Financial Controllers Sit in Two Camps

Bianca Luck • May 22, 2019

I’ve been recruiting on behalf of Financial Controllers for many moons.

You typically fall into two camps when it comes to managing the crazy stress of financial year end:

  • You recruit temporary staff
  • You don’t recruit temporary staff

All businesses are different. I get that it’s not always black and white. But here are some of the trends I’ve experienced working with both camps.

You recruit:

  • Proactively start the recruitment process in May to ensure you recruit the ‘cream of the crop’ of temporary talent
  • Provide a clear buffer between the start date and project deadline to allow time for the temporary person to thrive
  • Reduce team stress and create a happier team culture
  • Work less overtime
  • Spend more time working on the business strategy
  • View the additional cost as an investment rather than an expense

You don’t recruit:

  • Always have a mountain of work pending, number crunching slaves to financial year end pressures
  • Are stressed out and have higher employee attrition rates
  • Less patience with your team
  • Spend less time profile building, adding value and driving strategic direction
  • Often less inclined to be earmarked for a promotion

Am I biased? Probably.

But I see firsthand the smart Financial Controllers embedding contractors into their business and as a result driving their competitive edge. They’re already working with me to recruit the cream.

So, what are you doing to drive your competitive edge?

Grow your career and team
Get in touch with Frog Recruitment

Auckland
   I  Wellington


In business since 2002 in New Zealand, Frog Recruitment is an award-winning recruitment agency with people at our heart. Located across Auckland and Wellington, we specialise in accounting and finance, business support, education, executive, government, HR, legal, marketing and digital, property, sales, supply chain, and technology sectors. As the proud recipients of the 2024 RCSA Excellence in Candidate Care Award, we are dedicated to helping businesses achieve success through a people-first approach.

Recent articles

By Shannon Barlow November 30, 2025
A clear and practical overview of why burnout is rising across New Zealand, what workers are experiencing, and the steps leaders can take to strengthen wellbeing, connection, and resilience within their teams.
By Frog Recruitment November 23, 2025
A detailed look at New Zealand’s shifting labour market, exploring regional differences, industry trends, and why the South Island is driving job growth. Includes insights on talent availability, hiring timing, and the latest data shaping employer decisions for 2025.
By Shannon Barlow November 16, 2025
New Zealand CEOs are signalling renewed confidence in hiring for 2025. While growth is gradual, leaders are planning for strategic expansion, investing in skills, and balancing optimism with realism in a changing job market.
By Shannon Barlow November 9, 2025
Explore HR’s top priorities for 2026—from AI integration and flexible work to generational readiness and commercial alignment. Learn how HR leaders can balance strategy, technology, and humanity to build stronger, future-ready workplaces.
By Leanne Lazarus November 2, 2025
Discover how leadership development is evolving in 2025. Learn what organisations can do to build interdependent, future ready leaders who drive performance, collaboration, and culture.

Latest PR features