Published Date: 7 Feb 2025
At Beyond Recruitment, many of our team members have colourful stories to tell about making the leap to recruitment from another industry. As a former accountant who is now an accounting recruiter, my story shares a common thread with my colleagues: the desire to make a difference in people’s lives.
Transitioning from accounting to recruitment wasn’t just a career shift for me; it was a decision rooted in my own journey of finding meaning in work and connecting with people.
I know what it’s like to feel like a small part of a bigger system and the difference the proper support and guidance can make for people searching for their next role or hiring people for their team.
Here, I’ll share what I’ve learned as an accountant who has made the transition to recruitment and how I help accounting, finance, and financial services professionals find their dream jobs in New Zealand.
How I Pivoted to Recruitment
Here’s my story: I started out in accounting, but the journey that brought me into recruitment is really a testament to knowing your strengths and embracing your transferrable skills.
I grew up in Ontario, Canada and went to university there, but after graduating, I moved to Calgary. Within a week of moving, I landed my first accounting contract.
My experience in accounting roles has spanned everything from Assistant Accountant to Accounts Receivable (AR) and Accounts Payable (AP), with various other accounting jobs and a relationship management role in the mix. This variety of experiences has given me an insider’s understanding of the challenges employers and job seekers face in this sector.
What helped me make the leap to recruitment was somewhat unexpected. I started giving presentations to the entire office, which was a far cry from sitting behind a desk. Those presentations put me in front of a wider audience, and suddenly, people were asking, "Wait, Tom works in accounting?" I had discovered a strength I could tap into. That experience gave me the confidence to step away from accounting entirely in 2015.
A few years later, after getting a taste of New Zealand, I couldn’t resist; I found my footing as an accounting recruiter, joining Beyond Recruitment’s Accounting, Finance & Financial Services team.
Navigating Complex Roles and Real-World Challenges
In accounting, I learned early on that every role is more complex than meets the eye, no matter how clear-cut it seems at first glance.
My experiences in Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable have taught me the importance of accuracy in the face of deadlines, often in high-pressure situations where even a small error could have ripple effects across the business. Working as an Assistant Accountant, I’ve had a first-hand view of financial operations on a broader scale, which has given me a deeper understanding of a company’s inner workings and financial health.
One of my defining career experiences was a role that was entirely outside of traditional accounting: helping multiple marketers keep their data aligned. It was challenging work, requiring plenty of patience and resilience. From this, I learned that even the smallest pieces of data can have a major impact on an organisation. Accurate information is as valuable as the revenue it helps generate.
In hindsight, I understand that success in any accounting role is rarely a straightforward line from A to B. Accounting jobs can be highly complex – a blend of the strategic and the operational. Today, as part of Beyond Recruitment’s Accounting, Finance & Financial Services team, knowing this complexity is essential for our work as a preferred supplier to public and private sector organisations.
The Human Side of Accounting
An accountant is someone who works tirelessly behind the scenes in every smoothly functioning organisation. Having managed data, processes, and information flow in my previous roles, I deeply empathise with accountants who go above and beyond to ensure everything runs seamlessly.
It’s these professionals who often go unseen but hold critical roles in any company. And now, as an accounting recruiter, I’m passionate about helping them find the right roles where they’re valued and where their skills truly make a difference.
For many accounting and finance professionals, the pressure and responsibility can be heavy. As an accountant, I’ve felt the long hours and the quiet feeling of going unnoticed. It’s these experiences that have shaped my ethos of recruiting with empathy, helping to connect accountants with organisations where they can bring their best selves to work.
Going Beyond the Resume
When it comes to recruiting for accounting and finance roles, it’s vital to look beyond the bullet points on a candidate’s resume. A candidate’s work history is just part of the story. Accounting recruiters with industry experience can go deeper to learn how a candidate might fit into a team and help drive success. This is especially important in today’s market, where businesses are under pressure from multiple angles, and every hiring decision is critical.
Through my firsthand experience working with complex data, systems, and the financial challenges organisations face, I understand the technical demands and interpersonal skills that accounting jobs require.
My goal isn’t just to fill positions but to connect candidates with companies where they can thrive, be supported and make a positive impact. With my own story of navigating different roles and shifts in the jobs market, my priority is to understand how a candidate will succeed and help them connect with employers who value their contributions.
An Accounting Recruiter Who Understands Both Sides
An effective accounting and finance recruiter will have a mix of technical insight and empathy. Working with a recruiter who has a background in accounting means you can partner with someone who knows the demands of accounting, finance and financial services roles. The Beyond Recruitment team and I bring this knowledge and insider’s perspective to our relationships with hiring managers and candidates. But it’s not about technical know-how alone. My own journey has taught me the importance of support and human connection.
I believe that great accounting recruitment goes beyond skills and resumes. It’s about finding people who’ll add value and feel fulfilled in their roles. That’s the dedication I bring to my work with employers and job seekers every day.
Connect with Beyond Recruitment
Whether you’re looking to hire an excellent accountant for your team or your next accounting role, Beyond Recruitment is here to support you. As a leading New Zealand recruitment agency, we have a depth of experience, insight and resources to guide you in your next hiring process or career move. Reach out to me or our team today – we’d love to help you achieve a successful outcome.
