We offer four engagement models because senior hiring isn't one shape. The model we recommend depends on the seniority, the urgency, and how much of the market needs covering — not on which fee structure we'd prefer.
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Contingent Permanent
Best for:Building your team with the right permanent hires for growth and stability.
Direct-hire placement across all accountancy disciplines. We match candidates to permanent roles where they'll make a real impact, from Financial Accounting through to Insolvency & Restructuring.
Deep knowledge of accountancy specialisms means better cultural and technical fit.
We handle the full process so you can focus on running your business.
Sector expertise helps us spot candidates who'll stay and develop with you.
Best for:Covering absences, managing workload spikes, and specialist project delivery.
Flexible staffing for project work, cover, and seasonal peaks. We supply experienced accountants and bookkeepers on temporary and contract terms across the UK.
Quick turnaround without compromising on quality or fit.
Access to professionals ready to hit the ground running.
Ideal for Tax Compliance, Audit & Assurance, and Financial Planning & Analysis roles.
Best for:Senior appointments and hard-to-fill leadership briefs across accountancy.
Targeted recruitment for senior accountancy leadership roles. We conduct thorough searches to find the right Financial Controller, Head of Finance, or specialist executive for your organisation.
Proactive search approach reaches candidates who aren't actively job hunting.
Sector depth means we understand the calibre and experience you need.
Confidential, thorough process tailored to your brief and culture.
What's the difference between contingent and retained search?
Contingent means we work on a success-only basis — you pay when we place someone. Retained search involves an upfront commitment and is typically used for senior or hard-to-fill roles where we need to map the entire market. We'll recommend the model that makes sense for your hire, not the one that suits us commercially.
When would you recommend a retained search over contingent?
Retained makes sense when the role is senior, confidential, or requires deep market mapping — think Finance Director, Head of Tax, or a niche Insolvency partner. It gives us the mandate to work exclusively and invest the time needed to approach passive candidates who aren't actively looking.
Do you offer temporary or contract accountants?
Yes. We place interim accountants across Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Tax and Audit — from part-qualified cover through to interim Finance Directors. Whether you need someone for a month or twelve, we can move quickly.
How quickly can you fill an urgent accountancy role?
For temporary or contract roles, we can often present candidates within 48 hours if we have someone suitable on our books. Permanent roles depend on seniority and scarcity, but we prioritise speed without compromising on quality — especially when you're carrying a gap in the team.
Can you recruit accountancy roles outside of Oxford?
Absolutely. We're based in Oxford but we recruit accountancy professionals across the UK. Whether the role is in London, Manchester, Birmingham or remote, we have the network and the reach to cover it.
What does executive search mean in accountancy recruitment?
Executive search is how we fill senior finance leadership roles — CFO, Finance Director, Head of Financial Control. It's a proactive, research-led process where we map the market, approach people who aren't actively looking, and manage the entire process confidentially from brief to offer.
Do you charge differently for permanent vs temporary placements?
Yes. Permanent placements are typically charged as a percentage of salary, while temporary and contract placements work on a margin over the candidate's hourly or daily rate. We'll explain the commercial model upfront so there are no surprises.
Which engagement model do most clients use?
Most of our work is contingent permanent recruitment — it's low-risk and works well for mid-level hires where there's a healthy candidate market. But for senior or specialist roles, we often move to retained search because it gives us the exclusivity and time to do the job properly.
Have a brief?
Tell us what you need.
The more context the better. We will come back within a working day with a view on which engagement model fits and what the timeline looks like.