How to Make a Strong Start in Your New Finance

Evie Irons: Behind the Desk

In our latest Behind the Desk feature, we sit down with Evie Irons. Evie recently joined Sharp Consultancy as a Consultant within our Leeds office, working as part of our Transactional Temps team.Having made the move into recruitment, Evie brings a strong commercial foundation and a genuine passion for building relationships to her work supporting temporary finance professionals across Leeds.In this edition of Behind the Desk, we spend some time getting to know Evie - exploring her journey into recruitment, the lessons she's learned so far, and the perspective she brings to supporting finance professionals.Getting to Know Evie: Background and InspirationEvie's path into recruitment started with a degree in Business Management and Marketing, chosen because she wanted to understand how businesses operate and how they build relationships with customers. It was during her time at university that the people-focused side of business really caught her attention, and she began looking for a career that let her combine commercial thinking with building genuine relationships. Finance and accountancy recruitment stood out for exactly that reason. "These roles are critical to every organisation, and the market is fast-paced and constantly evolving," she explains. "I enjoy learning about different businesses, understanding their hiring needs, and matching them with candidates."Starting a new career can be a big step, and Evie admits the industry has surprised her in a few ways. She expected recruitment to be mainly about filling vacancies, but has come to learn it's really about building trust, with both clients and candidates. The pace has been another eye-opener; priorities can shift quickly, and adapting to that has pushed her to become far more organised and flexible than she might have expected going in.Industry Perspective: Lessons and Approaches in RecruitmentAsk Evie what she's found most rewarding so far, and it comes back to people. Working with graduates, much like herself, and helping them land roles that genuinely fit has been a particular highlight. "Starting your career can be challenging, so it's great to support people through that process and help them take the next step." The same goes for clients, understanding what they're looking for and finding the right person for their team, knowing that a good match makes a real difference on both sides.The reality of recruitmentIt's also given her a clearer view of what recruitment actually involves. A common misconception, she says, is that the job is just matching CVs to vacancies. In reality it's about building relationships, understanding what both candidates and clients truly want, and finding a fit that lasts, while supporting candidates through a process that can otherwise feel stressful.When it comes to what makes someone stand out in transactional finance, Evie points to reliability, attention to detail, and strong organisational skills, alongside good communication, since the role means working across different teams and managing expectations. A positive attitude, adaptability, and a genuine willingness to learn round it out, qualities she believes matter even more for candidates early in their careers.Where the market is heading?Being at the start of her recruitment career has also given Evie a sharp read on today's job market, and competition is the word that comes up most. Candidates need to stand out through the right skills, a positive attitude, and a genuine willingness to learn, and she's noticed employers increasingly looking beyond experience alone, valuing adaptability and potential to grow within a role.She's equally clear on what candidates value most from a recruiter: honesty, communication, and a sense of being genuinely supported throughout. For Evie, that means taking the time to understand what someone is really looking for and offering guidance, rather than simply putting them forward for any available role. Trust and keeping people updated, she says, make all the difference.If she could change one thing about the hiring process, it would be communication and feedback. Candidates are too often left unsure of where they stand, and clearer updates throughout would make the experience better for everyone involved.Beyond the Desk: Life Outside WorkOutside of work, Evie makes time for the people and places that matter to her. She's originally from near the Peak District and loves getting out for walks there whenever she can, alongside catching up with friends and family and the odd spot of shopping. Her free time has recently gained a new focus too, in the form of a puppy she's spending plenty of walks and quality time with.Given the choice of anywhere in the world, Evie would book a flight to New York without hesitation, drawn by the atmosphere, the landmarks, and everything there is to see and do, from Central Park and Times Square to the food, shopping, and culture the city is known for.Closer to home, the one thing she always makes time for is her friends and family, whether that's a catch-up, a walk, or simply relaxing together. It's her way of switching off and keeping a healthy balance outside of work. Since joining the business, Evie has brought energy, curiosity, and a genuine care for candidates to the team. Her people-first approach and eagerness to learn make her a valuable addition to the Leeds office.We're pleased to welcome Evie to the team and look forward to seeing her desk continue to grow in the months ahead.--At Sharp Consultancy, we're committed to giving our people the support and platform they need to build a rewarding career. If this sounds like the kind of path you'd like for yourself, take a look at our Careers page to find out more.

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Starting a new role in accountancy and finance can be both exciting and challenging.

Whether you are joining a business as a Purchase Ledger Clerk, Management Accountant, Finance Business Partner or Financial Controller, the first few weeks are crucial in helping you establish credibility, build relationships and settle into the organisation successfully.

Alongside learning new systems, processes and reporting structures, it is important to make a positive impression on both your immediate team and the wider business.

Here are some practical tips to help finance professionals get the most out of those important early weeks in a new role.

Be Proactive and Willing to Help

A woman covered in sticky notes on her arm, showcasing her proactive nature and readiness to assist others.

When starting a new position, it is common to feel as though everyone around you is extremely busy while you are still getting up to speed.

Rather than waiting to be asked, look for opportunities to support the team and get involved where possible. Offering assistance with reporting, reconciliations, month-end processes, project work or systems tasks demonstrates initiative and a positive attitude.

Being proactive will not only help you learn the business more quickly, but it will also allow colleagues and managers to see the value you can bring to the finance function.

That said, it is equally important to avoid overcommitting too early. Focus on understanding priorities, delivering quality work and building confidence in your new environment before taking on too much responsibility.

Ask Questions and Clarify Expectations

Even highly experienced finance professionals require time to adjust when joining a new organisation.

Every business has its own systems, reporting structures, processes and ways of working. Whether it is learning a new ERP system, understanding month-end deadlines or adapting to different management reporting requirements, there will always be a learning curve.

If you are unsure about something, ask.

Most managers would far rather answer questions early on than deal with avoidable mistakes later. Asking thoughtful questions also demonstrates engagement and a genuine desire to learn.

Make sure you fully understand:

Reporting deadlines
Approval processes
Team responsibilities
Key business priorities
Communication expectations
Preferred reporting formats and systems

Clarity early on will help you settle into your role much more confidently.

Share Your Knowledge and Experience

While it is important to spend time listening and learning during your first few weeks, do not be afraid to contribute your own ideas and experience where appropriate.

A circle with various icons and a light bulb, representing the concepts of knowledge and experience.

Finance professionals often join organisations bringing valuable exposure from different industries, systems or business environments. Sharing ideas around process improvements, reporting efficiencies or best practice can help demonstrate your commercial value early on.

Contributing positively in meetings, asking insightful questions and offering constructive suggestions can help position you as an engaged and collaborative member of the finance team.

Stay Professional and Avoid Office Politics

Building strong working relationships is essential, but it is important to remain professional — particularly during the early stages of joining a business.

Avoid becoming involved in workplace gossip or negative conversations about colleagues, management or previous employers. The finance and accountancy market, particularly across Yorkshire, can be closely connected and professionalism matters.

Instead, focus on building a reputation as someone who is reliable, approachable and positive to work with.

Build Relationships Across the Business

Successful finance professionals rarely operate in isolation.

While establishing a strong relationship with your line manager is important, it is equally valuable to build connections with colleagues across other departments and levels of the organisation.

Finance teams regularly work alongside operations, HR, sales, procurement and senior leadership teams, so developing strong communication and stakeholder management skills early on can make a significant difference.

Managers will often seek informal feedback from colleagues about how new starters are settling into the team, so demonstrating enthusiasm, professionalism and collaboration from day one can leave a lasting positive impression.

The First Few Weeks Matter

The early stages of any new role provide an opportunity to establish your reputation, demonstrate your attitude and build the foundations for long-term success.

By remaining proactive, professional and open to learning, you can quickly position yourself as a valuable member of the finance team and set yourself up for future progression within the business.

Two people engaged in a handshake at a meeting, representing a successful introduction and a positive connection.

At Sharp Consultancy, we support finance and accountancy professionals across Yorkshire with temporary, interim and permanent opportunities spanning the full spectrum of finance roles.

If you are considering your next career move or would like confidential advice on the current finance recruitment market, our specialist consultants are here to help.