Qualified Accountant Jobs in Industry and Commerce
Did your last search take longer than it should have? Did your shortlist come back thinner than you expected?
MCS Group places qualified accountants into permanent roles across industry and commerce. We build relationships with qualified finance people over time, so when the right qualified accountant job comes up, we know who to call and why they should take the conversation.
If you hold an ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification and you are thinking about a move into industry, you will know the other side of this. You get approached, but rarely by someone who has actually looked at your background or understands where you want to go next.
For Hiring Businesses
Where Qualified Permanent Searches Go Wrong
Most searches for qualified accountant jobs stall at the same points. A salary benchmarked against last year's market, a process with too many stages for someone who is already comfortable where they are. A job spec that does not reflect what the role actually involves day to day.
By the time these issues surface, the person you wanted has taken another offer. We flag these things early, before they cost you the search.
Losing people to counter-offers
Counter-offers are more common at this level than at any other. A qualified accountant hands in their notice and their employer reacts. If your process is slow or your offer is not compelling enough, you can lose someone you have spent weeks assessing. We advise on offer strategy throughout, not just at the point of closing.
Example linkA shortlist that keeps coming back the same
When every search surfaces the same names, it is usually a signal that the search itself is too narrow. We reach ACA, ACCA and CIMA qualified finance people who are not visible through standard search, through direct outreach and a referral network built over years in this market.
Roles We Cover
Qualified Accountant Roles We Place
We recruit across permanent qualified finance roles at every level in industry and commerce, from a newly qualified accountant making their first move out of practice through to Financial Controller and Finance Director appointments.
Thinking About Your Next Move?
Whether you are newly qualified and considering your first move into industry, or qualified with a few years’ experience and ready for the next step, the market for qualified accountant jobs is active. But active does not always mean straightforward.
Which businesses actually invest in their finance teams? Which roles offer the progression you are looking for, and which ones are just backfilling a gap? Which sectors translate well from your practice background?
We work with qualified finance people at every stage. We know the businesses hiring, the roles worth pursuing and the ones to avoid. We will give you a straight view of what is out there and only put you forward where it makes sense.
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Already in industry and ready for the next step?
Get In TouchIf you are a few years post-qualification and looking for a step up, whether that is a first Financial Controller role, a move to a larger business or a sector change, we have access to roles that are not advertised publicly. Come and have a conversation before you start applying.
Why Work With MCS Group
We have been placing qualified accountants across industry and commerce for long enough to know the market in detail. Which firms are growing? Which are restructuring? Which roles will still look good on your CV in three years and which will not? That knowledge informs every search we run and every conversation we have.
Specialists in qualified permanent accountancy recruitment across industry and commerce
Proactive search reaching ACA, ACCA and CIMA qualified finance people directly
Honest benchmarking on salary, process and market availability
Access to roles and people not found through advertising
Advice on offer strategy to reduce the risk of counter-offers and lost placements
Key Questions, Answered
What qualifications do I need for qualified accountant jobs in industry?
Most qualified accountant jobs in industry and commerce require ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification. Some senior roles will consider candidates qualified by experience, though this is less common in structured finance functions.
How long does it take to move from practice to industry as a newly qualified accountant?
Most newly qualified accountants make the move to industry within six to twelve months of qualifying. The transition is well understood by hiring managers and practice skills, particularly in audit and tax, are valued in commercial finance roles. Getting the first move right matters more than moving quickly.
What salary can a newly qualified ACA or ACCA expect in industry?
Salaries for newly qualified ACAs and ACCAs moving into industry vary by sector, business size and location. We provide up-to-date salary benchmarking as part of every search. Speak to one of our consultants for a current view of the market.
How do you find qualified accountants who are not actively applying?
We reach qualified finance people through direct search and a referral network built over years in this market. Most placements at this level come through relationships rather than advertising, which is why businesses come to us when a standard search has not delivered.
What is the difference between a newly qualified and a qualified accountant?
A newly qualified accountant has recently completed their ACA, ACCA or CIMA exams, typically within the last one to two years. A qualified accountant refers more broadly to anyone holding one of these qualifications, regardless of how long ago they completed them. Both groups are in demand, though the roles and salary expectations differ.
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: Brad Dempster
Job Title: Specialist Recruitment Consultant
Team: Accountancy Practice
Years Experience: 6+
Brad joined MCS Group in October 2024. In his role as a Specialist Recruitment Consultant, he works closely with accountancy practices and finance professionals across Belfast and the Greater Belfast area, supporting both clients and candidates through the recruitment process. His day-to-day focus is on understanding hiring needs within practice firms and matching them with talent at the right level, from early career through to senior leadership. Brad specialises in the accountancy practice market, covering areas including audit, tax, payroll, accounts, advisory and bookkeeping. He works across a wide range of roles, from trainee accountants and accounts technicians through to director and partner level appointments.
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
Brad Dempster
Specialist Recruitment Consultant
Ruth Cox
Recruitment Manager - Part Qualified & Transactional Finance I&C
Looking to secure the right qualified hire or make a move that counts?
In a market this tight, timing and access matter. We help businesses reach qualified accountants they would not otherwise engage, and we guide candidates towards roles that genuinely move their careers forward. Start a conversation with our team.