The new financial services jobs announced by PwC are a “global passport” to a profession which has gained appeal in recent times, according to leaders in the accountancy profession.
More than 800 jobs being created over the next five years at PwC mark a novel new direction in financial services, according to the firm.
The 807 posts will provide the workforces for two new projects in an innovative growth strategy and investment worth £40m – all devised from within the accountancy firm’s Belfast operation.
Management at the company’s branch at Waterfront Plaza yesterday revealed 303 of the posts are geared towards qualified accountants, as well as graduates, in a new cloud advisory service called My Financepartner.
The other 504 jobs will also be for graduates and school leavers who will be sought for “staff augmentation” teams in PwC’s global client businesses.
Yesterday’s announcement was made by First and Deputy First Ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness in what is the second largest job creation package this year.
Only to Concentrix’s expansion plans in April, when it announced just over 1,000 jobs were being created, is bigger.
The average salary for the new posts is £21,000.
Announcing the employment boost, Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said it was the sheer quality of potential new recruits in Northern Ireland which had clinched the major deal.
“These two significant projects could have gone elsewhere but were secured for Northern Ireland by the hard work of Invest NI and because PwC recognises the high calibre of graduates here.
“Companies like PwC are key players in driving Northern Ireland’s continued economic growth,” she said.
Stephanie Hyde, head of regions with PwC, flew in from London to help kickstart the new recruitment drive. She said: “Our experience in Northern Ireland with its exceptional graduate population and great infrastructure has been remarkable, and it was this that helped convince PwC’s executive board that Northern Ireland was the right place for further investment.”
She admitted that Invest NI’s grant support in excess of £4m helped clinch the deal, but that it was by no means the deciding factor.
Chairman of Chartered Accountants Ulster Society, Paul Henry, has welcomed the new posts as “great news for the Northern Ireland economy and for the accountancy profession”.
And he said he believed his profession was the “number one business qualification”.
He said: “A chartered accountant qualification is effectively a global passport and is recognised worldwide, and on that basis opportunities open up all around the world.
“It’s a really flexible career for people because you can chose a discipline and still maintain a good work-life balance.”
He said chartered accountants could be found at the head of international banks, leading private sector businesses and in top public sector departments.
He continued: “You also have the one-man firm servicing the local farmer, shopkeeper, local businesses and people doing their tax returns.
“It’s really the most diverse profession.
“The announcement shows the increasing demand for business services across our economy and we applaud the company for their commitment to Northern Ireland.
“It is also a great indicator of the pool of talent available here, and the high quality training which young chartered accountants receive in Northern Ireland.”
Recruitment consultant Neal Lucas said the image of accountancy as an attractive career was growing.
“The profession also enjoys a positive image due to its equal balance across men and women in the discipline,” he added.