Vitae means ‘life’... Our relationships with our clients, candidates and employees are for the long term, NOT here today, gone tomorrow. How do we actually achieve this?

We have built up a candidate database measured by quality and NOT size. The norm: with a few key words on your CV you will find yourself on the database of most agencies – some will not even take the time to speak with you.

We have built up a candidate database measured by quality and NOT size.

A random application that could lead to a CV being sent here, there and everywhere without permission or relevance.

Our candidates seek a working partnership and NOT just registration

Throw as many CV’s at a client as possible and hopefully one will hit the mark.

We match individual talent to company needs, and NOT CV’s to jobs.

A valued client portfolio used as a training ground for fledgling consultants to learn their trade.

Commercially aware consultants and NOT trainees.

At least 2 consultants turning up at the client’s office to represent their own separate areas of expertise.

A single point of contact for all recruitment and NOT an agency split into temporary and permanent divisions.

A directive from the top for all to follow regardless of personal flair or initiative.

Our employees are given autonomy and respect, and NOT a blanket volume based approach

Our collective experience for recruiting accounting and finance staff within the Home Counties, Greater and Central London areas, is unrivalled. Throughout the course of their careers our team has been responsible for successfully finding jobs for tens of thousands of candidates.Typically over 70% of all of our consultants’ business has been repeat business, a testament to our service delivery.Our consultants are known within their given markets and have envied reputations for service and delivery.Vitae as a whole has an ever expanding reputation for providing recruitment solutions and refreshing service delivery where others fall short.

We would love the opportunity to demonstrate how we are different. For more information please contact Ryan Lamb or Guy Barwell on 01923 202 202.Similarly, if you recommend a consultant to us whom we subsequently recruit, you will receive £1000.

Working For Vitae

Ryan, co-founder of Vitae, has worked within finance recruitment primarily within the Home Counties for nearly 15 years. After studying Political Science at Birmingham University, Ryan spent the first few years of his working life within the finance sector before entering the world of recruitment where he achieved widespread success both within a niche commercial entity and large global PLC. He has a leading reputation within the local market and has significant experience across all levels of finance recruitment.

RGuy, co-founder of Vitae, has spent all of his working life within recruitment after completing an Industrial Management degree at Nottingham Trent University. Guy has an enviable track record in recruitment building and managing divisions and business units from scratch, and providing strategy for one of the UK’s leading recruitment businesses. From a consulting perspective Guy has had notable success at the senior end of the market.

Our Team

Meet The Management Team

At Vitae, Registration is only the start of the process. If we feel we can assist you with your job search, we will go all out to source opportunities that really strike a chord and closely match your wish list.

Comprehensive interview preparation and honest feedback.

A genuinely proactive approach with an action plan to find you the right role.

Our clients will know that as a Vitae registration you are our preferred choice.

If we feel we can work with you, you can expect much more from your consultant:

At Vitae, Registration is only the start of the process. If we feel we can assist you with your job search, we will go all out to source opportunities that really strike a chord and closely match your wish list.Unlike the generic approach adopted by larger agencies, we will get to know you, really understand what makes you tick and tailor our approach to your needs. We will then match your individual talent to current opportunities as well as proactively find the best suited organisations and roles for you. We understand how we can best contribute to your success.Working with Vitae is not guaranteed. Registration is a pledge to proactively help those worthy of this status. Talent, ability, effort and drive are the traits we look for. Eligibility is simply not about a few key words on a CV.

What our candidates say

At Vitae’s inception, we had a strong desire to offer and deliver something a little different in terms of product and service delivery.

A database driven by quality NOT size.

Matching talent to needs NOT CV’s to jobs

Commercially aware consultants NOT sales driven clones.

A single point of contact NOT a split disciplined approach.

A shortlist of Members for each role NOT an irrelevant database dump.

A desire to earn our fee through consulting expertise NOT luck.

At Vitae’s inception, we had a strong desire to offer and deliver something a little different in terms of product and service delivery.Although the market was and is flooded with various recruitment solutions, Vitae identified a number of bugbears with the usual mainstream offering that frustrated our potential client base thus creating an opportunity to provide something different.

At Vitae we apply the same approach across the board regardless of whether we are working with a FTSE 250 commercial giant or a small entrepreneurial start up. Our primary focus is always to source the highest quality candidates within the finance and accountancy markets through the most appropriate / relevant method.Whether the role is permanent, temporary or a fixed term contract we will select the relevant method to source Vitae worthy registrations.We choose only to work with the best candidates on the market and likewise wish to service a client base that represents quality, excellence and success.

<blockquote>“Vitae are great recruiters. They have performed consistently in the times I have needed help, and has succeeded in bringing people into this organisation where other recruiters have failed.”</blockquote>United Biscuits, MiddlesexLead Recruiter

Vitae means ‘life’… Our relationships with our clients, candidates and employees are for the long term, NOT here today, gone tomorrow.

Send us your enquiries

<h1>Where to find us</h1>

<h1> </h1>

Our clients and candidates alike return to us, not just because we are accounting recruitment specialists, but because we only work with individuals who we believe have the potential to make a real difference.
Ryan Lamb &amp; Guy Barwell
Managing Directors

Anyone who has used a recruitment agency before will be familiar with some of the associated stereotypes. Many agencies make based on the size of their database, client portfolio and number of staff.

Specialists in Finance &amp; Accountancy Recruitment

Unlike the generic approach adopted by larger agencies, we will get to know you, really understand what makes you tick and tailor our approach to your needs. We will then match your individual talent to current opportunities as well as proactively find the best suited organisations and roles for you. We understand how we can best contribute to your success.

Dedicated to exceptional service delivery within Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Middlesex, Cambridgeshire and Essex, as well as our London based portfolio.

Our mantra is and always will be, delivering the highest calibre of candidates to our selected client portfolio.

Anyone who has used a recruitment agency before will be familiar with some of the associated stereotypes. Many agencies make promises based on the size of their database, client portfolio and number of staff. We believe they are missing the point and invariably under deliver...

Unlike the generic approach adopted by larger agencies, we will get to know you, really understand what makes you tick and tailor our approach to your needs.

Vitae apply the same approach across the board regardless of whether we are working with a FTSE 250 commercial giant or a small entrepreneurial start up. Our primary focus is always to source the highest quality candidates within the finance and accountancy markets through the most appropriate / relevant method.

A selection of feedback collated from our client portfolio.

At Vitae&rsquo;s inception, we had a strong desire to offer and deliver something a little different in terms of product and service delivery.

At Vitae&rsquo;s inception, we had a strong desire to offer and deliver something a little different in terms of product and service delivery.

Guy, co-founder of Vitae, has spent all of his working life within recruitment after completing an Industrial Management degree at Nottingham Trent University. Guy has an enviable track record in recruitment building and managing divisions and business units from scratch, and providing strategy for one of the UK&rsquo;s leading recruitment businesses. From a consulting perspective Guy has had notable success at the senior end of the market.

Our success and unprecedented growth has been down to our ability to develop, attract and retain some of the highest calibre financial recruitment consultants in the market.

From offices and environment, to state of the art databases and advertising, we believe in giving our consultants a competitive edge to enjoy and succeed in their jobs.

Vitae offers one of the markets most competitive and lucrative remuneration packages including leading basic salaries, monthly commission and a quarterly performance related profit share. Other financial and non-financial rewards include impressive quarterly prizes for top performers and regular expenses paid social events.

We don’t restrict your client horizons by pigeon-holing you in a certain sector or ‘post-code area’, Vitae is more concerned with encouraging you to expand your coverage through proactive business development, networking and relationships.Unlike other agencies Vitae consultants deal with both temporary and permanent vacancies, meaning no handing over jobs to other teams or pointless squabbles between consultants.

Success breeds success, that is why Vitae consultants are trained by top performing consultants with in-depth market / job knowledge and NOT by corporate training departments run by ex-recruitment consultants that may not have made the grade or aren’t up to speed with the market.

We don’t believe in a “one fits all” targeting approach or that hammering the phones is the best way to develop business. Our targets are kept to a minimum and are results / quality orientated rather than mindless volume. Individuals are encouraged to play to their strengths rather than conform to a corporate blueprint.We would love the opportunity to demonstrate how we are different. For more information please contact Ryan Lamb or Guy Barwell on 01923 202 202. Similarly, if you recommend a consultant to us whom we subsequently recruit, you will receive £1000.

“We Exist To Be Different” and that includes the way we work. After many years of recruitment experience gleaned within large corporations our founding directors had a good idea about what consultants like and don’t like.Vitae stripped back the recruitment role to concentrate on delivering unrivalled service to our clients, whilst allowing individuals to play to their own strengths. No Corporate Clones Here! Our culture is one of autonomy, meritocracy, leading by example and excellence.All our staff right up to the Directors are “Hands on”, client facing and fee earners.

Over the last couple of decades, Vitae has set about creating a brand synonymous with quality. We chose to avoid quick wins and set the bar high in terms of our product offering, focusing on candidate calibre and avoiding the numbers based approach synonymous with our industry.The client portfolio that we now work with across the Home Counties, Greater and Central London is testament to our efforts, and proof that recruitment consultancy can be carried out by credible individuals looking to add real value at every stage of the recruitment process.At the core of our philosophy to practise ‘real’ consultancy is our own recruitment policy. If you fit the mould of the stereotype, loud, in your face, Apprentice-esque show pony, then you are probably not for us. However if you have a multifaceted personality, are in tune with your own strengths and capabilities, and feel that you are a great judge of character, subtly getting under the skin of all those you make contact with, then Vitae may be the perfect environment to forge a long term career.Each Vitae consultant is taught how to operate in all areas of recruitment from candidate sourcing, client and candidate negotiation, as well as commercial business development.When we take on a new member of staff we do so in the knowledge that overnight success isn’t always the reality when it comes to a successful career in the industry, so as long as we see ambition, drive, tenacity and intelligence, we provide a training and support structure that allows for long term learning and growth.Aside from a highly competitive remuneration package and bonus structure, we provide a culture and working environment that is second to none. Once you research the industry you will find that for every moment of euphoria there is also the metaphorical slap in the face. We take this into account at all times and ensure that each day is filled with positivity, team based camaraderie, and a solution driven approach.If any of this appeals, we will be keen to receive your details together with a covering note indicating why you believe you would be a good match for the sector and specifically Vitae.

We would love the opportunity to demonstrate how we are different. For more information please contact Ryan Lamb or Guy Barwell on 01923 202 202.Similarly, if you recommend a consultant to us whom we subsequently recruit, you will receive £1000.*Subject to terms and conditions

Site Accountant, Manchester £42- £48kpa plus benefits including a 10% bonus Our client, a leading FMCG business, with an instantly recognisable brand name, are looking to bring on board a talented and highly driven Site Accountant role. This is a key role with plenty of autonomy within the position. Key Duties:- * Ensure that decisions, plans, and strategies are formulated on a sound commercial and financial basis. * Review and report performance against agreed budgets and forecasts, and develop action plans to meet objectives. * Ensure compliance with statutory and group accounting procedures, taking corrective action when necessary. * Act as a business partner to site cost centre managers, supporting them in managing overheads. * Complete the sites budget and monthly forecasting processes. * Take ownership of standard product costing, providing financial support for the development of new products. * Support and liaise with project leads regarding capital reporting and forecasting. * Conduct site prime and overhead performance analysis and period-end reporting. * Maintain robust financial control by managing the site asset register and ensuring timely capitalization, disposal, and asset verification. * Conduct periodic balance sheet reconciliation reviews. * Supervise and support the offshore team, providing development training and acting as the first point of contact. The successful candidate will be ideally close of qualifying (CIMA/ACCA), however part qualified applicant will also be considered. Business partnering skills are key, showcasing the ability to partner with stakeholders of all levels- finance and non-finance. AGY - Vitae Financial Recruitment We Exist To Be Different - Membership NOT Registration

Site Accountant 

Finance Assistant (French-Speaking) - Hybrid Working Salary: Up to £35,000 per annum + Annual Bonus Location: SE1, London Bridge (Hybrid - 3 days in office, 2 days from home) Start Date: Immediate start required - ideally within the next two weeks Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (1-hour lunch) Holiday: 28 days (including 3 at Christmas) + bank holidays I'm working with an exciting international client who is looking to bring on board a Finance Assistant to join their growing team. This is an urgent requirement, and we're looking for someone who can start within the next two weeks. The role offers the chance to work in a hybrid capacity - 3 days in their London Bridge office and 2 days from home. What's in it for you? * A role with a dynamic and supportive team within a fast-growing international group. * Excellent career development opportunities, including training and mentoring. * A hybrid working structure for better work-life balance. About the Role: This is a varied role where you'll work closely with a part-time Financial Controller and the group HQ. Key responsibilities include: * Bookkeeping tasks: Bank reconciliations, managing the sales ledger, matching supplier bills, and handling payments. * Month-end processes: Reconciliations for management accounts and inter-company transactions. * Client and cost management: Supporting client reporting requirements and assisting Account Directors with cost management. About You: We're looking for someone with: * A solid grasp of double-entry bookkeeping and experience in an accounts environment, preferably within a smaller business. * Strong Excel skills, with Sage experience being a plus. * A methodical approach, excellent attention to detail, and a proactive mindset. * Professional business communication skills in English. French fluency is a big bonus but not essential. Next Steps: If this sounds like the right role for you and you're available to start within the next two weeks, we'd love to hear from you. AGY - Vitae Financial Recruitment We Exist To Be Different - Membership NOT Registration

Finance Assistant (French-Speaking)

Finance Assistant - Hybrid Working Salary: Up to £35,000 per annum + Annual Bonus Location: SE1, London Bridge (Hybrid - 3 days in office, 2 days from home) Start Date: Immediate start required - ideally within the next two weeks Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (1-hour lunch) Holiday: 28 days (including 3 at Christmas) + bank holidays I'm working with an exciting international client who is looking to bring on board a Finance Assistant to join their growing team. This is an urgent requirement, and we're looking for someone who can start within the next two weeks. The role offers the chance to work in a hybrid capacity - 3 days in their London Bridge office and 2 days from home. What's in it for you? * A role with a dynamic and supportive team within a fast-growing international group. * Excellent career development opportunities, including training and mentoring. * A hybrid working structure for better work-life balance. About the Role: This is a varied role where you'll work closely with a part-time Financial Controller and the group HQ. Key responsibilities include: * Bookkeeping tasks: Bank reconciliations, managing the sales ledger, matching supplier bills, and handling payments. * Month-end processes: Reconciliations for management accounts and inter-company transactions. * Client and cost management: Supporting client reporting requirements and assisting Account Directors with cost management. About You: We're looking for someone with: * A solid grasp of double-entry bookkeeping and experience in an accounts environment, preferably within a smaller business. * Strong Excel skills, with Sage experience being a plus. * A methodical approach, excellent attention to detail, and a proactive mindset. * Professional business communication skills in English. French fluency is a big bonus but not essential. Next Steps: If this sounds like the right role for you and you're available to start within the next two weeks, we'd love to hear from you. AGY - Vitae Financial Recruitment We Exist To Be Different - Membership NOT Registration

Finance Assistant

Accountant 12 Month Fixed Term Contract, (Hybrid working) £50,000 - £60,000 + Benefits package Our client a highly reputable commercial entity with an enviable pedigree, is looking to add to their ranks with the recruitment of a qualified professional within their financial reporting wealth and asset management investment accounting team. Those with experience working within financial services will be more familiar with some of the key focus areas associated with this financial controls role: * Responsible for producing all inputs including ledger entries, reconciliations, and reports to support the production of the core trial balance and other requirements of the financial statement close process * Prepare all the necessary adjustments required for regulatory reporting and local GAAP for assigned line of business * Assist with the co-ordination of the monthly close timetable, ensuring corporate deadlines are met. * Local regulatory reporting including regulatory statements on a quarterly and annual basis. * Support the reconciliations between local and regulatory reporting. * Ensure that appropriate controls over regulatory reporting exist and that these are operating effectively. * Preparation of statutory financial statements in accordance with local GAAP for assigned entities * Preparation and review of balance sheet reconciliations, * Assist in the co-ordination of the external interim & year end audits. * Reconciliation of the company's inter-company positions and maintenance of working relationships. * Preparation of fee income invoices and reconciliation of debtor balances. * Contribution to Board and Committee papers and presentations in respect of the Wealth and Asset Management entities. Candidates should be confident and analytically strong, able to identify, investigate and resolve complex technical problems, and be able to rely on their initiative at all times. They should have a track record in working with a large volume of data and be comfortable substantiating a balance sheet as a whole. In return for consistently strong performance, the candidate's efforts will be regularly acknowledged and rewarded accordingly. In addition, they will play a key role within a welcoming and supportive environment that manages to create the right mix of professionalism and social enjoyment. Although this is initially a 12 month fixed term contract, longer term opportunities are likely to materialise for those that make their mark. Vitae Financial Recruitment Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

Accountant 

Senior Accountant, Canning Town (Hybrid working) £50- £60kpa plus great benefits including medical & pension Our client, who are going through an exciting period of growth are looking to bring on board a well-rounded Senior Accountant, to work with the Financial Controller. This role will involve plenty of change and with several exciting projects planned, an exciting future. The key purpose of this role is to ensure timely and accurate production of monthly / quarterly / annual financial information and maintaining financial control. Main duties and responsibilities: - Responsible for production and analysis of month end (and annual) management & financial accounts with all the associated activities. - Line management of team with responsibility for overseeing, mentoring and coaching. Job Responsibilities: 1. Reporting to the Financial Controller responsible for month end process. Ensuring all tasks are completed timely and accurately including Income Statement, Balance Sheet, variance analysis and cashflow. 2. In depth review of results with regards to variance analysis vs Budget and Prior year. Balance Sheet analysis to review potential risk and opportunities. 3. Line management of staff. Initially 3 direct reports, and 1 indirect. Support and mentor the team, and oversee work, manage workload, conduct annual appraisals, etc. 4. Responsible for Statutory reporting including Stat Accounts, Annual Return, Tax submissions, VAT (UK and other markets), etc. 5. Support FC and the Executive team with any adhoc tasks and analysis. The successful candidate will be fully qualified (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) and have demonstrable experience inline with the above. Those coming straight from an accounting practice will also be considered. Hybrid working will also be on offer. AGY - Vitae Financial Recruitment We Exist To Be Different - Membership NOT Registration

Senior Accountant

Senior Finance Business Partner 3 Month Fixed Term Contract (Hybrid working) Welwyn Garden City £60,000 - £70,000 Our client, a well know and much respected leader in their chosen field is looking to add the capabilities of a talented and highly driven interim finance professional to their ranks. The position which has materialised due to internal movements and succession planning will allow for real creative flair and a chance to play a pivotal role from day one, within a fast moving global enterprise. Those interested in applying for this position must be able to provide solid working examples of business partnering with large corporate entities, facilitate sound decision making and an understanding of performance. Specifically you will focus on the following: - Support decision making by providing operational and financial analysis. - Assessment of new initiatives. - Preparation of annual budgets and re forecasts. - Reviewing and interpreting monthly management accounting reports. - Assist stakeholders to understand financial performance and their respective P&Ls. - Define and develop effective KPI's to measure cost performance. - Provision of real time cash analysis and control. The successful individual will be responsive to demand for fast turnaround of analysis to support decisions, maintain the appropriate balance of speed and accuracy and be ready to question assumptions in a constructive way. Advanced spreadsheet capabilities are a pre-requisite for any application. On offer is a varied and challenging interim remit which will provide regular opportunities for new learning as well as the opportunity to add value quickly. Vitae Financial Recruitment Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

Senior Finance Business Partner 

Financial Controller, Watford, Hertfordshire £70- £80kpa plus benefits plus bonus Our client, a rapidly expanding business, who have seen a sustained period of exciting growth and transition, are looking to bring on board a talented and highly driven Financial Controller. This senior finance role offers a dynamic blend of strategic oversight and hands-on management, crucial for steering the financial operations. You will play a pivotal role in both the day-to-day financial management. There is also an opportunity to aid in M&A transactions. As the Financial Controller, you will collaborate closely with directors/ Head of Finance to shape the future strategy and growth plans of the business. You will ensure accuracy and efficiency while providing strategic advice and support for mergers and acquisitions, facilitating the company's growth trajectory. You will lead and mentor a dedicated finance team, including a Finance Manager, Bookkeeper, and Accounts Assistant. Ensuring effective task distribution and workflow management will be essential to maintain smooth operations and support business expansion. Engaging actively with the executive team, you will align financial strategies with business goals, driving financial planning and analysis to support the company's ambitious growth pipeline over the next few years. Outside of corporate responsibilities, this role also includes assisting the directors with personal tax compliance, advising on wealth planning, and coordinating with professional advisers for tax-related advice. This role requires a proactive and strategic mindset, combined with strong leadership skills, to foster a high-performing finance team and drive the company's financial success. Responsibilities Group financial operations: * Financial Oversight: Ensure the efficient functioning of all finance operations, including payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash flow management. * Monthly Reporting: Own the monthly management reporting process, maintaining compliance with loan covenants through effective communication with lenders. * Ad Hoc Analysis: Prepare insightful ad hoc management reports to support and inform key business decisions. * Process Improvement: Assist the team in enhancing and implementing robust financial processes and control frameworks. * Banking and Treasury: Manage/ work with banking relationships and oversee the treasury function to optimise financial resources. * Statutory Compliance: Help prepare annual statutory accounts and corporation tax returns, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. * Audit Coordination: Assist with external audit teams to facilitate smooth and accurate audits. M&A transaction support and advice: * Transaction Management: Assist on M&A transaction processes from initial stages through to completion. * Target Analysis: Help evaluate potential acquisition targets and provide comprehensive reports to the directors. * Investment Reporting: Prepare detailed investment reports and forecasts for funders' credit approval, ensuring informed decision-making. * Due Diligence: Conduct financial and commercial due diligence, working closely with legal advisers to ensure thorough evaluation. * Acquisition Onboarding: Manage the onboarding of new acquisitions by updating financial processes and controls to align with group standards. Qualifications & Experience * Qualified Accountant (ACA/ICAS/ CIMA/ ACCA). * 3+ years PQE required. * Strong technical skills. * Ideally experience in M&A transaction support. * Knowledge of personal and corporate tax. Please note, this is a 5 days a week in the office role, with flexibility. Candidates that apply need to also demonstrate an outstanding record of achievement in their career to date. AGY - Vitae Financial Recruitment We Exist To Be Different - Membership NOT Registration

Financial Controller 

Senior Accountant, Crowborough, East Sussex £50- £60kpa plus great benefits including medical & pension Our client, who are going through an exciting period of growth are looking to bring on board a well-rounded Senior Accountant, to work with the Financial Controller. This role will involve plenty of change and with several exciting projects planned, an exciting future. The key purpose of this role is to ensure timely and accurate production of monthly / quarterly / annual financial information and maintaining financial control. Main duties and responsibilities: - Responsible for production and analysis of month end (and annual) management & financial accounts with all the associated activities. - Line management of team with responsibility for overseeing, mentoring and coaching. Job Responsibilities: 1. Reporting to the Financial Controller responsible for month end process. Ensuring all tasks are completed timely and accurately including Income Statement, Balance Sheet, variance analysis and cashflow. 2. In depth review of results with regards to variance analysis vs Budget and Prior year. Balance Sheet analysis to review potential risk and opportunities. 3. Line management of staff. Initially 3 direct reports, and 1 indirect. Support and mentor the team, and oversee work, manage workload, conduct annual appraisals, etc. 4. Responsible for Statutory reporting including Stat Accounts, Annual Return, Tax submissions, VAT (UK and other markets), etc. 5. Support FC and the Executive team with any adhoc tasks and analysis. The successful candidate will be part or fully qualified (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) and have demonstrable experience inline with the above. Those coming straight from an accounting practice will also be considered. Hybrid working will also be on offer. AGY - Vitae Financial Recruitment We Exist To Be Different - Membership NOT Registration

Senior Accountant 

FP&A Analyst, Farnham, Surrey (Hybrid working- 3 days in the office) £35- £40kpa plus benefits Our client, a true leader in their field, who are growing at a healthy rate, have identified the need to add a talented and highly driven FP&A Analyst Assistant to their ranks. This role will work in a high performing team and will also see plenty of growth in the role, with the opportunity to progress internally. This is a newly created position. Key Duties:- * Assist with processes for budgeting, forecasting and reporting of actual financial results. * Finance business partner for UK Support functions Managers. * Budget and forecast opex costs. * Analyse and challenge cost to ensure value added. * Review actual performance and make journals to ensure correct accounting policies are being followed. * Support FP&A team in providing detailed analysis supporting Opex forecasting and cost control. * Report and analyse the headcount and workforce costs of the organisation. * Provide balance sheet analysis to highlight risks and opportunities. * Identify and implement best practices and establish standard FP&A routines. The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience in line with the above and have at least 2 years' experience as a Finance Analyst or similar. The business enjoys a healthy working culture and the hybrid working policy is 3 days in the office. AGY - Vitae Financial Recruitment We Exist To Be Different - Membership NOT Registration

FP&A Analyst 

An article discussing the factors chartered accountants should consider when making their first move into industry.
As recruiters we are often asked for career advice on whether it is better to work for large blue chip organisations or for smaller businesses. This is often most pertinent for recently qualified ACAs who are looking for their first move into industry but are unsure of the sort of business they want to work for.
The truth is, there is no straight forward answer to this question and is very dependent on experience, personality type and an individual&rsquo;s long term goals as well as the specific organisations&rsquo; ambitions for growth. This article will explore some of the factors you should consider before simply discounting roles on the basis of size alone!
What does big business have to offer?
Larger organisations will no doubt be offering newly qualified accountants roles that are more focused. These may be within financial control, reporting, management accounting or more planning and analysis roles but it will be rare to find a role that is a combination of all three.
Top employers overcome the &lsquo;boredom&rsquo; factor by rotating their people even if an upwards move isn&rsquo;t on the cards. Given that most ambitious individuals begin to get itchy feet after 18 months and will most likely start searching for a move after a couple of years in the same role, this is an essential part of large companies managing and retaining their top talent. As part of this, employees in this environment should expect regular reviews with their line manager and / or HR to understand career goals and how the business will help them achieve these.
Politics and self-promotion
Individuals working in large blue chips will often be faced with big personalities and internal politics; to get to the top in this sort of environment, you will need to master these. It is important to note, this doesn&rsquo;t mean shouting about how good you are, stepping on people&rsquo;s toes and fighting your way to the top. Inevitably, this sort of approach will mean you break more relationships than you make! The right approach is to network thoroughly, work hard and constantly strive to improve / achieve &ndash; gone are the days when just doing the day job well will be enough.
A career in a large company can be highly progressive and lucrative with excellent benefits but make sure you ask the right questions at interview. Don&rsquo;t focus only on the role but look to understand career growth, talent planning and career development opportunities. A short time in a role that&rsquo;s not perfect can be a worthwhile sacrifice for the right long term career.
What about smaller businesses?
Smaller organisations will often be offering opportunities that support a wider remit and so on paper often look more appealing, but it is much harder to guarantee career progression in the same way larger companies do.
There&rsquo;s no place to hide
Whilst in some larger companies it is possible to forge a career out of being a good manager, delegator and politician, in a small company environment this sort of approach will quickly be exposed. From a positive standpoint, your achievements will be quickly recognised and rewarded and you will more likely have a greater impact on the bottom line!
Chemistry is key
If you are set on working for a smaller business make sure you have a good relationship with your potential boss and the team as the likelihood is you will be spending a lot of time with them and won&rsquo;t always have a new one in the next couple of years.
Small doesn&rsquo;t mean unknown
There is a perception that working for a small business is somehow less glamorous than working for a blue chip. I wonder if a finance director with an equity stake in a rapidly growing PE backed company that is preparing for floatation on the stock market would agree? The reality is working within a small business can be extremely rewarding, helping you to achieve not only you career ambitions but your financial ones! The trick is to be picky; do your research in order to make an informed decision.
What about banking / Financial Services?
As a recruitment business predominantly outside of London but very commutable to it, we have a lot of people wanting to make the move away from this sector. Long hours and mundane roles do not always make the big pay check worthwhile! From experience, making the move out into industry can also be challenging with a potential pay cut and a less competitive skill set for a regional job market where there are few financial services entities.
Personality
There is little doubt that some accountants enjoy process, structure and routine whilst others thrive on change, variety and being exposed to a wide remit. Big 4 auditors are by nature trained to be process driven and large companies like to recruit this sort of individual as they will most likely have a complex structure and controls driven environment. By the same token smaller entities will often have a preference for those with a smaller practice background or those with a mixed audit / accounts preparation skill set. Personality fit is often more about company culture as opposed to size so it is important to do your research on an organisation&rsquo;s ethos and values. Use the tools available to you including LinkedIn to understand the sorts of people and backgrounds of those in the business. This can give you a really good picture of the people the business tends to recruit and whether you are likely to be a strong fit. As well as this you may find an ex-colleague or two who have made the move which will allow you to get an excellent informal reference on the business.
Conclusions
It&rsquo;s clear that making your first move into industry is a hugely important one and one that can shape the rest of your career so there are a number of things to consider below which may be useful.
<ul>
<li>Why am I leaving audit / practice, what do I like / not like about my current role?</li>
<li>Do I have a strong preference for a large or small organisation and why?</li>
<li>Is role or company more important to me at this stage of my career?</li>
<li>What are my ultimate career ambitions?</li>
<li>Ask for advice and speak to a specialist finance / accountancy recruiter you can trust.</li>
</ul>
As recruiters, we are often tarnished with the brush that we simply want the fee and don&rsquo;t care where we place our candidates. This is a comment that I would strongly disagree with. A good recruiter&rsquo;s job is to ensure we find not only the right skill-set, but equally a strong cultural fit as well as managing ambition and expectations from both a candidate and client perspective. If we get this wrong and have a string of unhappy individuals who feel we miss-sold them the opportunity, it is our reputation on the line and inevitably our client relationships will never last. Once a recruiter has a bad name it is very hard to re-build! The best recruiters are therefore the ones who are strong advocates of their clients and provide their candidates with honest, sound advice on a consistent basis.
Article Written by Rory McDermott <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorymcdermott" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorymcdermott">https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorymcdermott</a> Senior Associate &ndash; Vitae Financial Recruitment
Image courtesy of -Marcus- FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Is Bigger Always Better?

​If we are to believe what we read, Twitter may well be on its last legs as Elon Musk tries to reinvent the little blue bird using the same panache that Liz Truss used to revive the British economy.
Like it or loathe it, Twitter now feels like an innovation that we just cant live without. Whilst Facebook and Instagram are still the front runners for attention seeking, self indulgent ego inflators, Twitter used correctly, gives us real time news and information on virtually anything and everything going on in this crazy old world. What will we do without it? Buy a newspaper to find out what happened yesterday? Bring back Ceefax, Oracle and the Vidiprinter? Watch England capitulate at the world cup and slag off Southgate and his tactics just to our friends and family rather than be able to spread our venomous expert views to millions of people around the world?&nbsp;&nbsp;I&rsquo;m really not sure how we would survive.
It&rsquo;s got me thinking, what if Musk or another of his ilk got their hands on LinkedIn and drove it off a cliff? Would we miss it? Certain industries are now massively reliant on it, mine included. However wouldn&rsquo;t it be quite refreshing to have to go back to old skillsets and processes in order to network and sell? Wouldn&rsquo;t it be a tad tempting to have to actually evolve a genuine business culture and associated values, rather than just putting out a post telling everyone that you have them? Just imagine having to make an appointment with a genuine specialist to provide life, business and career advice... you know someone who has actually walked the walk and not just declared themselves Master of the Universe after 8 minutes and few posted selfies.
My hunch is that the benefits outweigh the very obvious flaws but I cant help but wonder how some of us would cope if the social media mask was whipped away and we had to rely on the skills and behaviours of yesteryear. We may not have to wait for very long to find out!

​If we are to believe what we read, Twitter may well be on its last legs as Elon Musk tries to reinvent the little blue bird using the same panache that Liz Truss used to revive…

Back to the Future

​Vitae Financial Recruitment is delighted to announce that we have been named as a supplier on Crown Commercial Service&rsquo;s RM6229 Permanent Recruitment &ndash; Lot 2 &ndash; Non Clinical Recruitment framework.
This is a very exciting partnership with the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) as we will be supporting the public sector to achieve maximum commercial value when looking at accounting &amp; finance recruitment campaigns.
Should you require assistance finding a member of your finance team, under the supplier framework, please don't hesitate to contact us.
​

​Vitae Financial Recruitment is delighted to announce that we have been named as a supplier on Crown Commercial Service’s RM6229 Permanent Recruitment – Lot 2 – Non Clinical Recruitment framework.

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