The role of the Client Manager in public practice is mission critical. And if you’re seeking to recruit a Client Manager in 2023 you’ll want to read our top tips here.
How to recruit a brilliant Client Manager.
1. Make sure your recruitment strategy is updated and relevant to your whole workforce.
If you’re recruiting a Client Manager to replace another Client Manager, don’t miss the opportunity to use this change as an opportunity to make your whole workforce fit for purpose. It might be that a like for like hire is exactly what your firm needs, but this vacancy might also offer the potential to solve other problems across different teams or to make cost efficiencies, so be sure to look at the bigger picture before you rush to replace.
2. Put together an enticing job description.
Client Managers play such a pivotal role at retaining and attracting clients and nurturing teams of staff to provide efficient and profitable services. They are in demand and you need to showcase every single thing that this job has going for it.
So, if you have some interesting clients in exciting sectors, brag about it in the JD. If you want to recruit someone who is confident to work autonomously, that’s a perk to many who might be feeling micro managed by Partners, so shout about it in the JD!
But also make sure that the JD saves you time. You don’t want to be weeding out candidates who don’t possess the basic qualifications you expect at this level. You’ll want to specify a minimum period of practice experience (4 years we’d suggest) too.
But if you’re searching more for a brilliant personality and are prepared to be flexible around certain areas of expertise then make sure that’s reflected in your language so that you attract talent from a wider pool.
3. Be sure to list the benefits you can offer as part of the advert.
It’s still a candidate led market out there and you need to harness every reason, big or small, that might encourage candidates to choose you. So list every single benefit! Yes free parking might not benefit all candidates but it could be the deciding factor for the one you want to employ! Hybrid working an option? List it! Offer life assurance? – write that down!
And we’d also recommend publishing your salary range and make sure it’s as generous as you can afford – it’s a tough time out there so skimp at your peril.
4. Make sure your interview process is slick and that you’ve posed your questions to capture more than just the core number crunching skills required from an accountant.
Ideally a Client Manager will have plenty of soft and transferable skills that they will be able to use to help you keep your offering current, network and retain new clients and to solve problems that crop up from time to time.
You’ll find some advice on this topic here.
5. Don’t forget to check references.
Brilliant Client Managers will have brilliant reputations and won’t mind you checking them out. Also do a deep dive on their professional social media and check that their online brand is in line with your firm’s values.
6. Work with a specialist recruiter that knows what a brilliant Client Manager sounds like, work likes and where you can find them.
Our database of job seeking accountants numbers in the thousands and we can pinpoint potential candidates at every level in every part of the UK, so rather than recruiting from a standing start all by yourself, work with the experts and reach out for the help of our friendly and knowledgable team.
We’d be delighted to help you find a brilliant Client Manager for your accounting firm today. Reach out to find out more.
