Role and industry
Full-Charge Bookkeeper Recruiters for Professional services firms (law, architecture/engineering, consulting)
Financial Headhunters: Managing the general ledger and project billing cycles to keep partner profitability metrics accurate.
This is what we do all day: recruit accounting, finance, banking and insurance professionals.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire.
Need someone now? Call 954-280-9139.
We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
- Controller
- CFO
- VP Finance
- FP&A Director
- Accounting Manager
- Director of Accounting
- Assistant Controller
- Tax Director
- Treasury Manager
- Internal Audit Director
- Senior Accountant
- Financial Analyst
- Head of Financial Reporting
- Commercial Lender
- Chief Credit Officer
- Business Systems Finance Lead
- No upfront fee
- Pay only if you hire
- Accounting, finance, banking and insurance
- We reach people who aren’t on job boards
- Replacement terms on standard searches
01
What does this hire really come down to?
Who tracks project billing and utilization metrics? You need someone who completes month-end closing procedures. Accurate billing improves cash flow.
They own the general ledger. They must handle accounts payable, accounts receivable, and complex bank reconciliations. They need to report on utilization and realization metrics to keep partners informed of profitability.
What steps do you take when project expenses exceed the original contract budget? Describe how you verify that billable hours align with specific phase codes in the accounting software. Tell me about a time you identified an unrecorded cost that would have impacted the final client invoice.
You must scrutinize the actual responsibilities of work before committing to an interview. Ask the candidate to walk you through their daily production routine regarding WIP adjustments and write-offs. Listen closely to how they categorize project expenses versus administrative overhead. If they cannot explain their logic for flagging unbilled time, they will struggle with your billing cycle. Probe for evidence of their hands-on involvement with system configuration. Do not settle for descriptions of oversight. Require specific examples of how they handled a conflict between partner billable expectations and actual project budget constraints. A candidate should detail their methodology for isolating anomalies in accounts receivable. If they rely on canned reports without understanding the underlying data integrity, you face manual correction cycles every single month. Ask them to describe the exact steps they take to verify ledger accuracy before handing off data to tax accountants. A qualified person explains their workflow for identifying intercompany transfer discrepancies without looking at a manual. They should provide a narrative regarding a time they discovered an error in a standard accounting process and corrected the root cause in the ERP system. If they answer with vague concepts about communication or team effort, press for the technical steps they took to fix the ledger. Your goal is to identify if they operate as a mere data entry clerk or a true financial operator who owns the integrity of your books. Ask them how they handle requests from partners to adjust realization metrics. The right hire defends the process while providing the data you need to manage the firm. Confirm they understand that their duty is to the accuracy of the financial record rather than simply satisfying partner demands.
02
What do we check before you see anyone?
Software mastery. We verify specific experience with Deltek Vantagepoint or Elite 3E. General accounting software skills are insufficient for these specialized platforms.
Project billing logic. We confirm they understand the difference between WIP and actual billings. We test their ability to track billable versus non-billable time.
Reconciliation depth. We verify they can manage complex multi-entity bank accounts. We check for experience handling foreign currency or intercompany transfers.
Internal controls. We probe their knowledge of segregation of duties. They must explain how they maintain integrity in a small firm environment.
Reporting capabilities. We assess if they can generate partner compensation reports. They must be able to pull utilization data on demand.
Process consistency. We check if their past workflows for month-end close are repeatable. They must provide examples of closing processes that reduce errors.
03
Where do we find them?
We source from small to mid-size professional services firms using similar ERP systems. We look for candidates who have hit a ceiling in their current firm regarding systems management or process ownership.
Candidates often move for more direct access to leadership or to gain experience with a more sophisticated billing system. They might also shift because their current firm lacks the project complexity they need to grow their skillset.
We avoid candidates who only have experience in retail or manufacturing environments. The specific nuances of project-based billing and partner utilization reports are unique to professional services and cannot be learned on the fly.
04
Which hiring mistakes should you watch for?
- 01Hiring a generalist who lacks exposure to industry-specific software like Deltek or Elite.
- 02Ignoring the need for WIP tracking experience and assuming generic GL skills translate.
- 03Overlooking the soft skills required to answer partner questions regarding their individual realization rates.
05
The search in three steps
- 01We screen candidates against specific ERP and project billing requirements.
- 02We conduct deep-dive interviews focusing on their ability to close the books independently.
- 03We present only those candidates who demonstrate a clear understanding of your firm's specific billing cycle.
How your Full-Charge Bookkeeper search runs
From the opening to the start
Tell us who you need
Tell us about the job, your team and the experience you need.
We find and contact people
We research suitable people and speak with them about the job and their interest.
You meet the strongest candidates
We introduce candidates with relevant experience and explain why each could fit.
We help you complete the hire
We help with interview feedback, the offer and arrangements for the start.
Questions people ask
Do I owe a fee if I am just searching for help managing our project billing?
No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire.
How do you define the role level?
This is a full-charge role with high autonomy. The individual handles decision-making regarding ledger integrity and reporting accuracy but remains accountable to firm leadership.
Can you handle remote or seasonal needs?
Yes, we handle remote and seasonal requirements upon request. We define the specific qualification differences for these roles during our initial discovery call.
Does this role include interim or contract options?
Yes, we support contract, temp-to-perm, and busy-season work upon request. We agree to all terms in writing and do not claim to employ or insure the workers ourselves.
When will we meet candidates?
Timing depends on the requirements, location and pay. We discuss the likely obstacles after learning about the job and keep you informed as the search progresses.
How do you handle counteroffers?
We discuss why candidates want to move and what might make them stay. If a counteroffer comes up, we help both sides work through the decision without making promises for either party.
What is your guarantee?
We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
Start a search
Tell us about the seat.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire.
We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
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