How to Get the Best Out of Your Finance Team

FRS 102 Revised Seminar Brings South Yorkshire Finance Leaders Together

In collaboration with Shorts Chartered Accountants, we recently hosted a seminar for senior finance professionals from across the region.The event brought together a number of Finance Directors, Financial Controllers and senior leaders from across the region for a morning of insight, discussion and networking over breakfast. It was a pleasure to welcome so many familiar faces, alongside new contacts, reflecting the strength and depth of the Yorkshire finance community. The seminar was presented by Howard Freeman, Audit & Accounts Partner, and Andy Ryder, Corporate Finance Partner at Shorts. We are extremely grateful to both speakers for sharing their time and expertise, and for delivering a clear, practical overview of the forthcoming changes to FRS 102, which came into effect on 1 January 2026 and are expected to impact a significant number of UK businesses. The session explored what is changing and why, particularly in relation to lease accounting and revenue recognition, and considered what the updates mean in practice for finance teams and business leaders. The speakers also addressed the new reporting requirements under FRS 102, the potential impact on EBITDA and valuation methodologies, and the key considerations for organisations as they prepare for implementation. Rather than focusing purely on technical detail, the seminar encouraged broader discussion around readiness, communication with stakeholders and the commercial implications of the changes. This led to a highly engaged Q&A session, with attendees sharing perspectives and experiences from their own organisations. At Sharp Consultancy, we are committed to supporting the finance community beyond recruitment alone. Events such as this form part of our ongoing effort to create opportunities for connection, knowledge-sharing and professional development among senior finance professionals. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Shorts for partnering with us on this event, and in particular to Howard and Andy for delivering such an informative and thought-provoking session. We are also grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion. We look forward to hosting further events in the coming months and continuing to work closely with our network of finance leaders across the region.If you would like to discuss how these changes may impact your finance team, or if you are considering strengthening your leadership function, please contact us for a confidential conversation.

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Whether you manage a small transactional finance function or lead a wider team of qualified professionals, getting the best out of your people is one of the most important — and often most challenging — aspects of leadership.

In accountancy and finance, where accuracy, deadlines and commercial insight are critical, strong leadership can directly influence team performance and overall business success. While some managers appear to lead naturally, effective team management is a skill that develops over time through experience, communication and adaptability.

If you’re stepping into your first management role or joining a new organisation, understanding how to motivate and engage your finance team while establishing yourself in a new environment can feel like a balancing act. The key lies in understanding individuals, creating clarity and building a positive working culture.

Understand Individual Career Aspirations

A workspace filled with various office supplies, symbolising career aspirations and professional development.

Finance professionals are often highly career-driven, whether they are part-qualified, newly qualified or operating at senior level. Take time to understand each individual’s goals and ambitions. Where do they see their career progressing, and how can you help them get there within your organisation?

Clear conversations around progression, development and expectations help employees see a future with the business and improve engagement and retention.

Build Confidence and Set Clear Expectations

Strong performance comes from clarity. Ensure team members understand what success looks like within their role — from meeting reporting deadlines to supporting broader commercial objectives.

Helping individuals build confidence in their technical ability and decision-making encourages ownership and accountability, which is particularly valuable in finance teams where accuracy and efficiency are critical.

Celebrate Success and Create a Positive Environment

Finance departments often focus heavily on deadlines and problem-solving, so it’s important to recognise achievements along the way. Celebrating individual and team successes — whether it’s completing year-end accounts, improving processes or delivering key insights — helps maintain morale and motivation.

A positive working culture encourages collaboration and makes people more likely to go the extra mile when required.

Communicate the Bigger Picture

People perform best when they understand how their work contributes to wider business goals. Share the company’s

Vibrant paper targets and airplanes on a lively background, illustrating the alignment of goals between employees and businesses.

direction, financial objectives and key milestones so your team can see where their efforts fit into the overall strategy.

Involving team members in regular updates and discussions also helps create a sense of ownership and engagement across all levels of the finance function.

Empower and Develop Your Team

Encourage team members — particularly junior finance professionals — to share ideas and contribute to problem-solving. Giving individuals responsibility and opportunities to learn not only supports development but also strengthens the overall capability of the team.

Empowerment creates confident finance professionals who can add value beyond their core duties.

Adapt Your Management Style

Not everyone is motivated in the same way. Some individuals respond well to regular feedback and structure, while others prefer autonomy. Effective finance leaders adapt their approach while maintaining clear standards and ensuring the team remains aligned to shared goals.

Recognise Effort and Give Feedback

Never underestimate the impact of simple, genuine feedback. Taking the time to acknowledge hard work or

Visual guide on leveraging employee feedback to drive business improvements and strengthen team engagement.

improvements reinforces positive behaviours and helps employees feel valued — a crucial element in retaining top finance talent.

Strong leadership is central to building high-performing accountancy and finance teams. By understanding your people, communicating clearly and creating opportunities for growth, you can drive both individual development and long-term business success.

Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment of temporary, interim and permanent finance and accountancy professionals. With offices in Leeds and Sheffield, our experienced consultants support businesses across Yorkshire and beyond in building successful finance teams.