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​5 Red Flags to Avoid When Hiring Finance Professionals

​Here at Sharp Consultancy, we know just how important it is to hire the right person-not just in terms of experience, but also personality and overall fit within your business.Getting this wrong can be costly, not only financially, but in terms of time and effort spent on onboarding and training someone who ultimately might not work out.To help avoid this, Soraya Downing has put together 5 key red flags to watch out for when reviewing CVs or interviewing finance candidates: 1. Vague or General Responses A genuinely interested candidate will come to job interviews prepared with detailed answers that clearly link their experience and skills to the role they’re applying for. If their responses are vague or lacking depth, it can be a sign that they haven’t taken the time to prepare—or worse, they’re not truly engaged with the opportunity.Ideally, you want to hear specific examples backed up with figures or results. ​​It’s worth noting that bad answer doesn’t always mean the candidate isn’t prepared or doesn’t have the required experience, it could be that your question is confusing and needs rephrasing.For example, asking “Can you walk me through your main responsibilities in your most recent role, particularly those related to [payroll/management reporting/credit control/etc.]?” is likely to generate more specific and useful answers than a vague question like “Tell me about your most recent role.”​Try practising your question on a colleague or someone you manage and see if they struggle to answer. They will be able to help you scrutinise the question and suggest better wording or elaboration to avoid any confusion.If you require support with conducting job interviews or creating targeted interview questions, we’re always happy to help. With a team of over 25 consultants who each specialise within different areas of finance and accountancy recruitment, we’ve interviewed thousands of candidates — and we know what works. 2. Inconsistent Career HistoryWe fully support career moves—most of the time, they signal progression and ambition, which is great to see. However, when a CV shows a pattern of short-term employments with no solid explanation, or recurring reasons for leaving, this can indicate potential issues with commitment, adaptability, or performance.There can be many reasons why a candidate has several short-term roles on their CV. For example, they could have completed several temporary or short-term interim contracts without making this clear on their CV or they may have experienced a series of redundancies beyond their control. Always dig a little deeper in these cases, they may be acceptably explained but there could also be something bigger at play.When you engage with us as your recruitment partner, we will never put forward a candidate that hasn’t been fully vetted and their career history and suitability examined. We will have all already done the ‘deep digging’, so all short-term roles and employment gaps are explained to you from the get-go. It takes the guesswork out of the process and saves you valuable time. 3. Poor Communication SkillsIt’s natural for candidates to be a little nervous in interviews, but for senior finance roles in particular, strong communication is non-negotiable. If someone consistently gives vague answers, struggles to explain their experience, or avoids eye contact, it could raise concerns about how they’ll present to stakeholders or collaborate across teams. At this level, you’re looking for clear, confident communication—even under pressure.​If you’re unsure about a candidate’s communication skills, especially in a senior finance role, consider including a short task or second-stage interview focused on presenting or explaining a topic. For example, ask them to walk you through a recent financial project or prepare a brief summary of how they’d present key financials to non-finance stakeholders. This gives you a clearer sense of how they structure information, handle questions, and communicate under mild pressure. When you engage with us we’ll work with you to understand whether a candidate’s communication style will align with your specific team dynamics and stakeholder environment—something that is key to a successful long-term hire but often overlooked.​4. Lack of Curiosity or InitiativeTop finance professionals are naturally curious and proactive. They’re the ones who suggest improvements to systems or processes without being asked. If a candidate shows no interest in how they can add value to your business and the role, or doesn’t ask questions during the interview, that could be a red flag that they’re more reactive than proactive.Sometimes that might be exactly what you are looking for, but other times, recognising this about a candidate early on could be your saving grace in hiring someone unfit for the role in question.  5. No Signs of a Growth MindsetIf you’re hiring with the goal of developing someone long-term, look for signs they’re committed to personal and professional growth. This could be studying towards a qualification like ACCA, CIMA, or ACA or asking thoughtful questions about the business’s future.A lack of interest in development can often translate into a lack of long-term engagement to the role and your company. Even when not looking for a long-term hire, a candidate who exhibits no desire for their long-term career and growth can be a sign that they might not even stick it out for a shorter period of time.As your recruitment partner, it really helps to understand what you want out of a hire. Don’t be shy in telling us what skills and qualities you want and don’t want a new employee to have for the role you are hiring for. If you give us as much information about the role and the company as possible, we can then use this knowledge in our candidate selection process to only suggest candidates which have the necessary qualities you are looking for. Final Thoughts Sharp Consultancy has been recruiting finance professionals across Yorkshire for over 30 years. Our proven process allows us to spot these red flags early, helping our clients avoid costly hiring mistakes. By keeping the above points in mind, you’ll be in a much stronger position to hire the right finance talent for your team.If you're currently hiring, or planning to, and want to avoid the common pitfalls, we’d love to support you. From advising on interview strategy to identifying candidates with the right mix of skills and mindset, we’re here to make the process easier—and more successful.Soraya specialises in recruiting for permanent Part Qualified, Qualified by Experience and Qualified finance roles with salaries ranging from £30,000 to £50,000 across Doncaster, Rotherham, Barnsley, Worksop, Hull and the surrounding areas. Get in touch with Soraya today – sorayadowning@sharpconsultancy.com – 0114 261 1700 or SUBMIT A VACANCY.​

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Jobs in Leeds

Jobs in Leeds

Leeds, located in the heart of West Yorkshire, is one of the UK’s most vibrant and fast-growing cities. Known for its rich industrial history and modern development, Leeds combines a lively cultural scene with excellent employment opportunities and efficient transport links. This article explores the city’s culture, commuting options, and common career prospects.

The Culture in Leeds

Leeds boasts a diverse and dynamic cultural landscape, making it a fantastic place to live and work. The city is renowned for its thriving arts scene, with institutions like the Leeds Art Gallery and The Tetley showcasing contemporary and classic works. For performing arts enthusiasts, venues such as the Grand Theatre and Leeds Playhouse offer a wide array of productions, from cutting-edge dramas to world-class ballet performances.

Leeds is also a hub for music lovers, with an eclectic mix of live music venues, including the O2 Academy and the Belgrave Music Hall. Its annual Leeds Festival is a must-visit for fans of rock and alternative music, drawing visitors from across the country.

The city celebrates its multiculturalism through events like the Leeds West Indian Carnival, the oldest Caribbean carnival in Europe, and a wide variety of international restaurants and eateries, offering everything from authentic Yorkshire puddings to global cuisine.

Commuting in Leeds

Leeds offers an efficient and well-connected transportation network, making commuting straightforward for residents. The city’s railway station, one of the busiest outside London, provides excellent links to major cities like Manchester, Sheffield, and London, making it a popular choice for professionals. Trains to London take just over two hours, while Manchester is reachable in under an hour.

Public transport within the city is predominantly bus-based, with operators such as First Bus and Arriva providing frequent services to suburban areas. Leeds is also preparing for future upgrades to its transport infrastructure, including the proposed Mass Transit System, which aims to improve connectivity further.

Cycling is another popular commuting option, supported by extensive cycle paths and bike-friendly initiatives. The city centre is compact and walkable, allowing many residents to enjoy a stress-free commute on foot.

Common Careers in Leeds

Leeds has a thriving economy with opportunities across various sectors, making it an attractive location for job seekers. Some of the most common career options include:

  • Financial Services: Leeds is one of the UK’s largest financial hubs outside London, with major institutions like Lloyds Banking Group, Yorkshire Building Society, and KPMG providing significant employment.

  • Healthcare: As home to St. James's University Hospital, one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe, Leeds offers numerous roles in healthcare and medical research.

  • Digital and Tech: The city has a burgeoning digital sector, with companies specialising in fintech, gaming, and data analytics. Leeds is often dubbed the “digital capital of the North.”

  • Education: With institutions like the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University, the city offers roles in academia, administration, and student services.

  • Retail and Hospitality: With shopping districts like Trinity Leeds and a thriving nightlife scene, careers in retail, food service, and hospitality are widely available.

Conclusion

Leeds is a city that seamlessly blends a rich cultural heritage with modern living. Its accessible commuting options and diverse career opportunities make it an excellent choice for professionals and families alike. Whether you’re drawn by the arts, the convenience of transport, or the promise of a flourishing career, Leeds has something to offer everyone.

Jobs in Leeds

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