Consultancy firm recruits 95 more Belfast staff to meet new challenges
CONSULTANCY firm EY is to create 95 jobs in Belfast in a major recruitment drive that will add 520 roles across Ireland.
The company plans to recruit 50 experienced staff and 45 graduates in Northern Ireland, with the remaining 425 jobs being spread across its six offices in the Republic, where the salaries for experienced staff are expected to average €65,000 (£57,500) per annum.
EY, which provides assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services, has more than doubled the size of its business here in the last four years.
The new drive will bring its to- tal head count on the island to more than 3,000.
EY said recent growth in its consultancy practice has been driven by continuing disruption in the Irish, UK and global business landscape.
“This has led to the creation of more than a third of the new roles, and driven increased demand for graduate positions,” it said in a statement.
The areas being targeted for recruitment include data analytics, IT advisory and transformation, risk, cyber, digital strategy and customer experience.
“Ongoing demand in the firm’s core audit, tax and transactions practices is driving the remaining number of jobs,” the firm said.
Commitment: Michael Hall
Speaking ahead of today’s announcement, Michael Hall, Northern Ireland managing partner at EY, said the firm is committed to job creation.
“While geo-political uncertainty and technological disruption will undoubtedly present both challenges and opportunities for businesses, we are facing these challenges from a position of great strength and flexibility,” he said.
“As a result our client needs are evolving and more innovative solutions are required. We are bringing together the best talent and latest technology to drive truly transformative innovation in all our services.
“In the last year, approximately 60% of offers we’ve made in Ireland have been to people with non-traditional accounting and tax backgrounds.”
EY said it will continue to look at traditional sources for talent, but will also recruit candidates from varying academic backgrounds including science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“It’s crucial we continue to recruit the best people from graduates through to senior roles with the type of sector-specific experience that will allow us to provide clients with the insight and advice they need to protect and grow their businesses and customer base,” added Mr Hall.
“In order to attract the best people at all levels in today’s competitive labour market, we have extremely attractive packages and an unrivalled people culture that celebrates diversity and offers our people an exceptional experience.”