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Sector Outlook
Throughout the UK there are about 34,000 businesses providing financial
services and more than 37,000 accountancy practices. Although the
banking sector has experienced job cuts due to the recession, the
finance industry overall is recovering with finance and accountancy being
particularly buoyant.
Today 7% of all UK employment belongs to the financial services sector
and although you may think most vacancies are in London and the
South East, it’s wor th remembering that over half are located in other
regions. Cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester have
flourishing financial centres and typically the industry takes on around
70,000 new star ts each year.
Accountancy and finance employs more than one million people working
in audit, tax and commercial businesses. Some of the biggest employers
include Deloitte LLP, EY, KPMG and PwC. Banking represent the largest
group of employers in the financial services sector with typical employers
being Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group plc, Nationwide and the
Royal Bank of Scotland. If you are interested in investments, firms such
as Barclays Capital, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are wor th
pursuing for possible career oppor tunities. Vacancies in insurance may
be found with companies such as Aviva, AXA, Lloyds of London
and LV. Other sectors of the industry wor th considering are building
societies and financial planning organisations.
However, in the UK, there are many more small to medium-sized
enterprises than large companies so it’s wor th casting your net fur ther
afield. Charities and not-for-profit organisations may also offer
oppor tunities to help get you star ted.
Finance