Ninety eight percent of the people I have placed in the last three years are still with their firms.
It is a statistic I am proud of, but it has not happened by chance.
It is the result of hundreds of conversations built on trust, partnership, and understanding, not salesmanship or luck.
This job is about people, not placements. The reason that number matters is because it shows what can happen when both sides work together properly.
Understanding the person, not just the job
I have been recruiting into accountancy practices long enough to know what an audit manager or tax senior does. The technical side rarely surprises me.
What makes each role unique is how it fits into the team, the culture, the expectations, and the wider business.
The same goes for people. The most important question I ever ask is not what are you looking for, it is why are you looking.
The why always tells the real story. Maybe someone feels under valued. Maybe they have outgrown their role. Maybe they just want to enjoy their work again. Once you understand that, everything else falls into place.
Real partnership means honesty both ways
I will never oversell a candidate or a firm. Overselling breeds scepticism. When you present something honestly, its strengths and its challenges, people listen.
The best partnerships come from honest communication. Clients who value genuine insight rather than being told what they want to hear. Candidates who are open about what is really important to them.
Sometimes I will suggest a firm and hear, “I know someone who worked there, they did not like it.” Occasionally that feedback opens my eyes. Other times, the candidate trusts me enough to give it a chance and comes back saying, “I am really glad you encouraged me to meet them. It is exactly what I wanted.”
One person’s tonic is another’s poison. What suits one accountant perfectly can frustrate another. The key is understanding what this person needs to be happy and productive.
The process behind the results
Because I know the practice market across the North West, Yorkshire, and the Midlands, I can match people to environments where they will thrive.
I am not here to flood inboxes or push dream jobs that do not exist. It is about qualifying, listening, and guiding both sides. Helping clients see what matters most to a candidate, and helping candidates understand the opportunity beyond the job title.
When interviews happen, it is not about coaching or spoon feeding anyone what to say. It is about giving both sides a heads up on what is likely to come up.
A client might want to know how someone has handled a difficult audit client who was not forthcoming with information, or how they have managed people who are older or more experienced than them. These are real topics that give a true sense of how someone operates.
The aim is not to rehearse answers but to make sure both sides have the time and space to talk about what really matters. That is how you find a genuine match.
Why 98 percent matters
That ninety eight percent retention rate represents years of hard work, but also years of doing things the right way. It comes from caring enough to get it right at the start.
Most recruiters measure success by the number of placements they make. I measure it by how many of those placements still feel right years later.
Filling a job is easy. Making sure people stay, grow, and thrive is what matters.
For candidates
If you are thinking about exploring your next move, reach out to me.
Even if you are not ready to make a move right now, we can talk about what would genuinely interest you in an opportunity. That way I can be the eyes and ears out there for you and quietly let you know if something that ticks all the boxes comes along.
Everything we discuss is confidential and you will always stay in control.
Call or text me on 07788 133333, email pbell@genrec.co.uk, or book a time that suits you here
https://calendly.com/patrick-genesis/chat-with-patrick-bell-genesis
For clients
If you are a client and have ever had to replace a hire within a year or two, or refund a fee, we should be talking.
Chances are we already know each other, but maybe you have never given me the opportunity to help.
What I often need from clients is the heads up on what you will need, even before you need it. I know that is not always possible, but when I understand what is coming I can be ready to find the right person for you.
Let us talk in the same way I do with candidates, openly and honestly. Tell me the types of people you would like to be kept aware of and spend a bit of time getting to know how I work. That is how brilliant matches are made.
Final thought
That ninety eight percent figure is not just a measure of success. It is a reflection of trust, consistency, and doing the right thing for both sides.
If you are in practice, whether you are hiring or thinking about your next step, I would love to talk.
Recruitment done properly is not about transactions. It is about building careers, building teams, and getting it right first time.
Patrick Bell
The Accountancy Practice Recruiter
Audit | Accounts | Tax | Advisory
📞 07788 133333
📧 pbell@genrec.co.uk
https://calendly.com/patrick-genesis/chat-with-patrick-bell-genesis