Flexible Friends?

February 2008
source: Graduate Recruiter

According to research released in January 2008 by specialist fi nancial recruitment firm Robert Half Finance & Accounting and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), finance professionals are working longer hours yet are looking for more flexibility.

The CIMA/Robert Half Finance & Accounting Salary Survey 2008 was carried out online by an independent market research company during August and September 2007. In total 1935 CIMA fi nance professionals responded to the survey.

Whilst 84 per cent of the CIMA finance professionals surveyed stated today. More than half (51 per cent) of CIMA professionals surveyed said they work between 41 and 50 hours per week, 30 per cent work between 35 and 40 hours and just 4 per cent work less than 35 hours. A typical working week for a qualifi ed CIMA professional is 44 hours per week.

More than one quarter (28 per cent) of the survey respondents stated that they work longer hours today than they did two years ago. This was attributed to taking on more responsibility and with it more pressure, according to 71 per cent of survey respondents. Over half (58 per cent) of those polled said they are working longer hours because their working arrangements and may look for career opportunities elsewhere to achieve greater work/life balance.”

Rick Sturge, CIMA Director of Employer and Strategic Development, commented: “Work/life balance is becoming increasingly important for today’s professionals, and it is obvious that employers need to adjust their benefits packages to respond to this trend. As CIMA members are in such great demand, it is important for employers to offer a good all round package – not just financial, but work/life - to recruit and retain top performing staff.”

Other benefits that rated highly in importance for CIMA professionals include extra holidays and working from home, which were each cited by 14 per cent of all respondents.