Thailand, 5 June 2024 - Hays, the global leader in workforce solutions and specialist recruitment investigated the latest trends driving accountancy and finance professionals today.

The 2024 Hays Asia Salary Guide which surveyed 8,525 skilled professionals and 3,089 employers throughout Asia revealed that 35% of accountancy and finance professionals were seeking a change of organisation while remaining within the same role or industry. 31% of respondents sought a promotion or a change of role within their current company, while 43% were open to new opportunities.

Yoke Pei Ong, Country Director at Hays Thailand, commented: “The Hays research uncovered that professionals are primarily motivated to pursue new opportunities due to a lack of career advancement and a desire for fresh challenges.

As the landscape of work is changing, professionals will find themselves needing to acquire new skills to stay relevant today. The use of AI to perform work tasks is on the rise with 73.4% of employees in Thailand supportive of this integration. Be sure to revisit areas of improvement and set aside time for training and upskilling to maximise your value.”

• Managing data today is a crucial skill. As the need for accurate analysis grows more pertinent, more candidates are expected to be familiar with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software.
• Workplace transformations brought about by the introduction of new technology will require talented change managers to ensure smooth transitions as businesses look to move away from legacy processes.
• Increasing globalisation has increased the demand for fluent English, Mandarin and Japanese speakers among the workforce.

2024's Most In-Demand Accountancy and Finance Roles in Thailand

Companies are actively seeking proactive finance business partners who can enhance the company's performance through data analysis. Given the increasing focus on revenue growth, companies are investing more time and effort in acquiring such talent.

Companies are constantly seeking leaders to drive transformation and improvement within their finance teams. The demand for a strong finance leader remains consistent, to do more than just balance the books but also propel the business forward.

This role primarily involves overseeing all financial activities within a manufacturing plant. Responsibilities typically include budgeting, financial reporting, cost analysis, and internal controls.

2024's Most In-Demand Accountancy and Finance Function in Thailand

A new focus area has emerged because of recent initiatives by various organisations and countries to adopt environmentally sustainable practices. Many countries have committed to achieving carbon neutrality within the next few years, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) accounting or reporting will be linked to how corporations contribute to national sustainability goals.

The backbone of every organisation, the need for individuals in this area is constant, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) where their skill set is even more critical. Responsibilities include managing financial records, analysing financial data, and providing financial insights to support decision-making.

This function is in high demand across many manufacturing organisations to accurately determine the expenses associated with producing goods or providing services. Responsibilities include analysing and allocating costs to various activities, products, or services to calculate their total production costs.

Highly sought after as taxation is playing a more crucial role in the preparation of financial statements. Responsible for handling tax compliance for organisations, ensuring that a company adheres to regulatory requirements, industry standards, and internal policies to maintain legal and ethical integrity in financial operations.

The growing necessity for such candidates is fuelled by the increasing number of companies seeking their expertise. This surge in demand has created a palpable need for individuals proficient in finance analytics, with organisations recognising the value they bring to the table. Consequently, there is now heightened competition among firms to secure these highly sought-after candidates, driving recruitment efforts across the industry.

More details regarding accountancy and finance trends and associated in-demand jobs in Thailand can be found in The Inside Story of Accountancy & Finance 2024. Download your copy here.