The Power of Long-Term Relationships in Recruitment

One of our core values at Sharp Consultancy is Relationships, and recently I was reminded exactly why that matters. We recently won a competitive recruitment tender with a key client across the region. Whilst our experience and market knowledge played a huge part, I genuinely believe the deciding factor was something much harder to replicate – trust. I've known the senior finance leader for several years before there was ever a recruitment project to discuss. During that time, we've met regularly for coffee, shared market insights, talked about the finance landscape and discussed the challenges businesses were facing. Most of these conversations didn't lead to a recruitment assignment, and that was never the point. For me, relationship building isn't about waiting for someone to have a vacancy, it's about being present, staying relevant and adding value over time. Sometimes that's sharing insight into the market, offering a different perspective on a hiring challenge or simply taking the time to understand what's happening in someone's business. These conversations build credibility long before there's a commercial opportunity. So, when the recruitment opportunity came around, I wasn't introducing myself or trying to prove we understood the business in a single meeting. We've already built that understanding over years of honest conversations and consistent support. We knew what was important to them, the challenges they faced and how they wanted to approach recruitment. Winning the work was a fantastic result, but more importantly, it reinforced what I believe great recruitment is all about. The best recruitment partnerships aren't built when a role becomes live, they're built in the months and years beforehand. Trust develops through consistency, honesty and a genuine interest in helping people succeed, not through one conversation or one successful placement. That's why Relationship is one of our values at Sharp Consultancy. Because when trust comes first, opportunities tend to follow. The piece of recruitment may have been the outcome, but the relationship was the foundation that made it possible.

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Job description

This is a fantastic opportunity for a driven and ambitious Assistant Management Accountant to join a successful and expanding retail business in Halifax. Working as part of a collaborative finance team, you'll gain broad exposure across the finance function while supporting the continued growth of the business.

Reporting directly to the Senior Management Accountant, you will assist in delivering timely and accurate financial information, helping to drive informed business decisions and support the day-to-day financial operations of a fast-paced retail environment. Key responsibilities will include:

Assisting in the production of monthly management accounts and supporting the month-end close process
Supporting the preparation of budgets, forecasts, and financial plans across multiple areas of the business
Performing balance sheet reconciliations and resolving any variances or outstanding items
Analysing financial results and preparing reports to provide insight into business performance
Producing regular KPI reports and management information to support senior stakeholders
Monitoring stock movements and inventory balances, ensuring accurate reporting and reconciliation
Assisting with margin analysis and helping to identify trends and opportunities across product ranges
Processing month-end journals, including accruals, prepayments, and other accounting adjustments
Ensuring financial records are maintained accurately and in line with company policies and procedures
Supporting ongoing improvements to financial reporting processes, controls, and systems
Assisting with audit preparation and responding to information requests from external auditors
Providing financial and analytical support to both finance and operational teams as required

This role offers excellent scope for professional development, with the opportunity to build on your existing accounting knowledge and progress your career within a growing organisation. You will gain valuable experience across management accounting, commercial finance, and business partnering activities.

The successful candidate will ideally be studying towards CIMA or ACCA, or looking to continue their professional studies. Previous experience in an Assistant Management Accountant, Assistant Accountant, Finance Analyst, Accounts Assistant, or similar finance role is ideal.

Sharp Consultancy is a finance and accountancy recruitment specialist assisting accounting and finance divisions of businesses in the Yorkshire and Derbyshire area. With over 30 years' experience we pride ourselves on sourcing excellent finance professionals across all divisions of an accounts function.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK full time without restriction. To apply please send your CV to the e-mail address stated, quoting our reference and specifying which website you saw this position advertised on. Due to the high volume of applications, we receive it is not always possible to respond to unsuccessful applicants. Therefore, if we have not responded to your application within seven days, please note that on this occasion your application has not been successful.

Consultant

William McHugh

Consultant

Assistant Management Accountant

Job description