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 an ambitious and career-driven finance professional to join a well-established manufacturing business based in Halifax. With a strong reputation for quality, innovation, and customer service, the company continues to invest in its people, processes, and future growth.

The role would suit an Assistant Management Accountant, Part-Qualified Accountant (AAT/CIMA/ACCA), or an experienced Accounts Assistant looking to take the next step into a management accounting position. Working within a supportive finance team, you will gain exposure to all aspects of management accounting while developing your commercial and operational finance knowledge within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Reporting to the Finance Manager, you will assist with the production of management accounts, financial reporting, and analysis, while supporting key business decisions through the provision of accurate financial information.

Key responsibilities will include:

Assisting with the preparation of monthly management accounts and supporting financial reports
Producing balance sheet reconciliations and investigating any discrepancies identified
Preparing accruals, prepayments, and month-end journals
Supporting the budgeting and forecasting process across the business
Assisting with cash flow reporting and monitoring working capital performance
Analysing manufacturing costs, overheads, and operational expenditure
Supporting stock reconciliations and inventory reporting activities
Producing variance analysis and providing commentary on financial performance
Assisting with month-end and year-end close processes to ensure reporting deadlines are met
Maintaining accurate financial records and supporting internal controls and reporting procedures
Providing financial and operational data to support decision-making across the business
Assisting with external audit requirements and preparing supporting documentation as required
Supporting continuous improvement initiatives within the finance function and wider business

This position offers excellent exposure to management accounting within a manufacturing environment, providing the opportunity to develop both technical accounting skills and commercial awareness. As your experience grows, you will be encouraged to take on greater responsibility and become involved in wider business projects and process improvement initiatives.

The successful candidate will ideally be studying towards, or looking to commence, a professional accounting qualification such as CIMA or ACCA, although candidates qualified by experience will also be considered. Previous experience within a finance role is essential, with exposure to management accounts, month-end processes, or manufacturing environments being advantageous.

In return, the company offers a supportive working environment, ongoing professional development, and genuine opportunities for career progression within a successful and growing organisation.

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