Employers must assist staff career development or risk losing them to a competitor, new research claims.

The survey of 1,100 UK finance professionals revealed that over half (53%) are seeking a new job, according to recruitment consultancy Robert Half Finance and Accounting.

Fifty-five per cent of these cite better training and career prospects as the main reason to move. This figure reaches more than three quarters (76%) among finance professionals under the age of 25.

Over a third (37%) have worked for five or more organisations over their careers. Men are more likely than women to leave their current position.

Forty per cent are not afraid to move jobs to seek improved training opportunities, whereas only a third of women feel the same.

Dave Jones, UK Managing Director of the recruitment body, said: “Employers must put new practices and systems in place, such as training to help team members build new skills.”