3 x Part Qualified Commercial Accountants – FP&A Analyst, Management Accountant, and Junior Finance Analyst

Consultant

Harry McCaffrey was approached to manage this exclusive assignment

Background

A large transport systems business in West London needed to fill three key commercial finance roles: an FP&A Analyst, a Management Accountant, and a Junior Finance Analyst. Each position required part-qualified accountants, from early-stage studiers to finalists. Facing difficulties sourcing candidates at this level, the company’s internal recruitment team engaged Wade Macdonald exclusively for assistance.

Brief

The positions were essential to the company’s commercial finance team, needing individuals with strong analytical skills, an accounting foundation, and a flair for business partnering. The West London location meant sourcing candidates within a reasonable commute, adding complexity to an already challenging search for part-qualified talent beyond our existing network.

Methodology

Led by Harry, and supported by three additional team members, our approach involved extensive outreach and thorough screening:

  • Outreach: Using LinkedIn Recruiter, we messaged over 500 potential candidates in the region who fit the profile and had the required part-qualified status. This yielded more than 100 responses, each of whom was contacted directly for further information.
  • Advertising: The roles were posted on our website and specialist finance job boards, generating over 300 applications. Each applicant was contacted to discuss the roles and gather specific details.
  • Screening: From the initial responses, we created a longlist of over 30 candidates per role. We conducted in-depth conversations with each candidate and met at least 10 individuals per position, ultimately developing a shortlist of five top candidates per role for client interviews.

 

Timescales

  • Day 1 – Initial briefing with HR and the three line managers
  • End of Week 2 – Shortlists for all three roles presented
  • Weeks 3 & 4 – First and second interview stages
  • End of Week 4 – Offers made for all three roles

 

Challenges

During the hiring process, one of the roles encountered an obstacle when the first-choice and second-choice candidates both declined offers. To address this, we re-advertised the position and revisited the initial applications, adding four more weeks to the process. The additional search proved successful, as we ultimately secured the right candidate for the role.

Result

All three positions were successfully filled, with each hiring manager commending the quality and suitability of candidates. The client expressed appreciation for our commitment to a high-touch, comprehensive process that made candidate selection straightforward. Our efforts have led to an ongoing partnership with the client for future finance recruitment needs.