Accountants in commerce and industry and public practice firms are more in demand in the north of England than in London and the South East, according to new research from financial recruitment specialist ECHM.

Job vacancies for accountants within commerce and industry and public practice in the North collectively grew by 37% over the last twelve months, compared to 24% in London and the South East.

The number of accountants seeking new employment also dropped by 21% in the North over the last year.

The research was carried out as part of ECHM's quarterly Regional Recruitment Index.

ECHM chief executive John Hunter, said: “The market in the North, including Manchester and Leeds, is more directly driven by national economic factors and thus the upturn in UK economic confidence in the first quarter of 2006 has had a greater impact on job growth in these regions than in London and the South East.

“As a result, the differentials in employment demand between the regions are contracting.”