Abbie Goodison Joins Allura Partners to Focus on Interim Accounting & Finance Recruitment
Abbie Goodison, known for her expertise in interim accounting and finance recruitment and her passion for career development, has joined Allura Partners. With her ability to navigate evolving market conditions and support both clients and candidates, Abbie is set to make a significant impact on the firm's continued success and industry standing.
A Natural Progression into Recruitment
For Abbie, a career in recruitment was a natural progression. She began her professional journey in client-facing roles, where she discovered a passion for engaging with people. "I enjoyed being in front of people, talking to them, and understanding their needs," she reflects. This connection with others became a foundation for her transition into recruitment.
This genuine interest in people led her to approach a recruitment agency as a candidate seeking her next opportunity in a client-facing role. "I was actually hired by the same recruitment agency in an administrative role, and it all happened quite quickly from there," she recalls. Abbie's natural talent for recruitment became evident early on: "Within a year, I stepped into a consultant role, focusing on interim roles in the finance sector," she shares.
Abbie's recruitment career is built on a deep understanding of the finance sector. Early on, she focused on interim roles in transactional finance, where she quickly became drawn to the fast-paced nature of the work. "I loved the quick turnarounds and variety of short-term contracts; it kept things exciting," she shares.
That early exposure gave her valuable insight into the demands of interim finance roles. Over the next three years, she continued to specialise in senior and qualified interim finance recruitment. Her ability to manage and adapt in such a dynamic environment has been key to her success. This fast-paced environment and the variety of roles she filled allowed her to develop a strong understanding of what makes candidates successful in interim positions.
Optimism Amidst Challenges
Abbie's journey and expertise have given her valuable insights into the current state of the interim finance market. As she points out, "One of the biggest differences right now is that the interim recruitment market is moving slower than usual," She continues, "Usually, we'd expect quick turnarounds, sometimes as fast as a week or two, but right now, the process is stretching out over several weeks." This shift reflects broader economic conditions, and understanding these trends enables Abbie to guide her clients and candidates more effectively.
Despite the challenges, Abbie remains optimistic, especially in the private equity space, where businesses continue to thrive. Private equity is strong and buoyant, and it's likely to remain stable," she says.
Abbie was particularly drawn to Allura Partners because of its strong focus on the private equity sector and ASX-listed businesses that require the same high-calibre talent. "The opportunity to work with these clients excites me, as it allows me to connect top-tier professionals with not only exceptional growth opportunities but also exciting, high-impact work," she adds.
Shifting Candidate Priorities
Abbie's passion for helping candidates find the right opportunities extends beyond just filling positions. She notes a significant shift in what candidates are looking for when considering new roles. "People aren't just looking for higher salaries anymore," she explains. It's about career progression, taking on new challenges, and advancing into leadership roles.”
She adds, "We work with many professionals who are career-focused and aspire to reach the C-suite. They're actively seeking roles to push them to the next level in their careers." This mindset shift has impacted how Abbie approaches recruitment; she's always looking for opportunities that align with candidates' long-term goals.
Recruitment is more than filling a job; it's about making a meaningful impact on both the candidates she works with and the businesses she supports. Abbie believes that the right placement can change someone's career trajectory. She works closely with candidates, offering them guidance and mentorship along the way to ensure they make informed career decisions.
Abbie's focus is always on the bigger picture: helping candidates find roles that match their aspirations and assisting businesses in securing the talent they need to succeed. This holistic approach ensures both sides of the recruitment process—candidates and clients—benefit equally.
Preparing for Seasonal Peaks in Demand
As Abbie continues her journey with our team, we're excited to see the positive impact she will have. Her experience, knowledge, and dedication to the interim finance market will undoubtedly help us strengthen our position and better serve our clients.
Abbie's expertise is especially valuable as we enter cyclical periods where the demand for specific accounting and finance roles spikes around the financial year-end. "There's always a peak in demand around the end of the financial year, particularly for technical accountants with auditing experience," Abbie explains. This peak period is critical, as businesses often need specialised skills to complete year-end processes efficiently. Over the next quarter, it's expected that we'll see an increased need for accountants to complete audits successfully.
In anticipation of this, Abbie and the wider Accounting & Finance team are already preparing to support clients in securing the right talent at the right time.
If you are considering your next career opportunity or want to discuss the current market landscape and hiring needs within your Accounting and Finance team, please contact us here.