MCS Q1 2025 Employment Monitor: Key Accountancy & Finance Insights

MCS Group is proud to launch its latest Employment Monitor, endorsed by the Institute of Directors Northern Ireland, which shines a light on the challenges and opportunities influencing the local labour market. John Hansen, Chair of IoD NI, notes that the report;

“offers vital insights into the health of the professional and technical job market here.”

Despite higher employer costs from National Insurance increases and wage hikes, many organisations pressed ahead with early year recruitment, most visibly in accountancy, IT and engineering. Permanent headcount growth led the way, with 88 % of finance vacancies classed as permanent, yet demand for contractors and temps rose to its highest point in three years as employers balanced flexibility with capability.

Speed is now a defining advantage. In Q1 the average finance hire took just 17 days from requisition to offer, and the most decisive firms shortened the CV to interview window to as little as six days. Transactional finance skills, payroll expertise and cashflow forecasting topped the wish list as businesses braced for new fiscal rules and tighter margins.

Skill shortages remain the biggest brake on growth. In August 2023 the IoD, in partnership with Grant Thornton, MCS Group and SONI established a Skills and Workplace Forum, which highlights five priorities: reducing economic inactivity, deeper school engagement, widening vocational and academic routes, including entrepreneurship, fixing childcare barriers and unlocking Apprenticeship Levy funds. Without action, Northern Ireland must add roughly 100 jobs per week to hit a one million strong workforce by 2033.

Economic headwinds persist. NI’s 2025 growth forecast has been trimmed to 0.9 % (UK 1.0 %), while inflation and business tax changes squeeze margins. Companies are increasing automation, improving employer brand messaging and preparing for the upcoming Good Jobs Employment Rights Bill, which will align local regulations more closely with Great Britain.

Accountancy and Finance Spotlight

Accountancy and finance remained the engine of the Q1 jobs market, generating 29 % of all professional vacancies. Hiring momentum was steady from January through March as employers accelerated recruitment ahead of the new tax year. The most in-demand positions were Assistant Accountants, Management Accountants, Payroll Specialists and Financial Controllers, closely followed by Audit and Finance Managers. Transactional finance, payroll processing and cashflow forecasting were the standout skill sets. With margins tight, firms prioritised hires who could safeguard liquidity, ensure compliance and drive financial planning. 

Recruitment pressure is mounting: 56 % of organisations say they struggle to hire suitable talent, according to a recent Chartered Accountants Ulster Society. The sector’s time-to-hire trend underlines how critical agility has become. CVs reached an interview in an average of 10 days in February and just 6 days in March. Employers that streamlined approvals, involved decision-makers early and moved fast on offers were best placed to secure talent.

Employer Response

Employers are responding with precision hiring, flexible resourcing and an amplified focus on culture, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion. As Sean Devlin, Group Sales Director at MCS Group, notes, “Q1 shows a market in motion, not in a rush, strategic, skills-focused and increasingly flexible.” Q2 momentum will favour organisations that move fast, broaden their talent pipelines and offer compelling employee value propositions. For deeper sector data or bespoke hiring support, download the full report here.