NATIONAL PAYROLL WEEK - Andrew Walker

Attracting Top Finance Talent in South Yorkshire in 2026: Employer Strategies That Stand Out

Historically, the best finance professionals have not only been in high demand but have also had increasingly high expectations — and in today’s competitive South Yorkshire finance market, that reality is truer than ever. For over 33 years, Sharp Consultancy has been working closely with businesses across Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Barnsley. In that time, we’ve witnessed firsthand how the landscape of finance recruitment has evolved. When it comes to attracting and securing top-tier finance talent, we know what works — and, perhaps more importantly, what doesn’t. Local Reputation Matters More Than Ever In South Yorkshire especially, local reputation counts. Candidates talk, and businesses talk. The region’s finance community is tightly knit, and news travels fast — both good and bad. Employers who invest in building a strong, authentic brand that reflects real employee experiences tend to win out. That means it’s not enough to simply advertise a competitive salary or an attractive job title. Modern candidates want to understand what life inside your business looks like — the day-to-day culture, the leadership style, and the opportunities for growth. Visibility through employee stories, community engagement, and transparent communication all help to create a reputation that draws people in rather than pushes them away. What Candidates Want in Today’s Market In 2026, the expectations of finance professionals have broadened significantly, particularly at the qualified level. While salary remains important, it’s no longer the sole deciding factor. In fact, some of the best offers we see accepted each year aren’t the highest in monetary terms — they’re the most considered and holistic. Top candidates want to join businesses that offer purpose, balance, and progression. They look for roles that align with their values and allow them to contribute meaningfully, while still developing their technical and commercial skillsets. If you want to attract the best, you must clearly articulate what sets your company apart — your Employer Value Proposition (EVP). Ask yourself: What makes working with you different? Is it access to senior leadership, commercial exposure, or involvement in exciting transformation projects? What development or training support do you offer? Are there structured pathways, mentoring programmes, or professional study sponsorships? How flexible are you? Can employees work hybrid schedules, compressed hours, or part-time to suit their lifestyles? What additional perks or benefits do you provide — from wellness initiatives to social impact days or volunteering opportunities? The most successful employers communicate these points clearly, consistently, and confidently — both during recruitment and throughout the employee lifecycle. The Need for Speed and Agility Another critical factor in attracting top talent is speed. In a fast-moving market, long or disjointed hiring processes can easily result in losing outstanding candidates. Strong finance professionals are rarely on the market for long, and delays at the offer or feedback stage can make the difference between securing or losing your preferred hire. Where possible, streamline your recruitment process. Ensure hiring managers are aligned on the role requirements, keep communication clear, and aim to deliver feedback promptly. Demonstrating decisiveness reflects positively on your business and reinforces the message that you value candidates’ time and enthusiasm. Transparency Builds Trust We’ve seen a notable shift in what candidates are asking during interviews. Increasingly, they want to know why a role is vacant. Is it due to growth, internal promotion, or turnover? A vague answer or a history of short-lived hires can quickly raise red flags. Conversely, when a company can confidently articulate its purpose, culture, and long-term vision, candidates engage more readily — and are more likely to accept offers. Our clients who have invested in defining and communicating these messages attract stronger pipelines of finance professionals, often before roles even go live. A clear, honest narrative about your organisation not only draws in talent but helps retain it too. Partner with a True Specialist If you’re looking to recruit the best talent in the market, the right partnership can make all the difference. Working with a true specialist who understands your business, your sector, and the nuances of the South Yorkshire market will save time and boost your hiring outcomes. At Sharp Consultancy, our clients benefit from: Pre-qualified shortlists of candidates who are thoroughly vetted for skills, culture fit, and long-term potential. Access to passive candidates, many of whom we’ve nurtured relationships with over years and who may not be actively searching. Honest feedback on your employer brand and market perception — so you can make informed improvements that strengthen future recruitment efforts. Because of our deep local networks, we often know when an outstanding finance professional is about to enter the market. That insight gives our clients a competitive edge in securing the very best talent before others are even aware they’re available. Going Beyond Recruitment Our role extends well beyond active recruitment. We pride ourselves on offering genuine consultative advice, including: Salary benchmarking and market insights Case studies from recent successful hires Ongoing check-ins and relationship management — not just when you have a live vacancy This proactive approach means that when you are ready to hire, we already understand your business, your values, and the type of people who will thrive in your environment. Contact Jack to Discuss Our Services-- Attracting the best finance talent in South Yorkshire takes more than a strong job spec and a competitive package. It’s about authenticity, agility, and alignment — knowing who you are as a business, what you stand for, and who you want to work alongside. After more than 30 years supporting companies across the region, Sharp Consultancy continues to help employers build finance teams that not only perform — but stay, grow, and make a real impact.

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To mark National Payroll Week, we asked our Commercial Director Andrew Walker, who has more than 20 year’s recruitment experience and focuses on the placement of transactional finance and payroll specialists in South Yorkshire for insight into the current market.

How is the current marketplace and what are your expectations for how the next 6-12 months will look?

Payroll has been particularly in demand over the last 12-24 months and the employment market is still extremely buoyant, with demand outweighing supply.

The next 6-12 months may depend upon any changes in the economy; as it stands there is no sign of the employment market slowing down, however that may change if we enter a recession and belts tighten.

What are the main recruitment challenges being faced?

There’s high demand from employers for quality, experienced specialists however a short supply of suitable candidates, compounded by a historical lack of investment in training new payroll staff means that the balance is unlikely to be restored in the short to medium term.

What should employers be doing to overcome these challenges?

Employers need to be looking at one of two approaches. Firstly, raising salaries both in terms of retaining their own talent and also to attract the limited number of candidates looking for a new role. Payroll salaries have risen considerably in the last 24 months and, whilst demand outweighs supply, will continue to rise. Effectively, companies will find that they are paying a premium to secure the personnel they need and be the employer of choice.

Secondly, there needs to be a return to recruiting and investing “rookies” in order to grow their own talent through training and development. Many clients are recruiting graduates, AAT studiers, or administrators and training them in payroll and providing support for relevant qualifications such as the CIPP (Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals).

What should candidates be doing to take advantage of this opportunity?

Experienced payroll specialists with the right skills will find that there’s a wealth of opportunities currently available to them. Those in the early stages of their finance career should give serious consideration to payroll as it offers an opportunity to use numerical and IT skills in a people-orientated role.

Payroll can often be an area of Accounting and Finance that is overlooked, despite it offering just as many opportunities for post graduate qualification, for promotion and for high earning potential as other areas. It offers a viable route for longer term development with the provision of full training and further funded qualifications potentially available.

What should candidates be looking for when considering a new role opportunity?

Consider your fit with the company culture. Yes there are currently genuine opportunities to improve your salary at the moment, but any move should be because it will be the ‘right’ place for you to work and offer you the progression that you are looking for… Don’t just follow the money.

How can employers put themselves in the best possible position to secure the top talent?

Sell yourself as an organisation and what you can offer somebody with ambition seeking strong career development opportunities. Be prepared to move (very) quickly and be decisive; candidates have so many choices and so many options on the table, that a poor process or a slow process means most of the time you will miss out.

Additionally, be open minded to recruiting inexperienced candidates and invest in training and qualifications. The fight for talent is intense for experienced candidates, with prices rising quickly. Investing in new entrants to the market can be a rewarding and cost-effective alternative.

Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment of temporary, interim and permanent transactional finance professionals across the full spectrum of roles including accounts payable, credit control, payroll and purchase ledgers. With offices in Leeds and Sheffield our highly experienced team of consultants recruit for positions throughout Yorkshire and beyond. CONTACT US today to find out more.