Finance professionals believe soft skills are more attractive attribute for prospective employers than technical know-how or specialist skills, according to a study from Robert Half International.

It found that 50% of respondents said that people management as the specific skill that would make them more marketable, followed by communication skills (42%), leadership ability (41%), compared with the 25% who said a technical skill.

Ian Graves, Robert Half managing director for continental Europe, says: “The role of the finance professional has changed. They are no longer seen as only processors and analysts of figures but have an important role in giving strategic advice.”

The survey also found that one in three respondents advise graduates to avoid specialisation and focus on general accounting practices.