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Tempting temporary times
By Michael Tichband
Jul 6, 2005

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For the past decade, Ireland has been the land of opportunity and growth.  With an abundance of employment opportunities and an ever increasing expansion in the areas of employment, there has been a marked increase in the need for high calibre contract accountants.  As a result, an increasing number of qualified accountants have been taking control of their careers and setting themselves up as contractors in reaction to this market need.

Why Contract?

 

Many accountants are finding with the number of junior and senior accounting opportunities available in Ireland, they are able to market themselves at a premium as an “Interim Solution” to employers.  For the swamped Managing Director, an experienced, qualified accountant who can take the reigns of an understaffed finance department is a godsend and they will pay a premium for this immediate solution.

 

With the number of opportunities available in the current market, a flexible consultant will find they are able to control the time they work to suit their personal and professional needs.

 

 

How does it work?

 

There are many reasons why a company would look to bring in a contract or temporary accountant, these would include;

 

  • An immediate, interim solution to counter-act an unexpected departure.
  • Maternity Leave
  • Special projects
  • Backfill
  • Holiday cover
  • Covering for anticipated growth

 

Once an employer is faced with one of the above situations, they will often look to bring in a contract or temporary accountant as soon as possible.  The usual answer is to approach a recruitment agency for a solution.  A knowledgeable recruitment consultant will have an ongoing shortlist of contractors available at different times to take on different levels of positions.  It is important to establish yourself with a suitable consultant, and then work closely with them to secure appropriate assignments on a regular basis.  A specialist recruiter is more likely to provide a more accurate service than a generalist recruiter.

 

Key points to remember when working in contract:

 

  • Be available at short notice
  • Be prepared to commit to contract duration
  • Ensure that the role you are taking on is within your skillset – if anything, make sure you are over-qualified.  Employers will expect that you “hit the ground running”.
  • Show a flexible work ethic and willingness to adapt.

 

How do I get started?

 

Prepare your CV highlighting your specific skills.  Remember to “bullet point” specific areas of experience which would be considered outside of normal accounting duties (eg, Systems, Project, Sarbannes Oxley, etc.) – it is these areas that can make the difference when an employer is assessing suitable candidates for a role.  Once this is done contact a specialist recruiter or start speaking to your own contacts to advertise your availability.  Keep in mind that you will need to be available immediately in the majority of cases, so be prepared to do this.  Employers will not wait a month when they are looking for an immediate solution.

 

Whilst the traditional approach when looking at employment is to “not take the first thing that comes along”, be prepared to accept and start immediately if you feel that an opportunity is appropriate, even if it is the first position that you are looking at.  Turnaround on contract opportunities can be immediate.  So if you are looking, be prepared to start straight away.

 

 

A working example;

 

The Managing Director of a company discovered on a Monday morning that due to personal reasons, the Financial Controller was leaving to join a competitor and would be doing so at short notice.  Finding a suitable replacement would take time and with the year end approaching, and the head office calling, an interim solution to the problem would be needed…. Quickly!

 

The first action was to contact the temporary/contracts division of a specialist accounting recruitment agency to discuss the role that had become available and to request appropriate candidate details.  Within twenty four hours, details of a suitable candidate was forwarded and was subsequently interviewed and offered the position of Interim Financial Controller for three months.  As a result of their immediate availability, the candidate began work at once, which allowed a period of hand-over with the incumbent Financial Controller.

 

After a thorough search over a three month period, the candidate who had been appointed as an interim solution turned out to be an ideal person for the permanent role.  An offer was made and accepted by both parties. This happens in about 10% of Interim Assignments. 

 

 

Remember – you are not necessarily defining your career by accepting contract work.  What you are doing is developing your skills and taking control of your career and its future development.  For some, contracting becomes as much a life style as it is a career!

 

Michael Tichband is the Contract and Interim Recruitment consultant for CFW. CFW are financial recruitment specialists and fill Accounting and Finance jobs, both permanent and temporary, in Industry, Practice, Banking, Shared Services and Financial Services throughout Ireland.   View CFW jobs on Accountingnet.ie 


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