Running a small business means getting the most out of all available resources. From staff to office space, finding and recruiting the right people and the right environment are integral to the success of any small business. It is not easy to find those employees who will take your business to the next level. The first step is to understand your needs and, in turn, document the types of candidates that will help you meet those needs. Here are some important things to look for when searching for the ideal candidate for internal audit compliance jobs.
An Analytical Mind
The unique environment of a small business requires employees who are able to take direction as well as initiative. Hiring accountants can help you find a competitive advantage, and for financial positions, an analytical mind will help develop best practices, and save money wherever possible.
It’s vital that financial officers, consultants and planners are able to take information not just as data or figures to simply be recorded, but to consider what it means in a company’s current context and what it could potentially mean for future earnings.
Attention to Detail
For many small business owners, sourcing the right candidate for internal audit compliance jobs can be a troublesome task. These types of positions are in high demand and sourcing a pool of competent candidates can sometimes be quite challenging. In many instances posting on generic job sites can lead to an overwhelming number of applications, while searching via personal connections and word of mouth may not yield the desired calibre of recruit.
While some aspects of finance are of a ‘big picture’ nature, most of the truly important stuff is in the finer details. Sourcing a candidate with impressive attention to detail will pay valuable dividends and lead to a small business having robust and impeccably accounted for finances.
Assessing this quality is relatively easy as it can be determined by anything from the grammar of a well-composed CV to personal appearance. While it’s unwise to judge a book by its cover, it’s incredibly important to have a financial planner and consultant to takes pride in details and considers everything from the colour of a jumper to the layout of a spreadsheet.
Communication Skills
Financial information can sometimes be difficult to communicate clearly and concisely. It’s of the utmost importance that audit compliance positions are filled by people who are able to clearly communicate some of the more sophisticated and complex concepts of financial management.
The ability to both understand the information and then communicate effectively with those who may not can mean the difference between a small business floundering or thriving.
Ability to Work in a Small Environment
Being a ‘team player’ is an important asset for almost any job. In a small business it is a necessity. Working well with different personalities in an intimate and sometimes intense professional setting will create a positive environment in which individuals take responsibility for their work but are able to share and delegate when necessary.
Where to Look
Finding the right candidates can be difficult. Small business owners don’t have the time or resources to wade through the hundreds of applications that may come in response to ads posted on generic job sites, but they may not be able to find a suitable candidate within their own network. Utilising specialist job sites, such as Linkedin and taking advantage of recruitment services can take a lot of the guess work out of finding the perfect hire.
Quality financial personnel are essential to the success of any business from multi-national corporations to the most primitive of start-ups. Sourcing the right person to guide a company’s financial future is an important job and one that should be approached with consideration and patience. Finding the right internal audit compliance candidate may take time, but finding a good fit is well worth the effort.
