Jonathan Moss
Manager
Queens Court, 24 Queen Street, Manchester, M2 5HX
- Specialism: Finance & Accountancy
- Sector: Commerce & Industry
- Roles: Permanent
- Location: North West
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Twitter accounts all Finance & Accountancy professionals should follow in 2019
Finance & Accountancy professionals need to have their finger on the pulse and remain up-to-date with relevant industry news in order to stay ahead of the pack. This is especially important if you are currently looking for a new Finance & Accountancy job or are thinking about a career move. Take a look at our list of what we think are the top Finance & Accountancy Twitter feeds that will keep your knowledge current and up-to-date, and help you secure your next Finance & Accountancy job opportunity. If you are looking to get ahead in your next career move, then it is important not to overlook one key element of your interview preparation, an up-to-date knowledge of current affairs. Most employers, particularly in the Finance & Accountancy sector, expect their candidates to be aware of the latest trends, topical news and expert analysis of issues that are affecting the industry. Without this awareness, job seekers could be doing themselves a disservice when compared to others competing for the same role. With over 270 million users, Twitter brings together some of the leading thinkers, writers, and doers in the Finance & Accountancy sector and is the perfect platform to network, share ideas, swap stories and read the latest news and goings on in the sector. To help you tap quickly into the Twitter pulse, we have listed the top Finance & Accountancy Twitter accounts you should follow in 2019. If there is a key account that you think we have missed, get in touch and let us know! 1. @AccountingWEBuk – AccountingWEB features the latest accountancy news, features and industry and community insights. An excellent account to quickly see the headlines and keep in the know. 2. @CIMA_News – CIMA is the world's largest professional body of management accountants that also offers business finance qualifications. Its feed shares news about events and training opportunities, articles and inspirational quotes. 3. @paullewismoney – Paul Lewis is a financial journalist, broadcaster and public speaker. He shares news articles and commentary, as well as his own views on current events. 4. @cheapaccounting – Expect lots of conversation, finance news and information from prolific tweeter Elaine Clark, managing director of CheapAccounting.co.uk. 5. @ICAEW – The official Twitter account from global membership body ICAEW provides insights, industry news and in-house updates about events, training and issues affecting the Finance & Accountancy profession. 6. @RichardJMurphy – Richard is an author, Chartered Accountant and professor of Practice in International Political Economy at the University of London. He writes and tweets about taxation and accounting issues, offering commentary and insights. 7. @ACCA_UK – The official Twitter feed of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)'s UK National Office shares upcoming events and training opportunities, as well as tweeting articles from the official ACCA magazine. 8. @economiamag – The economia magazine’s Twitter feed covers news and analysis on the essential issues in the world of business, Finance and Accountancy. 9. @TheEconomist – Global news and analysis on business, finance and politics and more from The Economist magazine. 10. @FinancialTimes – The Twitter feed from the Financial Times posts breaking news and shares the latest articles from the publication. Expect news, insights and commentary on finance, business, politics, banking and more. 11. @CityAM – As the physical copy of the City AM newspaper is only available in London, those interested in finance and business news can use the publication’s Twitter feed to keep up-to-date with the latest goings-on in the sector. 12. @EdConwaySky – Ed Conway is the economics editor of Sky News and a columnist for The Times, and his impressive following of nearly 100k followers shows he is an excellent source of commentary and insight. 13. @thefintechtimes – For those looking for more in-depth articles about the world of financial technology, then the Fintech Times is a great source of news and commentary. 14. @YahooFinanceUK – The official Twitter page for Yahoo UK & Ireland, this feed shares breaking news, updates and articles. A must-follow for a quick round-up of the day’s headlines. 15. @D_Blanchflower – If you are interested in financial and political news from the United States then Danny Blanchflower, former member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, is a great account to follow for insights and commentary. 16. @SellickGroup – Of course, we could not complete our Twitter list without including our very own account! Follow us to find out the latest Finance & Accountancy news, events and jobs! We have been placing experienced Finance & Accountancy professionals into roles since 2002, so if you are looking for a new opportunity, or eager to kick-start your career in finance then we will be able to help. Get in touch with one of our expert Finance & Accountancy Consultants today. Or, if you are interested to find out how else you can use social media to your advantage as you search for your next role, visit our resources page for candidates here.
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Bringing accounts in-house: a guide to picking the right Finance & Accountancy candidates
Are you a growing SME and currently outsourcing your accounts function? It may be time to change. More-and-more businesses are creating in-house finance jobs in order to streamline services and have more control, however ensuring you are ready for this step is hugely important. In this blog, specialist Finance & Accountancy Recruitment Consultant Kathryn Heeler discusses why SMEs should consider bringing their accounts function in-house, the benefits of it and when the right time to do it is. Start-up businesses tend to outsource all accounting services, encompassing payroll, accounts payable, billing and collections, tax compliance, and strategic advice in order to manage all financial business matters. It is vital that growing companies understand their figures and how they are impacting the day-to-day running, and outsourcing this whilst keeping abreast of key data can be a challenge. It is therefore hugely important that companies realise when it may be time to bring the accounts function in-house to ensure the business is running smooth financially. Having an efficient, committed accounting department can help the company on many levels including cost cutting, without significantly impacting day-to-day operations. This will also enable you to have an individual embedded into the business to liaise with non-finance staff and help to implement strategies which will ensure cost effective working in various departments. This individual will also be able to provide analysis on financial data to assist senior managers when making critical business decisions and control where company assets are being used. Attract the right Finance & Accountancy candidates When advertising for your internal accounts team you need to ensure you are attracting the right type of candidate for your business. The most beneficial option would be an individual who can provide proficient analysis and feedback on performance. Think about bringing in a senior candidate that can advise and take control straight away. For example, many of our clients have often brought in a mid to senior level candidate such as a Financial Controller or Company Accountant that will understand the importance of culture, how the company works, and what makes the business successful in order to accelerate growth. This is where a business like Sellick Partnership could help. We can listen to your needs and advertise for specific Finance & Accountancy candidates on your behalf. Benefits of bringing your accounts function in-house As your business grows, your accounting needs will become more complex and specialised and as a business owner you will have direct access to information by having a finance professional on site. This enables you to set tasks suited to your business needs whereas outsourced services usually come with a specific package that may not be bespoke to you or fit with how the business operates. The easier communication will also enable you to get the information you need, whilst moving at the pace of the business to provide a timely and comprehensive service. There are a number of benefits to bringing your accounts function in-house which include; Having an internal accounts team gives businesses full control of their accounting activities. Having an internal accounts team means they are in close proximity if any questions arise or anything needs clarifying in relation to a business’s accounts. Bringing an accounts team in-house means businesses can find a loyal employee who champions company growth and will keep sensitive information confidential. How to attract the right Finance & Accountancy candidates to your business The benefits bringing an internal team or employee to manage accounts in-house will be dependent on the level of talent you can bring in. A more senior hire will be able to make a much greater difference to your business, however sometimes budget means this is not an option. You therefore need to decide what type of candidate you are looking for and work out the way to attract them to your business! So how do you ensure you attract the right Finance & Accountancy candidates? To start your search, you will need to decide what business functions will need covering in the role. Responsibilities within the role are likely to include general ledger maintenance, daily transactions, financial statement preparation and analysis, treasury and payroll. It is also important to think about what the most critical job skills are in relation to the role and your business, for example creativity, problem solving or communication. When deciding these factors it is important to think about the direction you want your business to go in. This again is where a recruitment agency like Sellick Partnership can help. We regularly create job specifications and work with businesses of all sizes to ensure the responsibilities or the role match the candidates our clients are trying to attract. Getting the right level of Finance & Accountancy candidate is important Once the specification is suited to the business needs you will need to determine what qualifications the candidate should have, and this will depend on the level of work the candidate will be expected to do. For example, if you are hiring a Finance & Accountancy candidate to handle your financial statements and carry out general analysis and bookkeeping, you could consider a non-chartered or qualified by experience candidate. It may even be beneficial to employ a candidate who is studying towards a qualification, so that they can learn and grow with the business. If you require a candidates with a more specific skillset, a commercial mind and experience in managing tax and returns, you may need to employ a senior candidate with a qualification, for example, ACCA, ACA or CIMA. Ensuring Finance & Accountancy candidates are the right fit Another thing to think about is carrying out necessary due diligence on the candidate. Whilst it is important to take the time out to thoroughly interview the candidate and get to know them, it is essential that you also conduct a thorough reference check. If you would like to be extra diligent, you may also consider credit checks if relevant to your business. There are lots of additional things to take into consideration when making any business decisions and this may be a pivotal time in the expansion of your company. Not only should you consider the above, you also need to factor in the salary and benefits package that you are offering as this will determine the type of candidate that applies. It is important to ensure you are you being competitive with other organisations so you do not miss out on the best talent. Company culture is also important. All candidates want to work in an environment that they enjoy, so ensuring the candidate you employ gets on with current employees and fits in well with your culture is essential. I would say this is one of the most important aspects of taking on new staff. Getting this right often results in staff that are productive and happy, making it less likely that they will leave for a competitor. Sellick Partnership could help make the process quick and easy As a Finance & Accountancy recruitment specialist, we have a great deal of experience assisting SME businesses with finding their perfect internal accounts teams, and we would be delighted to help you. If you are thinking about bringing your accounts function in-house get in touch. You can contact me for an initial confidential discussion on 0191 261 8585, or email kathryn.heeler@sellickpartnership.co.uk Alternatively, you can visit our employer resources section for more information on attracting the perfect candidates for your business and getting your employer brand and culture right.
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Finance & Accountancy Graduate: is a graduate scheme or a graduate job the right path for me?
As Finance & Accountancy students come to the end of their degree it can be very difficult to decide what to do next. There are a number of routes into the Finance & Accountancy sector, and two of the most popular for our candidates are graduates jobs and graduate schemes, but choosing between them can be difficult. You could apply for a graduate Finance & Accountancy job with an SME, or work with a recruiter to find one or apply for one of the many graduate schemes with some of the UK’s biggest employers. But what route should you take? In this blog, Consultant Lauren Newell discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each option to help you make an informed choice. When Finance & Accountancy graduates approach the end of their university degree, securing a job in the ‘real world’ can suddenly feel daunting. You are about to become a graduate and will need to make some career decisions which can feel overwhelming. Sometimes, it can be hard knowing where to begin and how to kick-start your career in the Finance & Accountancy sector. Not everyone is suited to the same route and it is important the make a logical and informed decision which will ultimately help you progress within the Finance & Accountancy sector. The positive news is that businesses across the UK are putting more emphasis on graduate recruitment to fill gaps in their teams. The big four (Ernst & Young, Deloitte, KPMG and PwC) have always traditionally offered graduate recruitment schemes, but we are also starting to see more SMEs turning to graduates to fill key gaps in their teams, giving you more choice than ever before. Here are some thoughts on each route, and what you need to consider if you want to have a long and successful career within Finance & Accountancy. What are Finance & Accountancy graduate schemes and graduate jobs? Finance & Accountancy graduate schemes are normally advertised by large established companies and have a fixed structure and usually last from one to three years. Graduate schemes are usually advertised at certain points in the year and candidates have to wait until that point to apply. In contrast, SMEs typically hire graduates in entry finance positions that you can generally apply for all year round. Advantages of Finance & Accountancy graduate schemes Finance & Accountancy graduate schemes offer excellent training and development opportunities If you are looking to get varied experience with structured training then you may want to consider a graduate scheme. Some companies will offer opportunities to gain a professional qualification and will help contribute financially towards them. Finance & Accountancy Graduate jobs do not normally have such a formal training programme in place, therefore you may find that you are not learning as much academically. Training will also be carried out in other areas of the business in a graduate scheme which means you will get to learn about other aspects of a business. This can be really beneficial in your first finance role to gain a deeper understanding of how a business is commercially ran. Finance & Accountancy graduate schemes usually pay extremely well If you are looking for a higher base salary straight away then a graduate scheme may be the better option for you to consider. Graduate schemes generally offer a higher salary than Finance & Accountancy graduate jobs, however they are very competitive and can be very hard to secure. Highfliers have provided an annual review on graduate recruitment providing further insight into starting salaries for graduates. Disadvantages of graduate schemes within the Finance & Accountancy sector Finance & Accountancy graduate schemes have set application windows when you can apply If you are applying for a graduate scheme, you need to be prepared and know exactly when to apply as there is usually a set application timeframe and strict application guidelines. I always advise candidates looking to pursue this route to start applying in your final year of university in order to start the following August or September. If you miss the application window, you cannot apply for another 12 months so make sure your CV is up-to-date, and you follow the guidelines and timeframes exactly. Finance & Accountancy graduate schemes generally have longer working hours Graduate schemes are typically known for their long hours of work so would not be suitable for someone that needs or would like flexible working arrangements. Some companies may expect you to work longer hours to meet demands of the business. If you are a successful applicant for a Finance & Accountancy graduate scheme, you need to make the most out of the opportunity by actively learning and taking in as much information as possible. Also, remember to keep a positive attitude and approach the challenges head on as you may impress the right person leading to other open doors. Advantages of Finance & Accountancy graduate jobs You may be able to have a greater impact on a business in a Finance & Accountancy graduate job Working within an SME business can be really rewarding as you can see the impact that your suggestions have on the organisation you are working for. Key decisions can be made quicker due to a flatter structure, therefore there are not as many decision makers to get approval from. This means it is easier to be recognised and rewarded for your hard work. There will be better progression opportunities and less competition in a Finance & Accountancy graduate job Finance & Accountancy graduate schemes can be oversubscribed and most of them expect you to meet certain grade requirements to be considered. Graduate roles can still be competitive, however there are more jobs advertised than graduate schemes and they may consider additional factors other than your grade. They may also have a career development structure in place, so if you are looking to stay within a company for a number of years to progress, this could be a better option for you. Disadvantages of Finance & Accountancy graduate jobs You may have greater job instability with a Finance & Accountancy graduate job Many companies that offer graduate schemes have recognised names which may give you a sense of security. You may have reservations about some lesser known SME companies. If this is the case you can use a website called Glassdoor, which is a website where previous and current employees leave reviews on the business and provide a rating out of five stars. This way you can get an honest opinion on what it would be like to work for the company. You may potentially have less perks in a Finance & Accountancy graduate job Graduate schemes have been renowned for offering nice perks including laptops, mobiles, iPads and many more. If you are working for an SME, you may not get as many benefits, however they may offer other types of benefits like flexi-time. So what route will you take? Both have advantages and drawbacks. On one hand, if you want to work for a well-known blue chip business that has a formal training programme in place, then a graduate scheme may be for you. Or if you want to get some hands on experience, climb the career ladder and put your stamp on the business, a graduate job may be better suited. Are you still struggling to make up your mind? We would be happy to talk to you and offer our advice. Get in touch with myself or a member of our team today for a confidential chat! Alternatively you can visit our much loved candidate resources page to get further advice to assist you with your job search including CV tips and interview advice and preparation tips.
