WORKING AS AN INTERIM – WHAT TO EXPECT

Inclusive Cultures Don’t Happen by Accident — They’re Built Intentionally

Following International Women's Day, many organisations reflect on progress.But for finance leaders and hiring managers, the more important question is this: What does inclusion mean in practice — and how does it affect performance? Because this isn’t just a culture conversation. It’s a capability conversation. Inclusion Impacts Talent Attraction The best finance professionals — at every level — have options. They are looking for: Transparent progression pathways Visible meritocracy Leadership that values contribution over presence Environments where performance is recognised fairly If an organisation’s culture unintentionally favours “proximity” — those closest to decision-makers — it narrows its own talent pipeline. And in a market where specialist skills are already in short supply, that’s a commercial risk. Meritocracy Must Be Visible Many businesses describe themselves as meritocratic. But candidates assess that through lived signals: Who is in senior leadership? Who is promoted internally? How are flexible working arrangements handled? How openly are development opportunities discussed? In accountancy and finance particularly — where progression paths are structured and performance is measurable — fairness needs to be both real and visible. High performers want clarity, standards and consistency. Leadership Behaviour Shapes Retention Inclusive leadership isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about everyday behaviours: Who is invited into strategic discussions Who is given stretch projects Who is credited publicly Who is sponsored, not just mentored Retention in finance teams is rarely lost because of salary alone. It’s often influenced by visibility, opportunity and recognition. Businesses that understand this tend to build stronger, more stable finance functions. The Commercial Case for Inclusion Diverse and inclusive teams bring broader perspectives to: Risk assessment Strategic planning Commercial analysis Operational improvement For CFOs and Finance Directors, inclusion isn’t a compliance issue. It’s about building balanced teams capable of better decision-making. The organisations that approach inclusion intentionally — rather than reactively — are often the ones that outperform in the long term. Beyond Awareness Days International Women’s Day creates valuable momentum every year:But sustained progress comes from: Clear promotion criteria Transparent hiring processes Conscious leadership development Ongoing cultural accountability In today’s hiring market, an inclusive culture isn’t just about employer branding — it influences who joins, who stays and how teams perform.

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With the COVID-19 pandemic creating a degree of uncertainty for many industry sectors, an increasing number of companies are looking to engage the services of accountancy and finance professionals on an interim basis in order to benefit from the skills and expertise that their businesses needs with the flexibility the current climate demands.

And it’s not just employers that reap the benefits from such a relationship with those that opt for life as an interim rewarded with a flexible, varied career that can offer a more manageable work-life balance.

For those who may be considering applying for an interim position for the first time; here’s our guide to the key factors to be aware of before making the move.:

There are interim opportunities at all levels; it’s not just a role that is exclusive to managers or senior level finance professionals. Essentially, a company will look to recruit an interim to address a specific need such as covering a long period of absence, to handle a particular project or to acquire specific skills.
Interims will usually be employed on either a rolling contract with an agreed day rate or a fixed term/short term contract with an associated salary. These are not always necessarily full-time positions so it is possible to be employed by more than one company on an interim basis at the same time (although you will need to check your terms and conditions and ensure you are clear with each employer as to your availability).
Interims are highly skilled individuals or specialise in a particular area; they will often be called upon at short notice and, due to the nature of the requirement, will be expected to hit the ground running.
Flexibility is an essential quality when it comes to being successful as an interim. You will be expected to quickly get to grips with an organisation’s working practices and be able to build effective relationships with your new colleagues from the outset.
Interims can often be brought into situations that are highly pressured so you will need to demonstrate that you are confident and have the ability to thrive and deliver results in potentially stressful circumstances.
Interim employment offers an excellent opportunity to expand your experience and knowledge through working for a number of different organisations in varying sectors.
Strong communication skills are an essential attribute for an interim; you will be expected to quickly and effectively digest a vast amount of new information and share your vision and expectations of what needs to be delivered to your new colleagues. Depending on the requirement of the role, you may find that there is the potential to ruffle a few feathers along the way – this won’t necessarily be a negative – so you need to be confident addressing and handling challenging situations.
Working as an interim can offer flexibility in terms of the number of days worked per week or by enabling you to work for only a portion of the year. Many also find that interim contracts offer a higher rate of pay. The flip side to this is the uncertainty of needing to secure a new opportunity when each contract comes to an end which can be difficult for those that prefer the perceived job security that regular employment offers.

Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment of temporary, interim and permanent finance professionals. With offices in Leeds and Sheffield our highly experienced team of consultants recruit for positions throughout Yorkshire and beyond. CONTACT US today to speak to a member of our team about our latest interim opportunities.