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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 Sheffield

Jobs in Sheffield

Sheffield, nestled in South Yorkshire, is a city renowned for its industrial roots, green spaces, and friendly community spirit. As one of the UK’s most progressive and liveable cities, Sheffield offers a compelling mix of career opportunities, a thriving cultural scene, and excellent transport links. This article takes a closer look at the city's lifestyle, commuting options, and most common career paths.

The fountain in front of Sheffield Town Hall, with people relaxing on the grass nearby, enjoying the sunny day.

Living in Sheffield: Culture and Lifestyle for Accountancy & Finance Professionals

Sheffield is a city rich in culture and creativity—an attractive place to live and work for professionals seeking accountancy and finance jobs in South Yorkshire. With a strong musical heritage, the city has produced iconic acts like Arctic Monkeys and Pulp, and continues to thrive as a live music hotspot. Venues such as the Leadmill, O2 Academy, and Sheffield City Hall host performances year-round, contributing to the city’s vibrant social scene.

Art and theatre also play a major role in Sheffield’s cultural identity. The Millennium Gallery and Graves Gallery showcase a mix of contemporary and historic exhibitions, while the Crucible and Lyceum Theatres deliver an impressive calendar of drama, comedy, and musicals—perfect for professionals looking to enjoy a high quality of life outside the office.

Sheffield’s multicultural community is reflected in its wide variety of festivals and diverse food scene. Events like Tramlines Festival and Sheffield DocFest draw national attention, while the city’s restaurants and cafes serve everything from traditional Yorkshire dishes to international cuisine. For finance professionals relocating to Sheffield or considering a new role in the area, the city's dynamic lifestyle is a key benefit.

​Commuting in Sheffield for Accountancy and Accountancy & Finance Professionals

Sheffield offers a well-connected and efficient transport infrastructure, making it an ideal location for professionals seeking accountancy and finance jobs. Sheffield Railway Station provides direct train links to major UK cities including Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, and London—positioning the city as a strategic base for commuters and businesses alike. With London just over two hours away and Manchester reachable in under an hour, Sheffield is a convenient hub for finance professionals working across the North and beyond.

Public transport in Sheffield is reliable and accessible, with a strong bus network and the Sheffield Supertram providing easy access to key areas across the city. Park-and-ride facilities support those commuting from nearby towns and suburbs, making it simple to travel into central Sheffield for work.

As one of the UK’s greenest cities, Sheffield also supports eco-friendly commuting. The abundance of green spaces and tree-lined routes makes walking and cycling a popular choice for many professionals—particularly those working in the city’s compact and walkable centre. For those exploring finance careers in Sheffield, the ease of travel adds another layer of appeal to this vibrant and connected city.

​Common Careers in Sheffield

Sheffield has a diverse and evolving economy, making it an excellent place to grow a career. Key sectors in the city include:

  • Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering: Sheffield has a global reputation for innovation in manufacturing and metallurgy, with the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) and companies like Boeing, Rolls-Royce, and McLaren investing heavily in the region.

  • Accountancy and Finance: Sheffield has a strong professional services sector, with growing demand for accountants, financial analysts, and finance business partners across industries ranging from manufacturing and healthcare to education and the public sector.

  • Healthcare: As the home of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust—one of the UK’s largest—there are wide-ranging roles in medicine, nursing, research, and support services.

  • Education: With two major universities—the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University—the city offers numerous roles in teaching, research, administration, and student support.

  • Digital and Tech: Sheffield’s tech sector continues to grow, especially in software development, cybersecurity, and data services. The city is part of the wider Northern Powerhouse tech ecosystem.

  • ​Public Sector and Professional Services: Local government, civil service, and legal firms play a significant role in the city’s employment landscape, alongside accountancy, recruitment, and consultancy businesses.

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Conclusion

Sheffield is a city that beautifully balances history with innovation. Its cultural richness, reliable transport links, and wide range of career opportunities make it an appealing choice for professionals at all stages of their career. Whether you're seeking urban convenience, access to the outdoors, or a supportive professional community, Sheffield delivers on all fronts.

Jobs in Sheffield

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