Ryan FowlerFinance and accounting employers are expected to ramp up their use of contingent workers in response to mounting pressure from economic instability and persistent skills shortages, according to new research from recruitment specialist Robert Half.
The firm’s latest hiring intentions data shows that 60% of finance and accounting leaders are concerned about the challenges posed by ongoing economic cycles, while 62% are uncertain about how best to address skills gaps. A further 80% said they are worried about their ability to access talent quickly when required, with nearly six in ten (59%) admitting this could jeopardise business-critical projects.
To address these issues, many are turning to interim hires. Robert Half found that 80% of finance and accounting hiring managers expect to take on contract staff in 2025, while 86% of leaders will maintain or grow their project-based workforce.
Hannah Szymanski, market director for finance and accounting at Robert Half, said the rise in National Insurance Contributions is also influencing hiring decisions: “It’s clear from our data that finance and accounting employers are facing a wealth of challenges, which will also be exacerbated by the additional hiring costs associated with the increase in National Insurance Contributions (NICs). However, there is a potential solution – greater use of contingent workers.
“In such an uncertain economic climate, businesses will need to be able to scale resources up and down at pace, and contingent specialists should form a significant part of resourcing plans both now and in the future.”
Szymanski added that interim professionals bring valuable expertise that can help plug gaps and support permanent teams:
“While these interim professionals won’t be able to single-handedly resolve skills shortages, they are a key part of the solution. Many contractors will have a wealth of knowledge and expertise that can be shared with the permanent workforce on a larger scale by their prior exposure to diverse projects while moving across brands.”
She said using contingent workers can also help manage budget pressures: “Engaging contingent workers will help employers mitigate against some of the increased costs of permanent hiring driven by the NICs increase, providing an interim stop-gap until organisations are in a better position to increase headcount. The future of work is flexible, and if employers look at the majority of their current challenges, it’s clear that a focus on the contingent workforce could be the saving grace that many need.”
