Struggling to Secure Finance Talent? Five Reasons

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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Securing high-calibre accountancy and finance professionals can be challenging at any time — particularly when experienced candidates are often managing multiple opportunities at once.

If your preferred candidate has declined your offer, it is rarely down to one single factor. However, there are clear, practical steps you can take to strengthen your position and secure the talent your finance function needs.

1. A Slow Recruitment Process

In the accountancy and finance market, strong candidates — whether Financial Controllers, Finance Managers,

A group of people examines a recruitment diagram highlighting the slow recruitment process.

Management Accountants or Qualified Accountants — are typically in high demand. Delays between interview stages, prolonged decision-making or uncertainty around next steps can quickly r

esult in candidates accepting alternative offers.

What you can do:

Ensure your recruitment process is structured, efficient and led by key decision-makers from the outset. Clear timelines, prompt feedback and decisive action demonstrate professionalism and commitment — qualities that matter to finance professionals assessing their next move.

2. Uncompetitive Salary Levels

The Yorkshire accountancy and finance market remains commercially focused and well-informed. Candidates understand their market value, particularly those with in-demand skills such as technical reporting expertise, commercial finance experience or sector-specific knowledge.

While salary is rarely the only motivator, an offer that sits below market expectations can weaken your position — especially if a counteroffer from their current employer is likely.

What you can do:

Benchmark salaries against comparable finance roles within your sector and region. Specialist insight is invaluable here; understanding current market trends, availability of talent and skill shortages allows you to position your offer competitively and realistically.

3. Limited Benefits and Incentives

Wooden cubes with icons of individuals and families, representing the challenges posed by insufficient employment benefits.

Today’s finance professionals look beyond base salary. Enhanced pension contributions, bonus structures, hybrid working arrangements, private healthcare and wellbeing initiatives can all influence a final decision.

A well-considered package signals stability, investment and long-term thinking — attributes that resonate strongly within the accountancy profession.

What you can do:

Regularly review your benefits offering and consider what will appeal to the level of hire you are making. Senior finance leaders may value performance-related incentives and strategic influence, while part-qualified or transactional candidates may prioritise study support and structured development.

4. Inflexible Working Practices

Flexible and hybrid working is now firmly embedded across many finance functions. Candidates increasingly expect clarity around working patterns and autonomy.

Organisations that remain rigid in their approach may find themselves at a disadvantage when competing for skilled professionals.

What you can do:

Develop a clear and consistent flexible working policy that balances operational needs with employee expectations. Transparency around this from the first conversation builds trust and strengthens engagement.

5. Lack of Clear Career Progression

Ambitious finance professionals are focused on progression — whether that means stepping into leadership, broadening commercial exposure or gaining experience in strategic decision-making.

People with briefcases navigate a staircase, illustrating the obstacles to achieving career growth.

If candidates cannot see how the role supports their long-term goals, they may look elsewhere.

What you can do:

Clearly articulate the development pathway within your organisation. Outline leadership opportunities, mentoring, project exposure or succession planning. Demonstrating how the role contributes to the wider business strategy can significantly enhance its appeal.

At Sharp Consultancy, we specialise exclusively in the recruitment of accountancy and finance professionals across Yorkshire and beyond. From part-qualified and transactional roles through to senior leadership and executive appointments, we provide tailored recruitment solutions across permanent, interim and temporary markets.

With offices in Leeds and Sheffield, our experienced consultants combine deep local knowledge with sector expertise to support businesses in securing the right finance talent at the right time.

If you would like to discuss your current hiring plans or gain insight into the Yorkshire finance market, contact our team for a confidential conversation.