Rutherford Cross Consultant, Ally Deas, shares insight into the increasing value of part-qualified accountants in today’s manufacturing sector, and why their presence in the workplace is becoming more important than ever.
If you’re in a senior position in a business right now, you’re likely reviewing your cost base, assessing performance and asking how to get more value from your people. You’re not alone. In the first half of this year, I partnered on sixteen permanent finance mandates within the manufacturing sector, a space where cost control and performance visibility are absolutely critical. What that tells me is that in tough trading conditions, it’s often the finance team that steps up to bring clarity, stability and strategy, specifically part-qualified accountants who are right in the thick of it.
Part-qualified doesn’t mean junior. These professionals are still studying, but they’re also analysing data, challenging decisions and working side by side with operational teams to drive real results. For many of my clients, that blend of hands-on experience and upward career momentum is exactly what they’re looking for.
One trend I’ve seen accelerating is a shift back into the office. Businesses want people collaborating again, learning from each other, building relationships and solving problems faster. That’s where part-qualified talent thrives. Being in the room speeds up development, builds commercial awareness and creates the kind of informal learning you just don’t get remotely. Hybrid working is still widely offered, and rightly so, but the dial is shifting. Two days in the office is becoming three; three is becoming four. Employers are looking for people who value presence and want to be part of the energy, decision-making and shared accountability.
Most hiring managers I speak to want to know one thing above all else, is the candidate actively studying? They understand the grind, they’ve been through it, but seeing someone commit to the journey shows intent, resilience and ambition, which are qualities every team needs more of.
To all the part-qualified accountants out there, whether you’re sitting exams, waiting on results or figuring out your next move, keep going. You’re doing something tough, and it matters, not just for your own career, but for the businesses you’re helping every day.
At Rutherford Cross, we understand the value of part-qualified professionals in today’s market. If you would like a confidential conversation about hiring or your own next step, please contact Ally on [email protected].
