#Derbyshire Archives - Page 2 of 5

Astute Recruitment’s 2nd week of our #miles4meals and we have covered an incredible 564.5 miles!

An amazing effort from our wonderful team and fantastic clients, candidates, and their friends and colleagues who have joined in – a huge thank you and well done!

At this rate we will smash our target!

Last week saw us whizz past our first checkpoint and another 3! From the picturesque Scottish Highlands, past historic Edinburgh, down past Newcastle, and on into Leeds!

We are wondering where we will go from here and how many checkpoints will we hit by week 3!

Happy Chinese New Year! 2021 is the Year of the Ox, but what does this Chinese sign mean? Here’s our fun guide about the Chinese New Year.

First, superstitions!

There are a host of superstitions that will apparently decide how the next year will play out for each of us. To avoid bad luck the rest of the year, here are some no-nos for Chinese New Year’s Day.

Washing clothes, using scissors, and sweeping floors are some of the easier bad omens to sidestep. But parents might find it harder to dodge crying kids 🤣🤣, and – on the more extreme end of the scale – women might find it difficult to avoid leaving the house all day! 😱 (Best not attend any interviews today then!)

According to Chinese superstition, doing any of these on Feb 12th – the day Chinese New Year falls in 2021 – will lead to bad luck for the entire coming year. But it isn’t all doom and gloom: 2021 is the Year of the Ox, an animal that symbolises strength and determination.

Here is everything you need to know about the annual celebration, and why the Year of the Ox will be luckier for some than others.

When is Chinese New Year 2021?

The annual celebration begins on the new moon that comes between Jan 21 and Feb 20. The Chinese year will start on Feb 12th 2021 and end on Feb 11th 2022, when the Year of the Tiger begins.

The new year, also known in China as the Spring Festival, is marked by the lunisolar Chinese calendar; meaning the date changes from year to year.

Festivities usually start the day before the New Year, and continue until the Lantern Festival, falling on the 15th day of the new year.

The Chinese zodiac is divided into 12 blocks (or houses) just like the West’s equivalent 12 signs of the zodiac, but with the major difference that each ‘house’ has a time-length of one year instead of one month.

Each Chinese New Year is characterised by one of 12 animals that appear in the Chinese zodiac – 2020 was the Year of the Rat.

Which Chinese zodiac sign are you?

Your sign is derived from the year you were born in the Chinese lunar calendar. Have a look below and see which animal you are!

Rat: 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972

Ox: 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973

Tiger: 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962

Rabbit: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963

Dragon: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964

Snake: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965

Horse: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966

Sheep: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967

Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968

Rooster: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969

Dog: 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970

Pig: 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971

The years above are a rough guide; bear in mind that if you were born in January or February it may be slightly different as the new year moves between January 21st and February 20th each year.

The years allocated to each animal are in a very specific order. According to an ancient Chinese folk story, the Jade Emperor had called 13 animals to a meeting and announced that the years on the calendar would be named according to the order they arrived in. This led to ‘The Great Race’.

So legend goes, the rat travelled on the back of the ox, leaping from it’s back to grab first place. The pig stopped for a snack and a nap and arrived last; a cat was also in the race but drowned during the competition, leading to there being only 12 animals in the zodiac.

Who should be on their guard this year?

According to Chinese astrology, the year of your birth sign is believed to be one of the most unlucky years of your life. It is thought that people in their zodiac year offend Tai Sui, the God of Age, and incur his curse.

Famous people who should be careful this year include Heidi Klum and Noel Fielding (both born in 1973), Lewis Hamilton (1985), Kylie Jenner (1997), and Marcus Rashford (1997). Barack Obama (1961) was also born in the Year of the Ox, plus George Clooney (1961) and Jeremy Corbyn (1949).

Lucky Signs for the Ox

Lucky numbers for people born in the Year of the Ox are one and four, and their lucky colours are white, green and yellow. Their lucky flowers are tulips and peach blossoms and their lucky directions are north and south.

The Personality of the Ox

People born in the Year of the Ox are thought to be diligent and hard-working, honest, strong, and dependable, with their ability to keep calm making them great leaders.

While Oxen are kind, they find it difficult to understand persuasion and always detest being the centre of attention, resulting in their talent being hidden. Their hard work and patience, however, helps them earn praise and successfully meet their goals.

Strengths: Patient, persistent and cautious

Weaknesses: Stubborn, less-talkative and obstructive

Why do the Chinese value the Ox?

Oxen are highly prized, celebrated animals in Chinese culture because of their roles in agriculture and positive characteristics, such as being honest and reliable. In terms of the ‘Yin and Yang’ theory, they are the yang and also represent the hours one to three in the morning and the Earthly Branch Chou.

2021 is specifically the Year of the Metal Ox. Chinese astrology experts say it’s a good year for giving birth as metal symbolises stability and longevity. Those born in the Year of the Metal Ox shall have plenty of great things in their lives.

What does your Chinese zodiac sign mean?

In Chinese astrology, the 12 animal zodiac signs each have their own characteristics. For some fun, we’ve popped these below! Have a read and see if you agree!

Rat🐀: Intelligence, adaptability, quick-wit, charm, artistry, gregariousness.

Ox🐂: Loyalty, reliability, thoroughness, strength, reasonability, steadiness, determination.

Tiger🐯: Enthusiasm, courage, ambition, leadership, confidence, charisma.

Rabbit🐰: Trustworthiness, empathy, modesty, diplomacy, sincerity, sociability.

Dragon🐲: Luckiness, flexibility, eccentricity, imagination, artistry, spirituality, charisma.

Snake🐍: Philosophical, organised, intelligent, intuitive, elegant, attentive, decisive.

Horse🐴: Adaptable, loyal, courageous, ambitious, intelligent, adventurous, strong.

Sheep🐑: Tasteful, crafty, warm, elegant, charming, intuitive, sensitive, calm.

Monkey🐒: Quick-witted, charming, lucky, adaptable, bright, versatile, lively, smart.

Rooster🐓: Honest, energetic, intelligent, flamboyant, flexible, diverse, confident.

Dog🐶: Loyal, sociable, courageous, diligent, steady, lively, adaptable, smart.

Pig🐷: Honorable, philanthropic, determined, optimistic, sincere, sociable.

Popular Chinese New Year Greetings

If you want to get into the swing of the festivities but don’t have the foggiest how to decipher Mandarin characters, here’s our handy guide to the most essential phrases!

新年快乐 / 新年快樂 (xīn nián kuài lè) “Happy New Year!”

In Mandarin: /sshin-nyen kweye-luh/

In Cantonese: /san nin fai lok/

新年好 / 新年好 (Xīn nián hǎo) “New Year goodness!”

In Mandarin: /sshin-nyen haoww/

In Cantonese: /sen-nin haow/

恭喜发财 / 恭喜發財 (Gōngxǐ fācái) “Happiness and prosperity!”

In Mandarin: /gong-sshee faa-tseye/

In Cantonese: Kunghei fatchoy /gong-hey faa-chwhy/

步步高升 / 步步高陞 (Bùbù gāoshēng) “A steady rise to high places!” / “on the up and up”

In Mandarin: /boo-boo gaoww-shnng /

In Cantonese: /boh-boh goh-sshin /

So, have a Happy Chinese New Year from all of us at Astute Recruitment Ltd!

Mary Maguire

Managing Director
Astute | Accountancy & Finance | HR | Office Support

Suite One, Ground Floor West, Cardinal Square, 10 Nottingham Road, Derby, DE1 3QT

T: 01332 346100

E: [email protected]

W: www.astuterecruitment.com

LI: https://uk.linkedin.com/pub/mary-maguire/18/73/553

LI: www.linkedin.com/company/astute-recruitment/

#miles4meals update 137 miles in one week!

We started our #miles4meals journey last Monday.

The figures are in and we’re delighted to announce that in just 7 days we have covered a total of 137 miles!

Our virtual journey from John O’Groats to Lands End has so far seen us travel from the beautiful peaks of Scotland, down past the historic Inverness Castle.

We’re now well past our first check-point in Inverness.

Wonder where will be next week?

Miles 4 Meals – Our walk from John’Groats to Lands End to raise money for Derby City Mission

All of us at Astute Recruitment Ltd are delighted to announce that today, 1st February 2021, we are launching our Miles 4 Meals charity campaign!

Our team will be ‘virtually’ walking the 911 miles from John O’Groats to Lands End, and if we can walk back again!

We find ourselves in unusual times. Many more people, families and children are struggling with financial problems. We also have a climate of increasing mental health and anxiety issues due to the latest Lockdown restrictions and hardships caused by COVID.

All of us at Astute, wanted to help, so we’re launching our #Miles4Meals campaign. From Monday 1^st February until Good Friday on the 2^nd April, our team will be using our lunchtimes or spare time to walk, run and cycle the 911 miles from John O’Groats to Lands End, and hopefully back again! If you can, please help us with our goal.

*The Government’s current advice is people can exercise for up to one hour a day and observe all COVID social distancing guidance. We can still all clock up a few steps in an hour though!

On virtual arrival to Lands End, Astute Recruitment will donate £500 to Derby City Mission & this amazing cause.

If we can get back to John O’Groats, a roundtrip of 1822 miles, Astute will double their donation to £1,000 for Derby City Mission, our chosen charity.

Every mile covered will raise funds for Derby City Mission who will be using the money to make up much-needed food parcels for the vulnerable.

We’ll be highlighting a series of tips and advice around Mental Health, how important the link between good Mental Health and physical wellbeing is across our social media channels.

We’ll share photos and updates on our progress along the way. Follow our story too and add your own photos and posts if you are taking part!

If you and those in your team would like to join us or just sponsor us for our journey, please email Mary Maguire or Tom Norton, confirming your name, job title, and which company you are from and we will send you more information.

Join us on our charity walk and help raise funds at the same time too!

Why good interview feedback really matters

Our team been working exclusively with a long-standing client to recruit an Assistant Management Accountant. Ideally someone with bright enquiring mind, keen to learn with an accounting and finance degree. Some experience in a finance role would be ideal. After shortlisting down from 18 candidates to the best five, the CVs went across and our client interviewed all five this week.

The good news is that three have been selected to undertake some online testing and have a second interview in a few days.

The bad news is that two candidates are not being progressed.

The client and Astute were able to discuss detailed, constructive feedback for each candidate including some tips for the future.

We fed back to one of the candidates not being progressed and wanted to share what the feedback was including some constructive tips for them in answering unplanned questions and focussing their answers.

“…while its bad news I’ve not got a second interview – it’s great to get positive rounded feedback after the first interview. I can use this experience and feedback to help me prepare and perform better in future interviews, and hopefully get a second interview next time! Thanks for letting me know and taking the time to ring me.”

He has been impressed with the process at Astute Recruitment Ltd, and thanked us for taking the time to call him and pass on the feedback.

If someone has taken the time to attend an interview – they deserve at the very least to get some constructive post- interview feedback. That feedback may just help them secure a second interview and a job offer next time.

“It’s not just learning how to prepare for an interview that counts.

It’s also learning how to perform in an interview. That takes time, practice, and crucially, feedback!”

This is why our team at Astute Recruitment encourages a collaborative relationship with our clients throughout the recruitment process. Good interview feedback from the finance manager/ line manager/ HR professional recruiting, really helps our team inform our candidates on how they can improve their performance on an interview.

From how to answer a question to coping with nerves, unless a person has interview practice and good feedback from the recruitment consultant and/ or client, it is very hard for them to learn how they can come across better in the actual interview itself.

For another useful post on more interview tips and advice, you can see another of our blogs on our website, using the following link: https://www.astuterecruitment.com/6-interview-questions-and-answers-to-help-you-nail-the-perfect-job-in-the-pandemic/

If you would like any more advice or help around interviews, arranging interviews remotely – let us know.

An article by Mary Maguire

MD Astute Recruitment Ltd

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/pub/mary-maguire/18/73/553

Now the nights are drawing in how to keep your fitness on track? Local, Derby owner of Santinos Gym, Kim Santino shares some expert tips

Now the nights are drawing in, how to keep your fitness on track? Now more than ever it is key for everyone to try and maintain their fitness levels. Our MD, Mary Maguire, discussed this very point with local, Derby Gym owner and multi-award-winning Body Builder, Kim Santino. Hence this collaborative and useful article was put together.

Over to Kim telling us more about his gym and the amazing contribution his Boxing Academy makes to support young people in our communities around Derbyshire.

“I’m Kim Santino, I’m 61 years young and a competitive bodybuilder.

I am very proud of my Gym, Santino’s Gym and Studio in Derby, which we opened just 4 years ago. Yes, its hard work and very long hours but it is so rewarding!

Each piece of equipment was hand-picked to hit every body part from all angles and installed lots of cardio machines in the Studio for that all-important heart-pumping exercise. Adding our Boxing clubs was the icing on the cake. Our Boxing Circuits are a killer, well not literally 😊, but it’s the Boxing Academy we are particularly proud of. It supports young people in the community, giving them the mindset and confidence to stand up to bullies and the discipline and focus to avoid bullying behaviour.

Many years ago, I ran Karate Schools and achieved 3rd Dan Black Belt status but the desire to put on a little weight to enhance my performance led me to join a Gym.

I found my strength improved week on week and along with that, my confidence too. Continuing with both, however, would have been counterproductive so had to focus on just one and decided to see where bodybuilding would lead me.

Of my many Bodybuilding titles, gained over 3x decades, I am most proud of the ones I achieved in 2019 as I became Mr Universe, Masters Champion, Mr World Masters Champion and Mr Britain Masters Champion.

At the Gym, I’m on hand to give advice, to lend a hand with training and love, more than anything else, to see someone really making a difference to their life!

We have so many amazing transformation stories and are so proud of what our members have achieved over the years at Santino’s.

‘Santino’s Gym, a Friendly Gym with a Hard-working Ethic’.

“How to keep your fitness on track now the nights are drawing in” – Kim’s top tips

1. Training:

The Winter months are upon us and I have always tried to impress upon people that it is so important to train hard at this time of year.

After all, Summer bodies are actually made in Winter! What better way to make sure you get out of the house, keep fit and healthy, socialise, and make the most of those short dark days? So many gains can be made; so many improvements, all ready to hit that beach or attend that special occasion in the New Year looking and, above all, feeling your very best.

2. Food:

Its very tempting to fill yourself up with carbs during the cold months. We certainly seem to crave them in cold weather! We all love a hearty meal, whether it be cottage pie, a hot steaming stew or lasagne, but be sure to burn off the carbs you had earlier on in the day and to reduce carb intake later on when you are about to snuggle up at home.

Remember to eat a balanced, healthy diet to make sure you are taking in a good source of vitamins and minerals but take supplements too to boost your immune system.

Kim’s key takeaway!

Consistency is key and remember, that it is not just the hour in the Gym but what you do during the other 23 hours that counts too.

If you would like to find out more about a great, local, and truly friendly gym, you can visit Kim’s website for Santinos Gym clicking HERE.

Mary and Kim will be putting together other tips and information around keeping fit and healthy in the coming months, including how Mental Health is inextricably linked to our physical wellbeing.

As part of a series of collaborations, our MD, Mary Maguire is working with specialists across Finance, Accountancy, HR, and Recruitment. Thank you to Mr John Hepworth for his insightful piece on what a CFO needs to know in 2020…..

The challenges of the last 9 months have meant a very bumpy ride for many businesses and it is likely that the road will not be much smoother in the coming months. Having had to react to the rapid lockdown of the economy through the furloughing of staff, transitioning to home working, making applications for government support grants and loans, ensuring workplaces are safe for employees and customers – the list could go on!

As a CFO, you must now ensure that your business is ready for a future which is likely to be somewhat different to what has gone before.

Oh, and then there’s Brexit!

The recent focus for the CFO is likely to have been managing cash and mitigating the short-term risks brought about by the precipitous economic slowdown. Having steered your business through that period it is now incumbent on us as CFOs to ensure that our businesses take all the opportunities afforded, whilst avoiding costly pitfalls.

To do this I see that there are several things that we need to have in mind: –

A Proper Business Strategy

Depending on our markets, we may need to continue with a defensive strategy i.e. strengthening our balance sheets, building cash reserves, rebuilding, or changing revenue streams, cutting costs and potentially downsizing.

Alternatively, if our market remains buoyant, we may want a more aggressive strategy of investment and growth driven by innovation, enhanced revenue streams, or acquisition(s).

Whatever our strategy, we as CFOs, must know how it is going to be financed and be ready to influence and secure commitment from the Board and senior management to approve bold, strategic moves.

Agility To Adapt!

We need to keep our finger on the pulse of the business, our markets, and our customers, and understand the speed at which things change. We should also chart closely the course of the pandemic and of course be ready for potential changes to our business and operations when we exit the Brexit Transition Period on 1^st January 2021. All these changes will have potential impact on our busines and will help inform our strategy.

What changes to keep.

To continue to support the business over the lockdown and beyond, many CFOs have had to make massive changes to the ways that their finance functions operate, be it increased working flexibility for our staff, greater utilisation of technology for communication, and automation of processes.

Some of these changes will be robust, but other may be temporary solutions that require more development. Many of these changes will be beneficial in the longer term and we need to ensure that they are embedded into our processes.

For the technological changes, it is likely that capturing the opportunities offered by AI through invoice scanning or building of bots to carry out mundane repetitive tasks may be the differentiator between business failure and success.

Now is the time to act.

As well as process improvements, we have undoubtedly stripped cost out over the last few months. The canny CFO must work closely with departmental heads and budget holders to manage things to ensure that these costs do not drift back unnecessarily.

Embrace The Power Of Forecasting

We all know how important forecasting and budgeting is for our business, but things have just got way more critical. We need to utilise scenario planning more, using best, expected, and worse case scenarios.

Budgets of old will become a thing of the past. We should now aim to deliver and utilise dynamic forecasts that are updated and reviewed with management quarterly if not more frequently, ensuring that our strategic direction remains appropriate. KPIs should be set and monitored to enable quick identification of problems or a requirement to change course.

Emerging data tools including Power BI and Power Query and having the interim or permanent expertise in your team to deliver the very best in analysis and forecasting is key. As is the plan for knowledge retention for these skills to be developed and retained in your Accounting function.

Speed and flexibility must be permanently built into the forecasting and planning process to facilitate faster decision making. Remember too that accurate and timely reporting and data is even more crucial during times of turbulence.

Taking Our Teams With Us And Having The Right Talent!

We may have had to let team members go over the last few months, but it is vital that we invest in the finance team and ensure that all staff has a Covid secure environment in which to work.

It is also critical to ensure your team has the right skills to ensure the delivery of business objectives. This may involve training, but exceptional leadership is imperative especially when managing team members who are working remotely.

Alternatively, for businesses doing well, the success of a CFO will be measured on the continued performance of their operational, production, and finance teams. Ensuring you have the right talent and the best possible people for your business is critical.

As always, whether facing economic headwinds or not, talented accountants, sales, marketing, and other experts are in demand. You need to ensure that your business is front and centre in terms of employer branding in the sector you operate within.

Ensuring key relationships with trusted recruitment partners are maintained but also allowing exceptional local sourcing specialists such as Astute Recruitment Ltd, to alert you the best possible talent available.

Marketing, Branding, Position, and Perception

As CFO – the art of effective budgeting to inform critical decision making has never been so important. One of the truest ways to enhance a business is to ensure that social media channels are up to date, with relevant, high-quality original content. With usual sales presentations and pitches increasingly shifting online, there must always be a place on the balance sheet for marketing expertise to bring your brand and business to potential customers, clients and potential future hires.

& Finally, next time we will be ready!

I imagine that many businesses risk registers did not include a pandemic as a critical risk. We must rectify this and take all our learnings to ensure that we have robust processes in place for any repeat. We should also keep our contingency plans up to date in case of another serious downturn; this maybe being ready to downsize, liquidate assets, or secure additional funding.

As well as steering the business through the choppy waters of Covid-19 and Brexit we must not forget the CFO’s responsibility for sustainability and environmental protection. We must move on from the box-ticking exercise of CSR and ensure that in the new world sustainability becomes an inherent part of our business operations and strategy.

Not much to do then!

An article by John Hepworth. You can view John’s profile on LinkedIn by clicking below: –

What does a CFO need to know in 2020? Astute Recruitment provides the inside track

Have you got the right PPE for your career?

Is the job paying the most, the best one to go for? Why PPE is the true currency when looking for staff or a new job.

The current job market is so different to any other situation. In the last economic crisis back in 2008/2009, job boards were just starting to become ‘a thing’.

People’s individual brands were mainly about their cv, with LinkedIn and other social media just a useful addition for those in the know!

Now, for the first time, we have a fully digitised job market. Of companies vying for the best talent, recruitment agencies swamped with applications using anonymous algorithms to ‘sift’ candidates. Job seekers, desperate to make their experience shine above lots of others.

The result?

An often jaded customer experience by everyone from hiring managers to recruitment professionals and of course those looking for work.

Here at Astute, there is a new way forward. It doesn’t involve anonymous emails and forgotten banks of candidates.

During the Lockdown, we heard first hand, the power of the spoken word. Talking directly to people. From CFOs to HR professionals. From credit control clerks to aspiring part qualified and experienced management professionals in accountancy and finance.

Was our team expecting to pick up jobs? No. But funnily enough, we did!

Our strategy, as always, was to simply keep in touch with as many candidates and business contacts as possible.

How?

By a simple phone call!

That personal interaction, and conversation, was not about Recruitment. It was often just chatting about how people felt, giving reassuring advice, help, and support.

There were laughs. There were tears. But every call was an opportunity to say we are here and we are here to listen and help.

So, back to my original question. The best paying job isn’t the criteria to judge a potential new employer by or on which agency or advert to apply to.

No!

The best jobs should be judged on the company’s social and interpersonal currency. Ask yourself, “Do you get a personal connection with that company?”

This is where good recruiters come in!

As brand ambassadors and knowledge experts, we can advise our customers on the hidden things you never see on a job description.

What’s the culture like?
Does the company treat people fairly?
Will they be a really supportive employer?
What’s the real reason for the role?
What’s the real working hours expected in that business?

Equally, for employers, and hiring managers, we can steer them to the right person for their team. It could be someone more experienced than they thought they needed. It could be the overlooked up and coming person. Lacking experience but with that ‘something special about them’ who will be a star.

The trust, honesty, and relationships with all our people, our team, our customers, and the brands we represent, are about going back to the future.

Using the latest technology but never forgetting we are dealing with people.

Thats the true currency of recruitment, business and life.

Proper Personal Engagement.

PPE.

An article by Mary Maguire

Managing Director
Astute | Accountancy & Finance | HR | Office Support

Suite One, Ground Floor West, Cardinal Square, 10 Nottingham Road, Derby, DE1 3QT

T: 01332 346100
M: 07717 412911

E: [email protected]

W: www.astuterecruitment.com

LI: https://uk.linkedin.com/pub/mary-maguire/18/73/553

7 astute steps to successful cash flow management collaboration by an expert!

Cash is King! Having an accurate measure of your company’s cash is always critical, now more than ever. Here at Astute, as part of a new series of articles, we are sharing 7 simple steps to guide you, in collaboration with a fully qualified accountant and expert in providing cash flow advice and more to SME businesses and larger organisations.

David Thorley is an experienced, fully qualified Finance Director with a proven career in managing the financial tillers of several businesses. Together, we wanted to share his 7 steps to achieve successful cash flow management.

Over to David….

“We need a 13-week cash flow!

An all too familiar phrase that I have heard over the years from banks and finance providers and in these uncertain times an especially challenging request even for experienced number crunchers!

You can, however, meet this challenge using the following simple tips: –

1. Communication with your finance provider is crucial – whatever the reason, DO NOT make promises you know you cannot keep and DEFINITELY DO NOT say it can’t be done!

2. Very few businesses can accurately predict cash flows, but everyone can make an informed forecast.

3. The past may not be an accurate predictor of the future, but it can be an indicator! Summarise the cash flows over the previous 6 – 12 months over key headings and use for forecasting future trends.

4. All forecasting relies heavily on assumptions that identify the key sensitivities (e.g. you could be predicting quarterly rent payments being agreed to be deferred or moved to monthly).

5. Look for seasonal fluctuations in income or expenses – right now this could be forecasting recovery of previous levels of sales over a 3 to 6-month period.

6. It’s not unusual for the balancing number (to keep within the facility), to be payments to creditors and, in times of extreme cash pressure, this is inevitable; but again, communication is vital to avoid going on stop with crucial suppliers.

7. You may need to prepare more than one forecast – based on different assumptions. Again communicate the basis of the chosen forecast when it is shared.

The most important point is to always try to anticipate potential issues. Banks particularly appreciate early warnings especially if it is a potential breach of facility as it indicates a degree of control.”

Great tips so thank you David!

If you need a cash flow expert in your team, call Astute and we would be delighted to assist you.

We will be issuing more articles and tips on a wide range of accountancy, finance, HR and recruitment issues in collaboration with experts in these fields.

If you have found this article informative and helpful, please let Mary Maguire at Astute Recruitment know as feedback is always welcome. Feel free to share this article with others who you feel could find this useful.

#cashflow #CashIsKing #accountancy #finance #financedirector #cfo #financetips #BeAstute

All of us at Astute Recruitment Ltd are delighted to have been formally included as one of Derby’s top three recruitment agencies on the prestigious search website Three Best Rated!

With over 15 business awards and successful recruitment across the Derbyshire region, its great to be in our 10th year and receive this recognition.

Astute Recruitment was set up by our two founders – Sarah Stevenson and Mary Maguire, back in 2009.

Sarah had this to say, “Mary and I are thrilled to be ranked in the top three recruitment firms in Derby by Three Best Rated. To have our business featured as one of the top 3 firms cements our status as the ‘go-to’ recruitment agency specialising in jobs across finance and back office. This is brilliant news!”

Mary went onto say, “We have grown a lot – our team is expanding and we have an exciting new office move planned to further allow our team of experienced recruiters to grow. As Sarah said, to be included by leading search website Three Best Rated is amazing news and both of us and our team are delighted!”

You can view our listing on the link below: –

Three Best Rated – Astute Recrhttps://threebestrated.co.uk/recruitment-agencies-in-derbyuitment Ltd

225+

5 reviews

View our Google page

Leave a positive review

Mike

16:04 13 Mar 23

Highly recommended! Josh and Sarah have been fantastic at Astute. They've found and placed me in 2 jobs now between them, both really responsive and excellent at keeping you up to speed with things. Very knowledgable about the roles and happy to talk to companies with any queries you have.

C R.

10:45 27 Jan 23

Great agency one of the best ones I've worked with! Liz has been a great help and support in helping me towards a new direction in my career life. She is very attentive and keeps me in the loop at all times! She makes the extra effort to work with my preferred requirements for work and even if it isn't completely attainable she meets me in the middle and does as much as she can to help! Also Liz is very funny might I add 😂 and I'm happy that I can now put a face to the name after all these years! Thank you again Liz for all your help and support! 😊

Christine

10:32 20 Dec 22

Josh and the Astute team was very swift to help me to find roles that matched my profile. They are really reliable and will help through every step of the recruitment process going out of their way to assist and follow up when needed. Could not find a better recruitment agency!

Helen Pinegar

16:19 18 Dec 22

Fantastic recruitment agency.. Josh was extremely enthusiastic, encouraging and clearly knowledgeable about what was needed from both the employee and the employers point of view. Extremely supportive especially in regards to interview preparation and endeavoured to procure feedback promptly. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Astute in the future to both candidates and recruiting businesses particularly for the right fit for the role!!!

Lisa Leigh

11:56 30 Nov 22

I have worked as a candidate for Astute and they have been excellent. Super friendly service and professional agents keen to fit the right person to the right job. It has been a pleasure dealing with them and I would happily work for them again in the future. Highly recommend this agency.