News & Thoughts

​Technical proficiency alone no longer guarantees success in a finance career these days. The people responsible for hiring are putting a lot more focus on soft skills - communication, adaptability, empathy - and these are becoming essential, not desirable. Business partnering in the finance sector is much more prevalent these days, and recently collected data only highlights the growing importance and the tangible impact these skills have on both your individual finance careers and the sector as a whole.​

Stepping into a managerial role is a big moment. But let’s get one thing clear: being a manager shouldn’t be a reward for long service. It’s a job in its own right, and it demands a very specific set of skills.

Today’s workplace moves at an ever-increasing pace, and while technical know-how will get you so far, strong HR professional interpersonal skills are the things that build trust, encourage change, and make businesses better places to work for everyone.

We’re nearly halfway through 2025, and whilst we shouldn’t need to be still having the conversation around the gender wage gap, and how women are kept out of boardrooms and passed over for opportunities, we are. Many businesses shout the words equality and diversity from various rooftops, yet despite these good intentions, these gaps and deficiencies still exist. Let’s be fair, it’s not all doom and gloom. The gender pay gap has been closing year by year, due to changes in legislation requiring businesses with over 250 staff to report on their salaries. There are more women than ever before in senior leadership roles, and whilst we no longer scoff at the idea of women in the boardroom, there’s still work to be done. Here at Sewell Wallis, we like to talk about difficult topics, and we like to get everyone involved in these conversations.

Recruiting top financial talent is a critical challenge for UK SMEs, especially in a landscape littered with economic uncertainty and driven by rapid technological change. Over £20 billion was earmarked for recruitment in 2024, and in 2025, SMEs are demonstrating a strong commitment to growth and innovation. This guide offers a structured approach to navigating the complexities of finance recruitment, ensuring your SME attracts and retains the right talent.​

Whether you're a newly qualified accountant or a seasoned finance pro eyeing your next move, it pays to know what employers are really after. It’s no longer enough to just have the key qualifications for accountants - firms want well-rounded finance people who bring more to the table.

Ai isn’t just a buzzword anymore, it’s actively changing how we work. In regards to HR, we’re seeing AI help HR leadership teams make smarter hiring decisions, use data to better employee engagement, and solve real world work problems. Here’s the top 5 ways you’re going to see AI shape your HR team in the near future – including the pros and cons of each one.

The world we live in moves quickly these days. We’re seeing it everywhere, including in HR recruitment, and if you’re not adapting, you’re falling behind. Heading rapidly through Q2 of 2025, the latest HR hiring practices are being driven by a mix of tech, talent expectations, and smarter strategies. Here’s what’s actually happening in the market, not just buzzwords, but real, current HR industry hiring trends worth paying attention to.