Hiring Today - Temporary Consultants and Accounting Experts – How to Evaluate Candidates

In today’s dynamic business environment, the need for skilled temporary consultants and accounting experts continues to rise. Whether to support seasonal workloads, manage special projects, or cover for staff absences, hiring temporary professionals offers flexibility and immediate impact. But how can companies ensure they’re bringing on the right talent—especially when time is limited?

Here’s a guide to effectively evaluating candidates for temporary roles, with a focus on accounting and consulting expertise.

1. Start with a Clear Job Description

Before reviewing résumés, define what success looks like in the role. Clarify:

• The core responsibilities and deliverables

• Expected duration and hours

• Necessary systems knowledge (e.g., QuickBooks, NetSuite, Excel)

• Key soft skills like communication, adaptability, and confidentiality

The more specific the role, the better your chance of finding the right match quickly.

2. Look Beyond the Résumé

A well-written résumé is helpful, but it doesn’t reveal how a candidate will perform in a high-stakes, fast-moving environment. In temporary roles, past project-based work is often more relevant than long tenures. Look for:

• Experience in similar contract or consulting roles

• Demonstrated ability to deliver results with limited onboarding

• Technical certifications (e.g., CPA, CMA) or industry specialization

3. Ask Situational Questions

During the interview, use behavioral and situational questions to assess how candidates have handled challenges in past short-term roles. Examples include:

• “Describe a time you were dropped into a project midstream—how did you get up to speed?”

• “Have you ever had to make sense of unclear financial data on a deadline?”

• “What tools or strategies help you stay organized when juggling multiple clients or projects?”

Temporary professionals should show they can adapt quickly and work independently with minimal supervision.

4. Test for Technical Skills

Consider brief skills assessments or real-world exercises relevant to the position. This could include:

• Analyzing a mock balance sheet

• Reconciling sample transactions

• Creating a simple PowerPoint presentation

Even 30 minutes of hands-on testing can reveal strengths (or gaps) not obvious on paper.

5. Verify Soft Skills and Work Ethic

Especially for temporary roles, reliability and communication are critical. Look for indicators of professionalism, such as:

• Responsiveness during the hiring process

• Clear, concise communication

• Positive references from prior short-term supervisors or clients

6. Use a Trusted Staffing Partner

If you're short on time or hiring for multiple roles, working with a staffing firm that specializes in temporary consulting and accounting talent can accelerate the process. Recruiters often pre-screen for both technical aptitude and culture fit, streamlining your decision-making.

Hiring temporary consultants and accounting experts doesn't mean lowering your standards—it means being even more intentional. By focusing on relevant experience, real-world skills, and work-readiness, you’ll find professionals who can hit the ground running and make an immediate impact.