“Most people know me as Cassie and I am a Senior Recruiter at Abacus. I moved to Belfast in 2021 and love working with people right across Northern Ireland to help them secure the best job opportunities. Outside of the office I am happiest when spending time with my friends & family, exploring the outdoors, travelling, enjoying a glass of wine, or being creative.”

Catherine’s role at Abacus is focused upon support to recruiting clients and job seeking candidates in the area of accountancy support.  Catherine assists SME’s, Start-ups and international foreign direct investment (FDI) / Corporate clients right across Northern Ireland.

Catherine’s area of recruitment specialisms include:

• Assistant Accountants
• Part Qualified (PQ) Accountants
• Financial Analysts
• Transactional Finance Team Leads & Managers

Likewise, Catherine provides the following support to professionals who are entering the local job market:

• Career planning and employability advice
• Insight upon culture and environment within my client base
• Guidance on reward and benefit levels
• Information on market trends and key skills in demand
• Assistance with preparation for interview and assessment

1. Can you tell us a bit about your background and experience in the recruitment industry?

I am a Senior Recruitment Consultant with Abacus and have been here since early 2021, having joined the team as a Trainee to embark on a new career. 

2. What motivated you to specialise in accountancy recruitment?

A career in Accountancy or Finance can create so many unique paths for people to pursue professionally and this really caught my interest: you aren’t tied to a set industry or role. Getting to the heart of what motivates someone professionally can help us introduce them to opportunities they didn’t know were available to them and that’s what I love about specialising in accountancy recruitment.

3. How do you stay updated with the latest trends and changes in the accountancy field?

Everyday we spend hours having great conversations with our clients and candidates, all professionals in their fields who we continuously learn loads from. I find this is the best way to keep on top of the latest trends and changes and how they are affecting professionals locally.

4. Can you share some tips for job seekers looking to excel in the accountancy industry?

Accountancy is a dynamic field and I find the most successful candidates are those who are proactive in pursuing their professional development be it internally with your current employer or externally via a professional body or by engaging with industry leaders. There is always something new to learn or improve on – be curious!

5. What are the key qualities that make a successful accountancy professional?

There is a blend of qualities that can make someone successful in the accountancy profession and for me some of the top ones are integrity, being detail-oriented, a great communicator with a problem-solving mindset and a willingness to learn.

6. What do you enjoy about being part of the recruitment industry in Belfast?

It’s busy! There is never a moment to sit still if you are in the Belfast recruitment industry as we are luckily in such a great place for innovation, entrepreneurship and investment which continuously creates new opportunities for people in Northern Ireland.

7. What advice would you give to recent graduates aspiring to enter the accountancy field?

My advice to any graduates seeking their first step into employment in the accountancy field would be to pick up the phone and speak with our team. We can really help you to fully understand what you want to gain from your first 6 months, 1 year, 3 year and put a plan in place to help you surround yourself with the right people to learn from so that you can achieve your goals.

8. Are there any specific qualities or traits that accountancy employers often look for during interviews?

Yes, there are a few key qualities and traits that all employers tend to look for in a candidate hoping to join their accounting or finance team, be it at graduate or senior level:

• Attention to detail, showing you can produce your work to a high standard
• Ability to work well with others in a team environment and valuing collaboration
• Strong communication skills as you’ll need to engage with internal and external stakeholders
• Be inquisitive to learn from others and to strive for continuous improvement

9. What are the top three pieces of advice you would give to candidates preparing for an accountancy job interview?

My top three tips when preparing for your interview are:

• Research the company thoroughly and be familiar with your interview panel.
• Plan out your journey (or test your video platform if online) and arrive on time.
• Prepare your examples and be ready to include facts and figures – it’s all about the numbers!

If you have a query or would like some advice, please get in touch.  All communications are private and confidential.  Reach out to Catherine by direct telephone 028 9538 0602 or email [email protected]