Salaries And Costs
Pay in Bradford tracks West Yorkshire norms, with Accounts Assistant roles often at £22,000 to £28,000 and Assistant Accountant roles at £25,000 to £32,000. Part-qualified Management Accountants tend to sit in the £35,000 to £45,000 range, with qualified staff stepping into the £45,000 to £55,000 range. Finance Manager roles can reach £60,000, while Financial Controller jobs move into the £55,000-£75,000 range as scale and complexity increase. Temporary pay rates reflect skills and software experience, so an experienced ledger clerk can command £14 to £17 per hour, and contractors, such as an interim Finance Manager, can reach £300 to £500 per day. Recruitment fees for permanent hires often fall between 12 per cent and 20 per cent, while retained executive search typically carries a higher structure. Temp agencies bill hourly pay plus an agency margin, with holiday pay and employer on-costs itemised on the timesheet run.
Qualifications
Employers in Bradford ask for AAT across support roles, with ACA, ACCA, or CIMA for qualified posts. Practice firms often want audit experience and strong Excel skills. Industry roles frequently list ERP skills like SAP or Oracle, with SME employers happy to see Xero, Sage, or QuickBooks. Payroll roles may require CIPP or proven end-to-end experience. Roles that involve cash handling or handling sensitive data may include DBS checks, right-to-work checks, and references.
Local Hiring Challenges
The city draws from Bradford, Shipley, Saltaire, Bingley, and Keighley, yet many candidates commute to Leeds for higher pay, so retention can hinge on progression and hybrid work. Recruiters report pressure points for Management Accountants with strong analysis skills, qualified practice candidates during busy season, and payroll specialists in year-end. Employers who act quickly on shortlists, give clear salary bands, and move decisively at the second interview tend to secure preferred candidates.
Key Sectors And Employers In The Region
Wider Bradford has a head office and shared service finance in retail, utilities, manufacturing, higher education, and healthcare. Large branded employers are located across the city and along the A650 and M606 corridors, with shared service centres near business parks and logistics hubs. Practice firms in the city centre and nearby towns cover audit, accounts, and tax, feeding newly qualified accountants into industry roles across the district.
Regional And Geographic Notes
Bradford Interchange and Forster Square offer handy links across West Yorkshire, with frequent services into Leeds and beyond. The M62, M606, and A6177 ring route make travel across the district straightforward, with Euroway and Listerhills known business locations. Saltaire and Shipley house a mix of SMEs and larger employers, and Leeds Bradford Airport sits within reach for regional travel. Recruiters use these commuter links to widen shortlists and schedule interviews with minimal downtime.
Roles And Career Paths
Agencies in Bradford place Accounts Assistants, Purchase Ledger and Sales Ledger Clerks, Credit Controllers, and Payroll Officers. Mid-level moves include Assistant Accountant, Analyst, and Management Accountant. Senior hiring spans Finance Manager, Financial Controller, Head of Finance, and Finance Director. In practice, vacancies range from Trainee Accountant through Senior, Assistant Manager, and Manager across audit and accounts, with tax at all grades.
Temporary, Permanent, And Contract Work
Local employers use temp cover for sickness, system change, and month-end spikes. Contract assignments support projects such as ERP rollouts, acquisitions, or audit prep. Permanent hiring anchors team stability. Recruitment consultants can map options, so you can hire staff fast or plan a staged handover. Candidates can register with an agency for temporary, permanent, or contract work and discuss study support or hybrid arrangements.
Pay Rates, Fees, And Budget Planning
Set a clear salary or day rate at the briefing stage, and share benefits such as study, pension, or bonus. Agree on agency costs in writing, including rebate periods and temp-to-perm rules. For temps, confirm the hourly pay rate, holiday approach, and overtime triggers. For executive search, outline the scope, milestones, and the shortlist date to keep stakeholders aligned. Transparent terms speed sign-off and reduce dropouts.
Job Market Snapshot And Retention
The local labour market remains active, with year-end, audit seasons, and budget cycles shaping demand. Practice firms compete hard for newly qualified staff, and industry roles in FP and A attract candidates seeking broader exposure. Retention improves when managers set clear objectives, fund training, and keep interview steps lean. Recruiters can advise on interview timing, counteroffer risk, and start date planning.
Quick Facts And Frequently Asked Questions
Do accounting recruiters in Bradford cover both practice and industry roles?
Yes, most staffing agencies span practice firms and industry finance teams, with separate consultants for each stream.
What notice do temps need to start?
Many temps can start within a few days, with the same week starting being common for ledger and payroll cover.
Can recruiters support executive search for senior finance roles?
Yes, executive search is used for senior roles such as Head of Finance, Financial Controller, and Finance Director.
Which qualifications are most requested?
AAT for entry and support roles, with ACA, ACCA, or CIMA for qualified positions.
How do I brief an agency to hire staff quickly?
Share job duties, salary or day rate, interview steps, software stack, and the target start date, then agree on timescales with your recruitment consultants.
What are typical recruitment fees in Bradford?
Permanent fees often sit between 12 per cent and 20 per cent of base salary, with temp rates built from hourly pay plus an agency margin.
Do agencies cover payroll hiring?
Yes, many employment firms place Payroll Assistants, Payroll Officers, and Payroll Managers, with CIPP as an advantage.
Can job seekers register for both temp and permanent roles?
Yes, candidates and job seekers can register with an agency for temporary, permanent, and contract work.