Hi everyone!
Used this site for asking questions and always had a great experience on the replies so thought I'd ask for your help/experiences in finding the right candidate!
I am a partner in a small practice (2 partners) who are looking to find a new employee to replace our existing tax/paye lady who is retiring shortly.
I have previously approached a large employment agency who quoted a huge fee for finding someone but I didn't feel that they really understood the role.
Basic stuff ie filing SATR's, payroll for clients, CIS monthly submissions and general HMRC stuff like that
Anyone any positive or negative experiences?
Lugalugs
Replies (11)
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Contact the PCS (Public & Commercial Services Union). They used to advertise in their magazine for members, including external vacancies. You should be able to find someone in HMRC with the requisite skills, motivation to leave, and will probably work for peanuts (Civil Service pay rates at clerical grades is not great).
If the agency didn't understand the role, then try a different agency. There are plenty out there that specialise in these role, and quite often the recruitment agents are former accountants / tax advisers.
If you advertise directly, you can expect to receive a lot of applications. Most of which will probably be able to be binned but it is still a time consuming exercise - hence the agency fee.
Should you be a member, you could also try reaching out to your network on LinkedIn.
Other agencies
...try a different agency.
Agreed.
The problem with a lot of agencies (particularly the larger ones) is that the "consultants" are sales people through and through. You still get the sales model in smaller agencies but the smaller ones can also be a little more personable and know their candidates better - they may even know of potential candidates who would be suitable but aren't looking yet would consider the position anyway.
Networking contacts might be a good way of finding a better agency, when people ask me about agencies or when I consider what agencies to use I tend to think of the ones I've had good experiences of as a candidate. There are agencies that specialize just in tax, but since they may be less abundant it may mean using one remote from you locality meaning they may not meet the candidate face to face as part of the screening process.
The Reed website can be quite useful and potentially cost effective. However, it does advertise to the rest of the recruitment community that you are recruiting (cue contact from other agencies!) and recruitment agencies seem to use tactics to ensure their adverts show up earlier in the listing etc. As mentioned, with Reed you do have the ability to review CV's of candidates who are active and looking for a position, not sure exactly how that system works.
Reed or total jobs
Have you thought about putting an as on Reed or total job websites. It's what the agency will do. Or perhaps an as in the opportunity section of accountingweb.
Hmm
Have you thought of outsourcing. This can be very cost effective and we use a company called Peace of Mind Payroll. Just leave it all to them- best move we made
Your profile says you run a payroll company. Peace of Mind wouldn't happen to be your would it...
Indeed
Have a look at advertising on the Indeed website.
We did this for a different type of job but I thought it was great how you can find CVs on there. You would type in payroll and the area that your business is in and up pops everybody's CV in the area with the word payroll on it. You then can see the candidates who have updated their CV since they started their last job and seem right for your business and can offer them to apply for it. It's free to do all of this as well I should add.
Hopefully though you won't see any of your other employees on there!
sense of humour failure
Mr Me and Tim Vane - really - chill out. It was a tongue in cheek remark. I do not have multiple accounts. Not that I really have to explain but I will. I personally have my own bookkeeping business and have had for many many years. Peace of Mind do all my payroll and they use my services as well. Flipping eck I try to give a worthwhile answer to a question and you have nothing better to do than investigate my motives. Rant over!
My sense of humour is in tact, unlike your honesty and integrity.
If you outsource your bookkeeping, why do you use 12Pay?
https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/anyanswers/question/moneysoftsage
Is there any reason why you must use Sage/Moneysoft. I use 12pay where you can purchase a single license or bureau license (I think it cost something like £150) where I can have up to 99 companies and any number of employees accessible from a single place. Also support comes with the price. I find it works really well. Just thought I would mention it :)
And why do you describe yourself as a payroll bureaux, specifically with a link to Peace of Mind website? Do you just like promoting their services?
https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/anyanswers/question/outsourcing-payroll-1
http://pom-bk.co.uk/client-testimonials/
We are a payroll bureau and you can look at our website. Please give us a ring or email we would be happy to help you
Recruitment Genius
Try writing your own ad and putting it on something like Recruitment Genius or directly on the Reed website
Having just spent months recruiting for a similar role I would only go with someone with small practice experience
Oh dear Cazzy. Stop digging yourself in deeper. You're earlier posts give you away. Just move on and be thankful the moderators never pay any attention.