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 an excellent opportunity for a Qualified Management Accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) to join a well-established and growing financial services business based in Wakefield. Renowned for delivering high-quality financial solutions and exceptional client service, the organisation continues to expand its market presence and offers a collaborative and professional working environment.

The role is ideally suited to an experienced finance professional looking to take the next step in their career within a dynamic financial services setting. You will play a key role in delivering accurate financial reporting, supporting strategic decision-making, and driving financial performance across the business.

Working as part of an established finance team and reporting directly to the Finance Director, you will be responsible for providing insightful financial analysis, maintaining robust financial controls, and supporting the organisation's ongoing growth objectives.

As Management Accountant, your responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

Producing timely and accurate monthly management accounts, including detailed variance analysis and commentary
Preparing budgets, forecasts, and cash flow projections to support business planning and decision-making
Completing balance sheet reconciliations and investigating any discrepancies identified
Processing accruals, prepayments, and month-end journals to ensure accurate financial reporting
Monitoring business performance against key financial targets and providing meaningful analysis to senior management
Supporting profitability analysis across business divisions, service lines, and client portfolios
Assisting with regulatory reporting requirements and ensuring compliance with relevant financial standards and controls
Supporting month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring reporting deadlines are consistently achieved
Liaising with external auditors and preparing supporting schedules and documentation as required
Maintaining the integrity of financial systems, controls, and reporting processes
Producing ad hoc financial analysis to support commercial initiatives, investment decisions, and operational improvements
Working closely with senior stakeholders across the business to provide financial insight and support strategic objectives
Identifying opportunities to improve reporting efficiencies, strengthen financial controls, and enhance business performance

As your understanding of the organisation develops, there will be opportunities to become involved in wider strategic projects, business planning initiatives, and commercial decision-making, allowing you to make a significant contribution to the continued success of the business.

The successful candidate will ideally be fully qualified (CIMA, ACCA, or ACA) and will be able to demonstrate previous experience in a Management Accountant or similar finance role.

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

Management Accountant

Job description