When a client asks me to recommend an interim finance professional, the conversation goes well beyond qualifications and technical experience.
Of course, I need to know they have the right finance background and can step into the role with confidence. But there are other things I look for too, particularly when I know the person will be working in a fast-moving business where they need to make an impact quickly.
After more than 10 years in finance recruitment, I've built up a good understanding of what makes an interim professional stand out. The best people I've worked with aren't simply good at their jobs. They're adaptable, commercially aware and able to quickly understand what a business needs from them.
So, what do I actually look for when I'm recommending an interim finance professional to a client?
They adapt quickly
Every interim assignment is different.
Different systems. Different teams. Different processes. Different challenges.
An interim doesn't have the luxury of spending months getting comfortable in a new environment. They need to understand the business, the role and the immediate priorities quickly.
The best interims I've worked with don't simply arrive and start working through a list of tasks. They assess what's happening around them, identify where they can add the most value and adapt their approach accordingly. That ability to get up to speed quickly can make a significant difference, particularly when an organisation has brought in an interim because something needs to be addressed now.
They ask good questions
There's sometimes an expectation that an experienced interim should arrive with all the answers.
I don't agree.
In fact, some of the strongest interim professionals I've encountered are the ones who ask the most questions.
They want to understand why a process works the way it does. They want to know what's already been tried. They speak to the people involved and take the time to understand the wider business before deciding what needs to change. Experience isn't about pretending you know everything. It's about knowing what questions to ask and using that information to make better decisions.
They build trust quickly
Finance doesn't operate in isolation.
An interim might be working with senior leadership one day, operational teams the next and external auditors shortly afterwards. Their ability to build effective working relationships can have just as much impact as their technical expertise.
This is particularly important when an interim has been brought in to manage change, improve a process or deal with a challenging situation. People are far more likely to engage with someone they trust.
The best interims understand that. They communicate clearly, listen to the people around them and build credibility through what they do rather than simply relying on their CV.
They focus on outcomes, not activity
An interim isn't measured by how busy they look.
They're measured by what they achieve.
That could mean improving management reporting, getting an audit back on track, supporting an ERP implementation, resolving a longstanding issue or leaving a finance team in a stronger position than when they arrived. The assignment might only last a few months, but the impact should extend beyond their final day.
When I'm speaking to a client about an interim candidate, I want to understand what that person has actually delivered in previous assignments, not simply what responsibilities they've had.
There's a big difference between saying you've managed a project and being able to explain what changed as a result.
They're comfortable with ambiguity
Interim assignments don't always come with a perfectly defined job description.
Priorities change, projects evolve and new problems appear.
Sometimes the reason a client needs an interim is because they know something needs to be fixed, but they're not yet completely sure what the solution looks like. That's where adaptability matters again.
The strongest contractors are comfortable operating without having every detail mapped out from day one. They can take direction, challenge when necessary and adjust their priorities as the needs of the business change. They don't need everything to be perfectly defined before they can get started.
They leave something behind
For me, this is one of the biggest indicators of a successful interim appointment.
What happens after they've left?
Have they improved a process? Developed the team? Introduced better reporting? Resolved an issue? Left behind clearer documentation? Put a project back on track?
A good interim should leave the organisation in a better position than they found it. That's ultimately what clients remember.
The best interim isn't always the most impressive CV
When you're recruiting an interim, it's easy to focus heavily on technical experience. And of course, that matters. An interim finance professional needs to have the skills and experience to do the job.
But when I've been recommending candidates to clients over the years, I've found that the strongest appointments are often about much more than what's written on the CV.
The best interim professionals can walk into an unfamiliar business, understand the challenge, build confidence and start making a difference quickly. They're adaptable and curious. They're trusted by the people around them. And, most importantly, they deliver an outcome that lasts beyond their assignment.
Those are the people clients remember, and they're often the people clients come back to when the next interim requirement comes around.
This week's question:
When you've hired someone into your team, whether on an interim or permanent basis, what quality has made the biggest difference beyond their technical ability?
About the author
Dan Morgan is a recruitment specialist with extensive experience supporting businesses across Northern Ireland with interim and permanent finance appointments. Drawing on more than 10 years of recruitment experience, Dan works closely with both clients and candidates to understand what makes an appointment successful beyond the CV.
If you're considering an interim finance appointment and would like to discuss your requirements, speak to the VANRATH Accountancy & Finance team on 028 9033 0250 or email daniel.morgan@vanrath.com.