Netherlands Seeks Foreign Accountants to Address Labour Shortages

Key Takeaways

1. Dutch accountancy firms are recruiting international accountants to address staffing shortages.

2. Due to labour shortages, these firms are focusing on hiring from African and Asian countries.

3. One prominent Dutch firm employs around 300 foreign accountants.

Dutch accountancy firms are increasingly hiring international accountants as they face a shortage of local talent in the profession. While larger firms have long recruited abroad, even smaller firms are now turning to international markets to fill gaps.

According to BNR, many of these firms are now focusing on labour markets in Asia and Africa, particularly in countries like South Africa and Namibia, as vacancies in the Netherlands often remain open for months without suitable candidates.

Could Outsourcing Affect the Quality of Work in Dutch Accountancy? While hiring foreign workers abroad is seen as a viable solution to labour shortages, there are concerns about the potential impact on the quality of services. Some believe it could strain the level of expertise offered.

Although accountancy firms view this as an excellent career opportunity for foreign workers, academics caution that it might negatively affect service quality. FD journalist Edwin van der Schoot quotes Professor Marcel Pheijffer, who notes that foreign employees don't always guarantee high-quality work.

PwC, one of the largest firms in the Netherlands, reportedly employs about 300 international accountants, mainly from countries such as India, Pakistan, Cyprus, South Africa, and Central and Eastern Europe. In 2022, the firm had around 130 foreign workers.

Professor Pheijffer explains that the primary goal of hiring internationally is to increase efficiency, scale, and cost-effectiveness while addressing labour market challenges. However, the rise of AI technology is also seen as a potential disruptor, with PwC predicting that AI may reduce the need for foreign workers in the near future.

Increase in Work Permits for Foreigners and Asylum Seekers Data from the Dutch state employment agency UWV shows a 12% increase in work permits granted to non-EU nationals, including migrant workers and students, with 20,172 permits issued in 2024. The number of work permits granted to asylum seekers also saw a significant rise in 2024, reaching 9,281, a fourfold increase from the previous year. This follows the removal of a previous restriction that limited asylum seekers to working only 24 weeks per year.