Supporting a start up’s finance function through strategic recruitment and team development
Finding the right Assistant Accountant for our client was critical to supporting growth and bringing structure to a new finance function.
The business had recently appointed its first Finance Manager and needed someone who could operate independently, improve processes, and make an immediate impact in a fast moving start up environment.
3 week
Turnaround from role briefing to successful placement
500+
Applications reviewed and screened
20+
Candidate interviews conducted
1
Strategic hire
Comment from Client
“Elements understood exactly what we needed. They moved quickly but didn’t compromise on quality. The person we hired has transformed how our finance team operates and given us real confidence in scaling further.”
Overview of our finance function project
Our client, a fast growing start up in the food industry, needed an Assistant Accountant to support a newly appointed Finance Manager and bring structure to a rapidly expanding operation.
This was not a standard Assistant Accountant role. The business needed someone operating at at this level with both technical ability and the confidence to drive process improvements. They also needed strong attention to detail, autonomy, and the right personality fit to form a close partnership with the Finance Manager.
The requirement was urgent, and the hire needed to deliver value from day one whilst setting the foundation for long term success.
Approach
We designed a tailored recruitment plan focused on reaching finance professionals within the food industry.
The role was positioned as a rare opportunity to shape a new finance function in a fast growing start up.
This allowed us to attract candidates motivated by impact and ownership rather than routine finance roles.
From more than 500 applications we screened for technical skill, sector knowledge and the ability to operate autonomously.
Every shortlisted candidate had to demonstrate both problem solving capability and resilience.
We used personality profiling to assess working styles and ensure strong alignment with the newly appointed Finance Manager.
Following more than 20 structured interviews we presented a shortlist of five qualified candidates.
Each was selected for their technical expertise, adaptability, and cultural fit.
The final appointment was made within three weeks of the initial briefing, giving the business immediate stability and confidence in their finance operations.
Conclusion
From the outset, our focus was on precision and pace.
By combining a clear recruitment strategy with structured communication, we delivered an Assistant Accountant who not only met every technical requirement but also brought stability to a growing business.
The placement gave the Finance Manager the support needed to focus on strategy and growth, while the new hire took ownership of daily operations and process improvement.
This project demonstrates how a thoughtful, targeted approach can solve immediate challenges and build the foundations for sustainable success.
