Industry and Commerce Recruitment
MCS Group recruits across industry and commerce, working closely with both hiring teams and candidates to provide an honest view of the market and what it takes to secure the right long-term fit.
At the same time, if you are a qualified accountant working in practice or industry, you have more options than you have had in years, whether you are actively looking or simply open to the right opportunity. The difference between a role that accelerates your career and one that limits it is not always obvious from a job description.
Proud Sponsor
Chartered Accountants Ulster Society
How MCS Group Supports Industry and Commerce Hiring
The demand for commercially capable accountants is outpacing supply
Demand for qualified accountants in commercial roles has not eased. Over half of employers in this sector are expanding headcount, and the newly qualified and mid-level commercial segments are the hardest to fill across the UK and Ireland. Roles are taking longer to close than they did two years ago, and the shortlists produced by advertising alone are getting thinner.
MCS Group fills most roles in this market through direct search and referral. We maintain an active network of qualified and part-qualified candidates across industry and commerce, which means we are not starting from scratch when a brief comes in.
Example linkWhat employers want from a commercial accountant has shifted
Technical accuracy is no longer the whole brief. Employers want accountants who can interpret data, challenge decisions and present insight clearly to non-finance stakeholders. Proficiency in Power BI, ERP platforms and financial modelling is now expected at mid-level and above. Almost 90% of employers report skills gaps in data analytics within their finance teams. Digital capability is becoming an important differentiator alongside formal qualifications.
We brief against the full picture, not just the technical qualification. Every search we run starts with a detailed conversation about what the business actually needs, not just what the job description says.
Salary expectations have moved and offers that do not reflect the market are failing
Newly qualified ACA, ACCA and CIMA candidates moving from practice into industry are commanding meaningfully higher salaries on qualification than they were two years ago. Finance Business Partner and FP&A professionals at mid-career level are among the best-compensated profiles in commercial accountancy. Employers working from last year's benchmarks are losing candidates at offer stage, often to a counteroffer from their current employer.
We provide current salary benchmarking as part of every search brief, before the process starts rather than after an offer has been declined.
The April 2025 NIC changes have increased demand for interim cover
The National Insurance increases for employers that came into effect in April 2025 made permanent headcount more expensive. More businesses are now covering gaps and project requirements on a contract basis rather than adding to their permanent establishment. Demand for contract Financial Controllers and interim Finance Managers is running high as a result.
We have an active pool of interim candidates at all levels in industry and commerce and can move quickly when the requirement is urgent.
Placing the Right Accountant in Your Business
We recruit across three areas within industry and commerce. Explore our specialist pages for qualified permanent, part-qualified and temporary recruitment.
Qualified Permanent
Qualified accountancy roles across Belfast, Ireland and the UK remain some of the most competitive in the market. Demand for experienced professionals such as Financial Controllers, Finance Business Partners and FP&A specialists continues to outpace supply.
These candidates are rarely active on job boards, making traditional recruitment methods less effective. Instead, firms need access to established networks and direct search to engage high-performing talent.
At MCS Group, we specialise in qualified permanent accountancy recruitment, connecting businesses with ACA, ACCA and CIMA-qualified candidates who can deliver both technical expertise and commercial impact.
Part-Qualified Permanent
Part-qualified accountants play a critical role in supporting finance teams, particularly as businesses look to develop future talent pipelines. Across Belfast, Ireland and the UK, demand remains strong for candidates working towards ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualifications.
From Assistant Accountant roles to part-qualified finance professionals, employers are looking for individuals who are progressing through their qualifications while gaining hands-on experience across the finance function.
MCS Group supports part-qualified accountancy recruitment, helping businesses identify and secure candidates with the right potential, attitude and long-term fit.
Temporary and Interim
Temporary and interim accountancy recruitment provides businesses with the flexibility to respond to changing demands, project work and short-term resource gaps.
From interim Financial Controllers and Finance Managers to contract accountants and transactional finance support, access to reliable, experienced professionals is essential to maintaining business continuity.
MCS Group delivers temporary and interim accountancy recruitment across Belfast, Ireland and the UK, providing fast access to pre-qualified candidates who can make an immediate impact.
Finding the Right Industry or Commerce Role
The right move depends on where you are in your career and what you want from the next role, not just what is available right now.
-
![Business Team Standing Having Informal Meeting In Modern Office]()
Thinking about moving from practice into industry?
The appeal is usually a broader remit, more ownership and a salary increase on qualification. What matters is choosing a role with genuine commercial exposure rather than one that simply moves a reporting function from a practice setting into a commercial one. We help you identify the environments that will genuinely develop your experience, not limit it.
-
![woman on the phone smiling]()
Looking for a step up at mid-level?
Financial Controller, Finance Business Partner and FP&A are the most competed-for profiles in this market. If you are at this level and considering a move, the market is in your favour. We will give you a clear view of what a strong offer looks like for your background and where the roles worth taking actually are.
-
![]()
Open to interim or contract work?
Demand for interim accountants in industry and commerce is high, particularly for experienced Financial Controllers and Finance Managers. If you are open to contracting as a career move or as a bridge between permanent roles, we work with businesses that need experienced people quickly and are willing to pay rates that reflect the value of the contribution.
Roles We Place in Industry and Commerce
We place Finance Directors with a track record in strategic leadership, board engagement and full finance function ownership.
We source Financial Controllers experienced in reporting, controls, month-end delivery and leading finance teams.
We identify Finance Business Partners who can challenge decisions, support strategy and influence senior stakeholders.
We recruit FP&A Managers with strong capabilities in forecasting, scenario planning and board-level insight.
We connect businesses with FP&A Analysts skilled in financial modelling, budgeting and tools such as Power BI and ERP systems.
We place Management Accountants who deliver accurate month-end reporting, insightful variance analysis and effective business partnering.
We recruit Financial Accountants with expertise in statutory reporting, technical accounting and managing audit processes.
We provide Interim Finance Managers for contract assignments, project delivery and short-term cover.
We source Commercial Finance Analysts who bring strength in pricing, margin analysis and commercial decision support.
We recruit Part-Qualified Accountants progressing through ACA, ACCA or CIMA, often alongside structured study support.
We place Assistant Management Accountants who support management accounts production while continuing their professional studies.
We recruit Accounts Assistants with solid experience in transactional finance, including purchase and sales ledger operations.
Why MCS Group
Our consultants specialise in industry and commerce recruitment within accountancy. They understand the qualifications, the career stages, what a strong commercial hire looks like at each level and what the market is paying right now. They are not generalists covering every sector.
We fill most roles through direct search and referral, which means candidates who would not appear on a shortlist produced by advertising and who have been assessed properly rather than forwarded because they matched a keyword.
Specialists in industry and commerce accountancy recruitment
Permanent, interim and temporary across all levels
Direct search and referral, not volume advertising
Current salary benchmarking included in every search
Honest advice to employers and candidates, including on things that are inconvenient to hear
Your Questions Answered
What accountancy roles do you recruit for in industry and commerce?
We recruit across all levels from Accounts Assistant through to Finance Director and CFO, covering qualified permanent, part-qualified permanent, and interim or temporary requirements. The roles we place most regularly are Financial Controller, Finance Business Partner, FP&A Manager and Management Accountant.
How long does it take to fill a Financial Controller or Finance Business Partner role?
A focused search for a qualified permanent role typically takes four to eight weeks from brief to offer. Roles requiring a specific combination of sector experience and commercial capability can take longer. We give a realistic timeline at the start of every search based on the actual candidate market for your brief, not a generic estimate.
Why are Finance Business Partner and FP&A roles so hard to fill?
FBP and FP&A require technical accounting skills, commercial instinct and the ability to communicate clearly to non-finance stakeholders. That combination is rarer than it appears. Salary growth at this level has been running at five to seven percent annually. Most candidates with a genuine track record at this level are reached through direct approach, not advertising.
What salary can I expect as a newly qualified accountant moving into industry?
Newly qualified ACA, ACCA and CIMA professionals moving from practice into industry typically see a meaningful salary increase on qualification. The exact figure depends on the market you are in, the firm you are coming from and the role you are moving into. We provide current salary benchmarking for every candidate we work with.
What is the difference between practice and industry and commerce accountancy?
Practice accountancy means working within an accountancy firm providing audit, tax or advisory services to external clients. Industry and commerce means working within the finance function of a commercial organisation, managing its own reporting, planning and analysis. The technical skills overlap but the day-to-day work, career path and culture are meaningfully different.
Do you recruit interim and temporary accountants for industry and commerce?
Yes. Demand for interim cover has increased since the April 2025 NIC changes. We recruit temporary and interim accountants across all levels and can respond quickly for urgent requirements, with active candidates at Financial Controller, Finance Manager and Management Accountant level.
Need to hire or thinking about your next move?
Whether you are building out your finance team or considering a move within industry and commerce, we will give you a clear view of the market and access to opportunities and candidates you will not find through standard channels. Speak to our accountancy specialists today.
The People Behind Your Finance Hires
Name: Adam Macklin
Job Title: Head of Accountancy & Financial Services
Team: Financial Services
Years Experience: 15+
Adam leads our accountancy division, which focuses on recruiting for positions spanning both accountancy practice and industry & commerce markets. He oversees recruitment efforts for roles at both the Qualified & Transactional level, whether on a permanent or temporary basis. With a specialisation in Senior level appointments, Adam brings expertise in recruiting across all sectors within the Industry & Commerce market in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Name: Ruth Cox
Job Title: Recruitment Manager - Part Qualified & Transactional Finance I&C
Team: Accountancy and Finance
Years Experience: 6+
As a Recruitment Consultant for MCS Group, I specialise in the Part Qualified and Transactional Finance Space. 73% of job seekers say the process of looking for a job is one of the most stressful events in life. My role is to ensure professionals are furthering their careers to full potential without worrying about the process. Together we can dig deep to understand the best career fit by accessing current ability, personal aspirations, and motivations for the future. I take the stress out of the recruitment process by being there every step of the way and building genuine long-term relationships with professionals and clients.
Adam Macklin
Head of Accountancy & Financial Services
Ruth Cox
Recruitment Manager - Part Qualified & Transactional Finance I&C