Q&A: Darren Aggasild, branch manager at Adecco Aberdeen tells us where the jobs are in Scotland

1. Adecco said recently that finance careers have been doing well in Scotland. Can you clarify which types of finance careers you're referring to?

The finance sector market has been a tough place to recruit in over the last couple of years.  However, we are now seeing an increase in the need for accountants and financial advisors.  In particular, we have seen a rise in the requirements for audit and tax accountants.  Many of the top 50 accounting firms in Scotland have shown to be lacking in experienced employees in these two disciplines. In Aberdeen, they are finding that many employees are being tempted with a move into the Oil and Gas sector due to increased salaries.

2. Within Scotland's financial services industry, which roles are the hardest to fill?

In Scotland, we are finding that a number of banking professionals are now looking at moving out of the industry.

There are a number of reasons for this.  The main one is the tightening of the FSA regulations and the reduced ability to lend to both businesses and individuals.  In particular, the number of Mortgage Advisors has decreased by almost half due to the available lending facilities in the market.
4. What are the most common mistakes candidates make when applying for finance roles in Scotland?

The biggest mistake mainly is that they don't take time to read the full job description in order to ensure that they can perform all the tasks required for that role.
5. Which finance and financial services skillsets do you think will be most in demand in Scotland in 2013?

I think that during the recession a couple of years ago a number of large Accounting firms reduced the number of graduates trainees into their business.  Firms whom normally take on between 10 - 12 graduates were taking on as little as 2 that year or even none in some cases.  This has had a real impact in the number of newly qualified accountants coming through the ranks. This is where in my opinion that the gaps in audit or taxation accountants may have arisen.  I also fear for the mortgage industry in the coming year as the UK is now looking to tighten it spending due to the financial crisis in Europe.  This will definitely see a reduction in the lending facilities available by our major banks, which in turn will make getting a decision on lending very hard for any mortage advisor in 2013.

Thank you.