As an employer, you can’t sell your company to candidates if you don’t know how to position your brand. Here are some tips for attracting the best accountants on the market.
The prevailing thought in the accounting and finance industry is that your top performers drive a disproportionate amount of the bottom line in your business. Understanding this principle will help you to formulate a recruitment strategy that attracts the kind of people who will carry more than their own weight.
A good place to start is by defining what your company stands for and what is unique about the way you treat your employees. If you want someone to join your “A team,” then you need to develop and position your unique brand as an employer – to sell candidates on your organization as one that nurtures its talent and promotes from within. If you want to attract the kind of accountants who will stand out, there are three carrots you will want to dangle before potential employees.
Define your core values
What makes your company tick? What set of principles and values define your brand? How does your organization conduct business on a daily basis?
Like attracts like. In order to recruit exceptional accountants, define your company by the values that would draw them in the first place. The best accountants define themselves as creative problem-solvers and lifelong learners, who are powered by a strong ethical commitment and tenacious work ethic. Does your mission statement articulate the same core values?
If not, consider how you might shift your recruitment message. Don’t just limit yourself to traditional marketing strategies; incorporate social media into your hiring practices, too. Remember, to attract truly great accountants, the people who recruit on your behalf – whether they’re from your HR department or an internal recruitment team – need to be on message as well.
If you want someone to join your “A team,” then you need to develop and position your unique brand as an employer – to sell candidates on your organization as one that nurtures its talent and promotes from within.
Promote professional development
The best accountants are always looking to improve their skill sets. They recognize that an employee’s job satisfaction and a feeling of fulfillment in their work are related to opportunities for growth.
As an employer looking to attract accountants who will strengthen your team and drive value, offering professional development opportunities that will help your employees enhance their skill sets will differentiate you in the marketplace. Consider a mentorship program for new hires. Be prepared to answer the question during interviews: “What kind of training opportunities does your company offer?” Your answer should clearly communicate the value and benefits of your professional development program for your new hire’s career. The best accountants are lifelong learners: if you want to attract and retain them, then they need to see that they can grow with your company.
The best accountants are lifelong learners: if you want to attract and retain them, then they need to see that they can grow with your company.
Benefits
It can be difficult to compete with well-known companies when you want to attract the best accountants. Remember to consider your company’s culture and values when you’re putting together a benefits package. After all, certain benefits will speak quite loudly in support of the culture you’re trying to create; they may be the tipping point that drives the best accountants towards your company.
For example, if your company’s recruitment message includes a balanced lifestyle and the promotion of workplace well-being, consider offering a stipend to contribute towards the physical activity of the employee’s choice. Offer on-site yoga classes. And so on. To pull in the kind of accountants who will remain committed to their company, you have to carve out a culture that’s supported by similarly minded benefits.
Attracting top talent requires a well thought out recruitment strategy. Take the time to evaluate both your written and verbal recruitment message and identify the core values that will recruit candidates with a proven history of success. That way, your organization will be able to attract the kind of accountants who will grow in their roles and contribute to the overall success of everyone involved.
Let us know what you think! At Clarity Recruitment, we’re always interested in hearing from accounting and finance professionals like yourselves, who are ready for new, exciting opportunities that can take their careers to the next level. And be sure to follow us on Twitter (@clarityrecruits) and connect with us on Facebook for more great tips and advice!
