From staff accountant to controller
Accounting and finance recruitment
A good accountant keeps the business out of trouble with CRA, the bank and the auditors. We find people who know your software and your type of books, and we check designations before you interview.
- 20% of first-year salary
- 90-day replacement guarantee
- Across Canada
Roles we recruit
- Staff and senior accountants
- Controllers and finance managers
- FP&A and financial analysts
- Accounts payable and accounts receivable leads
- Payroll specialists and payroll managers
- Bookkeepers for growing businesses
- Tax and audit professionals for firms
- CFO and VP Finance (see executive search)
Why these roles are hard to fill
Designations need checking
Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) is a protected title. Membership can be confirmed through the provincial CPA body's public directory, and we check it before a candidate reaches you.
Software and industry matter
Someone strong in QuickBooks Online at a services firm may struggle with inventory costing in NetSuite or Sage at a distributor. We match on both.
Timing around year-end
Many accountants will not move during year-end close or tax season. Starting a search early avoids a gap at the worst moment.
Small team, wide role
In a business with one or two finance people, the accountant often covers payroll, HR admin and cash flow. We screen for that range.
How we screen candidates
Role intake
Your books, software, reporting cycle, who the person reports to and what they must own on day one.
Technical interview
Month-end close, reconciliations, HST filings, payroll remittances, reporting to owners or lenders.
Credential and reference check
CPA status where claimed, past employers, and how the person handled deadlines and errors.
Shortlist with notes
Software experience, availability, notice period and salary expectations for each candidate.
Fee and guarantee
| Item | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Professional and technical roles | 20% of first-year base salary |
| Replacement guarantee | 90 days, replacement search at no additional fee |
Prices in CAD before tax. Recruitment fees are a percentage of the hired person's first-year base salary. Exact terms are set in a written agreement before work starts.
Example: for a role with an $80,000 base salary, a 20% fee is $16,000. See pricing.
Common questions
Do we need a CPA for this role?
Not always. A full-cycle accountant or bookkeeper without the designation is often the right fit for a small business. We will tell you honestly what the role needs.
Can you hire a payroll specialist?
Yes. Payroll roles are screened on remittances, year-end slips and the payroll software you use.
Who looks after our HR paperwork after the hire?
If you have no HR person, our HR subscription covers offer letters, onboarding and policies.
Hiring, or stuck on an HR question?
Tell us what you need. We reply by email to set up a short free call, and send a written agreement before any work starts.