Eleven Hot Jobs for 2011

New Robert Half Salary Guides Identify Finance, Accounting and Financial Services Roles Poised for Growth

LONDON, January 18, 2011 - The New Year brings new hopes of continued economic recovery and job
creation and new research may provide clues as to the positions in demand
within the finance, accounting and financial services industries. According
to the 2011 Robert Half Salary Guides, many roles show promise for the coming
year with salaries returning to pre-recessionary levels.

"With companies focused on growth initiatives, accounting and finance
continues to remain at the forefront as a means to manage expenditures,
improve efficiencies and favourably position organisations for the upswing,"
said Phil Sheridan, managing director for Robert Half UK. "Despite high
unemployment figures, companies report difficulties sourcing highly skilled
professionals, particularly in regulatory compliance, audit and general
accounting. Job candidates who bring multiple skill sets, a track record of
success and a strong sense of accountability will see compensation gains in
the year ahead."

Following is an overview of 11 top finance and accounting jobs for 2011:

Commerce & Industry:

1) Financial Accountant - The downturn provided the finance
function a seat at the decision-making table, with companies turning to
sound financial processes to weather the unstable economic environment.
As we emerge, businesses continue to seek candidates who can perform
fundamental duties, such as maintaining the general ledger, compiling
financial reports and managing cash flow. A qualified financial
accountant with 6-9 years of experience in a small or medium sized
enterprise (SME) in London can expect to see a salary range between
GBP50,000 and GBP55,000.

2) Financial Analyst - As companies are increasingly seeking
professionals with strong commerciality and business savvy, financial
analysts who can assess borrowing structures to ensure competitive
funding costs will be in demand. Individuals with expertise in evaluating
financial plans, forecasts and budgets while also displaying exceptional
communication skills will be in greatest demand. A financial analyst with
3-5 years of experience at a large company in the Midlands can expect to
earn between GBP35,000 and GBP45,000.

3) Credit Controller - Companies need professionals who can
contribute to the bottom line by reducing inefficiencies and enhancing
profitability. As a result, credit specialists who can assist in the
evaluation of credit risk, manage delinquent payments and help improve
cash flow are seeing increased opportunity. Base compensation for credit
controllers with 3-5 years of experience working at an SME in South Wales
will average between GBP14,000 and GBP18,000.

4) Assistant Accountant - With hiring freezes lifting and
organisations adding headcount to over-stretched accounting teams,
companies are recognising employees by promoting from within. The result
is additional opportunity for entry-level roles for individuals
displaying exceptional data entry skills and an attention to detail.
Assistant accountants are required to match invoices to purchase orders
and assist with accounts payable and receivable. Those looking to enter
the field with an SME on the South Coast can expect remuneration between
GBP17,000 and GBP19,000.

5) Financial Controller - Commerciality and a greater
understanding of how the finance function fits within the strategic
decision-making process has prompted the need for financial controllers
who can plan and direct operational accounting functions, improve
efficiencies, evaluate controls and develop business performance metrics
while also moving the business forward. A financial controller with 6-9
years of experience at a large company in Northern England will see a
base salary between GBP47,000 and GBP55,000.

6) Purchase Ledger Clerk - Challenges in managing cash flow has
prompted companies to increasingly rely on credit to ensure business
processes remain on track. Purchase ledger clerks have seen increased
demand as organisations carefully monitor business records and ensure
that they do not default on payments. London-based purchase ledger clerks
with 6-9 years of experience at an SME can expect basic compensation in
the GBP26,000-GBP27,000 range.

Financial Services & Banking (London City)

7) Regulatory Accountant - A more stringent regulatory
environment and greater need for operational transparency has prompted
the adoption of consolidated and harmonised compliance controls. While
demand for regulatory accountants has increased, supply remains scarce -
16% of UK CFOs report challenges securing compliance skills, well above
the global average. Regulatory accountants with 4-7 years of experience
should expect to earn between GBP70,000 and GBP90,000 in 2011.

Internal Auditors - Audit continues to be in strong demand
in the post-recessionary environment, however a shortage of skilled
talent exists - one in four UK CFOs report challenges finding audit
professionals who can prepare reports, evaluate business processes,
improve procedures and perform project management of audit teams.
Internal auditors with 1-3 years of post qualification industry
experience can expect remuneration in the range of GBP55,000 - GBP65,000.

9) Financial Planning Analyst - With a focus on maximising
profitability and identifying emerging trends, financial planning
analysts are required to analyse product lines and organisational costs,
prepare profit and loss models and perform budget variance and
forecasting analysis. Nearly four in 10 (37%) financial services CFOs are
challenged in finding qualified accounting and finance staff and a
competitive job market means that managers can expect to see base salary
in the range of GBP80,000 to GBP90,000.

10) Assistant Management Accountant - The financial services
sector is also looking for assistant management accountants with industry
experience to help analyse budgets and forecasts as well as provide
detailed information and reporting to allow management to make informed
business decisions. The role is often held by part-qualified ACCA and
CIMA candidates, and with 3-5 years experience, professionals should
expect to earn between GBP30,000 and GBP40,000.

11) Client Services - Throughout the banking crisis, the need
to provide exceptional client service was never more apparent. As
organisations now turn their attention to growth initiatives and revenue
generation, client onboarding is increasingly important and demand exists
for professionals with exceptional communication and
relationship-building skills. Professionals with 4-6 years of experience
will be compensated with a base salary between GBP40,000 and GBP55,000.

About the Robert Half 2011 Salary Guides

The Robert Half salary surveys include the 2011 Robert Half Salary Guide
for accounting and finance and the 2011 Robert Half Financial Services Group
Salary Guide for the banking and capital markets sector. Together, the guides
contain salary data for more than 300 positions segmented by company size,
geography and level of experience. Since 1950, companies have consulted the
yearly guides from Robert Half to determine starting compensation levels for
their employees. To download the guides, visit
www.roberthalf.co.uk/salary-guide.

About Robert Half

Robert Half pioneered specialised staffing services and today is the
world's leader in the field. Founded in 1948, the company is traded on the
New York Stock Exchange (symbol: RHI) and operates five separate divisions in
the UK, each serving distinct markets. They include: Robert Half Finance &
Accounting and Robert Half Management Resources, for temporary, full-time and
project professionals, respectively, in the fields of accounting and finance;
OfficeTeam, for administrative support, Robert Half Financial Services Group,
for finance and banking professionals and Robert Half Technology, for IT
professionals.

There are more than 350 Robert Half locations in North America, South
America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. For more information about
Robert Half please visit: www.roberthalf.co.uk

www.roberthalf.co.uk

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Phil Sheridan, Managing Director of Robert Half UK, is available for further comment. In order to arrange an interview, please contact Kristie Perrotte on +44(0)20-7331-2222 or email kristie.perrotte at rhi.net