As your business grows, your back-office needs, such as accounting and finance, become more complex. Tax seasons, financial reporting periods, and unexpected audits can create significant demand for even the most qualified accounting professionals.
But it can be difficult to find help when you need it. There may be limited local candidates, or you may need someone with a specialized skill set that’s hard to come by.
In these cases, an accounting staffing agency can assist you by recruiting temporary, temp-to-hire, and full-time personnel to augment your accounting team.
We’ve created a list of the 10 best accounting staffing agencies every business—big or small—should be aware of.
In case you’re still making up your mind about whether an accounting staffing solution is right for you, let’s first explore how an accounting staffing firm works, why it can be so valuable, and the qualities to look for when choosing a partner.
What Is an Accounting Staffing Agency?
An accounting staffing agency is a specialized firm that helps businesses fill accounting and finance positions.
While a general staffing agency may handle a broad spectrum of job roles across various industries, an accounting staffing firm concentrates specifically on positions related to accounting, such as:
- Bookkeepers
- Accountants
- Auditors
- Controllers
- Tax professionals
- Chief financial officers (CFOs)
Accounting staffing agencies can be entirely dedicated to accounting and finance roles or part of a larger staffing firm with a division or specialized recruiters focusing on this niche.
They have an in-depth understanding of the qualifications, experience, and skills required for accounting positions, and they maintain a pre-vetted pool of talented candidates ready to fill various roles on demand.
Whereas accounting recruitment companies primarily find and vet candidates to fill direct, permanent roles for their clients, accounting staffing agencies employ the accounting professionals themselves and are more likely to help fill contract or temporary accounting roles (though these can be extended to permanent positions).
Why Should You Use a Staffing Agency To Hire for Accounting Roles?
There are several compelling reasons to partner with an accounting staffing agency when you need to augment your workforce or are considering accounting outsourcing:
Time savings
The recruitment process can be time-consuming, from drafting job descriptions to sifting through resumes and conducting interviews. Staffing agencies streamline this process by handling the heavy lifting, allowing you to focus on your core business functions.
Access to a broad talent pool
Staffing agencies maintain an extensive network of active and passive candidates. This includes professionals who are not actively searching for a job but may be interested in the right job opportunities. This access can dramatically widen your hiring reach.
Flexibility
Whether you need a temporary employee to help with tax season workloads, a temp-to-hire to ensure they fit your company culture before making a permanent decision, or a direct hire for long-term placement, staffing agencies can accommodate various staffing arrangements.
Cost-effectiveness
A staffing agency can connect you with qualified accounting professionals from regions with a lower cost of living, such as Latin America (LatAm). These candidates often have lower salary expectations than their US-based counterparts without compromising on skill and expertise.
Industry insights
Good staffing agencies are not just vendors but partners who can provide valuable insights into salary benchmarks, candidate expectations, or effective interview questions for accounting professionals, helping you make informed hiring decisions.
What Qualities Should You Look for in an Accounting Staffing Agency?
Certain key qualities distinguish a reliable and effective accounting staffing firm from the rest. Here’s what to look for:
Specialization and expertise
The agency should specialize in accounting and finance placements, with a deep understanding of industry standards, certifications, and specific skill sets required for these roles.
Global reach
An agency with a global reach can tap into markets that you might not have experience with, providing access to a diverse pool of talent while offering cost savings.
Reputation and track record
Look for agencies with a solid reputation and a proven track record of successful placements. Testimonials, case studies, and client references can shed light on their ability to deliver skilled candidates.
Compliance and ethical standards
Ensure the agency adheres to all legal employment standards and practices ethical recruiting, respecting issues like equal opportunity and fair labor practices, especially when recruiting from regions with different labor laws.
Support and follow-up services
The agency should offer ongoing support and follow-up services to ensure a successful match and assist with any issues that might arise post-placement.
What Are the 10 Top Staffing Agencies for Hiring Accounting Roles?
When it’s time to enhance your accounting team due to growth, turnover, or seasonal fluctuations in workload, knowing where to turn for qualified talent is integral to maintaining your operations and financial clarity.
Many staffing agencies can serve your needs, from those exclusively dedicated to accounting and finance roles to more general firms renowned for their capacity to place top accounting talent.
The following list features 10 top-notch staffing agencies well equipped to help you hire for accounting roles. These firms have extensive networks, a profound understanding of the accounting industry, and a commitment to fulfilling their clients’ specific staffing requirements.
Note that the list below is in no particular order. Each agency brings its unique strengths to the table, and the best choice for your organization will depend on your specific needs and circumstances.
1. Near
You guessed it, we’re up first! One of the most common departments that we work with at Near is accounting, offering full-service recruitment and staffing solutions for roles like:
- Staff accountants
- Bookkeepers
- Investment analysts
- Financial analysts
- Payroll specialists
Our pool of 35,000 pre-vetted professional candidates from LatAm has experience working with the big four accounting firms—Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC—and can fill a variety of different positions, including senior leadership roles.
With a hiring process that cuts overhead by 30% or more and a pool of accounting talent with salary expectations much lower than US-based accountants, Near can help you add quality teammates without going over budget.
2. Robert Half Finance & Accounting
A specialized division of Robert Half, established in 1948, Robert Half Finance & Accounting has been a pioneering force in accounting staffing. The company prides itself on its extensive network of pre-evaluated professionals ready to meet employers’ finance and accounting needs.
It offers a combination of temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct placement services. Its long-standing market presence and dedicated approach to understanding both client and candidate needs have made it a go-to agency in the finance and accounting staffing industry.
3. Accounting Principals (LHH)
Accounting Principals is a premier staffing agency that finds and places top accounting and finance professionals.
Now part of LHH (Lee Hecht Harrison), a global career transition and talent development firm, Accounting Principals benefits from vast resources and international reach. This allows it to extend comprehensive career development services to accounting staffing candidates.
The company takes pride in understanding the nuances of the finance and accounting sector and helps businesses, from small firms to large enterprises, find personnel who have the right skill sets and fit in with the company’s culture and ethos.
4. Kforce
Kforce is a professional staffing service that blends technology and a vast network to provide talent for contract, contract-to-hire, and direct placement positions.
Its consultants work closely with clients, utilizing a consultative approach to understand their hiring needs and delivering professional expertise through its vast candidate network. The firm’s focus on building relationships helps it deliver precisely matched accounting professionals who help drive client success.
5. PrideStaff Financial
PrideStaff Financial extends beyond making simple placements by investing in an in-depth understanding of the dynamic financial sector and providing personalized service to both clients and candidates.
Priding itself on a combination of national reach and local expertise, PrideStaff Financial is adept at navigating the unique challenges of accounting staffing. It offers positions ranging from basic bookkeeping to high-level financial analysis and planning.
6. Adecco
As a global leader in human resources solutions, Adecco provides a wide range of staffing services across various industries, including accounting and finance. With its extensive international network, it offers both temporary and full-time placement services.
Adecco’s financial division places highly qualified individuals into positions ranging from entry-level accountants to seasoned finance managers. Its scale and diversified services make it a reliable choice for businesses with various staffing needs.
7. Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill’s ability to swiftly adapt to client needs and provide custom staffing solutions sets it apart in the competitive accounting job market.
Its finance division takes pride in its thorough candidate evaluation process, ensuring that each professional it places has the necessary skills, qualifications, and personal attributes to succeed in their new roles.
The company serves a diverse clientele, ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, with a commitment to excellence and client satisfaction in every placement.
8. Vaco
Vaco provides boutique-level service with a global reach for clients needing accounting and financial staffing solutions. Bringing together the agility of a small firm with the resources of a large one, Vaco offers recruitment services for permanent placement, executive search, and strategic staffing for project work.
Its innovative approach to candidate selection is driven by seasoned recruiters who are experts in the accounting and finance domain, ensuring that each candidate is qualified to make a measurable impact in their new role.
9. SNI Companies
SNI Companies offers a trio of recruitment and staffing solutions for accounting and finance professionals:
- SNI Financial is a direct hire firm that places individual contributors in long-term roles.
- Accounting Now is its staffing division, filling temporary, contract, and project-based assignments.
- SNI Certes is for senior-level and executive staffing, connecting businesses with qualified candidates more than 15 years into their accounting careers.
10. ManpowerGroup
ManpowerGroup is a world leader in innovative workforce solutions, offering a suite of services that spans staffing, assessment, training, and consultation across various industries.
Its finance and accounting division connects businesses with skilled accounting specialists, from general accountants and bookkeepers to senior finance executives. ManpowerGroup’s commitment to fostering a skilled workforce makes it a strong partner in securing top talent in the accounting field.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re facing immediate accounting staffing needs or planning for future growth, tapping into the expertise of a specialized staffing agency can help.
Remember, the goal is to fill a job posting swiftly and bring on board accounting professionals who can integrate into your team and contribute to your financial and operational objectives.
If you’re ready to discuss your accounting staffing needs or explore the possibilities of expanding your talent search globally, consider reaching out to Near. We offer a free, no-commitment call to assess your requirements and help you understand our staffing solutions.
