Interview Question Spotlight: “Why Do You Want to

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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It’s one of the most common interview questions in finance and accountancy recruitment — and one that candidates often underestimate.

While it may sound straightforward, your answer can reveal a great deal about your preparation, motivation, and long-term career intent.

So, what are hiring managers really looking for when they ask this question?

Two people seated at a table in an office, engaged in a job interview.

Why Employers Ask This Question

At its core, this question helps employers assess whether you’ve taken the time to research the business and understand how the role fits into the wider finance function. For accountancy and finance roles — where commercial awareness, stakeholder engagement, and long-term planning are critical — this insight is particularly important.

Interviewers want to understand:

How well you understand the organisation, its sector, and its future direction
Whether your career ambitions align with the business’s growth plans
How genuinely motivated you are by the opportunity, not just the job title

What Makes a Strong Answer

Two people seated at a table in an office, engaged in a job interview discussion.

A well-constructed response should demonstrate three key things:

Understanding of the role:

Show that you’ve read the job description carefully and understand what success looks like. Reference core responsibilities such as financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, systems improvement, or business partnering, and explain why these appeal to you.

Alignment with the business:

Highlight what attracts you to the organisation specifically. This might include its market position, recent growth, reputation within the sector, investment in finance systems, or commitment to developing its finance team.

Your contribution:

Explain what you can bring to the role. This could be technical expertise, process improvement experience, strong stakeholder management, or the ability to add commercial insight to decision-making.

Use Evidence to Strengthen Your Answer

Preparation is key. Where possible, back up your points with examples that demonstrate your research and experience. For example:

Referencing recent business growth, acquisitions, or strategic change
Linking your career goals to clear development or progression pathways
Explaining how your approach aligns with the company’s culture and value

You should also look to include a relevant achievement from your current or recent role. This might be streamlining month-end processes, improving reporting accuracy, supporting a system implementation, or enhancing collaboration with non-finance teams. Be clear about the outcomes and measurable results achieved.

Show Genuine Enthusiasm for the Organisation

A employer and candidate shake hands at a table during a job interview.

Employers want to see that you’re excited about working for them, not just securing your next role. Take the opportunity to explain what sets the organisation apart from others in the market — whether that’s its leadership team, reputation, investment in people, or long-term growth plans.

A thoughtful, well-researched answer reassures hiring managers that you are committed, commercially aware, and motivated to contribute to the success of the finance function.

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Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment of temporary, interim, and permanent finance and accountancy professionals. With offices in Leeds and Sheffield, our highly experienced consultants support candidates and clients across Yorkshire and beyond.

Interview Question Spotlight: “Why Do You Want to Work Here?”

It’s one of the most common interview questions in finance and accountancy recruitment — and one that candidates often underestimate.

Why Employers Ask This Question