INTERVIEW TIPS FROM OUR EXPERTS

Sharp Consultancy's Salary Survey 2025/26: Resetting the Landscape: Strategic Shifts in Finance Recruitment

It would be remiss not to start by addressing the elephant in the room — 2024 was a challenging year.While there were many reasons for this and numerous industries were affected, recruitment likely bore the brunt of it, particularly in the 6 months post-election(s).Whilst key roles and critical hires remained unaffected, certain head counts and processes were scrutinised and investment paused with internal restructures and automation utilised to reduce costs, in some instances, at the expense of employees. We subsequently saw an increase in candidate activity, with the talent pool strengthening. As those pressures eased in Quarter 4, recruitment processes saw improvement and green shoots have emerged. Optimism is on the rise in key hiring processes, albeit with a caveat. The cloud of additional cost increases in April, which is still dissipating. The senior finance and C-Suite market remains relatively unaffected, both regarding opportunities and candidates, it is the levels below that we have seen more change. In the evolving landscape of working dynamics, the volume of hybrid working is gradually waning despite sustained interest from candidates, presenting fewer job opportunities. While the blend of office and remote work remains desirable, it is no longer the predominant factor, indicating a notable shift in priorities for clients and candidates’ acceptance alike. Conversations with candidates underscore a growing desire around the importance of having a supportive mentor or manager and many professionals are increasingly open to a full-time return to the office if it guarantees enhanced guidance and avenues for professional advancement. "The salaries throughout transactional finance have stabilised across the region."Throughout the professional practice market, some similar trends have been observed but there have been noticeable differences in the past year. Salaries across the range of candidates in professional practice, from AAT to fully Qualified (ACA/ACCA) individuals are still rising and those firm’s able to offer competitive salaries alongside stronger training contracts are beating out the competition in a candidate market with a growing focus on study support packages and career advancement opportunities for Part-Qualified candidates, indicating an increase in demand from employers and the volume of available job seekers. The salaries throughout transactional finance have stabilised across the region, in what feels like the longest period of stability seen since Q4 2020 and we expect transactional finance salaries to remain stable throughout 2025/26, with anticipated salary increments to be moderate compared to the significant increases observed throughout the last 2 years. AI & Systems (process automation) continues to impact accountancy and finance, in particular, across larger functions but this has increased the need for wider interim support to assist with the transition and implementation especially with large, automated processes. Whilst 2025-26 will not be the same marketplace for recruitment as seen in previous years, there is certainly a growing level of optimism and whilst a more settled market may be seen as a negative in some areas, for those that have weathered the peaks and troughs over a longer period of time, it will feel very normal and a strong setting for both employees and employers to take advantage and thrive, with an increasing emphasis on growth and development.Download the full Salary Survey here!

Read article

Put yourself in pole position with our essential guide to interviews.

DO’S

Find out as much as you can about your potential employer; read their annual report, check out their website and follow them on social media
Make sure you understand the type of business that they are involved with and brush up on your knowledge of the key issues and market trends
Understand what will happen on the day - how long will you need to be there for, will there be a written assessment or psychometric test involved?
Read your CV and the job description and ensure you are confident on all the key points
Create the right impression from the outset by dressing in professional and presentable manner. Make sure whatever you wear is comfortable and well fitting and clean!
Make eye contact and keep it natural and friendly – smile at the appropriate moments and appear warm and open to any questions and comments
Be aware of your body language and make sure that you are sitting comfortably and not shuffling nervously in your seat
Be enthusiastic – employers are looking for people who can carry out the work efficiently but they also look for candidates that will add something to the company
Be positive about your own skills and attributes and try to link these back to the potential job role to show your suitability for the position
Keep the conversation flowing and give full and detailed answers. Stick to the point you want make and give careful and concise responses to the questions
Take time to think about your answer to each question; if you are unsure ask for clarification and avoid long and convoluted answers

DON’T’S

Don’t be negative about your current or past employers; give positive reasons for why you are looking for a new role
Nothing creates a bad impression like somebody arriving late for an interview; get the exact address and do a trial run if possible. Aim to arrive 10 minutes early so you can relax and gather your thoughts beforehand.
Ask about salary and benefits until it is raised by the interviewer; many would-be employers can be put off a candidate if they feel they are too interested in the potential salary and rewards rather than the position itself
Lie about your current salary to try and secure a better package. Most employers are very much aware of salary levels within their industries and will not look favourably upon someone that they feel is not being honest about their expectations.
Cover up areas of your CV – you will get caught out! Be clear in your responses and explain how you have taken steps to improve or the circumstances behind any career gaps such as travelling, maternity leave or redundancy.
Come across as being cocky or arrogant – you should be confident in your ability but make sure you are likeable with it

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.