Meet MERJE is a series of interviews with members of the MERJE team discussing their experiences of recruiting in their specialist market.
Meet Kate Watt, a Senior Consultant in our Finance & Audit team based in our London office.
How long have you been at MERJE?
I joined MERJE in January 2016 after spending six and a half years in HR for a Top 40 Accountancy firm, and before that I worked for three years in Finance recruitment after I graduated from Leeds University. During my time at the Accountancy firm I got to know the different areas of practice roles, including Audit, Assurance, Corporate Finance, Tax and Consulting and after I completed my Chartered Institute of Personal Development (CIPD) qualification I decided that the recruitment element was what I enjoyed the most. So after an interesting meeting with MERJE, I returned to the world of recruitment.
What kind of roles do you recruit for?
I typically recruit qualified positions across Finance and Audit. That includes working with Top 40 Accountancy firms (in particular the Big Four), focusing on Audit & Corporate Finance as well as some specialist areas including Tax and Advisory. The Internal Audit side of my work is often in the Banking and Financial Services sectors inside and outside of consulting and includes positions such as Head of Audit or Senior Audit Manager. The qualified Accounting roles range from Financial Accountant and Management Accountant up to Finance Director and Finance Controller within the Commerce & Industry sectors.
How has the market changed during your time recruiting within it?
There seems to be a lot of opportunities for Candidates at the moment, and good Candidates may have multiple options open to them. These options often have premium salaries attached to them, and similarly Candidates are getting offered equivalent salaries in terms of counter-offers to stop them leaving their firms, so there is an increase of options internally as well.
What advice do you have for job seekers in the Finance & Audit markets?
Be clear on what the opportunity that you want looks like, whether it’s new experience or progression that you are searching for. Be clear on your salary expectations and any training that you want to do.
I always like to meet all the Candidates that I represent to make sure we’re really clear on both sides about what the current opportunities are and what we should be working towards. Doing so always helps to manage the process as sometimes a Client wants to move quickly so it helps to have that trust and relationship with the Candidate. I can be sure that I fully understand their situation and needs and there is less chance of a misunderstanding.
Why MERJE?
Moving to a modern, family-feel firm was what I was ready for. MERJE has a very supportive and mature approach to recruitment and the way the Consultants work. We all get on really well and I can talk to anyone across the business about anything, whether it’s Finance & Audit-specific or general recruitment. It’s a very professional environment that makes us want to do well.
To contact Kate to discuss your Finance & Audit recruitment or career needs, please call 0203 637 1609 or email kwatt@merje.com.
