How to get staff??

How to get staff??

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We are a small (2 partner, 6 staff) firm based in Staffordshire and are trying to recruit someone to work part-time (16-20 hours) with experience of payroll, VAT and bookkeeping.

Two adverts in the local paper (and their associated papers and internet site) have proved unsuccessful - about 20 applicants, no more than 2 could be classed as suitable for even interviewing and we've got a £500 bill!

I'd be interested in how are others finding staff recruitment at the moment.

Any bright ideas would be most appreciated.
Stephen Kendrew

Replies (5)

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By neilglos
20th Apr 2006 22:15

Internet
Hi

Assuming you dont want to use an agency?

Reed (www.reed.co.uk) have a thing called 'freecruitment' whereby adverts can be placed on their internet recruitment site.

The majority of adds are from Reed and other agencies, but there are some direct from the businesses with the vacancy - my current employer advertised my position on there which is how I got the job!

Neil

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By User deleted
23rd Apr 2006 17:09

Outsourcing is not an answer
I am not a fan of outsourcing, but that aside it is unrealistic to outsource all work in a well run practice.

You do often need staff in an office to deal with work. Clients do actually on ocassions, surprisingly like to see a person!

We as a profession also need to train junior staff if the profession has any future in the UK.

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By AnonymousUser
21st Apr 2006 00:26

there is no problem finding staff
I think you'll find that the problem you have is actually paying them.
If you are willing to fork out top wages, you will find someone, believe me.
The problem is small firms do not have the financial resources to compete with larger firms.
You might consider training someone, but this is a long-winded process if you need staff immediately.

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By Habel
21st Apr 2006 14:34

MAke better use of the staff you have and outsource the rest!!
Regent Services Ltd is a UK based Company which has been undertaking payroll bookkeeping and similar work in the UK for over 23 years.
Like Stewart, we did experience recruitment issues especially as the business expanded, we needed varying amounts of additional time. It is not always practical to employ more people than you need in anticipation of new work. So we took the route of setting up our own outsource office. We have invested 3 years of time and energy setting up and training the outsource staff to a high standard. Training is of the utmost importance here.
Our range of services was initially developed with payroll (priced at £5 per run for upto 5 employees) and VAT return and management accounts preparation but has now been extended to include not only the foregoing but also a range of services to provide to Accountants such as final accounts production, Corporation tax returns, personal tax, word processing etc. – really the full range that a practitioner would require. The rates are also extremely competitive. Your records need not leave your office.
We recommend initially that certain services that can be easily outsourced (e.g. payroll then also data entry on bookkeeping) are passed on leaving your staff to undertake new and more complicated work. In time they can handle “client liaison” in respect of any queries and check the work that the “outsource” has undertaken. After the initial change over you will be surprised to find the staff are able to relieve the partners of some of their workload. (More time to play golf and meet new contacts!!)

We already provide a range of services to practising accountants who are delighted with the service, speed and most of all the price!

For a more detailed discussion, please email me on [email protected]. Please let me know what accounting and tax packages you use. Please provide contact details and I will call you back.

References can be supplied.

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By listerramjet
21st Apr 2006 08:54

what's so bad about training?
take them from school, and look after them through their training - it's about giving something back! And it works.

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