that a skills gap in the country's workforce may be having a negative effect on British businesses.
Furthermore, 70 per cent of senior managers and bosses revealed that inadequate levels in this area could jeopardise a firm's chance to make the most of the economic recovery.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 12 July 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
UK body says top talent may be missed for some permanent jobs
Bosses hiring for procurement jobs are being told that an inflexible approach to recruitment processes may mean that they are missing out on number of talented candidates.
Mike Petrook, spokesperson for the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), said that with the UK suffering from a skills shortage at the moment, it is important to be open minded with regards to hiring procedures otherwise there may be a negative impact.
"By being inflexible in terms of the type of employment that you're offering, your organisation could be shutting itself off to reams of top talent," he added.
Furthermore, Mr Petrook argued that the employers should not get bogged down in bureaucracy of staff hours and must concentrate on the quality as well as volume of someone's work.
The CMI claims to be the only body of its kind in the UK to promote strong management and has more than 86,000 members.
Find information on the latest Procurement roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 12 July 2010.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, procurement.
Report shows permanent and temporary jobs increasing
The monthly Report of Jobs, published by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation and Big Four accountancy firm KPMG, showed a "strong rise" in permanent staff placements, but found that it occurred at a slower rate than the previous five months.
Similarly, temporary and long-term job appointments rose at a lower lever level than the buoyant performance highlighted in the early part of 2010.
REC chief executive Kevin Green said there are encouraging signs for the job market, but is cautious about the possible effects of a public sector cuts and any potential "knock-on effects" for the private sector.
Earlier this year KPMG announced that it would take on 3,500 staff across its operations as well as increasing graduate intake.
Find information on the latest Office Support roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 12 July 2010.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, office-support, temporary-staffing.
Graduates told to be flexible when seeking permanent jobs
University leavers seeking office support jobs or another permanent placement should not struggle to find employment if they adopt a flexible approach, according to one expert.
Charlie Ball, deputy research director at the Higher Education Careers Service's Unit, indicated that graduates have many different options when it comes to looking for the right role for them.
He suggested that this can mean taking one of a many avenues such as working for a smaller business or even a "lower status" job that offers progression into a graduate role and noted that a lot of university leavers often find they reach these positions fairly quickly.
Mr Ball's comments follow a survey by the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR), which revealed the number of applications from those leaving higher education has soared, with an average of 69 candidates competing for each position.
Find information on the latest Office Support roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 09 July 2010.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, office-support.
Human resources directors told public sector cuts offer opportunities
People in senior human resources jobs are being presented with an opportunity to make create value-for-money public services as the government looks to make savings, according to one industry figure.
Dean Shoesmith, president of the Public Sector People Managers Association, told HR magazine there is no doubt workers would perceive an increase in VAT and pay freezes as a "double whammy", but urged professionals in the sector to use this time wisely.
He stressed the importance for people in human resources to get employees to understand what benefits they already receive in "complete terms" as well as trying to introduce "total reward benefit statements across the sector".
"Only then will we be successful in retaining and motivating existing staff and attracting new staff," Mr Shoesmith added.
On Sunday (July 4th), transport secretary Phillip Hammond told the BBC that government departments are unlikely to be hit by spending cuts of around 40 per cent, despite being warned to be ready for such a situation.
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Updated: 09 July 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Ernst and Young welcomes 48 people into senior accounting jobs
One of the UK's Big Four finance and accounting firms Ernst & Young (E&Y) has appointed 48 new partners working in Britain and Ireland.
The new appointees will work in all four of its product services, which are its Advisory; Assurance, Tax and Transaction Advisory divisions, with further investment planned for those areas over the next year.
Scott Halliday, E&Y's managing partner for the UK and Ireland, said that operations in the UK make a significant contribution to the accounting company's global interests, in terms of generating revenue and the "mobility" of its skilled personnel.
In September, the organisation posted worldwide revenues of $21.4 billion (£14 billion) for the fiscal year to the end of June 2009 and its global chairman James Turley praised staff for being able to adapt during a "challenging year".
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Updated: 07 July 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
Sales and marketing jobseekers told they need hard commercial skills
A personnel expert has suggested that future applicants for sales and marketing jobs as well as for other sectors may need hard commercial skills to cope with any financial fallout that may arise.
Dr John McGurk, an advisor on talent development and learning at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, warned that the ability to manage these realities when they occur is a key skill that every company should have.
He said: "You need to know how your business makes money or how it serves its customers. You need people who understand that".
Furthermore, those looking for sales and marketing jobs were told that innovation and creativity will also be vital commodities that businesses will need to have if they are to win new markets and be able to develop successful products.
Last month, a survey by Egon Zehnder International showed that as few as five per cent of organisations believed they possess the right resources to deal with future economic instability.
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Updated: 07 July 2010.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, sales-and-marketing.
Accounting bosses told Ucas could mean losing out on graduate talent
Accounting jobseekers and candidates in other sectors may be missing out on talented university leavers because some companies prioritising a system considered outdated.
Chris Jackson, a spokesperson for the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services, said that the University and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) points format may be being misused by graduate recruitment schemes as it was never intended as a measure for potential employment.
He suggested that using the Ucas tariff was not in the interests of both students and employers, especially with more recent evidence available about applicants.
Furthermore, those looking for accounting jobs were told that it can mitigate against candidates who performed "modestly" at school and may not have received the same support as some of their peers, yet might have excelled in higher education.
Last week, Ucas announced it is to review it current points system and indicated that the current method is outdated.
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Updated: 06 July 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
HR jobs at retailer awarded for excellence
Sainsbury's has won this year's HR Excellence Awards for the best human resources team.
Those with HR jobs in the company were commended for their new approach to managing staff members, while the company was congratulated on an organisation-wide turnaround initiative in this area, HR Magazine reports.
According to the publication, judges were impressed with the improved communication shown across the firm's stores, with a HR job being introduced at most Sainsbury's outlets.
Other schemes implemented at the enterprise included streamlining the staff scheduling procedure - which saved £8 billion a year - while a new HR payroll system was also purchased.
A new mantra for those in HR jobs was also followed, highlighting the importance of talent management, change, relationship-building exercises and coaching.
HR Magazine recently stated that a survey from Communications Management found people issues are now at the top of the agenda for many top business leaders.
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Updated: 06 July 2010.
Categories: human-resources.
Banking jobseekers advised to tailor applications
People seeking banking jobs have been told by one expert that spending time making each application unique can boost their chances of landing a role.
Director of career coaching firm Talent Transitions Chris Morrall said graduates in particular could benefit from adjusting their CV for each position to which they apply.
"To increase chances of getting an interview, do research on the company and tailor the application for the job," he explained.
His remarks followed recent statistics from High Fliers that found one-third more university leavers were hired by City investment banks in 2010 when compared with last year.
Commenting on the availability of jobs, Mr Morrall stated vacancies are up, but there were still unfilled positions last year as many people did not show "interpersonal skills" in interviews.
Being fully prepared and rehearsing potential questions could enhance a person's chances of being employed, he went on to say.
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Updated: 01 July 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Finance jobs seeing more activity says CBI
People in financial services jobs have seen the growth of activity increase at the fastest rate since 2007, new figures suggest.
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) teamed up with PricewaterhouseCoopers to produce its Financial Services Survey, which revealed that nine per cent more businesses witnessed volumes increase than decrease in the last quarter.
Some 38 per cent of companies said they saw more business in the three months to June, compared with the 29 per cent that claimed they had fewer transactions.
John Cridland, deputy director-general of the CBI, said: "Firms hope that activity will strengthen over the coming quarter and are now planning to expand their staff numbers."
Angela Baron, adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, recently said that people in accounting jobs should consult their staff on ways in which the efficiency of operating systems can be improved.
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Updated: 01 July 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
