Why should you use an IFRS test for recruiting?
Recruiters who are looking for an IFRS specialist will have certain prerequisites that must be met. For some, this will include a specific number of years of experience, as well as qualifications like a degree in math or accounting, some industry-standard certification (such as from the Institute of Chartered Accountants) or a specific IFRS qualification.
Whether a candidate meets these standards or not is obvious through a basic review of their CV or application form, but when it comes to the skills and attributes that are important to success, measurement through a paper sift - or even during an interview - is less straightforward.
Not only does a candidate need to be knowledgeable in all things accounting and auditing, from invoicing through to reporting, tax, and forecasting, they also need to be competent in creating reports and providing guidance specifically compliant with IFRS. This depth of knowledge is essential.
The best IFRS specialists have some other skills that are essential to success, too:
They obviously have to have an analytical and logical mindset because they are dealing with the technical, hands-on side of accounting
They also have to be excellent team players with outstanding communication skills
They work as part of the wider finance department, and need to be able to provide help and advice to their colleagues, but also for other internal stakeholders including executives
They need to be able to present information in a clear and concise way that is simple enough to be understood, especially for a layperson who might not be as well-versed in the world of financial reporting.
The IFRS test is a great way to assess candidates for similar auditing and reporting roles across the finance department, and these skills can often be used in multinational operations when working alongside US GAAP standards, for example.
For the recruitment team, the IFRS test is easy to administer to a large number of candidates, and the straightforward data from the results are an unbiased, objective way to decide which applicants are most likely to be successful in the role in the areas where it counts, making the recruitment process smoother and faster - and less costly.