If you’re one of the 40% of workers currently considering their next career move*, we’ve got great news. Qualified Accounts Payable candidates are in high demand, salaries are increasing, and better benefits are on the table. Here’s why.
How has the job market changed?
According to recruitment specialists Hays, Accounts Payable is a candidates’ market right now. This means there are more AP jobs than there are the right people to fill them. So, if you’ve got post-pandemic itchy feet, now’s a great time to start looking for a new position.
Qualified candidates are in high demand, getting snapped up within hours of interview, and holding the upper hand in negotiations over salary and benefits.
‘It is very much a candidates’ market at the minute. Immediately available candidates are like gold dust. We’re getting jobs in on Monday, interview on Tuesday, offer on Wednesday and acceptance on Thursday. It’s quite unheard of to see such fast turnarounds normally’
says Karen Young of Hays.
What does this mean for AP salaries?
Hays also report rising salaries in the Accounts Payable sector. They’ve observed an upswing in AP salaries over the last five years, with junior and entry-level roles increasing by around £2,000 per year.
This means that you could find an equivalent role at another employer that pays more than your current job.
What does churn in the job market mean for applicants?
If 40% of people are considering changing employers this year, a lot of churn may be hitting the job market. Therefore, we can expect to see more jobs become available as existing staff decide to move on.
How does remote working affect the job market?
Remote working is predicted to become part of the norm after the pandemic, but no-one knows exactly what that might look like just yet. However, it’s likely that fully remote – and hybrid – roles will become more common. This represents a huge opportunity for jobseekers to broaden the horizon when it comes to their next move. If you’ve been languishing in a role you don’t enjoy, simply because it’s close to home, now’s a great time to explore your options. (Especially since AP salaries vary considerably from region to region).
Are benefits at work more important now?
One reason so many people are weighing up their career options is because COVID reminded us of what really matters. For many people, the pandemic meant working from home, ditching the commute, and spending more time with their families. And people don’t want to give that up.
If you’re looking for a better work-life balance, employers are growing more receptive to the idea. Bear this in mind when negotiating your package for your next position – or even in your current role!
*More than 40% of people who responded to Microsoft’s Work Trend Index, a survey of 30,000 people in 30+ countries, said they’re considering leaving their employer this year. 46% said they’re planning to move now they can work remotely.
