Day in the Life of a Recruitment Consultant: A Busy Day Recruiting for Finance Roles in Cheshire

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that finance recruitment never really slows down.

Today was one of those days where nearly every call, email and client conversation revolved around finance hiring across Cheshire. From Credit Controllers and Accounts Assistants through to Management Accountants and Payroll staff, demand has definitely stayed strong locally.

And honestly, good finance candidates are still incredibly difficult to secure.

The Day Started With Three New Finance Vacancies

Before I’d even finished my first coffee this morning, three new finance vacancies had landed in my inbox.

One business in Northwich needed an experienced Accounts Assistant after someone relocated unexpectedly.

Another client in Knutsford was looking for a Purchase Ledger Clerk with Sage experience.

Then a manufacturing company near Winsford called needing temporary payroll support almost immediately.

That’s fairly typical at the moment.

Finance teams are under pressure across a lot of Cheshire businesses. When somebody leaves unexpectedly or sickness hits a small accounts department, employers suddenly realise how critical those roles are to keeping the business running smoothly.

And unlike some sectors, finance recruitment often requires a very specific skillset.

It’s rarely just:
“Can they do admin?”

Clients want:

• system experience
• payroll knowledge
• reconciliations experience
• Excel capability
• attention to detail
• communication skills
• commercial awareness

Finding all of that in one candidate isn’t always straightforward.

Candidates Are Being More Selective

One thing that stood out today was how cautious finance candidates are becoming before moving jobs.

A candidate I spoke to this morning had received two separate interview requests within 24 hours but still wasn’t rushing into anything.

Instead, she wanted to know:

• whether hybrid working was available
• what staff retention looked like
• how stable the business felt
• whether progression opportunities genuinely existed
• what the management team were like

Five years ago, those conversations were less common.

Now they’re happening daily.

A lot of finance professionals across Cheshire want security and long-term stability. The market has shifted slightly away from candidates jumping purely for salary increases.

Culture and flexibility matter far more than they used to.

A Frustrated Employer Conversation

Mid-morning I had a lengthy conversation with a Finance Director who was becoming increasingly frustrated with recruitment delays.

They’d advertised directly for weeks and were struggling to attract suitable candidates.

The issue wasn’t the role itself.

The problem was the expectation.

The salary was sitting slightly below current market levels for Cheshire and the business wanted someone with:

• payroll experience
• management accounts exposure
• VAT returns knowledge
• advanced Excel
• credit control support capability

All within a fairly junior salary bracket.

It’s a conversation we’re having more frequently lately.

The finance market in Cheshire is competitive, especially around Northwich and Knutsford where strong candidates often have multiple opportunities available.

Sometimes employers simply need honest market feedback.

That’s one of the biggest parts of recruitment now, advising clients realistically rather than just posting adverts and hoping for the best.

The Best Part of Recruitment Still Happens Quietly

Among all the pressure and deadlines today, there was one conversation that genuinely stood out.

I spoke with a candidate we’d recently placed in an Assistant Accountant role a few months ago.

She rang purely to say thank you.

Apparently the move has completely changed her confidence levels and career outlook.

Those calls still matter.

Recruitment can be chaotic at times. There are difficult conversations, rejected offers, counter-offers and constant time pressures.

But hearing someone say:
“I finally feel settled”
makes the stressful days worthwhile.

That’s something people outside recruitment probably don’t see enough.

Cheshire Businesses Are Still Hiring Carefully

The local finance recruitment market feels active, but employers are definitely being more cautious with hiring decisions.

Businesses still need staff, particularly in:

• accounts support
• payroll
• credit control
• transactional finance
• assistant accountant roles
• finance administration

But many companies want absolute certainty before committing.

As recruiters, we end up balancing two sides constantly:

• employers wanting perfect candidates
• candidates wanting perfect opportunities

The reality usually sits somewhere in the middle.

Why Local Recruitment Knowledge Helps

One advantage we have at Howard James Recruitment is genuinely knowing the Cheshire market properly.

Recruitment isn’t just about reading CVs.

It’s understanding:

• salary expectations locally
• commute patterns
• which businesses are growing
• which sectors are recruiting heavily
• where candidates are realistically willing to travel

For example, today I spoke to a candidate in Winsford who wouldn’t consider Manchester city centre because of commuting costs and travel time.

But Northwich and Knutsford worked perfectly.

That local understanding genuinely helps placements happen faster and more successfully.

Finance Recruitment Is Still Relationship-Driven

Despite all the technology, AI tools and online platforms now available, finance recruitment still comes down to relationships.

Candidates want recruiters who:

• communicate properly
• give honest feedback
• understand the market
• don’t oversell opportunities

And employers want recruiters who:

• save them time
• understand their business
• provide quality candidates
• offer realistic hiring advice

That side of recruitment hasn’t changed.

And personally, I don’t think it ever will.

Frequently Asked Questions

What finance roles are most in demand in Cheshire?

Accounts Assistants, Payroll Administrators, Credit Controllers and Assistant Accountants remain consistently in demand across Cheshire.

Is finance recruitment competitive in Northwich?

Yes, experienced finance professionals in Northwich are often highly sought after, particularly candidates with systems and payroll experience.

Does Howard James Recruitment recruit for finance roles?

Yes, we support businesses and candidates across Cheshire with finance, office, commercial and industrial recruitment.

Which areas do you cover?

We recruit across Northwich, Winsford, Knutsford and the wider Cheshire area.