Case Study - 7 interim finance professionals help start-up scale-up
Immediately available real estate finance professionals help start-up in their biggest project yet
The Challenge
A dynamic private equity-backed advisory firm in its start-up phase faced a critical challenge when bidding for a major project with a new end client. To secure the business, their largest UK opportunity to date, they needed to present a large team of Accountants available to take on the project. The client did not have the capability to hire permanent staff for this project, so therefore requested 7 immediately available, highly-skilled ‘Big 4’ accountants on a specific day rate. These would be a mix of newly-qualified accountants to become Consultants for them and Managers that needed 5+ years’ of experience to succeed in their positions.
Each of the roles demanded a mix of specialised skills, including:
- Expertise in SOX compliance
- Financial reporting knowledge
- IT and process optimisation capabilities
- Additionally, all contractors needed to be flexible enough to travel within Europe, meeting strict visa requirements.
As a start-up focused on aggressive expansion—from 10 to 70 employees within a year—the client couldn't rely on traditional hiring processes, such as permanent contracts with typical three-month notice periods. They needed interim support immediately to win this business, which would subsequently provide the foundation for their growth objectives. Without rapid access to top-tier talent, their ability to secure high-value contracts and achieve their ambitious targets was at risk.
This recruitment effort was not a standard hiring process. It required sourcing exceptional talent within a short timeframe to support the client's business development efforts.
The solution
As a specialist accounting and finance recruitment agency for the real estate sector, Cobalt's extensive interim network, particularly within the ‘Big 4’ talent pool, positioned us as the ideal partner for this project. Our recruitment team specialises in identifying and mobilising skilled professionals swiftly, regardless of project size or complexity. This expertise allowed us to deliver high-calibre individuals on a tight timeline, ensuring the client could meet their ambitious business objectives.
To meet the client’s unique needs, we employed an Exclusive, dedicated recruitment method. This approach ensured we could dedicate our full resources and focus to sourcing candidates who were not only skilled but also aligned with the client’s immediate and long-term goals.
Our strategy revolved around direct searches leveraging our expansive network of professionals. Cobalt’s robust interim finance database and established connections allowed us to identify individuals who were immediately available and possessed the required expertise. This proactive approach ensured we could present candidates who met the specific criteria at various levels of experience.
The process was designed to ensure precision and alignment with the client’s needs:
In-Person Meetings: We personally met with all shortlisted candidates to assess their skills, cultural fit, and ability to contribute to the client’s project and future goals. Detailed Submissions: Beyond submitting CVs, we provided comprehensive profiles for each candidate, highlighting their relevant skills and how they could contribute to the client’s long-term vision. Client Collaboration: Open conversations with the client during and after interviews enabled honest feedback discussions. This transparency allowed us to not only match candidates to the project but also identify opportunities for them within other areas of the business.
The Results
The results of this partnership speak for themselves:
Seven individuals successfully placed, with all contracts extended multiple times beyond their original end dates. Two candidates transitioned into permanent roles within the company, contributing to its long-term success. All candidates not only possessed the necessary technical expertise but also demonstrated a strong alignment with the firm’s ethos, emphasising teamwork and adaptability to evolving project demands.
By trusting Cobalt’s recommendations and our ability to source real estate finance talent on an interim basis the client successfully secured the talent they needed to win a significant piece of business while positioning their company for sustained growth.
Cobalt is the Accountancy and Finance recruitment specialist in real estate, property and construction. The team boast an enviable network of experienced professionals across both permanent and, uniquely, contract/interim finance roles in the industry. From part-qualified Assistant Accountants, to temp Financial Controllers for year-end and other busy periods, as well as Finance Directors and Interim CFOs, the team has a long history of placing finance professionals across both fund and corporate accounting teams, within commercial, residential and alternative asset classes across the built environment.
