Global HR services company Randstad has released its latest list of the most in-demand accounting jobs in Hong Kong. The report showcases sought-after skills and key salary trends from the accounting and finance discipline in Hong Kong’s increasingly complex business climate.
Keith Wong, Associate Director for Accounting and Finance, Randstad Hong Kong said, “Employers are looking for finance talent who not only exhibit strong personal attributes and technical experience, but are also commercial-savvy individuals who can drive and support business growth in the region. The roles in our latest report highlight the influence digital disruptions have on the job market, both in Hong Kong and internationally.”
Below is the list of the five most in-demand accounting jobs in Hong Kong:
- Financial planners and analysts
The finance function is evolving from a back-end support role to one that requires close collaboration with business leaders to drive financial profitability and strategic business direction.
Given the increasingly competitive market across all industries, financial planners and analysts play a key role in identifying opportunities for performance optimisation and cost reduction while driving revenue growth.
Companies today are increasingly seeking finance talent who have an in-depth understanding of business challenges and can act as strong business partners. These finance professionals proactively engage with stakeholders to formulate analytic dashboards that can provide financial visibility, give business insights and champion new initiatives.
What they earn:
HKD 300k-500k p.a.—analyst
HKD 600k-800k p.a.—manager
HKD 900k-1.2m p.a.—director
- Tax professionals
Given Hong Kong’s central location in the growing APAC market, it is the regional hub of choice for many companies. Increasing pressure from tax authorities has also heightened the need for qualified tax professionals to keep abreast of the latest tax legislation, particularly in complex markets such as China, India, Indonesia and Thailand, and devise tax-efficient corporate structures to achieve targeted earnings.
As companies continue to expand through M&A, tax professionals play a critical role in evaluating tax implications and minimising tax exposure. Corporate tax remains the most in-demand sub-specialisation with increasing focus on transfer pricing due to stricter economic sanctions.
What they earn:
HKD 350k-500k p.a.—analyst
HKD 600k-800k p.a.—manager
HKD 900k-1.2m p.a.—director
- Corporate finance
Corporate finance roles in M&A and investments are increasingly being sought after by clients in Hong Kong due to the development of two major sectors—property and IT. With large, blue chip IT sector companies looking to combine with smaller IT companies, we see an increased demand for investment professionals within the IT industry who know the full M&A process and possess the ability to sniff out the best deals in the market.
Corporate finance professionals are also sought after by IT start-ups, as founders are keen to secure greater levels of investment to. Some start-ups are even approaching seasoned CFOs to help them spearhead fundraising efforts.
There has also been a large influx of roles at Asian multinationals, particularly in technology, financial services and property. Given Xi Jinping’s central directive in pushing Chinese MNCs to enter the global scene, a large number of these vacancies lie within treasury and investment specialisations at Chinese companies.
What they earn:
HKD 600k-900k p.a.—manager
HKD 1.2m-2.4m p.a.—director
- Internal auditors
Companies are expanding their internal audit teams as the business environment of Hong Kong becomes increasingly complex. Digital disruption and the increased business reliance on IT infrastructure are causing many companies to take a more serious look at their IT audit plans in particular.
Commercial MNCs are increasingly putting more emphasis on internal auditing challenges such as risk management and in cases of well-funded corporate environments, business continuity management and disaster recovery planning.
Couple these factors with a general shortage of experienced internal auditors at the managerial and senior managerial level due to demanding travel requirements and you have a highly in-demand role.
What they earn:
HKD 400k-600k p.a.—senior
HKD 700k-900k p.a.—manager
HKD 1.2m-2m p.a.—director
- Finance transformation leaders
With a focus on long-term strategy planning, companies are initiating finance transformation projects to create more robust operating models. Finance leaders will play a critical role in developing and driving the right strategies to ensure alignment with strategic objectives, and there is a growing demand for highly experienced finance professionals with change management experience.
What they earn:
HKD 1.2m-2m p.a.—director
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
