Sourcing top finance and accounting talent is difficult in today’s hot job market, but the challenge is even more pronounced when seeking to fill leadership positions. Most high-level managers and executives are happily employed. Fortunately, professional headhunter services can help most companies achieve their recruiting goals.

Nonetheless, companies must still do their part to ensure headhunter services are successful. Here are some top considerations when seeking the help of a third-party agency.

How Can Headhunter Services Help You Grow Your Finance Leadership Team?

1. Specify Desired Qualities and Experience

Organizations that clearly communicate their candidate preferences empower headhunters to execute more successful searches. Talk to your recruiter openly about the role and your organization’s culture. After all, recruiting firms can’t identify the ideal professional without knowing a client’s definition of “ideal.” Specificity is critical and should include intangible traits in addition to skills, education, and experience.

Qualifications like education and experience are black and white. However, finance and accounting leaders must mesh well with current employees at all organizational levels. Are you looking for someone to come in and make changes? Or are existing processes working and you need someone to take over? It’s important to understand the current state of the company’s finance needs to get the right person in the role.

2. Share Sample LinkedIn Profiles

Headhunters utilize LinkedIn daily, and sample profiles help them get a good grasp of clients’ expectations. Obviously, you don’t want to do the headhunter’s work, but it’s worth the time to identify a couple of dream candidates. Do a quick search for finance or accounting executives in your market and see what you like or dislike about people’s background and profiles, and share that information with your recruiter.

3. Consider Non-Local Candidates

Given the current job market, many companies are finding success by searching for qualified candidates across the entire nation. This strategy usually requires offering a relocation package. Plus, the extra investment may be worth it for organizations seeking the perfect hire.

Relocation packages empower headhunter services tremendously. While many candidates are willing to move, the investment – both financially and from a time and resources standpoint – can be too much to undertake alone. When a company agrees to share some of that burden or take it on, top talent is much more willing to take the risk and pack up!

4. Ask About Placement Guarantees

Headhunters have different policies regarding placement fees and guarantees. These are important when executing a search for top-level finance and accounting professionals. In fact, securing a good placement guarantee may even be more critical than negotiating the lowest fee.

The guarantee should include a time period (number of days/months) and resolution terms. Does the headhunter offer a free replacement? Is replacement free for a certain time period but merely discounted after that? Guarantee terms can vary greatly between staffing agencies, so companies should do their homework!

5. Bundle Searches Together with Headhunter Services

Companies that need to fill multiple finance and accounting leadership positions are best served by bundling searches. There are two main benefits to this practice. First, there may be an overlap in qualified candidates that improves efficiency and the chances of successful placements.

Second, companies that present headhunters with multiple search requests usually secure priority treatment, reducing wait time. They may also consider more favorable fees and guarantee terms as a “volume” incentive.

There could be overlap with other departments in your organization as well. Some headhunters have niches in many different business functions. So if your organization is looking for leaders in finance as well as sales, find a recruiting firm that can work with you in different departments at once. This eliminates redundancy and helps you find top talent faster!

6. Conclusion

While headhunter services are one of the best ways for companies to secure top finance and accounting leaders, taking certain steps improves the chances of success. Fortunately, most recruiting agencies will welcome the input and are happy to serve as resources!

Looking for Headhunter Services to build your leadership team?

If you’re seeking the industry’s best accounting and finance professionals, contact Goodwin Recruiting today!