June 2010
Women under represented in finance jobs expert says
Women in finance jobs have been harder hit by the recession and are finding it difficult to have their voices heard, it has been said.
India Gary-Martin, president of the City Women's Network (CWN), suggested that tough economic times cause companies to have less flexibility and require more from staff, including working longer hours.
This can be a problem for mothers needing to balance their jobs with child care obligations and more women are needed in the sector, especially onto company boards, to have the issues addressed, the expert explained.
"Initiatives to increase the number of women on boards are less attractive to companies whilst fighting through in a recession," Ms Gary-Martin added.
She claimed that businesses should now be focusing on attracting and retaining more strong female talent into roles during the economic recovery.
A recent survey by the Confederation for British Industry and PricewaterhouseCoopers showed that firms expect to increase employee numbers in the next quarter, which could see more women take up finance jobs.
Click here to find finance jobs in London through Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 01 July 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
Banking jobs still popular with graduates
New research has shown that there has not been the expected backlash against the banking industry among those seeking graduate jobs.
Despite the popular conception in the media of finance sector workers having contributed to the credit crisis, university leavers are still looking for banking jobs in UK, the High Fliers report showed.
It was also discovered that graduates taking banking jobs were more likely to receive a higher starting salary than they would have two years ago, with basic pay rising by ten per cent to £42,000 in the period.
Martin Birchall, managing director of High Fliers Research, said: "If anyone was expecting moral outrage and shying away from the banks then it hasn't happened. People are still very, very keen on working in the City."
High Fliers Research is behind the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers list and the UK Graduate Careers Survey and has been reviewing the jobs sector for degree-holders for the past 15 years.
Click here to find banking and financial services jobs through Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 01 July 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Budget freezes may affect those in banking jobs
Those searching for banking jobs could struggle as financial services firms move to freeze budgets.
Banking jobs in IT could become less available as financial firms move to freeze their IT budgets, it has been suggested.
The CBI has found that many financial services firms are holding back on growth in their IT departments over the next year, with few firms planning to invest in technology over the coming 12-month period.
Firms are basing the decision on a fall in trade over the last quarter. Many companies have also forecast an increase in regulation over the second half of 2010 and want to avoid risking employing non-compliant staff, Contractor UK reported.
There is also a reduction in the number of temporary IT contracts arising within the banking sector, it has been indicated.
As a result, those in banking jobs are feeling the effect, with many permanent IT contractors finding themselves posted within the company to head up major projects.
Earlier this month, it came to light that graduates seeking banking jobs were urged to keep looking as there were still vacancies available despite a decline in graduate schemes.
Click here to find financial services jobs
Updated: 29 June 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Banking jobs encouraged to reward good customer service
Those working in banking and financial services could find themselves receiving bonuses for good customer service if plans to change the banking culture are instigated.
Banking jobs could be rewarded for providing great customer service instead of pushing sales if new proposals are adopted.
Which? published a ten-point manifesto on June 24th outlining ideas to improve the UK's banking services in the aftermath of the recent financial crisis.
The document set out key points that Which? believes would "help to rebuild trust between banks and their customers".
The proposals put a new emphasis on customer service and suggest that banking staff would receive bonuses for good customer service rather than being given incentives for selling products to customers.
In addition, the Future of Banking Commission published a report earlier this month criticising the industry as being "structurally flawed" which had "failed its customers".
It too pushed for a change to banking culture, encouraging those offering financial services to stop rewards for product selling and refocus on customer service.
Ed Bowsher, head of consumer finance at lovemoney.com, said: "The proposal that bonuses should be paid for good customer service rather than sales is welcome."
For more information about banking jobs
Updated: 29 June 2010.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, banking-and-financial-services.
Expert believes people in HR jobs may need more skill training
Human resources jobseekers could need more skill training, according to one expert.
Those looking for human resources jobs could find they are in need of more skill training, believes an employment specialist.
Phil Flaxton, chief executive for not-for-profit initiative Work Wise UK, was commenting on the proposal put forward by David Cameron's coalition government to encourage those living in high unemployment regions to relocate to areas with better prospects.
Despite his support for the initiative, Mr Flaxton said he believed there was also a need for more skills training.
He said: "There is still fundamentally a skills shortage in this country. We have got to make sure the processes are in place to ensure we get people trained and skilled up for the next 15-20 years."
Between April and May this year, the number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) fell below 1.5 million for the first time since March 2009 to 1.48 million. However the number of people now unemployed rose by 23,000 to 2.47 million.
Updated: 29 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Jobs may not be guaranteed by relocation says expert
Permanent jobs could still be hard to find for the unemployed despite relocating as part of the coalition's new proposals, claims one expert.
Relocation for a permanent placement does not necessarily guarantee a job, says one expert, despite being the coalition government's latest initiative to get more people into permanent positions.
In a recent interview published in the Sunday Telegraph, Iain Duncan Smith revealed plans to relocate unemployed people to areas where there were jobs. But Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, warned that relocation does not mean a definite job.
He said: "Overall it is a very sound move. However, I think it could be difficult to implement and it does not necessarily guarantee that they are going to get a job."
Forcing people to relocate could also put them in difficult situations with hard decisions about what to do with dependent family members, he warned.
Figures released this month by the Office of National Statistics showed that unemployment rose again in April to reach 2.47 million, with those having been unemployed for 12 months or more hitting 772,000, the highest since April 1997.
Updated: 29 June 2010.
Categories: jobs, market-and-industry-news, recruitment.
IR35 legislation may affect temporary staffing says expert
The IR35 tax is set to be reviewed - but abolishing it may affect temporary staffing.
Although numerous freelancers decide to work on a contract-by-contract basis, they have been blighted by the levy which has only served to find minimal instances of situations where tax is owed.
According to John Brazier, managing director of not-for-profit professional association PCG, reviewing IR35 needs to be done carefully to get the end result right.
"Post-IR35, we hope that the new environment works for freelancers and the economy. We also hope for a fairer structure that is transparent and is understood on all sides," he added.
However, any moves to change the tax could impact temporary staffing, if more freelancers enter the market.
Mr Brazier noted that in addition to providing a convenient lifestyle choice, this type of work is a burgeoning and increasingly crucial part of the UK's economic climate.
Updated: 28 June 2010.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, temporary-staffing.
New govt plans may help people find accounting jobs
New plans to break the cycle of poverty could help people find accounting jobs, among other roles.
The coalition government unveiled proposals aiming to assist consumers in finding work outside of the area in which they live, rather than stagnate in a region with little potential.
Work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith told Sky News' Sunday Live some groups of people were "stuck" in unemployment - and relocation might therefore solve some of the problem.
"While there's been more work created over the last 15 years, actually most of that has gone to households that already have work," he added.
The news follows measures unveiled in the recent Budget to reduce tax credit eligibility for families who earn more than £40,000.
In addition, benefits will be calculated from April 2011 via the consumer prices index, rather than the retail prices index. This, the government said, provides a fairer deal for benefit claimants.
Updated: 28 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
Employers may need evidence of skills for HR jobs
Highly qualified middle-aged people looking for employment may need to show businesses what they can do if they are to succeed.
This is the opinion of Daily Telegraph columnist and management expert John Timpson, whose comments are likely to be of note to anyone in or in search of HR jobs.
Discrimination still exists in some areas - despite legislation - and as such applicants must be realistic about their prospects.
"Prospective employers need proof before they pay you what you think you are worth. Your idea of the skills gap may not coincide with theirs," he explained.
Mr Timpson went on to say, however, that people who show positivity and confidence in an interview are sure to eventually find a suitable role.
His comments came in response to a reader's query about how to find a position despite having run a successful business with 22 staff.
HR jobs experts may also be fielding queries from people in similar situations - so Mr Timpson's reply might be of use.
Updated: 28 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
People in banking jobs must feel valued claims expert
People in banking jobs and other professions may benefit from feeling more valued by their manager.
This is according to a recent article in Management Issues, which summarised various research showing that employees may be "turned off" if they are not respected and continually reminded of their weaknesses as opposed to their strengths.
Writer Mitch McCrimmon said there are some simple techniques leaders can try out in order to make staff aware of their value.
The tips may be particularly pertinent to those in banking jobs given the economic climate of the past few years and the increasing pressure of the sector.
Asking employees what they think about certain issues is recommended, Mr McCrimmon added, because it stimulates others' creativity and engages people.
Delegation is also key, he went on - but in terms of responsibility, not tasks.
"This means identifying their strengths, what they want to learn and do more of in future, then delegating projects that are challenging but not outside their capabilities," he concluded.
The comments follow a recent recommendation from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, which said companies can improve efficiency via smart dialogue with their employees.
Click here for more information about banking jobs with Poolia Recruitment Specialists in London.
Updated: 28 June 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Research reveals more financial services firms offering flexible working
Brits looking for financial services jobs may be pleased to hear the latest news regarding flexible working.
According to a survey conducted by Citrix Online, 47 per cent of enterprises in the UK have seen an increase in the number of people taking advantage of workplace mobility over the last five years.
Furthermore, 77 per cent of respondents said their employers offer them the technology they need to get their job done away from the office, such as laptops, notebooks and smartphones, HR Magazine reports.
Bernardo de Albergaria, vice-president and general manager of global marketing and ecommerce at Citrix Online, told the publication: "Flexible working comes from an ability to trust staff. An inability to trust staff underlines a much bigger problem in business."
A total of 68 per cent of businesses encouraged their staff to work flexibly, the research found.
The Trades Union Congress recently advised bosses to introduce flexible working so that employees can watch England compete in the World Cup.
Click here to find financial services jobs with Poolia Recruitment Specialists in London.
Updated: 28 June 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Speaking to people in accounting jobs may improve efficiency says expert
To improve efficiency people in accounting jobs should consult their staff on ways in which operating systems can be improved, one expert has advised.
Angela Baron, an adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, said if firms have a variety of options for employees who may want to make suggestions, they are more likely to get good feedback.
She noted that an area on a company's intranet page can be useful, as is a forum where workers can interact with each other.
"It's good to have a discussion just to spark people off and think about things that they wouldn't have thought about before just sitting in a dark corner on their own," Ms Baron continued.
She noted many public sector companies consult their staff "extensively" over ways in which operations can be improved.
During his Budget speech earlier this week, chancellor George Osborne said restraining public sector pay and the high costs of pensions may help to ease pressure on public services.
Click here to find financial services jobs
Updated: 28 June 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
Vocational courses may help people looking for HR jobs
Taking a vocational course instead of going to university could be a sensible option for those hoping to acquire human resources jobs in future, it has been suggested.
Sarah Clover, business development manager at notgoingtouni.co.uk, said that because of the recession, the number of people using their degrees to get a job is falling.
This is because the country is still recovering from the effects the recession had on the market, she explained.
As an alternative, Ms Clover commented that vocational courses may be a much better option as they mean people will already have the skills companies are looking for from their new recruits.
"With the average university debt reaching £20,000 and with tuition fees looking certain to increase, taking a more vocational approach is definitely an option worth considering," she continued.
Yesterday (June 23rd), Edge revealed that over four million vocational qualifications were awarded in 2009, with this number continuing to increase.
Updated: 28 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Budget may give real opportunities for financial services jobs
The Budget has created a "real opportunity" for people who are looking for financial services jobs, one industry commentator believes.
Edward Winterton, recruitment finance spokesman for Bibby Financial Services, said financial pressure on less-sizable enterprises will be eased by the increase in small business rate relief in October.
Along with a £5,000 national insurance break for start-ups, he thinks this will create jobs across the UK, especially in regions that were worst-hit by the recent economic downturn, Recruiter reports.
This comes after the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's Resourcing and Talent Planning Survey showed the number of companies planning to implement an employment freeze has fallen from 42 per cent to 22 per cent in 2010.
"The reality is that the country is in hugely difficult economic times and maintaining a healthy cash flow can reap considerable benefit," Mr Winterton continued.
Earlier this week, the emergency Budget was delivered by new chancellor George Osborne.
Updated: 28 June 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Unemployment a real worry in the UK
There is a decline in the number of people securing accounting jobs in the finance industry, it has been suggested.
Tom MacInnes, research director at the New Policy Institute, said rising unemployment levels are a "real worry" in the UK, especially considering the low number of young people getting work.
In his opinion, the excessive amount of Brits aged between 16 and 25 without a job is a "chronic" problem in Britain.
Furthermore, they are likely to suffer when they go for accounting jobs in the future, as short-term unemployment at a young age is "scarring", Mr MacInnes continued.
"Your ability to hold down a job in later life in your late 20s and 30s is limited by experience of unemployment when you are younger," he noted.
The Office for National Statistics recently released job market figures for the three months to April 2010 and found the number of unemployed people increased to 2.47 million - a rise of 23,000 citizens.
Click here to find Poolia Recruitment Specialists financial services jobs
Updated: 25 June 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
Default retirement age creates stereotypes
The default retirement age creates stereotypes about older people in financial services jobs, it has been suggested.
In the opinion of Claire Nurden, research and policy officer for Independent Age, those over the age of 65 should be allowed to choose when they finish working.
This is because many are still able to fulfil their duties while others may prefer to ease their way into retirement by gradually reducing their hours, she explained.
"Many of the people we support at Independent Age tell us that they miss working and the work environment and feel more than capable of carrying on," Ms Nurden continued.
She said the retirement age implies people in financial services jobs over the age of 65 are less capable of doing their work.
Her comments come after a new survey commissioned by Age UK revealed 65 per cent of the public think the default retirement age should be scrapped.
Click here to view Poolia Recruitment Specialists financial services jobs
Updated: 25 June 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Return to work interviews may discourage non-genuine absence
Companies have been advised on ways in which they may be able to reduce the number of people in banking jobs who take sick days.
Sue Hayday, senior research fellow at the Institute for Employment Studies, said measures such as back-to-work interviews and trigger points can lower absence rates.
Similarly, businesses should promote the idea that they do not tolerate casual absence or make flexible working arrangements to discourage people from taking non-genuine sick days to deal with domestic responsibilities.
This can include allowing people to work from home, changing the times they start and finish in the office or letting them make up time at a later date.
Ms Hayday also said it is important to ensure "line managers are trained and able to manage the attendance of their staff".
Unum recently revealed that stress counts for 23 per cent of all long-term sickness, which is down from the 33 per cent recorded in 2006.
For more information about banking jobs
Updated: 25 June 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Bosses urged to let people in sales jobs watch England match
Employers have been urged to let people in sales jobs watch England's final group match in the World Cup today (June 22nd).
The team will be facing Slovenia at 15:00 BST and if they win they will be guaranteed a place in the final 16.
As a result, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has encouraged companies to let employees enjoy the game, either at home or somewhere on the firm's premises.
According to the organisation, flexible working can have many benefits for companies and if they do not already have arrangements in place, this could be the perfect opportunity to try out a new scheme.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber suggested bosses discuss the options with their sales staff, as this may help to avoid tension from building in the office.
"We would encourage them to let people watch the games if they like - and then claim back their time afterwards. That way, everyone wins," he added.
Updated: 24 June 2010.
Categories: market-and-industry-news.
Entertainment may motivate people in financial services jobs
People in human resources jobs may know the importance of keeping their workforce feeling positive and well-motivated.
If this is the case, the comments of one industry expert about incentivising the office could prove to be useful.
Andrew Hodgkins, acting managing director at Keith Prowse, explained the nature of today's businesses means many people often get stressed at work.
To counteract this, he recommended bosses in financial services jobs motivate their employees by entertaining them at a cultural or sporting event.
"Star employees who have proved their worth over a sustained period can be rewarded with fine dining, superb service and the excitement of an international sporting contest," Mr Hodgkins advised.
He also stated that spending time together out of the office can encourage members of staff to form new relationships.
These comments come after a study conducted by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work found 79 per cent of managers are concerned about stress in the workplace.
Updated: 24 June 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
HR boss wants industry to bring value to companies
Martin Tiplady, the man currently occupying to human resources job with the Metropolitan Police, wants the industry to take a look at how it can continue to be relevant and cost-effective in years to come.
Speaking at the HR Forum on Friday (June 18th), he told delegates that the industry needed to understand its business and help to facilitate it, stating: "If we don't do HR with attitude, we will be dumped."
He argued that the sector needed not to get carried away with whether it held board positions or name notoriety within a company structure, as it would not be a "a worthwhile argument".
Mr Tiplady suggested people in HR jobs could offer "good, pragmatic, common-sense solutions" that are direct and free of jargon.
At the same event, the person in charge of human resources at Santander talked of the troubles he faced when dealing with extra staff joining the company after the buyouts of Alliance and Leicester and Bradford and Bingley within a short timeframe.
Updated: 23 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Office support jobseekers told flexible working to boost economic growth
Office support jobseekers are learning that a package of measures unveiled by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) today (June 21st) are being touted as the means to ensure the UK sustains jobs and businesses during the recovery.
The range of proposals forwarded by the CBI include the introduction of flexible working patterns within more companies, as well keeping the individual opt-out from the maximum 48-hour working week to allow employees to do longer hours if they want to earn more money.
According to the confederation's deputy director-general John Cridland said businesses need to do all they can to create a jobs market that not only suits Britain but makes the UK the place for employment.
Last week, Star.co.uk argued that homeworking could allow firms to both recruit outside their original catchment radius, but also enable them to hire staff from cheaper areas.
Find information on the latest Office Support roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 22 June 2010.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, office-support.
Sales and marketing jobseekers told recruitment freeze shrinking
A recruitment expert has told people in sales and marketing jobs that human resources departments are having to think creatively in order to ensure their workforce has the requisite talent and skills available.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's (CIPD's) Resourcing and Talent Planning Survey revealed that organisations had reported recruitment difficulties, often due to a lack of skills available to them.
However, the proportion of companies intending to implement a freeze on employing new staff dropped from 42 per cent in 2009 to just 22 per cent this year.
As expected, the public sector bucks the trends in this area with 51 per cent of organisations likely to put a hold on recruitment, compared with just 16 per cent in the private sector.
Earlier this month, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation reported a rise in the number of people securing permanent placement.
Find information on the latest Sales & Marketing jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 22 June 2010.
Categories: london, market-and-industry-news, sales-and-marketing.
Graduating banking jobseekers urged not to give up
University leavers looking for banking jobs are being urged to keep looking as there are still graduate vacancies available, an expert has said.
Tom Davie, director of professional development on the board of the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services, is advising students to use all means at their disposal in order to find an opportunity including career advisors and job portals.
He cited the example of Santander's scheme of hiring graduates for banking jobs and suggested that, although some schemes are being reduced, there are many businesses that will still take on people leaving higher education.
Mr Davie, who is also deputy head of careers at the University of Durham, added: "They should be very proactive in selling their skills and abilities to those employers that are still recruiting - because they are still out there."
Last month, the Confederation of British Industry conducted a survey that found fewer companies are now freezing their graduate recruitment schemes compared with 2009.
Updated: 22 June 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
HR director says get job done fast on change management
The HR director of Santander told delegates at an industry event yesterday (June 17th) about how he had to deal with the swift takeover of Bradford & Bingley in 2009 and how to cope with a swell of extra employees.
Mark Adams said, to attendees of the HR Forum that there were staff, that left work and Bradford & Bingley on Friday and by Monday had suddenly changed companies, this at a time they in the process of buying Alliance and Leicester, HR magazine reports.
Of the merger with Abbey National in 2004, people in HR jobs learned that while those staff are now "moulded into the Santander way", it was not easy to control the bank's personnel in "a consistent way".
Mr Adams is on the shortlist for the same publication's HR director of the year award, along with other personnel figures such as Graham White of Westminster City Council and Andy Doyle of ITV, with the winner announced on June 29th.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 22 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Audit Commission search for boss on ice
The Audit Commission has explained why it has decided to abandon its quest for a new chief executive.
Those in accounting jobs were told that the watchdog's - which describes its role as "driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness" in such services - decision to delay is due to "rapidly changing circumstances", according to chairman Michael O'Higgins.
A number of news providers have suggested that a cut in the organisation's grant and the emergency budget taking place on Tuesday (June 22nd) may also have played a part.
Interim boss Eugene Sullivan is currently earning £196,000, although including car allowance, travel and accommodation costs, his total pay package is worth £235,000.
Communities secretary Eric Pickles, suggested the £240,000 being offered to candidates for this senior public sector accounting job went "against the spirit" of austerity going through taxpayer-funded services.
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 22 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
HR leaders advised to create communications strategy
People in HR jobs may want to push for a unified framework on digital media as it may expand the potential area employers can dip into for talent, while saving money, according to one industry specialist.
Hugo Harber, director of convergence and network strategy at Star, said that companies in London may be able to recruit outside the M25 if they utilise the benefits of homeworking.
He said that the plus points for firms of adopting this approach includes better management of resources and "reduced consumption" which are "all good for a business's health, as well as the planet's".
Meanwhile, a report by Frost and Sullivan showed a growth in web conferencing services of 19.3 per cent across Europe.
Mr Harber estimated that flexible working could significantly reduce an organisation's "office footprint" - based on use of utilities, rent, hardware and its management - said to be worth around £5,000 per desk annually.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 22 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
US healthcare provider can only choose Big Four accounting firm
A healthcare organisation from the US has acknowledged the existence of bank covenants, meaning its books can only be audited by one of a certain group of finance and accounting companies.
In Amedisys's 81-page credit agreement is a particular clause that indicates that only an organisation from PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, Deloitte and Ernst & Young may be selected to carry out these duties, Accountancy Age reports.
"Audited consolidated balance sheets of the group members. [must be] reported on by and accompanied by an unqualified report from a Big Four accounting firm," it reads.
The same publication noted that this is not an isolated case and a joint statement issued recently from those finance and accounting companies officially confirmed their existence.
Earlier this month, the Hemscott Adviser Rankings showed the Big Four maintained their stranglehold on the market of FTSE 100 companies' auditing contracts, with only BDO Stoy Hayward from outside that group to have clients feature in the index of leading shares.
Updated: 22 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
People in HR jobs told graduates looking for more than money
People in HR jobs and company bosses may need to offer positions with more than high salaries as benefits to young qualified applicants, an expert has said.
Tom Davie, head of careers at the University of Durham, suggested that graduates are considering issues such as work-life balance and corporate social responsibility on the part of the employer, as well as how that firm's operations fit with their own values and beliefs.
Furthermore, he said that there are applicants at high-flying academic institutions in the UK that are deemed worthy of a high pay packet, but often choose a position with a lower wage.
Mr Davie, who is also director of professional development at the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Service, told those in HR jobs that university leavers are fully aware of the range of options they can choose from.
His comments follow a poll by Graduate Prospects that found just six per cent of newly-employed workers from higher education were lured into their current role by how much a company is paying.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 21 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Investment management firm said to be oversubscribed on share issue
London-based banking and financial services firm Jupiter Fund Management has reportedly raised £220 million to pay off debt from a private equity-backed management buyout three years ago.
As a result, its directors and figures in senior banking jobs are set to earn a total windfall of £33.5 million thanks to the share issue, the Telegraph reports.
It has claimed that chief executive Edward Bonham Carter, brother of film actress Helena Bonham Carter, is to have a 3.5 per cent stake in the organisation, while TA associates that funded the 2007 takeover will own 22 per cent.
The publication also suggested that its appeal for investors is two and a half times over subscribed.
Earlier this month, the Times reported told people in banking jobs that star fund manager Tony Nutt was estimated to have a shareholding worth £70 million for a nine per cent in the business.
Find information on the latest Banking & Financial Services jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 21 June 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, london, market-and-industry-news.
Tesco accounting figure warns about VAT rise
A finance and accounting figure with a UK supermarket brand has suggested an economic recovery is happening, but remained fragile and required balance in fiscal policy.
Laurie McIlwee, finance director at Tesco, noted in the first quarter report that a rise in VAT is going to be part of a wider austerity package, yet argued that timing is an issue and the government may be better waiting to introduce such a measure.
The finance and accounting expert said that putting VAT on food would be "nonsensical" and could lead to a decline in consumer spending.
In the quarterly statement, Tesco announced that sales had increased by 8.2 per cent, thanks to the opening of stores in Asia.
Earlier this month, it was announced that the company's chief executive, Sir Terry Leahy, was to step down from the role.
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 17 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
Finance and accounting body calls for positive legacy from crisis
Auditing of banks can be improved if people learn from what happened during the economic crisis, according to one finance and accounting body.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales's (ICAEW's) Financial Service Faculty has today (June 15th) issued a report, which includes interviews with senior investors and policymakers of UK banks, trying to identify areas where the system can be made better.
Ian Coke, head of the faculty, said that institutions could do more to "explain the value of audits to outsiders", something he suggested may boost market confidence.
In the meantime, the finance and accounting body is making its own commitments to developing good practice guidance and creating an investor forum to discuss themes to help industry professionals when reporting season comes around.
The ICAEW has approximately 132,000 members working across all sectors of the British economy.
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 17 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
Walsh leaving top HR job at Sainsbury's to take stock
Imelda Walsh has confirmed that she is to leave the top HR job at Sainsbury's and has "plenty of irons in the fire" at the moment.
She told HR magazine that she is planning to recharge her batteries and consider different roles after almost ten years with the supermarket chain.
"My plan was always to step down after 2009, but I was persuaded to keep putting it off," Ms Walsh said and she admitted to being conscious of leaving before people become fed up with her.
The publication stated that the woman in the top HR job leaves a significant legacy of championing flexible working rights both with the company and industry-wide, having led the Labour government's review on the issue.
In a separate interview with People Management, she described her excitement and being able to step back and assess the opportunities open to her.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 17 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Roden to leave senior HR job at RBS
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has begun its search to find a suitable candidate to replace Neil Roden in its senior HR job.
People Management reports that he will remain in his post for another five or six months to help RBS chief executive Stephen Hester to appoint his successor.
Mr Roden told the publication that he was not leaving to go to another company, but had been working in HR jobs for 30 years straight, including the last ten years as HR director and felt it is time for a break.
He joined the firm from National Australia Group in 1997 and was involved in human resources issues during a transitional period for two of its subsidiaries, Yorkshire Bank and Clydesdale.
"I want to take advantage of the time off to decide what to do next, which is actually quite difficult in a job like mine because you're so busy. So I've got some decisions to make," he added.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 17 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Permanent placements and temporary jobs increase
There was an increase in people securing permanent placements during May and salaries for full-time workers rose for the seventh month in a row, according to new research.
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and accounting firm KPMG published their latest Report on Jobs, which revealed that the number of long-term vacancies continued its upward trend for the tenth straight month, although the rate of growth eased for the second consecutive month.
Chief executive of the REC Kevin Green highlighted that accounting jobs, HR professionals, software developers and chefs are in the most demand.
However, he sounded a note of caution with the public sector facing fewer opportunities and the private sector only improving slowly.
"This month's jobs data further underlines the need for urgent action if we are to avoid a new 'lost generation' of workers," Mr Green stated.
Last week, he told public sector leaders that the impending cuts in spending represented a one-off chance to create sustainable reform.
Updated: 15 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
Finance and accounting firm says investors add to standards debate
Finance and accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) believes that investment professionals provide a "useful barometer" for the debate on reforming financial reporting.
Pauline Wallace, head of public policy and regulatory affairs at PwC, said its survey of investors and analysts offered a breadth of views and suggested that the feedback has contributed "an important steer" for those looking to create a uniform code.
Its poll found that many respondents were in favour of a "mixed measurement model" and that such an approach "reflects an entity's underlying business and economic reasons for holding an instrument".
As the finance and accounting organisation noted, the International Accounting Standards Boards and US Federal Accounting Standards Board (FASB) have been trying to reach agreement on reporting convergence, but have appeared to move further away from a deal.
It is thought that getting the support of the FASB is important to legitimising the IASB push for a universal reporting standard
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 15 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
Accounting expert says chancellor can tighten fiscal policy
People in accounting jobs are being told that the Office for Budget Responsibility's (OBR) pre-Budget forecasts provide optimism for future unemployment trends and, with it, public finance projections.
John Hawksworth, head of macroeconomics with big four finance and accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, agreed with the OBR's decision to revise down figures for economic growth.
He noted that public borrowing was lower than forecast during the previous Budget speech in March, Alastair Darling's last as chancellor before Labour's election defeat.
Furthermore, Mr Hawksworth told people in accounting jobs that achieving the same structural budget deficit projection for 2014/15 as before requires only an additional tightening of 0.3 per cent of gross domestic product.
This equates to just £4 billion of extra savings that need to be made by the Treasury and the expert suggested that accelerating this deficit reduction may avoid an adverse reaction from the bond markets.
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 15 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
Those in HR jobs told people issues top of business leaders agenda
Those in HR jobs are being told that business leaders are keen to put people issues at the top of their agendas when public sector cuts hit their organisation, but one-quarter of bosses have admitted they are ill-equipped to deal with the changes.
HR magazine reports that a survey from Communications Management - which provides advice and programme implementation for private and public sector clients - revealed that 47 per cent of managers see problems such as low morale in the workforce as a key point to tackle.
The biggest change in priority over the coming year is structural reform including headcount with 41 per cent putting that ahead of strategic policy change (28 per cent).
What may interest in people in HR jobs is that the survey uncovered poor internal communications, a lack of effective leadership and a dearth of experience in change management to be among the biggest barriers to reforming the makeup of a public sector company.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 15 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
REC offers people in HR jobs advice over World Cup absences
With the World Cup in full swing, employers and people in HR jobs will be aware of the possibility of increased absences during the tournament.
However, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has issued guidelines for its members to help them with handling the problems of extra sick days being taken.
Fiona Coombe, REC director of professional development, said employers need to make it clear to their staff that they are monitoring attendance during the tournament.
She stressed: "Should an employee's sickness absence then be directly linked to football fixtures, an investigation may take place and they may be subject to disciplinary action."
One particular fixture that may prove a headache for employers and people in HR jobs is England's final group game against Slovenia, which kicks off at 15:00 BST.
But there are numerous guides for dealing with this, including those from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, which promotes flexible working as a viable option in avoiding too much in lost productivity.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 15 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
People in HR jobs told widespread cuts a reasonable option
People in senior HR jobs are urging the government to make cuts to public sector pay across the board, as it looks to tackle a ballooning budget deficit.
Personnel Today reports that leading industry professionals have indicated that this is a viable option, but that the coalition government - which has already pledged to slash £6.2 billion from the public sector budget - should be aware that job losses may be an inevitable consequence.
Richard Crouch, who occupies a senior HR job at Somerset County Council, said: "It is probably right for society as a whole to accept some pain to support the rebooting of the economy. This should be via short to medium-term measures rather than long-term."
However, Graham White, currently in the top HR job at Westminster Council, stated that widespread cuts were not a reasonable solution to lowering expenditure.
Earlier this week, Recruitment and Employment Confederation chief executive Kevin Green stressed that the impending budget reduction facing parts of the sector represented a one-off chance to create sustainable reform.
Updated: 15 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Human resources figures told to show care for all applicants
People in HR jobs are being told that personnel departments should take the time to respond to every job applicant if possible, because it helps preserve a strong employer brand.
Angela Baron, employment advisor for the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development, reminded industry professionals that candidates invest a significant amount of time and effort into their applications.
She told People Management that HR managers should show at least some "low-level courtesy" in getting back in touch with applicants if they have been unsuccessful and added "a nice email doesn't cost much".
Employers and people in HR jobs were advised to avoid putting up too many hurdles in the process of recruitment to simply trim the numbers of people applying, as it may harm their brand image.
Although, more recent innovations in technology have meant the manager looking to hire can come to the applicant through virtual reality tasks to analyse the potential that some jobseekers show.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 15 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Research heralds new HR job
A study has suggested that people in HR jobs will witness the creation of a new personnel role over the next decade.
Research conducted by the Future Foundation on behalf of Google suggested that technology has allowed elements of IT and human resources functions to become more integrated, HR Magazine reports.
Google has claimed that, by 2020, human systems directors will be in place and candidates will have a powerful role within a company, commanding respect at boardroom level, while overseeing large parts of employee performance and structure.
The study involved 3,500 employees, 100 HR managers and 100 IT managers in the UK, Germany, Japan, the US and France.
Judith Kleine Holthaus, account director of the Future Foundation - which claims to "identify, explain and measure trends" through its research - predicted that personnel managers will be contributing to an "innovation economy rather than a knowledge economy".
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 15 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Candidates emerge for top finance and accounting standards job
Two people in leading accounting jobs are said to be the front-runners to succeed Sir David Tweedie as chairman of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
Accountancy Age reports that New Zealand-born Ian Mackintosh, currently chairman of the UK Accounting Standards Board, is a candidate for the role, based in London.
The other contender put forward by the publication is Fayzeul Choudhury, who is controller and vice-president of strategic resource management at the World Bank.
Both men are seen as having excellent credentials to assume this top accounting job, with Mr Mackintosh making a name for himself at the Australian Securities and Investment Commission and Mr Choudhury formerly a member of the IASB Standards Advisory Council.
Mr Tweedie has been leading the quest for world economies and their companies to adopt the International Financial Reporting Standard, but it is still awaiting support for US financial authorities who have delayed their decision.
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 15 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
Former ITV FD joins WHSmith
People in finance and accounting jobs are learning that high-street retailer WHSmith is shaking up its boardroom, including the appointment of ex-ITV finance director (FD) Henry Staunton.
He will become a non-executive director of the company on September 1st and the firm believes it has acquired the services of a man with "extensive finance and retail experience".
Mr Staunton held the position of FD at the terrestrial broadcaster between 2003 and 2006 following a testing period for the organisation, after the collapse of ITV Digital in 2002.
He left to become non-executive director at Ladbrokes, a position he held until last month.
In addition, he also sits on the boards of Legal and General, Merchants Trust and Capital and Counties as well as fashion retailer New Look.
Outgoing chairman Robert Walker is delighted that Mr Staunton has agreed to join and said he will be a "valuable addition" in the boardroom.
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 15 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
CIOT tells people in accounting jobs of need for tax changes
People in accounting jobs have been told that the creation of a Joint Committee on Taxation could help reduce "badly constructed laws".
The Charted Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has called for improvements to the way the UK goes about implementing changes to legislation in this area.
CIOT president Vincent Oratore said that the current approach is "deeply flawed" and had the ability to give some taxpayers an unintended bonus while penalising others.
Furthermore, he argued that, at the moment, there is not enough expert scrutiny or sufficient time for parliament to analyse what effects such changes in policy could have.
People in accounting jobs were told: "The context is promising. There is a growing consensus among thinkers in this area ... that the system could, and should, be better."
Meanwhile, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales is calling upon industry professionals to share their customer service experiences when dealing with HM Revenue and Customs.
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 15 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
People in HR jobs not getting access to crucial information
People in HR jobs are learning of an information gap that, if solved, could help boost decision making at a company.
According to the UK Talent Intelligence Survey from Taleo - a specialist in talent management solutions - 91 per cent of employers want details on competency and skills shortages in their workforce, but only 55 per cent have reliable access to relevant data.
Similarly, nine in ten stress the significance of possessing knowledge on how a staff member's goals are aligned to that of the business, yet only 57 per cent can obtain reliable information.
Alice Snell, vice-president of Taleo, commented that people in HR jobs do recognise the necessity for having details on all parts of employee performance.
However, this kind of data cannot be collated as "an afterthought", but should be part of a company's talent management approach going forward.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 09 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Glass elected to top accounting role
People in accounting jobs are learning that George Glass is the new president of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), having been elected on Saturday (June 5th).
Mr Glass was sworn in at the body's annual general meeting held at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre and brings with him more than 30 years of experience in the industry.
"I am delighted and honoured to have been elected CIMA president in what is proving to be a crucial year for management accountants," he said.
Having graduated as a mechanical engineer previously, Mr Glass qualified as a management accountant in 1977 and is also a former financial director of UCM Timber Group.
CIMA currently has more than 172,000 members in 165 countries and its examinations cover certain areas of accounting jobs that other qualifications do not.
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 09 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
Office support jobseekers told public sector at key moment
Those seeking office support jobs were told that today's meeting of industry leaders and thinkers is one of the most crucial discussions about public sector jobs for 30 years.
At the Recruitment and Employment Confederation's public sector summit, experts on the issue will debate ideas to help maintain high-quality services in a climate of austerity.
REC chief executive Kevin Green said the announcement by chancellor George Osborne of a plan to cut £6.2 billion in government spending acted as a catalyst for debate on the future of employees in both permanent placement and temporary jobs.
"The whole focus should be on long-term sustainable reform rather than short-term slash and burn cuts," he said.
In recent months, as a response to its monthly Report on Jobs, Mr Green has urged both the current and previous governments to be careful when making savings in the public sector and not to unnecessarily trigger an even larger recession.
Find information on the latest Office Support roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 09 June 2010.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, office-support.
Graduate banking jobseekers told bosses want more than degree grade
Graduates looking for London banking jobs may be interested to learn that employers across many sectors in the UK are looking for more than just a degree mark when it comes to selecting the right candidates.
According to Martin Pennington, director of the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services, replacing the current classification system for university students may make it easier for bosses to look at an individual's ability and achievements.
He noted that an increasing number of people are graduating with a 2:1 grade and this creates a quandary when trying to compare many applicants, with employers finding today's method insufficient to their requirements.
Furthermore, Mr Pennington indicated that managers and recruiters are keen on candidates who use their own time to nurture other skills and take opportunities outside of their courses.
The Higher Education Policy Institute last week proposed replacing the current system with general overviews of students' performances and capabilities.
Find information on the latest Banking & Financial Services jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 08 June 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, london, market-and-industry-news.
Finance and accounting firm suggests AIM market is changing
Global financial and accounting firm KPMG, considered one of the big four accountancy companies in the UK, has released a report which outlines what it sees as a significant change in the Alternative Investment Market (AIM).
According to the document, called Transformation: The Future of Alternative Investments, the shift is led by institutional investors demanding changes to the system, including better controls and increased transparency, which means they now have the upper hand.
Anthony Cowell - the lead author of the report for the finance and accounting firm - suggested that people looking to plough money into the market may want an investment manager's interests to be more aligned with their own.
As a result a new breed of manager has emerged with entrepreneurial instincts, offering multiple approaches and products to their clients.
Since 1995, the London Stock Exchange's AIM has had 3,000 companies from across the world join its listings.
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 07 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, london, market-and-industry-news.
Human resources figures told UK workers took fewer sick days
There were fewer sick days taken by British staff last year than at any time since 1987, according to a survey of people in private sector HR jobs.
The Workplace Health Survey by the Confederation of British Industry and healthcare company Pfizer Absence revealed a marked decrease in the number of people off work due to ill health in 2009, as UK workers took a combined 180 million sick days.
People in HR jobs were told that the combined costs of absences by employees equated to around £16.8 billion during 2009 and private sector figures observed that 27 per cent of that number, among their organisations, was not as a result of genuine ill health.
CBI director of employment policy Katia Hall believes that workplace health policies and schemes are a key part of reducing the number of sick days taken.
Indeed, a recent study by Business in the Community found that company wellbeing initiatives could help boost profitability and shareholder returns.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 07 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, london, market-and-industry-news.
Human resources figures told red tape stifling growth
People in HR jobs are learning of a government-led drive to reduce red tape, which is apparently stifling business growth.
Speaking yesterday (June 3rd), business secretary Vince Cable announced an action plan, which includes a potential review of 200 rules and regulations introduced by the previous administration currently in the pipeline.
He claimed that the cost of implementing this proposal put forward by the Labour government would be around £5 billion a year before 2011 and £19.1 billion a year after that.
"The deluge of new regulations has been choking off enterprise for too long. We must move away from the view that the only way to solve problems is to regulate," he added.
People in HR jobs were told that businesses needed to take on increased social responsibility as the government seeks to deliver in terms of protecting consumers and the environment.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 07 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, london, market-and-industry-news.
Accountant joins LSE group board
People in accounting jobs are learning that Paul Heiden and Gay Huey Evans are to join the board of the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) as non-executive directors.
Mr Heiden is an associate member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and is a former chief executive of the engineering group FKI, Accountancy Age reports.
He will chair the LSEG audit committee, after the group carried out the first stage of its review, the first step to what it describes as refreshing its membership.
Mr Heiden has held roles as finance director at Rolls Royce and is currently executive chairman at Talaris Topco.
Ms Evans is the vice-chairman of investment banking and investment management at Barclays, with duties including managing its sovereign funds.
Chris Gibson-Smith, chairman of LSEG, expressed his delight at their appointments and believes they will add skills knowledge and experience to the board, as it goes through its development.
Updated: 07 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
Expert says HR jobs need image change to attract talent
Getting the best talent into HR jobs will require changing perceptions among aspiring professionals who are perhaps put off by the image of the profession, according to one expert.
Speaking to the delegates at the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development's Building HR Capability conference, Georgina Kvassav said the industry could ill afford to remain a "well-kept secret" in order to attract a high calibre of candidates to the industry.
She implied that HR jobs have a brand problem and only people in the profession are aware that it is not a boring vocation or even repetitive.
"We need to connect the two as there's a huge void between them and to do that we need to tell the HR story," Ms Kvassav added.
The expert pointed to Rachel Campbell, currently global head of people at accounting firm KPMG, as an example to others showing that those in HR jobs can make an impact at a "high strategic level" of an organisation.
Ms Campbell was succeeded in her former role as UK head of people at the company by Michelle Quest earlier this year.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 04 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, london, market-and-industry-news.
Accounting standards body to delay convergence decision
New international standards for financial reporting that were set to be universally ratified for use by people in accounting jobs may be delayed by decision makers in the US.
The UK has already committed to the convergence plan recommended by the London-based International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and supported by the G20 group of leading world economies and will phase in the new rules starting next year.
However, Reuters reports that the Financial Accounting Standards Board, which sets guidelines for American finance and accounting companies, is discussing a revised plan with the IASB.
It is thought that gaining the support of US authorities for the International Financial Reporting Standard before this deadline is key to getting its big corporations to conform.
The IASB has written to the leaders of the G20 to ask for its current mid-2011 deadline to be rescheduled after the FASB's response.
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 04 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
People in banking jobs learn of Jupiter share listing
People in banking jobs are learning that a star fund manager's shareholding in their company could make him worth more than £70 million.
Tony Nutt runs the high-performing Jupiter Income Trust, currently valued at around £2.8 billion, and is believed to own a nine per cent stake in the investment management operation, which is looking to be listed on the London Stock Exchange, the Times reports.
People in banking jobs were told that, based on the company's share mid point valuation for potential investors, his share portfolio is estimated to be worth £71 million.
However, he would only be allowed to sell 20 per cent of his holding in the firm, meaning he could raise up to £14.3 million.
Jupiter started life as a specialist boutique in 1985, but has since grown into one of the country's most successful investment management operations, looking after UK and offshore funds.
Find information on the latest Banking & Financial Services jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 03 June 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, london, market-and-industry-news.
People in HR jobs told publishing pay details has problems
Coalition proposals to publish the salaries and expenses of public-sector officials have been described as "intrusive" by one expert.
Mike Cooke, the lead for pay and reward at the Public Sector Managers' Association (PSMA), told People Management that there is an "inappropriate balance" between the right to release information and safeguarding an individual's privacy.
People in HR jobs were told that the shift has "swung far too heavily in favour of public information" and that views about an official's rights were not given any credence when the plans were drawn.
In the Queen's Speech last week, the decentralisation and localism bill included the provision for every public body in the UK to publish job titles of every member of staff plus details of pay packages for senior figures.
Charles Cotton, reward adviser for the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development, is supportive of the measures but believes that holding public sector officials to account will require more than putting up names on a website.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 03 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
People in HR jobs told that recession changed personnel management
People in HR jobs are being told that the long-term impact of the recession has had an effect on issues such as remuneration and talent retention.
Speaking at the British American Business Conference, Aviva's director of HR John Ainley suggested workers had to feel pride working in their companies, otherwise it could not be transferred to customers, HR magazine reports.
People in HR jobs were told that risk, long-term stability and governance were key issues in engendering trust from employees.
At the same event, Financial Times assistant editor Michael Skapinker warned that the effects of the downturn will remain but personnel figures need to be thinking ahead.
"We need to think about what sort of leaders we need and how we will attract them - not just now but ten to 20 years down the line," he said.
Meanwhile, BT is introducing a social media network for its staff to encourage greater collaboration on company projects in the future, Computer Weekly reveals.
Updated: 03 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Accounting firm increases FTSE 100 share
People in accounting jobs are being told that big four firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has increased its share of FTSE 100 companies for which it performs auditing duties.
According to the Hemscott Adviser Rankings, PwC increased its share of blue-chip organisations to 41, with KPMG having 24, Deloitte 20 and Ernst & Young 17 clients, Accountancy Age reports.
The only finance and accounting company from outside the big four to do work for a FTSE company is BDO Stoy Hayward.
Overall, KPMG still has the largest number of listed clients for its auditing service with 391 companies ahead of PwC on 332, while Grant Thornton is the finance and accounting company with the most Alternative Investment Market (AIM) companies to its name.
The Hemscott Adviser Rankings consist of institutional advisers and their "quoted clients", which is made up of UK and Channel Islands-based organisations listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Domestic and overseas companies listed with equity shares on the AIM are also counted in the results.
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 03 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
Deloitte announces promotions in senior accounting jobs
People in accounting jobs are learning that big four firm Deloitte has announced it is admitting 32 partners into the organisation.
In its corporate finance department the company has made eight partner promotions and appointed 24 associate partners.
Timothy Mahapatra, Deloitte's managing director of corporate finance, indicated that the announcement reflects the continued growth of this area of its business despite what he calls a "challenging time" over the past year.
He suggested these appointments are as a result of its commitment to clients and "the manner in which we have responded in market conditions" as well as it focus on developing new opportunities for expanding its interests.
Mr Mahapatra added that it showed its ability to provide "challenging and interesting careers in spite of the tough economic environment".
Meanwhile, Accountancy Age is reporting that Deloitte is planning to recruit more than 1,100 graduates over the next 12 months, which mirrors movement by KPMG in this area and its drive to increase the number of places to university leavers this year.
Updated: 03 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
People in HR jobs told of flexible working discrimination risk
Those in HR jobs have been warned of the risk of discrimination in allowing flexible working only at certain times during the World Cup.
A survey by DLA Piper found just over half of UK businesses plan to allow staff to swap shifts or adjust start and finish times in order to support their team in South Africa.
However, the firm warned there is a risk of discrimination if employees are only allowed flexible working to watch certain matches.
Only a fifth of those questioned said they would allow flexible working for matches in which England is not involved, while three-quarters said they would not give the option to non-football fans.
The firm's UK head of employment Tim Marshall warned this could lead to allegations of discrimination.
He said: "By not offering flexible working patterns to staff that don't follow football at all and expecting them to pick up their colleagues' work, bosses could be undoing much of the goodwill they have tried to create."
Mr Marshall also reminded those in HR jobs and other managers that flexibility during the World Cup sets a precedent.
He said companies should consider whether they would allow the same flexibility for future events to accommodate those who feel passionate about other sports.
The World Cup kicks off in South Africa on June 11th, when the hosts face Mexico in the first match.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 02 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Barber leaves senior accounting job to become Yorkshire Water FD
The holder of one of the senior accounting jobs at Ernst & Young will be leading the company.
Liz Barber was an audit partner at the firm but will now leave the company after 23 years.
She will take up the post of director of finance and regulation at Yorkshire Water.
The decision to leave Ernst & Young has not been an easy one for Ms Barber.
However, she said: "I am excited to have been offered this opportunity to work with a company widely regarded as the best in the water industry."
During her time with Ernst & Young Ms Barber also led the company's water sector team, which Yorkshire Water chief executive Richard Flint believes will help her make a "huge contribution" to the board of his organisation.
Ms Barber is also highly respected in "regulatory, business and financial circles", he added.
Yorkshire Water plans to invest £1.9 billion into the region over the next five years.
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 02 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
People in banking jobs told of gender balance progress
People in banking jobs are being told that a new code of conduct for FTSE 100 companies on gender and ethnic diversity is promising, according to a women's business group.
Toni Eastwood, training director at everywoman, welcomed the introduction of the guidelines by the Financial Reporting Council for governance standards and the particular reference to companies needing to show "due regard" to these issues, when in the process of hiring at boardroom level.
She believes that the code "will help to further the issue around gender imbalance in Europe" and suggested that having diverse representation in the senior ranks of a company is "proven to benefit" businesses.
The expert pointed out that there were fewer women directors working for organisations in the FTSE 250 in 2009 compared with previous years.
Ms Eastwood highlighted the introduction of a ruling last year in Norway that stipulates 40 per cent of company boardrooms must be made up of female members.
Find information on the latest Banking & Financial Services jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 02 June 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
Chartered accountant lands senior FA role
People in accounting jobs are being told that Alex Horne has been appointed as general secretary of the FA Group.
Mr Horne has been performing duties as interim chief executive of the Football Association since March and the acting chairman of the FA Roger Burden said he has been impressed with his work during his seven-year stay with the organisation.
He qualified as a chartered accountant with big four firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he specialised in business improvement and corporate turnaround assignments.
In addition, he held the position of finance director during the problematic construction of the new Wembley stadium, which was completed in 2007 at a cost of £757 million.
This represents the latest appointment of an accountant by the FA with Mr Horne's predecessor as chief executive Ian Watmore formerly working for Andersen Consulting.
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 02 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
People in HR jobs told about importance of communication
People in HR jobs are being told that communication is the key to improving organisational performance.
According to David Pardey, senior policy and research manager at the Institute of Leadership and Management, the ability of a company's workforce to connect with each other from front line staff right up to executive level helps to boost trust.
However, he pointed out that when management structures are not trusted that can lead to a misinterpretation in information shared and could lead to a breakdown in communications within an organisation.
This follows research from the Ashridge Business School, which revealed that many top level managers fail to spend sufficient time interacting with employees.
According to the Ashridge Management Index, around half of respondents stated that senior bosses were guilty of not communicating clearly with their staff.
Mr Pardey added: "It is important for leaders to be able to trust their managers to communicate effectively with their teams and to pass on important organisational information."
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 01 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
People in office support jobs told of flexible working potential
People looking for office support jobs may be interested to know that Europe's biggest public sector union appears unsure about the government's plan to extend flexible working.
Michelle Singleton, assistant policy officer for UNISON, is positive about pledges to bring down barriers to flexible working and promote equal pay and indicated that many UK firms were needlessly wary of utilising methods such as telecommuting.
She pointed out that some bosses may think when they cannot see their staff working it means they are not being productive, yet firms which have implemented these ideas are said to be reaping the rewards.
This follows the Recruitment and Employment Confederation's response to the points outlined in the Queen's Speech earlier this week, which included calls for flexible working to be introduced into the public sector as a necessary step in trying to preserve jobs.
Find information on the latest Office Support roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 01 June 2010.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, office-support.
People in HR jobs told of buoyant graduate recruitment
People in HR jobs are learning that graduate recruitment has picked up during May but the market will remain competitive for the foreseeable future as those who missed out on places last year are joining current university leavers in looking for positions.
Mike Hill, chief executive of Graduate Prospects, indicated that the number of employers now advertising vacancies had seen a significant improvement from 12 months previously.
He noted that more roles had been offered to graduates in the last week than in the whole of May 2009 and this month's figures have also overtaken May 2008.
People in HR jobs were told that, of the sectors now looking to recruit graduate talent, finance is said to be "extremely buoyant" with consulting also performing well, as are engineering and retail.
Graduate Propspects was set up in 1972 and works in partnership with recruiters and some of the most prominent bodies in higher education in the UK.
Updated: 01 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
People in banking jobs warned of extra disclosures
People in banking jobs are being told that newly proposed rules could add an extra 100 pages of extra disclosures to annual reports.
A report by the UK Accounting Standards Board (ASB) highlighted a string of criticisms and concerns around the intended new standard for financial instruments as outlined by the second phase of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) review.
The IASB is recommending that banks would "continually reassess the health of their loans" and downgrade profit forecasts if they expect something bad will occur, Accountancy Age reports.
However, the ASB believes there are many issues that still need to be sorted out including the need for people in banking jobs to estimate loan losses 25 years in advance.
It said a "trade-off between meaningful disclosures and volume of disclosures" was required to sort out the issue.
The ASB collaborates with other national bodies from various countries in order to "influence the development" a universal format for financial reporting.
Updated: 01 June 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
People in HR jobs learn about virtual recruiting
People in HR jobs are learning how a global cosmetics brand used revolutionary technology to recruit graduate talent to its ranks.
L'Oreal's recruitment director Thomas Riegel said that its new online game called Reveal not only gives students and university leavers problem-solving tasks to complete in its virtual work environment, but also offers personalised feedback to applicants, People Management reports.
He told the publication that the innovation "brings something new and fresh to the recruitment market" and confirmed that the best performers will be invited for interviews, potentially skipping parts of its typical employer searches for successful candidates.
People in HR jobs were told that the game is currently being piloted by students at Cardiff University with L'Oreal planning to roll out the programme in July.
This is the latest step into virtual recruitment technology after Procter and Gamble began using a similar feature to find the best talent for its company.
Updated: 01 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, market-and-industry-news.
Temporary jobs are an ideal route into work
People looking for temporary jobs are being told that it is "an ideal route" from welfare into work.
That is the view of Kevin Green, chief executive of Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), who was responding to the plans laid out by the new coalition government in the Queen's Speech.
He is pleased to see reform of the benefits system at the heart of the government's agenda and suggested that current framework prevented people taking up temporary jobs, because the system is "too rigid".
Mr Green added that recruiters will be delighted that the effects of a rise in national insurance contributions will be "mitigated", with the REC and business organisations opposing the initial rise as it "would have added cost to jobs".
However, he did reiterate his caution over the state of public sector and called for the introduction of flexible staffing to avoid greater crises in the coming year.
Mr Green has voiced concerns in the past about the need for reforming the sector without triggering a widescale recession.
Updated: 01 June 2010.
Categories: market-and-industry-news, temporary-staffing.
People in HR jobs told of outplacement benefits
People in HR jobs are being told by an expert that outplacement could be a valuable service to offer to employees.
Sian Harrington, editor of HR magazine, suggested this option could help the relationship between staff and their bosses and will leave workers with a higher opinion of the company they work for after they have left their role.
She indicated that many of the people will even recommend their former organisation to others looking for jobs, which is "a good thing to do" in terms of employer branding.
People in HR jobs were told that some companies see outplacement or career transition services as a benefit akin to offering pensions or health insurance policies and that many bosses will only make job cuts as a "last resort".
This follows research by the Institute for Public Policy Research, which revealed that the number of people in part-time positions because they cannot secure a full-time role has a record high of over one million.
Updated: 01 June 2010.
Categories: human-resources, london, market-and-industry-news, permanent-placement, temporary-staffing.
People in HR jobs learning of fewer pay freezes
People in HR jobs are being told that fewer companies are forecasting pay freezes this year compared with 12 months ago.
Duncan Brown, director of HR business development at the Institute for Employment Studies, claimed this is down to a combination of a recovery in some sectors of the UK economy and fears that another hold on salary increases may encourage talented workers to look for new roles.
However, he warned that while the private sector is showing promising signs of growth, the public sector is only just starting to see freezes in pay, with the need to cut a "massive" spending deficit.
His comments came after data from the Bank of England's Agent's Summary which showed labour costs were muted thanks to caps on salary increases.
The report did hint at tentative signs of pay growth beginning to occur as the economy picks up some confidence.
Find information on the latest Human Resources roles at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 01 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, human-resources.
Are people in accounting jobs getting too close for comfort?
It seems that bosses at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) feel that people in their accounting jobs are too close to one of its big four rivals and are taking steps to conceal their own activities, according to a report.
The Daily Telegraph claimed that because of the proximity of its office to that of Ernst and Young in the soon-to-be completed More London development on the south bank of the River Thames, its managers are looking to install blackout blinds for PwC presentations.
As the publication noted, when PwC announced it was to new into a new headquarters, the firm called it an "exciting move".
However, with the two rivals as close as ten metres apart, there are concerns that employees of both companies, which could include those in accounting jobs, could spy on each other.
Apparently, PwC has already has made sure that none of its computer screen face its windows, in addition to automated blinds for audio/visual presentations.
Other organisations at the site include Regus, HG Capital and Montagu Private Equity.
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 01 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, london, market-and-industry-news.
Accounting body looks to reconcile with US group
People in accounting jobs are being told that difference between a global standards body and its US equivalent can be reconciled.
Sir David Tweedie, chairman of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), outlined a possible approach to his organisation and the Federal Accounting Standards Board (FASB) on the same page, with regards to valuation of financial instruments.
The difference of opinion came when the IASB and the FASB decided to look at the issue and came up with two separate solutions.
Whereas the US body wants instruments to be measured on "fair value", the global equivalent wants assessment on the assets alone, the Journal for Accountancy reports.
The IASB is still trying to gain support from the US government for its International Financial Reporting Standard, which it is hoped would legitimise this universal approach, designed to be easily understood in accounting around the world
Find information on the latest Finance & Accounting jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 01 June 2010.
Categories: finance-and-accounting, market-and-industry-news.
Customer care 'not high enough priority' for financial services
People in financial services jobs are learning customer service is not a high priority for a number of organisations in the UK at the moment.
According to Jo Ganly, spokesperson for uSwitch.com, customers were seemingly unhappy with their current provider.
What may interest those in financial services jobs is that people are said to be aware of the level of competition for their business and how companies will try to get people to switch providers.
However, "they would sooner either wait and see or test the water out with a 'low risk' product such as a credit card or savings account", Ms Ganly notes.
She points out that with companies focused on staying on-track, this consideration may not be given as much credence.
In 2008, the British Banking Association pointed out that banking and financial services sector was the fasting growing over a ten-year period between 1996 and 2006
Find information on the latest Banking & Financial Services jobs at Poolia Recruitment Specialists
Updated: 01 June 2010.
Categories: banking-and-financial-services, market-and-industry-news.
