What Are Recruiters Looking for in Accounting?

A CLEAR APPLICATION

Recruiters scan your CV in just a few minutes. They should be able to determine from a first glance whether you are a good fit for the job. A CV with unclear logic and an excessive amount of complexity will unavoidably go into the round file!

For everything pertaining to your application—CV, cover letter, and hiring interview—the important phrases are plain and simple. You must be very clear about who you are and what you are capable of. Your area of expertise must stand out to the recruiter, whether it be bookkeeping, payroll, or accounts payable.

Recruiters are waiting for you to make a proposal, so be explicit. They must be able to quickly identify your skills, such as creating financial statements, balancing accounts, resolving bank balances, figuring out payroll, creating checks and salary deduction forms, etc.

AN HONEST APPLICATION

Be yourself! Your application must reflect and positively present your accounting know-how.

It is therefore not recommended to apply for a job that doesn’t suit you, because you’ll be wasting your time. If most of your experience lies in payroll and you enjoy this specialty, don’t apply for a job in accounts payable or inventory.

Instead, focus only on those offers that you find motivating and for which you are qualified. These applications deserve your full attention.

A RELIABLE ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN

Accounting hiring manager and temporary recruiting specialist in accounting, the following qualities are sought after for accounting technicians: thoroughness, organization, method-oriented, professionalism, ethics and respect.

Discretion is also a desired quality if the job involves a high level of responsibility, especially in the area of payroll.

A QUALIFIED ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN

Personal qualities are essential, but applicants require adequate accounting skills too.?These skills are usually listed in the ad. You must make sure you have the desired proficiency in these areas, highlight them in your application and prepare to show them to the employer.

Beyond technical skills, recruiters want to know about your professional and interpersonal skills e.g. teamwork and multitasking skills, and ability to meet tight deadlines.

Employers’ expectations vary depending on the job. A collection professional will have to show perseverance, excellent communication and negotiation skills. Thoroughness and attention to detail will rank first for inventory jobs.

When recruiting a supervisor, the focus is on the ability to manage a team and train employees.

ARE YOU A SENIOR?

Recruiters are primarily concerned about whether you are still up-to-date. You should therefore emphasize the current nature of your experience, show that you are familiar with the latest accounting principles, new practices and modern tools, such as office systems, spreadsheets and accounting software.

To reassure employers, highlight the fact that you get along with co-workers of any age, and that you are a dynamic, motivated worker.

Don’t dwell on your extensive knowledge and long experience; be accurate and stick to what recruiters are looking for.

ARE YOU A JUNIOR?

If you’ve just entered the job market, your main difficulty lies in proving that you can do the job despite your relative youth.

Support your statements by showcasing relevant experiences such as student or volunteer jobs. If they have no clear link to accounting, describe the transferable skills you developed and how they apply to the advertised job.

For example, if the job requires experience in bank reconciliation, draw a parallel with your student job as a cashier, in which you had to prepare deposits and perform margin calculations.