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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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About Us

About Sharp Consultancy

Sharp Consultancy is a leading recruitment consultancy in Yorkshire, specialising in accountancy recruitment and finance recruitment across Yorkshire and the North of England. Since 1992, we have built a strong reputation for delivering precise, reliable, and consultative recruitment solutions that support business growth and help professionals achieve their career goals.

With more than 30 years of experience in finance recruitment in Yorkshire, we understand the long-term value of making the right hiring decisions—and the powerful impact they can have on both businesses and careers.

Our History and Growth

Founded with a focus on quality, service, and professionalism, Sharp Consultancy has grown organically and sustainably into one of the region’s most respected providers of accountancy and finance recruitment services. With offices in both Leeds and Sheffield, we are ideally placed to serve a wide client base across the region—including start-ups, owner-managed firms, and large PLCs.

Our local presence enables us to offer responsive, tailored support across finance recruitment in Leeds, finance recruitment in Sheffield, and throughout Yorkshire.

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Our Expertise

We specialise in finance and accountancy recruitment at all levels, covering temporary, interim, and permanent roles across a broad range of sectors. Whether you're hiring for a crucial finance leadership role or looking for temporary finance jobs in Yorkshire, we have the knowledge, network, and experience to deliver.

Our core areas of expertise include:

  • Management and Financial Accounting

  • Commercial Finance and FP&A

  • Transactional Finance

  • Tax, Audit, and Treasury

  • Senior Finance Leadership

  • Private equity recruitment in Yorkshire

  • Professional practice recruitment in Yorkshire

We are committed to matching top talent with the right opportunities—from board-level appointments to specialist interim finance roles in Yorkshire.

Our Approach

As a true consultative recruitment consultancy, we take the time to understand the specific needs of every business and every candidate. We don’t just match CVs to vacancies—we build long-term partnerships by aligning culture, ambition, and expertise.

For employers, we deliver bespoke finance recruitment solutions that are designed to add value and improve performance. For jobseekers, we provide access to the very best accountancy jobs in Yorkshire, finance jobs in Yorkshire, and career advice tailored to your aspirations.

Meet the Team

Our team of experienced consultants combines deep sector knowledge with detailed understanding of the local market. Many of our specialists have backgrounds in accountancy or finance themselves, giving them unique insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by both employers and professionals.

We are proud to be known for our professional integrity, long-term relationships, and commitment to service—qualities that have made us a trusted name in finance and accountancy recruitment across Yorkshire.

Meet the Team

Why Choose Sharp Consultancy?

Choosing Sharp Consultancy means partnering with a team that:

  • Listens carefully and advises honestly

  • Understands your industry and your location

  • Delivers high-quality accountancy and finance recruitment in Yorkshire

  • Builds long-term partnerships based on trust

  • Makes a measurable impact on your success

Whether you're looking to fill a senior finance position, secure an interim finance role in Yorkshire, or explore new opportunities in finance or accountancy jobs across Yorkshire, Sharp Consultancy is here to support you—every step of the way.

Our mission is clear; to fuel regional growth by improving the financial surety and profitability of our clients in Yorkshire, whilst having a positive impact on individual lives.

  • Icon which portrays integrity
    Integrity

    We uphold the highest standards of honesty and transparency in all our dealings.

  • Icon which portrays determinance
    Determination

    We demonstrate unwavering commitment and perseverance in achieving the best outcomes.

  • Icon which portrays togetherness
    Togetherness

    We believe in the power of collaboration and teamwork to drive success.

  • Icon which portrays relationships
    Relationships

    We focus on building long-term, meaningful relationships with both clients and candidates.

Our History.

  • Founded
  • YAOTY
  • New Offices
  • Opened our Leeds Office
  • Private Equity Specialists
  • Mark Wilson
  • New offices for West Yorkshire
  • Our 5000th Candidate is Placed
  • Overseas Placement
  • High Performers Club
  • MBO
  • 50,000 Candidates Registered
  • 10,000th Candidate
  • Transfer of Ownership
  • 1992

    Founded

    Our journey began in 1992 when Sharp Consultancy was founded in Sheffield by Chris Sharp.

  • 1996

    YAOTY

    ​Sharp consultancy hosts the Young Accountants of the Year Awards for the first time in 1996.

  • 1997

    New Offices

    ​Sharp Consultancy moves into its custom-made offices on Meadowhall Road in 1997.

  • 2000

    Opened our Leeds Office

    In July 2000, we opened our first office in Leeds, expanding our reach across the whole of Yorkshire

  • 2001

    Private Equity Specialists

    ​Sharp Consultancy places its first P.E placement in 2001, as a new specialism is born.

  • 2002

    Mark Wilson

    ​Mark Wilson officially takes the helm as Managing Director in 2002, having been involved with the business for several years.

  • 2003

    New offices for West Yorkshire

    ​Sharp Consultancy moves into its second permanent office, in Leeds on Lowfields Road in 2003.

  • 2008

    Our 5000th Candidate is Placed

    ​Sharp Consultancy places its 5000th candidate in 2008.

  • 2010

    Overseas Placement

    ​Though proudly regionally focused Sharp Consultancy even placed a chartered accountant in Monaco in 2010.

  • 2014

    High Performers Club

    ​Sharp Consultancy launch 'High-Performance Club' in 2014, a yearly reward for all who demonstrate exceptional performance with a Holiday or Luxury item to choose from.

  • 2017

    MBO

    ​Sharp Consultancy completes a Management Buy Out from the previous ownership lead by Mark Wilson and the Board of Directors in 2017.

  • 2023

    50,000 Candidates Registered

    ​Sharp Consultancy registers its 50,000th candidate in 2023 as it continues to be the first choice for accountancy and finance staff across the region.

  • 2023

    10,000th Candidate

    Sharp Consultancy places it's 10,000th candidate in 2023.​

  • 2024

    Transfer of Ownership

    ​Sharp Consultancy transfers it's ownership into an Employee Ownership Trust in May of 2024, helping to assure our continued success.

Sharp Consultancy

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Experience the difference with Sharp Consultancy—your trusted partner in recruitment excellence. Speak with a specialist today about your specific requirements.

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