The success of your organization depends on exceptional accounting and finance leaders. These professionals are strategic advisors, compliance experts, and innovators who help organizations navigate complex challenges and seize opportunities.
But finding the right leaders for these critical roles is no easy task — it’s competitive out there!
Your company must go beyond traditional hiring methods to secure top-tier candidates. This means understanding what the best talent wants and knowing where to find exceptional leaders in unexpected places.
What Top Accounting and Finance Talent Wants in a Role
To attract the best accounting and finance professionals, you need to understand their mindset. Today’s top talent isn’t just looking for a paycheck; they’re searching for roles that align with their ambitions, values, and vision for the future. Here’s what they’re saying:
“I’m ready to lead big projects, like automating financial reporting systems or implementing AI-driven forecasting. I want to make an impact.”
Opportunities for Growth: Top candidates are drawn to roles where they can expand their skills and tackle meaningful challenges. Whether it’s transforming processes or driving strategic decisions, they’re looking for opportunities to grow while making measurable contributions.
“I want to work for a company that invests in innovation. If the tech is outdated or there’s no appetite for change, I’ll pass.”
Forward-Thinking Organizations: High-caliber professionals expect their employers to embrace cutting-edge tools and strategies. Organizations resistant to modernization risk losing out on leaders eager to work at the forefront of their industry.
“I’m not interested in burning out. I want a role that values my contributions without expecting me to sacrifice my personal life.”
Work-Life Balance: Even in high-pressure roles, candidates prioritize balance and well-being. Flexibility, supportive leadership, and a culture of mutual respect go a long way in attracting and retaining the best talent.
What’s the takeaway? Your employer brand needs to resonate with these priorities. Top candidates are looking for a place where they can thrive professionally and personally.
Finding Hidden Talent in Unexpected Places
Once you’ve fine-tuned your approach to appeal to top talent, the next step is to expand your search beyond the obvious. Some of the best accounting and finance leaders aren’t actively applying for jobs or may come from unexpected backgrounds. Here’s where to look:
Underrepresented Groups
Tapping into diverse talent pools isn’t just good for inclusivity — it’s smart business. Diverse leaders bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a broader understanding of today’s global economy.
Examples of underrepresented groups particularly in Accounting and Finance include:
- Women: While women make up a significant portion of the accounting workforce, they are often underrepresented in executive-level roles like CFO or Controller.
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities: Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian professionals are underrepresented in upper management and boardroom roles despite strong qualifications and contributions.
- Professionals with Disabilities: Individuals with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities are often overlooked despite their ability to excel in analytical and strategic finance roles.
- LGBTQ+ Professionals: LGBTQ+ individuals face challenges like bias and limited visibility in leadership pipelines, despite their contributions to fostering innovation and inclusion.
- Older Professionals and Career Changers: Professionals over 50 or those transitioning from other careers may be underrepresented in leadership discussions despite their deep experience and fresh perspectives.
Why It Works: Teams with greater diversity of thought are proven to be more effective at addressing complex challenges, connecting with diverse customer bases, and fostering creativity.
Additionally, prioritizing diversity in leadership roles sends a strong signal to both employees and external stakeholders about a company’s values and priorities.
How to Take Action: Partner with organizations and networks dedicated to advancing underrepresented groups in finance, such as the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), Financial Women’s Association (FWA), The National Organization on Disability (NOD), or the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA).
Cross-Industry Candidates
Some of the best accounting and finance leaders hail from industries you might not expect. For example:
- A finance professional from the tech sector may have advanced data analytics expertise, equipping them to tackle challenges like predictive financial modeling or AI-driven forecasting.
- A healthcare industry leader might excel in navigating regulatory complexity, offering valuable skills for companies operating in highly regulated environments.
- A consumer goods executive may bring deep experience in cost management and supply chain optimization, translating seamlessly to other industries.
Why It Works: Cross-industry candidates are highly adaptable and often bring new strategies and fresh thinking to solve familiar problems. They’re especially valuable for organizations looking to drive innovation or pivot to new business models.
How to Take Action: When reviewing candidates, focus on transferable skills such as strategic planning, risk management, or team leadership rather than requiring specific industry experience.
Nontraditional Backgrounds
Don’t overlook candidates who took unconventional paths. They bring a wealth of valuable skills and perspectives to the table. Consider:
- A CPA who started in operations and has a deep understanding of process optimization and resource allocation.
- A finance leader who began their career in consulting and offers an unparalleled ability to analyze complex challenges and recommend actionable solutions.
- A self-taught tech-savvy accountant who implemented cutting-edge cloud-based financial systems for small businesses, demonstrating an innovative, hands-on approach.
Why It Works: Nontraditional candidates often excel because they’ve developed unique problem-solving approaches and gained skills from diverse experiences. Their diverse paths also often give them a broader understanding of how finance interacts with other functions, such as operations, IT, or marketing.
How to Take Action: Be open to reviewing resumes that don’t perfectly align with traditional finance career trajectories. Look for indicators of high potential, such as measurable accomplishments, leadership in complex projects, or a demonstrated ability to learn new skills.
Bringing It All Together: Attracting and Securing Hidden Gems
To turn these insights into action, you need a thoughtful and strategic approach to hiring. Here’s how to align what top talent wants with your recruitment efforts:
- Cultivate an Inclusive Culture: Ensure that your organization values diversity and innovation, and make it clear in your messaging. Leaders from underrepresented groups are more likely to choose a company where they feel seen and supported.
- Showcase Growth Opportunities: Highlight leadership opportunities, big-picture projects, and the chance to drive change. Candidates want to know they’ll be empowered to make an impact.
- Partner with an Executive Search Firm: Navigating the competitive talent market requires expertise, a focus on DEI, and connections. An executive search firm can help you identify hidden talent, engage passive candidates, and present your organization in a way that resonates with top professionals.
By combining a strong understanding of candidate priorities with a broader search strategy, you’ll set your organization apart as an employer of choice in accounting and finance.
Your Competitive Edge Is Within Reach
The best accounting and finance leaders aren’t always easy to find, but they are out there. By focusing on candidate priorities and exploring untapped talent pools, your organization can secure the transformative leaders it needs.
Ready to uncover the hidden gems your organization needs? Let Capstone Search Advisors help you secure exceptional accounting and finance talent — and gain the competitive edge your business deserves.
