The internationalization of the Dutch labour market in the past decade has created opportunities for foreign accountants, controllers and financial analysts to get started here. With skills shortages increasing, more and more employers are open to recruit financial professionals from abroad. Recruitment consultant Nienke Sterk has just returned from South Africa, where she searched and interviewed financial talent. She spoke with a large number of professionals who would like to work in the Netherlands.
Why did you decide to search for talent abroad?
There is an increasing shortage of highly skilled financial professionals in the Netherlands. Our customers have an increasing number of vacancies that we recruit for, but the number of people looking to change jobs is decreasing. Many professionals have already changed jobs in recent years and are happy in their current role. Finance professionals can usually choose from multiple employers, who all do their best to win over the candidate. A completely different situation compared to the job market of a few years ago!
Especially the Big 4 firms have a very hard time attracting people. Many finance professionals value a good work life balance, but within a Big 4 you’ll make long hours, especially during the first few years. We notice that Dutch people are increasingly unwilling to go that route, because they can also choose from other great career opportunities.
The economic forecasts are good, so it looks like the deficit will only get bigger. Time for action, so that we can continue to offer our clients access to a broad network of candidates.
What did you do in South Africa?
My colleague Tess is from South Africa and worked there for Robert Walters. She said that the career opportunities for finance professionals in South Africa are not so bright, and many of them choose to work in London. Together with our South African offices, we organized a number of career events in Johannesburg and Cape Town. My manager offered me the opportunity to go on a talent search in South Africa for a few weeks, together with my colleague Tess. Of course I didn't think twice!
What kind of candidates have you spoken to?
The career events we organised were for almost or newly qualified Chartered Accountants. They are completing their four-year Chartered Accountant study, supplemented with at least three years of work experience in a Big 4 or Smaller 5. They hardly have experience outside of the field of auditing, and we found that they’re very curious about the possibilities. But it were not just recently graduated auditors who approached us for career advice. I also spoke with senior financial professionals who experience little room for career development in their home country. For example, I’ve spoken to candidates with experience in data analysis or risk management; skills that are in much demand in the Netherlands.
I’ve spoken with hundreds of candidates, and I came home with the contacts details of one hundred suitable professionals for roles like financial accountant, senior financial accountant, controller or positions in Shared Service Centers. Most of them are looking for a job in commerce, but I also met candidates who would like to work for a Big 4 in the Netherlands. What they all have in common is an excellent academic background, the mentality to work hard and a great deal of enthusiasm for taking on an adventure in the Netherlands. We are happy to help them with that!
Why do these people want to leave their beautiful country?
South Africa is indeed beautiful, but the labour market is very different than in Europe. Due to the anti-segregation law and other political factors, it is difficult for many South Africans to find a job, or to develop further in their current role. Many South Africans therefore choose to move abroad, where they can really start building a career.
What kind of process faces an employers if they hire someone from South Africa?
Some of the candidates we have spoken to already have a European passport, which means that a visa is not required. Others need a visa sponsored by the new employer. There are costs involved, but on the other hand the salary expectation of South Africans is lower.
Why are South Africans such a good fit to work in the Netherlands?
The most important advantage is the language. South African is very similar to Dutch, which means that South Africans can often speak our language fluently within a year. Most of them have English as their native language, but because of Brexit the UK is a less popular choice now.
In addition, South Africans are used to working hard. I’ve noticed that they are very motivated to make their move a success.
More information?
For more recruitment advise please contact David van Oostveen via david.vanoostveen@robertwalters.com or Helen Swithenbank via helen.swithenbank@robertwalters.com. Want to know more about the recruitment of South African finance professionals? Here are our answers to the six most frequently asked questions.
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