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Finding the right accounting talent is harder than ever. Between certifications, technical skills, and changing industry standards, it’s easy to lose time and good candidates in the hiring process.

Without the right support, you risk longer vacancies, higher costs, and the frustration of mismatched hires.

That’s where accounting recruiting firms can help. I’ve independently reviewed leading providers to give you an unbiased guide to the best accounting recruiting firms available today, so you can find a partner who understands your needs and helps you build a stronger team.

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Best Accounting Recruiting Firms Summary

This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top accounting recruiting firms selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.

Service Best For Trial Info Price
1

Best for tech industry roles

Free services for job seekers

Pricing upon request Website
2

Best for nationwide reach

Free consultation available

Pricing upon request Website
3

Best for small businesses

No free trial available

Pricing upon request Website
4

Best for career advancement

Discovery calls available upon request

Pricing upon request Website
5

Best for skill matching

Discovery calls available upon request

Pricing upon request Website
6

Best for global placements

Free consultation available

Pricing upon request Website
7

Best for executive searches

Discovery calls available upon request

Pricing upon request Website
8

Best for project management roles

Discovery calls available upon request

Pricing upon request Website
9

Best for CPA recruitment

Discovery calls available upon request

Pricing upon request Website
10

Best for senior positions

Free consultation available

Pricing upon request Website

Best Accounting Recruiting Firms Reviews

Below are my detailed summaries of the best accounting recruiting firms on my shortlist. My reviews look at each provider’s key services, unique specialties, and pros & cons to help you find the best one.

Best for tech industry roles

  • Free services for job seekers
  • Pricing upon request

redShift Recruiting agency provides tailored accounting and finance recruiting services for the tech industry. They specialize in finding top accounting talent, like CPAs, controllers, auditors, and analysts, who understand the unique financial needs of tech companies.

Why I picked redShift Recruiting: Their deep understanding of accounting and tech industries enables them to identify and connect businesses with top-tier accounting professionals with financial acumen and technical proficiency. They offer permanent, contract, temp-to-hire, and executive search services for tech companies. Their recruitment process involves sourcing from a pool of local and remote job seekers, conducting thorough interviews, and performing reference checks to ensure the right candidate. 

Standout Services: redShift Recruiting provides HR management for temporary roles, taking care of all HR functions so your team can focus on core operations. Their candidate screening process includes in-depth interviews and reference checks to ensure you get qualified candidates that match your requirements.

Target industries: Technology, engineering, finance, logistics, and accounting.

Specialties: Permanent placements, contract jobs, executive searches, candidate screening, and HR management.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Comprehensive vetting process​
  • Flexible staffing models
  • Tech-focused accounting expertise​

Cons:

  • Niche role limitations
  • Narrow candidate pipelines

Best for nationwide reach

  • Free consultation available
  • Pricing upon request

Scion Staffing connects businesses with top-tier accounting professionals across the United States. Their expansive talent network, comprising over 16 million candidates, enables them to efficiently source and place qualified individuals in roles ranging from accountants and CPAs to controllers and auditors. 

Why I picked Scion Staffing: Their comprehensive recruitment process involves a thorough needs assessment and strict screening methods such as background checks, skills assessments, and in-depth interviews to ensure the best fit for each client. They have regional offices and remote staffing experts, enabling them to recruit effectively in all U.S. states and cities. This expansive infrastructure allows Scion to provide immediate access to qualified accounting professionals, whether for direct hire, temporary, or contract positions. 

Standout Services: Scion Staffing offers temporary staffing solutions that can help your team manage workload fluctuations effectively. Their direct hire solutions ensure you get access to pre-vetted candidates for permanent positions, saving you time and effort in the hiring process.

Target industries: Healthcare, legal, marketing, finance, and nonprofit.

Specialties: Diversity and inclusion, temporary staffing, direct hire solutions, executive search, and candidate screening.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Comprehensive vetting process​
  • Diversity-focused recruitment
  • Nationwide candidate network​

Cons:

  • Slow placement for specialists
  • Limited international reach

Best for small businesses

  • No free trial available
  • Pricing upon request

Goodwin Recruiting possesses deep industry knowledge, enabling them to identify and connect businesses with top-tier accounting professionals, including CPAs, controllers, and auditors. For small businesses that want to build a strong accounting team, Goodwin Recruiting provides an innovative, strategic solution that helps match the right talent with the company’s goals.

Why I picked Goodwin Recruiting: They provide personalized recruitment solutions for smaller teams and emphasize transparency so employers and job seekers are well-informed. Their team offers insights into market trends and salary norms, and their extensive network of talent includes passive candidates who may not be actively job-seeking but are open to new opportunities. Their commitment to understanding each client's unique culture and operational needs ensures not just a skills match but a cultural fit. 

Standout Services: Goodwin Recruiting offers tailored recruitment solutions that focus on matching candidates based on cultural fit, which can help your team find the right match. They also provide market insights to assist both employers and job seekers in making informed decisions.

Target industries: Accounting, hospitality, financial services, healthcare, and information technology. 

Specialties: Cultural fit matching, entry-level to executive roles, transparency, market insights, and accounting recruitment.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Emphasis on cultural fit​
  • Tailored recruitment strategies
  • Access to passive candidates​

Cons:

  • Slower for niche roles
  • Limited temp staffing options

Best for career advancement

  • Discovery calls available upon request
  • Pricing upon request

Accounting Career Consultants specializes in accounting, finance, human resources, and legal placements. They provide tailored guidance and access to exclusive opportunities across various sectors, making them a trusted partner for professionals seeking meaningful career advancement. ​

Why I picked Accounting Career Consultants: Their team includes certified experts like CPAs, CPCs, CSPs, and CTSs who bring real industry experience to the hiring process. Their recruiters provide support through personalized guidance and take time to understand individual career goals, ensuring placements that align with both skills and aspirations. ACC equips candidates with resume support, interview prep, and exclusive job opportunities to give them a competitive advantage.

Standout Services: Accounting Career Consultants offers interview preparation services to help candidates present their best selves, increasing their chances of success. Their job market insights provide valuable information on industry trends, helping your team make informed hiring decisions.

Target industries: Finance, accounting, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing. 

Specialties: Career advancement, temporary placements, permanent recruitment, interview preparation, and job market insights.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Multi-sector accounting focus
  • Executive-level placements
  • CPA-led recruiting team

Cons:

  • Niche industry specialization
  • Limited global reach

Best for skill matching

  • Discovery calls available upon request
  • Pricing upon request

Burnett Specialists is a Texas-based accounting recruiting firm known for their precise skill-based job matching. Their recruitment process involves thorough screening to assess candidates' technical abilities, industry knowledge, and cultural fit, ensuring each placement aligns with the organization’s specific requirements. 

Why I picked Burnett Specialists: Burnett Specialists focuses on building long-term relationships and offering personalized support throughout the hiring process. Their experienced recruiters have strong industry knowledge, helping them find candidates who meet technical needs and fit company culture. They also stay connected with local businesses and regularly update their talent pool, ensuring fast and accurate job placements based on current market trends.

Standout Services: They offer temporary-to-hire staffing so you can test a candidate’s fit before making a commitment. Their direct hire placements help you quickly fill permanent roles without spending time on sourcing and screening.

Target industries: Healthcare, energy, construction, education, and finance.

Specialties: Payroll processing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial reporting, and bookkeeping.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Comprehensive screening process​
  • Proactive candidate sourcing
  • Deep local market knowledge​

Cons:

  • Smaller candidate database reach
  • Fewer remote role options

Best for global placements

  • Free consultation available
  • Pricing upon request

Robert Walters operates in over 30 countries, including key markets in the US, UK, Australia, and Singapore. They offer services to meet various hiring needs and provide customized solutions and industry insights to help businesses grow and hire successfully. 

Why I picked Robert Walters: Robert Walters delivers reliable, high-quality recruitment across global markets. Their expert consultants understand local hiring trends and find candidates with the right skills and cultural fit. With both local insight and global reach, they help multinational companies build strong accounting teams, ensuring smooth, effective hiring across borders. 

Standout Services: Robert Walters provides executive search services that help your team find top leadership talent globally. Their market research services give you insights into industry trends and salary benchmarks, aiding in strategic decision-making.

Target industries: Finance, accounting, legal, technology, and healthcare.

Specialties: Global placements, permanent recruitment, contract staffing, executive search, and market research.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Comprehensive onboarding support​
  • Specialized industry consultants
  • Global recruitment expertise​

Cons:

  • Less flexible for temp needs
  • Focus on high-end positions​

Best for executive searches

  • Discovery calls available upon request
  • Pricing upon request

SAS Executive Search, LLC, is a boutique executive search firm that specializes in placing CPAs and accounting professionals within public accounting firms across the United States. They specialize in direct placements, using a wide network to match candidates with roles at local and national accounting firms. They focus on culture fit, firm structure, growth, and leadership needs. 

Why I picked SAS Executive Search, LLC: They tailor their search strategies to the accounting industry, allowing them to understand the technical qualifications and partner-level responsibilities required for top-tier roles. The firm is known for working closely with candidates over the long term to ensure the right leadership fit. Their consultative, low-volume approach prioritizes quality over quantity, meaning every search is handled with discretion and precision. 

Standout Services: SAS Executive Search, LLC provides leadership assessment services to evaluate potential candidates' capabilities, ensuring they fit your organizational culture. Their talent mapping services help identify and track potential candidates, giving your team a strategic advantage in hiring for key roles.

Target industries: Finance, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and legal.

Specialties: Executive recruitment, leadership assessment, talent mapping, strategic hiring, and customized search solutions.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Personalized candidate engagement
  • Extensive public accounting network​
  • Specializes in CPA placements​

Cons:

  • Limited temporary placement services
  • Smaller candidate pool reach

Best for project management roles

  • Discovery calls available upon request
  • Pricing upon request

Vaco offers agile, project-based staffing solutions that support roles from staff accountants to CFOs. It provides companies with experienced project managers and interim leaders who are skilled and adept at aligning project goals with financial strategies

Why I picked Vaco: They specialize in connecting businesses with interim project leaders and expert teams who can manage complex financial projects like system upgrades, compliance changes, IPO prep, mergers, and audits. Vaco’s global reach and local insight allow them to staff large-scale projects and assemble top-performing teams. They offer the chance to lead impactful work, ike ERP rollouts and infrastructure upgrades, with roles available from entry to executive level.

Standout Services: Vaco provides consulting services to help your team navigate complex accounting challenges, offering strategic insights and solutions. Their interim staffing solutions provide flexibility, allowing your team to scale resources up or down based on project demands.

Target industries: Finance, accounting, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing.

Specialties: Project management roles, temporary staffing, permanent placements, consulting services, and interim staffing.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Industry-specific placements
  • Flexible contract options
  • Interim leadership roles

Cons:

  • Less emphasis on remote roles
  • Emphasis on project-based work​

Best for CPA recruitment

  • Discovery calls available upon request
  • Pricing upon request

VALiNTRY Services specializes in accounting and finance staffing, offering recruitment services for CPAs and other finance professionals. They cater to firms seeking skilled candidates for both temporary and permanent positions, with a focus on accounting expertise.

Why I picked VALiNTRY Services: Their focus on CPA recruitment makes them ideal for firms looking for certified professionals. They offer tailored recruitment processes that align with your specific requirements, ensuring you find candidates with the necessary qualifications. Their expertise in accounting helps your team connect with professionals who can meet your firm’s standards.

Standout Services: VALiNTRY Services provides staff augmentation to help your team during peak seasons, offering additional resources without long-term commitments. Their direct hire services ensure you get qualified candidates for permanent roles, saving time and effort in the hiring process.

Target industries: Finance, accounting, healthcare, technology, and real estate.

Specialties: CPA recruitment, staff augmentation, direct hire, temporary staffing, and accounting expertise.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Comprehensive screening process​
  • Proactive candidate sourcing
  • Deep local market knowledge​

Cons:

  • Smaller candidate database reach
  • Fewer remote role options

Best for senior positions

  • Free consultation available
  • Pricing upon request

StevenDouglas specializes in senior-level placements, including chief financial officers, controllers, and accounting and finance executives. Their team comprises consultants with deep industry knowledge and backgrounds in finance and accounting to match high-caliber candidates with organizations seeking talented professionals. 

Why I picked StevenDouglas: They invest time in understanding the challenges and opportunities within each client's business and industry sector. Their consultants use their backgrounds in accounting to ask insightful questions and identify candidates who align with the organizations’s technical requirements and cultural nuances. This personalized approach ensures that clients receive candidates who are not only qualified but also a strategic fit for their teams. 

Standout Services: StevenDouglas offers executive search services that help your team identify and recruit top-tier leadership talent. Their interim management solutions provide experienced professionals for short-term assignments, ensuring continuity in critical business functions.

Target industries: Finance, accounting, technology, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Specialties: Executive search, senior accountant level placements, interim management, leadership recruitment, and strategic consulting.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Personalized client engagement
  • Consultants with accounting backgrounds
  • Senior-level placement expertise

Cons:

  • Less visibility in certain regions​
  • Niche market specialization

Other Accounting Recruiting Firms

Here are some additional accounting recruiting firms that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:

  1. Kelly Services

    For flexible staffing

  2. Robert Half

    For temporary positions

  3. LHH Recruitment Solutions

    For leadership development roles

  4. Search Solution Group

    For specialized finance recruitment

  5. Creative Financial Staffing (CFS)

    For temporary accounting roles

  6. Adecco

    For large-scale staffing projects

  7. Ledgent Finance & Accounting

    For entry-level finance positions

What Do Accounting Recruiting Firms Typically Offer?

Accounting recruiting firms are specialized agencies that help businesses find and hire qualified accounting and finance professionals. They might offer things like:

  • Temporary and permanent staffing solutions
  • Executive search services
  • Candidate screening and interviews
  • Market salary insights

Businesses, particularly those with finance departments or in need of financial expertise, typically seek out accounting recruiting firms. These service providers address challenges like finding qualified candidates, managing temporary staffing needs, and filling specialized roles.

Accounting Recruiting Firms Selection Criteria

When selecting the best accounting recruiting firms to include in this list, I considered common business needs and pain points that these providers address. This included things like finding qualified candidates quickly and managing temporary staffing needs. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair: 

Core Services (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each provider had to offer these basic services:

  • Temporary staffing
  • Permanent placements
  • Candidate screening
  • Interview facilitation
  • Market salary insights

Additional Standout Services (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique or especially valuable services, such as:

  • Executive search
  • Leadership assessment
  • Talent mapping
  • Industry-specific consulting
  • Interim management solutions

Industry Experience (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the industry experience of each provider, I considered the following:

  • Years in business
  • Specialization in accounting roles
  • Client portfolio diversity
  • Expertise in local markets
  • Track record of successful placements

Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each provider, I considered the following:

  • Speed of integration
  • Clarity of process
  • Support during onboarding
  • Customization options
  • User feedback on onboarding

Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess the level of customer support each provider offers, I considered the following:

  • Availability of support
  • Response time
  • Support channels offered
  • Expertise of support staff
  • Customer feedback on support

Value For Price (10% of total score)
To evaluate the pricing and potential ROI of working with each provider, I considered the following:

  • Transparency of pricing
  • Competitiveness against industry standards
  • ROI potential
  • Flexibility of pricing plans
  • Cost against service quality

Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the overall satisfaction of existing customers, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:

  • Satisfaction with placements
  • Feedback on customer support
  • Ease of process
  • Value for money
  • Repeat business likelihood

How to Choose an Accounting Recruiting Firm

It’s easy to get bogged down in long lists of services and complex pricing structures. To help you prioritize the things that matter most for your business, keep the following factors in mind:

FactorWhat to Consider
Business ObjectivesAlign the provider’s offerings with your team’s goals, whether you’re looking for temporary hires, permanent staff, or specialized roles.
Service Scope and SLAsReview the range of services and service level agreements to ensure they meet your specific needs, such as executive search or interim staffing.
Support AvailabilityCheck the provider’s support hours and channels to ensure you’ll have help when you need it, especially during critical hiring phases.
Costs and Pricing StructureUnderstand the pricing details and ensure they fit your budget. Look for transparency in costs and any hidden fees that might arise.
Communication and ReportingEvaluate how the provider communicates progress and results. Regular updates and clear reporting can help you stay informed and make timely decisions.
Industry ExperienceConsider the provider’s experience in your industry to leverage their expertise and network for finding well-suited candidates.
ReputationLook into reviews and testimonials to gauge client satisfaction and the provider’s track record in delivering quality candidates.
CustomizationAssess the provider’s ability to tailor services to fit your unique business needs, which can enhance the recruitment process.

Key Accounting Recruiting Firms Services

When selecting an accounting recruiting firm, keep an eye out for the following key services:

  • Temporary staffing: Provides short-term solutions to manage workload spikes and cover absences efficiently.
  • Permanent placements: Helps you find long-term employees who fit your team’s culture and skill requirements.
  • Executive search: Targets high-level talent for leadership roles, ensuring your company has strong guidance.
  • Candidate screening: Includes background checks and interviews to ensure candidates meet your standards.
  • Market salary insights: Offers data on industry salary trends to help you make competitive offers.
  • Interim management: Supplies experienced professionals for temporary leadership roles during transitions.
  • Leadership assessment: Evaluates potential candidates to ensure they align with your organizational goals.
  • Talent mapping: Identifies and tracks potential candidates to stay ahead in recruitment.
  • Consulting services: Provides strategic guidance to help your team address complex accounting challenges.
  • Communication and reporting: Keeps you informed with regular updates on recruitment progress and results.

Benefits of Accounting Recruiting Firms

Partnering with an accounting recruiting firm offers several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:

  • Access to talent: Gain access to a wide pool of qualified candidates through targeted recruitment strategies and talent mapping.
  • Time savings: Reduce the time spent on hiring by utilizing services like candidate screening and interview facilitation.
  • Expert insights: Benefit from market salary insights and consulting services to make informed hiring decisions.
  • Flexibility: Adapt to changing business needs with temporary staffing and interim management solutions.
  • Improved leadership: Strengthen your organization with executive search and leadership assessment services.
  • Cost efficiency: Save on recruitment costs by leveraging the firm’s expertise in finding the right candidates quickly.
  • Enhanced decision-making: Stay informed with regular communication and reporting to monitor progress and results.

Costs and Pricing Structures of Accounting Recruiting Firms

Accounting recruiting firms typically come at a custom price to accommodate various business needs, sizes, and circumstances. Providers generally work within one of the following pricing structures:

  • Contingency fee: The provider charges only when a candidate is successfully placed.
  • Retainer fee: A client pays an upfront fee to secure the provider’s services, often for high-level or executive searches.
  • Hourly rate: Costs are based on the hours spent on recruitment activities.
  • Flat fee: A fixed price is set for specific recruitment services, regardless of the time spent.
  • Project-based pricing: Charges are based on the scope and duration of a specific recruitment project.

Key Factors That Influence Accounting Recruiting Firm Pricing

Beyond the specific pricing model, here are some additional factors that can influence the cost of accounting recruiting firms:

  • Level of position: Higher-level roles like executives often require more resources and thus cost more to fill.
  • Geographic location: Recruiting in areas with a higher cost of living may lead to increased fees.
  • Industry specialization: Niche industries might demand higher fees due to the specialized knowledge required.
  • Volume of hires: The number of roles you need to fill can affect the overall cost, with bulk hiring sometimes offering cost efficiencies.
  • Customization needs: Tailored recruitment processes to fit specific company needs may incur additional charges.

Being aware of these factors before you start seeking out custom quotes from providers helps you get a sense of what to expect, and compare and contrast quotes more effectively.

Accounting Recruiting Firms: FAQs

Here are some answers to common questions about accounting recruiting firms:

How do accounting recruiting firms find qualified candidates?

Accounting recruiting firms use various methods to find qualified candidates, including leveraging their extensive networks, utilizing job boards, and employing advanced search techniques. They often have access to a database of pre-screened candidates and may also reach out to passive candidates who aren’t actively job hunting. This approach helps them present you with a selection of quality candidates.

Can accounting recruiting firms help with temporary staffing needs?

Yes, many accounting recruiting firms specialize in temporary staffing solutions. They can quickly connect you with qualified professionals to cover short-term needs, such as seasonal work spikes or temporary employee absences. This flexibility allows your team to maintain productivity without the commitment of a permanent hire.

What should I expect during the recruitment process with a firm?

When working with an accounting recruiting firm, you can expect a structured process. It typically starts with a consultation to understand your needs, followed by candidate sourcing, screening, and interviews. The firm will present you with a shortlist of candidates, and they may assist with interview coordination and offer negotiations.

How long does it typically take to fill a position?

The time it takes to fill a position with an accounting recruiting firm can vary based on factors like the role’s complexity and market conditions. Generally, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months. Firms aim to balance speed with finding the right fit for your team.

Are accounting recruiting firms worth using for project-based roles?

Yes, especially when you need someone with specific experience to manage tight deadlines. Firms can quickly provide interim professionals or project managers who’ve done similar work before. This helps reduce ramp-up time and lets your team focus on daily operations. It’s also a way to bring in fresh insight without long-term commitment.

What types of roles do accounting recruiting firms usually fill?

They place candidates in roles ranging from staff accountants to CFOs. That includes auditors, controllers, payroll specialists, tax accountants, accounting managers, and project-based consultants. Some firms also handle interim or fractional leadership placements. It depends on your company’s size and hiring goals.

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Faye Wai
By Faye Wai

Faye Wai is a HR Technology Analyst and contributor to People Managing People, with a background in branding, public relations, and content marketing. She has vet vendors as an end-user in both consultancy and in-house capacities, providing her with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities within the people operations sector.