ASK THE EXPERT – NATIONAL PAYROLL WEEK

Attracting Top Finance Talent in South Yorkshire in 2026: Employer Strategies That Stand Out

Historically, the best finance professionals have not only been in high demand but have also had increasingly high expectations — and in today’s competitive South Yorkshire finance market, that reality is truer than ever. For over 33 years, Sharp Consultancy has been working closely with businesses across Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham, and Barnsley. In that time, we’ve witnessed firsthand how the landscape of finance recruitment has evolved. When it comes to attracting and securing top-tier finance talent, we know what works — and, perhaps more importantly, what doesn’t. Local Reputation Matters More Than Ever In South Yorkshire especially, local reputation counts. Candidates talk, and businesses talk. The region’s finance community is tightly knit, and news travels fast — both good and bad. Employers who invest in building a strong, authentic brand that reflects real employee experiences tend to win out. That means it’s not enough to simply advertise a competitive salary or an attractive job title. Modern candidates want to understand what life inside your business looks like — the day-to-day culture, the leadership style, and the opportunities for growth. Visibility through employee stories, community engagement, and transparent communication all help to create a reputation that draws people in rather than pushes them away. What Candidates Want in Today’s Market In 2026, the expectations of finance professionals have broadened significantly, particularly at the qualified level. While salary remains important, it’s no longer the sole deciding factor. In fact, some of the best offers we see accepted each year aren’t the highest in monetary terms — they’re the most considered and holistic. Top candidates want to join businesses that offer purpose, balance, and progression. They look for roles that align with their values and allow them to contribute meaningfully, while still developing their technical and commercial skillsets. If you want to attract the best, you must clearly articulate what sets your company apart — your Employer Value Proposition (EVP). Ask yourself: What makes working with you different? Is it access to senior leadership, commercial exposure, or involvement in exciting transformation projects? What development or training support do you offer? Are there structured pathways, mentoring programmes, or professional study sponsorships? How flexible are you? Can employees work hybrid schedules, compressed hours, or part-time to suit their lifestyles? What additional perks or benefits do you provide — from wellness initiatives to social impact days or volunteering opportunities? The most successful employers communicate these points clearly, consistently, and confidently — both during recruitment and throughout the employee lifecycle. The Need for Speed and Agility Another critical factor in attracting top talent is speed. In a fast-moving market, long or disjointed hiring processes can easily result in losing outstanding candidates. Strong finance professionals are rarely on the market for long, and delays at the offer or feedback stage can make the difference between securing or losing your preferred hire. Where possible, streamline your recruitment process. Ensure hiring managers are aligned on the role requirements, keep communication clear, and aim to deliver feedback promptly. Demonstrating decisiveness reflects positively on your business and reinforces the message that you value candidates’ time and enthusiasm. Transparency Builds Trust We’ve seen a notable shift in what candidates are asking during interviews. Increasingly, they want to know why a role is vacant. Is it due to growth, internal promotion, or turnover? A vague answer or a history of short-lived hires can quickly raise red flags. Conversely, when a company can confidently articulate its purpose, culture, and long-term vision, candidates engage more readily — and are more likely to accept offers. Our clients who have invested in defining and communicating these messages attract stronger pipelines of finance professionals, often before roles even go live. A clear, honest narrative about your organisation not only draws in talent but helps retain it too. Partner with a True Specialist If you’re looking to recruit the best talent in the market, the right partnership can make all the difference. Working with a true specialist who understands your business, your sector, and the nuances of the South Yorkshire market will save time and boost your hiring outcomes. At Sharp Consultancy, our clients benefit from: Pre-qualified shortlists of candidates who are thoroughly vetted for skills, culture fit, and long-term potential. Access to passive candidates, many of whom we’ve nurtured relationships with over years and who may not be actively searching. Honest feedback on your employer brand and market perception — so you can make informed improvements that strengthen future recruitment efforts. Because of our deep local networks, we often know when an outstanding finance professional is about to enter the market. That insight gives our clients a competitive edge in securing the very best talent before others are even aware they’re available. Going Beyond Recruitment Our role extends well beyond active recruitment. We pride ourselves on offering genuine consultative advice, including: Salary benchmarking and market insights Case studies from recent successful hires Ongoing check-ins and relationship management — not just when you have a live vacancy This proactive approach means that when you are ready to hire, we already understand your business, your values, and the type of people who will thrive in your environment. Contact Jack to Discuss Our Services-- Attracting the best finance talent in South Yorkshire takes more than a strong job spec and a competitive package. It’s about authenticity, agility, and alignment — knowing who you are as a business, what you stand for, and who you want to work alongside. After more than 30 years supporting companies across the region, Sharp Consultancy continues to help employers build finance teams that not only perform — but stay, grow, and make a real impact.

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What recent trends and changes have affected the payroll industry and how is this effecting what hiring managers are looking for when it comes to recruitment?

Sharp Consultancy has been at the forefront of transactional financial recruitment across the North for more than 25 years. Our highly experienced specialist team has an extensive network of talented candidates for roles across the full spectrum of levels within accounts payable, credit control, payroll and purchase ledger.

With established and trusted relationships with leading businesses and organisations throughout Yorkshire and the North of England, we offer expert knowledge and unrivalled understanding of the marketplace to enable you to access to the very best employment opportunities in the region and make the ideal next career move.

During National Payroll Week (Mon 6 – Fri 10 Sep), our team of specialist consultants will be sharing their in-depth knowledge and expertise and offering the best possible recruitment advice to employers and candidates working in the sector.

Today, Andrew Walker, Commercial Director looks at recent trends and changes and what hiring managers are looking for when recruiting payroll professionals.

Over the last ten years or so there has traditionally been a focus on recruiting candidates with particular experience, usually in relation to changes in legislation such as RTI, auto enrolment or most recently the Government furlough scheme. We are also now seeing much greater importance being placed upon qualifications, in particular the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP).

Having fully trained payroll professionals is vital for organisations to ensure they remain compliant with the increasing number of regulations and legislation which impacts on the day to day running of a payroll department.

CIPP is the only Chartered Institute for payroll and pension professionals in the UK, and the training that they provide develops and formalises payroll knowledge and skills and demonstrates to employers that candidates with such qualifications work to the highest standards in the industry. In addition, CIPP members have access to the latest news and potential upcoming changes to ensure they are on the front foot to proactively respond to any updates and recommendations.

Traditionally, payroll was viewed as a more administrative role with far less emphasis placed upon qualifications when compared with today’s demands. However, due to the increasing amount of regulations and legislation, the way that payroll is now viewed has changed significantly and it is seen much more as a value-added role.

Due to a shortage of qualified candidates, companies should now be investing in training and qualifications such as the CIPP for their payroll staff, in a similar way to they do for accounts staff with AAT, ACCA or CIMA. And as a result – alongside the increased demand for payroll professionals due to changes in regulations and legislation – employers also want, need and can expect more from individuals in areas such as management information and reporting.

Those pursuing a career in payroll who hold such qualifications are seen as a very attractive prospect to employers and similarly, those companies which view qualified payroll professionals in the same way as accountants have been seen and offer formal training and professional qualifications, such as offering CIPP courses, will stand-out to candidates looking to make their next move. Those who do not offer adequate investment in training and development will find it harder to compete for the best talent and may also find that they are on the back foot when it comes to retention as demand for payroll staff continues to rise.

Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment of temporary, interim and permanent transactional finance professionals across the full spectrum of roles including accounts payable, credit control, payroll and purchase ledgers. With offices in Leeds and Sheffield our highly experienced team of consultants recruit for positions throughout Yorkshire and beyond. CONTACT US today to find out more.