Jobs in Glasgow Financial Services Sector Booming, reports Joslin Rowe

A record number of investment operations jobs in Glasgow are being recruited for ñ with the volume of roles anticipated to increase by a third over the next quarter. Newly qualified accountants and part qualified accountants are also expected to benefit from increased demand from employers in the city.

According to statistics from West George street based recruiters, Joslin Rowe, the number of new permanent investment jobs in Scotland created across the two main financial centres of Edinburgh and Glasgow has spiked ñ up 42.9% in the last 12 months. 2,930 new permanent Scottish financial services jobs were also created in the third quarter of 2007, compared to 2,050 in the same time period in 2006.

Furthermore, the vast majority of the 944 positions created were in investment operations and accountancy jobs in Glasgow.

Joslin Rowe director, Margaret Dyer, said: ìFor certain financial services positions Glasgow seems to have the edge on its East coast rival at the moment. Investment operations recruitment in Glasgow is certainly stronger with excellent opportunities across the board from junior right up to senior finance and accountancy jobs. The accountancy market is also incredibly hot. Strong candidates are receiving multiple offers and are often finding a new position within just weeks of starting their search.î

She continued: ìThe sub prime crisis has made little impact on the market in Scotland. In fact, we are expecting a busy end of year as companies race to fill their headcount quotas.î

According to Joslin Rowe, although financial services salaries have increased over the year, this is predominately in line with previous years. The average remuneration in the Scottish financial services sector across all roles, levels and disciplines has increased 6.2% in the last year, from 35,400 in July 2006, to 37,600 July 2007.

ìLooking more specifically at the hottest area of investment operations recruitment, a specific trend is emerging. Rather than starting bidding wars, hiring firms are enticing people on board with increased benefits and tailored career progression. Many of the candidates we have placed have moved on from their current investment operations employer or accountancy firm because they realise they can move up the career ladder faster in a new company,î remarked Dyer. ìAlthough weíre not quite at the point where people want to return to the days of a job for life, there is a recognition that it is better to join an organisation that can manage your career now and in the future, rather than remaining in a job with a short term shelf life and moving on every few years. Certainly, there has been an increased interest in companies who can send people overseas or offer training support.î