Following on from my previous post http://www.cmlor.com/blog/what-sort-of-companies-exist-in-cayman/, I just wanted to do a bit more of a feature on recent recruitment trends within the Qualified Finance & Accountancy market in Cayman.

There has been roughly an 80/20 split between permanent and temporary opportunities arising, with a noticeable rise in temporary opportunities compared to previous quarters, which is a seasonal trend due to ‘Year End’ fast approaching.  The Fund Administration, and Directorship & Fiduciary Services firms have been the busiest, accounting for roughly 40% of the total recruitment taking place, spread quite evenly between the two sectors. The Banking sector and the Audit firms have also been reasonably busy too, taking up 17% and 13% of the overall Qualified Finance & Accountancy recruitment. The Audit roles have mainly been coming up from the ‘2nd tier’ firms.

Recruitment has been fairly evenly spread across the other main industries (Trust 3%, Captive Insurance 9%, Company Mgt Company 3%, Insolvency & Restructuring 6%, and General Industries sector 6%).

It’s important to point out most Trust roles are recruited for by our specialist Trust & Administration team, headed up by Louise Reed, including those searching for STEP qualified candidates, so I have only included in my figures those roles looking specifically for qualified CA, ACA, CPA, ACCA, CMA, and CIMA, or those with relevant Insolvency, or Relationship Management qualifications.

From speaking to our various clients, the generally feeling in the market is that most positions are being created due to replacement, mainly caused by people moving positions or leaving the island. There are certainly some firms out there talking of growth though, bringing on new funds, and taking on additional help due to improvement projects. It’s fair to say the Cayman market is in a much healthier position than either the US or Europe, and is showing some positive signs as we head towards 2012.

At present, we are specifically interested in talking to candidates who are available at short notice to undertake temporary and contract assignments, with a strong preference to those candidates with either Caymanian status, or at least already living in Cayman. Candidates must have a relevant accountancy designation, and ideally have some financial services experience as minimal training and supervision will be provided in these sorts of positions.

In addition to this, the ‘Top 4’ audit firms will begin their recruitment drive again in Jan/Feb 2012 for their April intake, so we’re putting a call out to all Audit Seniors who have recently qualified to get their resumes updated and sent in to us so that we can get you ready to go for the beginning of next year.

And finally, if you’re currently working within financial services and considering making a move early next year following your bonus payment, please give us a call now so that we can talk you through your options.



+1 345 949 1345
Jamie Carter or Sinead Byrne
Financial Services & Accounting Team