Accountants, architects and salespeople have ‘future-proof’ jobs

DEMAND for certain skills are in such high demand that some lucky professionals have “future-proof” careers. Find out if you are one of the lucky ones.

DEMAND for certain skills is so high that some lucky professionals have “future-proof” careers.

According to recruiting experts Hays, architects, professional practice accountants and salespeople are some of the professions that can look forward to a long career.

Demand for their skills is so high, and experts in these fields are in such short supply, that they can be confident there will be job opportunities for them in future.

“These professionals are well placed to find and keep jobs,” Hays managing director of Australia and New Zealand, Nick Deligiannis said.

“They don’t need to ‘future-proof’ themselves as they already have the technical skills and experience employers will continue to need in future years.

“Provided they keep their skills up-to-date, remain connected to their industry through social media, networking and their recruiter, and are digitally literate, professionals in these areas will experience ongoing career success.”

Experienced professionals working in accountancy support, financial planning, healthcare, insurance, legal firms and marketing are also in high demand and are not expected to see demand drop off any time soon, according to the latest Hays Quarterly Report of skills in demand.

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For those who do not appear on the list, Mr Deligiannis suggested upskilling.

“Consider expanding your technical skills and experience, either through training or by moving to another organisation where you can gain exposure to new industries or a wider client base,” he said.

He said workers should plan their career progression and make sure they were digitally proficient and were on top of any technological advances.

“Today everyone needs the ability to lean into the changes of a digital world,” he said.

According to Hays, these professionals are experiencing high demand:

ACCOUNTANCY SUPPORT

There is a severe shortage of accountancy support professionals and few candidates choose this role as a long-term career option.

Those in demand include high-volume payroll officers with specific systems requirements (ADP Payforce, Meridian and Chris21) and experience processing payrolls of 500.

Also in demand are highly skilled accounts payable professionals with SAP, accounts clerks, credit controllers, accounts receivable candidates and bookkeepers.

ACCOUNTANCY FIRMS

There has been an increased appetite for advisory services leading to a shortage of experienced accountants, especially seniors, intermediates and supervisors in business services.

Audit seniors also remain in high demand.

ARCHITECTURE

Most states and territories are reporting increasing demand for architecture skills.

Given the current focus on residential projects and commercial redevelopments, mid-level architects, project architects, revit documentors and interior designers are all seeing high demand for their skills.

Interior designers are also in demand. Picture: Hillam Architects.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

New qualification requirements in Australia’s financial planning industry have led to an influx of roles within this space, particularly within banks. With educational requirements now harder to meet, an already candidate-short market is under even more pressure. As a result there is very high demand for financial planners with their CFP or degree.

HEALTHCARE

Australia’s growing aged care sector is creating demand for case managers and co-ordinators, clinical care co-ordinators, endorsed enrolled nurses and clinical managers. Restructures and growth in the disabilities market have increased demand for highly specialised service co-ordinators, home care assessors, case managers and client services facilitators.

In other areas of healthcare demand, experienced child protection workers, social workers, general practitioners, clinical psychologists, physiotherapists, radiographers, sonographers and speech pathologists are needed.

INSURANCE

There continues to be high demand for skilled professionals in insurance as a whole but the market remains candidate short, especially for claims assessors in life insurance and general insurance, account executives and assistant account executives in broking, insurance administrators in life and general insurance and superannuation processing officers.

LEGAL FIRMS

Candidate shortage is a major challenge for employers, especially in transactional areas such as corporate and banking and finance. Senior associates and associates in commercial litigation, commercial law, corporate and finance are all in short supply, as are corporate mergers and acquisitions lawyers.

MARKETING

The biggest trend within Australia’s marketing sector is the increasing need for digital professionals and this shows no sign of abating. Digital producers, content producers, paid search executives, digital campaign managers, and digital marketing co-ordinators and managers are all sought.

The market is also very competitive for general communications and marketing candidates, as well as candidates with niche skills such as internal communications, change communications and digital communications.

SALES

As businesses add to their sales focus, the pool of proven and experienced sales candidates has reduced. From skilled outbound telemarketers to hungry sales representatives, sales managers and business development managers, sales professionals are in high demand.

Originally published as Accountants, architects and salespeople have ‘future-proof’ jobs