According to a recent survey, 54 percent of CFOs say they allow their new hires 90 days to prove themselves on the job, while almost 10 percent said they expect new team members to prove themselves in merely 30 days. It is necessary for new team members to get up and running quickly, but just what should leaders look for to indicate a new accountant’s aptitude for success?
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Do They Fit In?
Poor cultural alignment is one of the biggest reasons new hires don’t make it. You can hire the most talented accountant in the market, but if she doesn’t get along with the team or if her values don’t align with the organization’s values, the arrangement will fail. Pay attention to the new hire’s attitude and how well she gets along with others. Don’t be afraid to ask your other team members how things are going. Make sure to give the accountant time to settle in, as introverted people may take some time to break out of their shell.
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Do They Ask Questions?
Pay close attention to the types of questions the new hire asks. Strong hires will ask basic questions in the beginning, but over the course of a few weeks, those questions should become more thoughtful. If a new hire is asking the same questions over and over again, it should raise a red flag that they aren’t retaining the information they are being given. Conversely, if a new hire never asks a single question, this too should raise a red flag.
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Do They Solicit Feedback?
If a new hire seeks out your feedback on a regular basis, give it to them. This demonstrates their eagerness to get up to speed quickly and to make improvements where necessary.
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Do They Admit Mistakes?
New A&F employees are bound to make errors. Watch closely to how the new hire handles mistakes. Does he own up to it right away and take the necessary steps to correct it? Or does he pass blame or attempt to minimize the errors?
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Are They Adapting To Your Processes?
Every company handles A&F procedures and processes a bit differently. A successful new employee will adapt quickly to your way of doing things. There will always be a learning curve, to be sure, but the accountant should make every effort to let go of her “old ways” and embrace your ways.
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Do They Make Rookie Mistakes?
It is quite possible that a new hire can come down with the flu in the first 90 days of employment, but a new hire should make every effort to show up a little early, stay a few minutes late and should not take time off unless it was discussed during the interview process. Someone who feels comfortable enough to skip out on work in the first 90 days likely does not have the work ethic to succeed on your team.
If your company is seeking top accounting and finance talent, or you want to improve your accounting and finance hiring processes, contact the expert recruiters at Contemporary Staffing Solutions today. As a market leader, we can help you create a team that will keep your accounting department humming.