Revenue accountant and information security professional appear to be the two highest-valued roles in the UK finance job market, according to the latest surveys by recruitment companies.

While demand for revenue accountants rose 55% compared to 2011, according to Michael Page Finance, the salary range for information security managers and officers each grew by 5.4%, the biggest rise in the industry this year, reported Robert Half Financial Services.

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The Michael Page survey of more than 1,500 hiring finance managers noted half of all respondents listed business growth as their biggest challenge in 2013, followed by 21% who said cost savings, and that demand for commercial finance analysts had also risen by 40%.

‘Coherent insight’

Gareth Davage, managing director of Michal Page, said the company had "noticed a recruitment shift where finance teams are hiring value-add commercial positions rather than situational and reporting ones.

"Revenue accountants play a key role in advising a business on the risks and opportunities associated with deals. While commercial finance analysts support decision making by providing coherent insight to financial directors.

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"Across the board we have seen a steady growth in the number of vacancies coming onto the market in the last 12 months. The most activity has been in the newly qualified to middle management level around the £30,000 to £60,000 salaries range," explained Davage.

Need and remuneration

Meanwhile, Robert Half has reported burgeoning regulation has again impacted UK finance businesses, this time driving up the need, and remuneration, for compliance professionals.

With finance companies under pressures ranging from IFRS to Basel III to the Consumer Credit Directive, the salary range for an information security manager now stands at £73,250 – £102,750, with the range for a regulatory accountant manager 3.7% up on the previous year to £80,250 – £100,000.

The company also reported growth "may well be on the horizon", according to Phil Sheridan, managing director, as the majority of responding finance executives said they were ‘somewhat’ or ‘very’ confident in their companies prospects for 2013.

richard.brown@vrlfinancialnews.com