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​5 Red Flags to Avoid When Hiring Finance Professionals

​Here at Sharp Consultancy, we know just how important it is to hire the right person-not just in terms of experience, but also personality and overall fit within your business.Getting this wrong can be costly, not only financially, but in terms of time and effort spent on onboarding and training someone who ultimately might not work out.To help avoid this, Soraya Downing has put together 5 key red flags to watch out for when reviewing CVs or interviewing finance candidates: 1. Vague or General Responses A genuinely interested candidate will come to job interviews prepared with detailed answers that clearly link their experience and skills to the role they’re applying for. If their responses are vague or lacking depth, it can be a sign that they haven’t taken the time to prepare—or worse, they’re not truly engaged with the opportunity.Ideally, you want to hear specific examples backed up with figures or results. ​​It’s worth noting that bad answer doesn’t always mean the candidate isn’t prepared or doesn’t have the required experience, it could be that your question is confusing and needs rephrasing.For example, asking “Can you walk me through your main responsibilities in your most recent role, particularly those related to [payroll/management reporting/credit control/etc.]?” is likely to generate more specific and useful answers than a vague question like “Tell me about your most recent role.”​Try practising your question on a colleague or someone you manage and see if they struggle to answer. They will be able to help you scrutinise the question and suggest better wording or elaboration to avoid any confusion.If you require support with conducting job interviews or creating targeted interview questions, we’re always happy to help. With a team of over 25 consultants who each specialise within different areas of finance and accountancy recruitment, we’ve interviewed thousands of candidates — and we know what works. 2. Inconsistent Career HistoryWe fully support career moves—most of the time, they signal progression and ambition, which is great to see. However, when a CV shows a pattern of short-term employments with no solid explanation, or recurring reasons for leaving, this can indicate potential issues with commitment, adaptability, or performance.There can be many reasons why a candidate has several short-term roles on their CV. For example, they could have completed several temporary or short-term interim contracts without making this clear on their CV or they may have experienced a series of redundancies beyond their control. Always dig a little deeper in these cases, they may be acceptably explained but there could also be something bigger at play.When you engage with us as your recruitment partner, we will never put forward a candidate that hasn’t been fully vetted and their career history and suitability examined. We will have all already done the ‘deep digging’, so all short-term roles and employment gaps are explained to you from the get-go. It takes the guesswork out of the process and saves you valuable time. 3. Poor Communication SkillsIt’s natural for candidates to be a little nervous in interviews, but for senior finance roles in particular, strong communication is non-negotiable. If someone consistently gives vague answers, struggles to explain their experience, or avoids eye contact, it could raise concerns about how they’ll present to stakeholders or collaborate across teams. At this level, you’re looking for clear, confident communication—even under pressure.​If you’re unsure about a candidate’s communication skills, especially in a senior finance role, consider including a short task or second-stage interview focused on presenting or explaining a topic. For example, ask them to walk you through a recent financial project or prepare a brief summary of how they’d present key financials to non-finance stakeholders. This gives you a clearer sense of how they structure information, handle questions, and communicate under mild pressure. When you engage with us we’ll work with you to understand whether a candidate’s communication style will align with your specific team dynamics and stakeholder environment—something that is key to a successful long-term hire but often overlooked.​4. Lack of Curiosity or InitiativeTop finance professionals are naturally curious and proactive. They’re the ones who suggest improvements to systems or processes without being asked. If a candidate shows no interest in how they can add value to your business and the role, or doesn’t ask questions during the interview, that could be a red flag that they’re more reactive than proactive.Sometimes that might be exactly what you are looking for, but other times, recognising this about a candidate early on could be your saving grace in hiring someone unfit for the role in question.  5. No Signs of a Growth MindsetIf you’re hiring with the goal of developing someone long-term, look for signs they’re committed to personal and professional growth. This could be studying towards a qualification like ACCA, CIMA, or ACA or asking thoughtful questions about the business’s future.A lack of interest in development can often translate into a lack of long-term engagement to the role and your company. Even when not looking for a long-term hire, a candidate who exhibits no desire for their long-term career and growth can be a sign that they might not even stick it out for a shorter period of time.As your recruitment partner, it really helps to understand what you want out of a hire. Don’t be shy in telling us what skills and qualities you want and don’t want a new employee to have for the role you are hiring for. If you give us as much information about the role and the company as possible, we can then use this knowledge in our candidate selection process to only suggest candidates which have the necessary qualities you are looking for. Final Thoughts Sharp Consultancy has been recruiting finance professionals across Yorkshire for over 30 years. Our proven process allows us to spot these red flags early, helping our clients avoid costly hiring mistakes. By keeping the above points in mind, you’ll be in a much stronger position to hire the right finance talent for your team.If you're currently hiring, or planning to, and want to avoid the common pitfalls, we’d love to support you. From advising on interview strategy to identifying candidates with the right mix of skills and mindset, we’re here to make the process easier—and more successful.Soraya specialises in recruiting for permanent Part Qualified, Qualified by Experience and Qualified finance roles with salaries ranging from £30,000 to £50,000 across Doncaster, Rotherham, Barnsley, Worksop, Hull and the surrounding areas. Get in touch with Soraya today – sorayadowning@sharpconsultancy.com – 0114 261 1700 or SUBMIT A VACANCY.​

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Transactional Temps

Temporary Transactional Finance Jobs in Leeds

Temporary Transactional Finance Jobs

The Benefits of a Career in Temporary Transactional Finance Roles

Temporary transactional finance roles are essential for organisations seeking flexible and efficient support for their day-to-day financial operations. These positions offer candidates a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience, diversify their skill set, and enjoy a dynamic work environment. Professionals in temporary transactional finance play a vital role in maintaining accurate financial records, ensuring compliance, and facilitating smooth financial processes on a short-term basis.

What Are Temporary Transactional Finance Jobs?

Temporary transactional finance jobs focus on operational finance tasks, typically on a fixed-term or project-based basis. These roles cover essential functions such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll processing, and cash flow management. Temporary positions often arise due to seasonal demand, system migrations, team restructuring, or to cover staff absences.

Temporary transactional roles are ideal for candidates who value flexibility, want to explore different industries, or are looking to quickly gain practical finance experience.

What Do Temporary Transactional Finance Roles Offer Candidates?

Temporary transactional finance jobs provide numerous advantages for professionals at various stages of their careers:

  • Flexibility: Temporary roles allow candidates to choose assignments that align with their schedules or career goals, offering a better work-life balance.

  • Skill Development: These roles provide hands-on experience with financial processes, software, and organisational workflows, helping candidates develop practical, marketable skills.

  • Industry Exposure: Temporary positions offer opportunities to work in diverse sectors, from retail and healthcare to manufacturing and technology, broadening candidates’ industry knowledge.

  • Networking Opportunities: Short-term roles help professionals expand their professional network, building connections that can lead to permanent positions or future assignments.

  • Quick Entry to the Job Market: Temporary roles are often available on short notice, making them an excellent option for candidates looking to secure employment quickly.

  • Pathway to Permanent Roles: Many organisations use temporary positions as a stepping stone for permanent hires, allowing candidates to prove their abilities and secure long-term roles.

Skills Needed for Success in Temporary Transactional Finance

To excel in temporary transactional finance jobs, candidates should possess the following skills:

  • Adaptability: The ability to quickly learn new systems and processes is essential for succeeding in fast-paced, short-term roles.

  • Attention to Detail: Precision in handling invoices, payments, and reconciliations is vital to maintain accuracy and reliability.

  • Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with common accounting software, ERP systems, and digital financial tools ensures smooth integration into any role.

  • Strong Communication: Clear and professional interaction with team members and stakeholders is key to understanding expectations and delivering results.

  • Time Management: Balancing priorities and meeting deadlines is especially important in temporary positions, where tasks may need to be completed in tight timeframes.

Career Growth Potential in Temporary Transactional Finance

Temporary transactional finance jobs are a strategic way to build a successful finance career. These roles enable candidates to gain diverse experience, strengthen their résumés, and explore various career paths. The demand for temporary professionals is high, particularly during peak financial periods or major organisational transitions.

Additionally, temporary roles offer an opportunity to develop specialised expertise in areas such as payroll systems, invoice automation, or compliance reporting. These skills can enhance career prospects and open doors to more advanced roles in transactional finance or other finance disciplines.

Why Choose Temporary Transactional Finance Jobs?

Temporary transactional finance roles are an excellent choice for candidates seeking flexibility, growth, and varied experiences. These positions offer competitive pay, the chance to work with leading organisations, and the ability to explore different industries without long-term commitment.

For professionals at the start of their finance careers, temporary roles provide a solid foundation of experience and exposure. For experienced candidates, they offer the opportunity to remain active in the workforce, maintain skill relevance, and enjoy diverse work environments.

In conclusion, temporary transactional finance jobs provide candidates with an ideal blend of flexibility, learning, and opportunity. By leveraging these roles to gain experience, expand networks, and refine skills, professionals can pave the way for a successful and fulfilling career in finance.

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