It’s safe to say that newly-qualified accountants have had a rough ride in Ireland over the last 12 months. With redundancies rife and job opportunities thin on the ground, increasing numbers have taken the decision to hop over the Irish Sea and look for a new position in the UK.

However, there have been reasons for optimism around their job prospects in the last couple of months, and I believe that the market is buoyant once again.

During 2009, the vast majority of newly qualified ACAs were released from their respective practice employers on completion of their training contracts. This meant a flood of candidates on to the market at a time when most firms had no intention of increasing headcount.

It’s been a difficult year, but a different trend is emerging for ACA 2010 candidates. Most have survived on the scraps lately – a six month contract at best – but more contracts have been extended and permanent opportunities are back on the table.

Within practice, there’s a renewed emphasis on audit, risk and corporate governance roles – an obvious development considering the current climate in Ireland, as is the fact that insolvency remains an active area of recruitment.

More positive signs, however, stem from the appetite to hire accountants for corporate finance roles, something unheard of for over 12 months. Banks and financial services firms are also beginning to recruit at newly-qualified level, which is a very clear indicator that the market is picking up. These sectors in particular really slowed down during the past 18 months and saw little or no recruitment.

There has also been a significant increase in opportunities for newly qualified industry trained accountants with ACCA, CIMA and CPA qualifications; in particular those with costing, budgeting and financial analysis experience.

As a recruitment consultant, the very fact that firms are using my services again points to a more active job market again. Job volumes are up, while candidate supplies are down, which means direct recruitment is no longer as effective.

Other trends include salaries beginning to creep upwards again, shorter interview processes and candidates being in a stronger position to negotiate.

The grass might look decidedly greener on the other side of the Irish Sea, but after a period laying fallow, new shoots of optimism are sprouting closer to home again.

Sonya Dick is senior consultant, accountancy and finance at recruiters Careers Register