Can someone refer me to a reliable headhunter for CPAs (accounting/finance jobs) in the GTA?

They are called headhunters because they hunt you, you don't go to them. If you're not getting hunted, you should work on your LinkedIn.

Clarity
The Mason Group

Jon Lai wrote: ↑ They are called headhunters because they hunt you, you don't go to them. If you're not getting hunted, you should work on your LinkedIn.

+1

Robert Half is the big firm for accounting.

Also try Mason Group and Clarity Recruitment.

Most have too many candidates and not enough jobs.

bhrm wrote: ↑ Clarity
The Mason Group

Robert Half
Lannick
Korn Ferry

As for you calling recruiters, I would and did. When they were really downsizing at my old workplace I knew the writing was on the wall, so I contacted my contacts at the recruiting companies letting them know I was actively looking and if anything that came across their desk that fit my profile to contact me. In their eyes it’s easy work, they don’t have to convince you to leave your current position, worry about counter offers etc. depends where you are in your career.

abc123yyz wrote: ↑ Robert Half
Lannick
Korn Ferry

As for you calling recruiters, I would and did. When they were really downsizing at my old workplace I knew the writing was on the wall, so I contacted my contacts at the recruiting companies letting them know I was actively looking and if anything that came across their desk that fit my profile to contact me. In their eyes it’s easy work, they don’t have to convince you to leave your current position, worry about counter offers etc. depends where you are in your career.

Robert Half = no...just no
Lannick = The good Lannick folks left to Clarity and Mason Group
Korn Ferry = Futurestep is their recruitment division and even then, mostly higher level positions as they mostly focus on retained search (clients pay upfront).

Source: Used to work in agency and I know people in all of those places and the industry.

I use lots of them, here’s my thoughts:

Lannick: They’ve worked out well for me. I am assigned to a good recruiter.

Mason: I haven’t had good experiences. I find they’re very transactional, and not very relationship focused.

Robert Half/Hays: I’ve had good experiences with their recruiters, but nothing has really ever materialized with them. They’ve never really had any postings in the area.

Boutique Firms: These have worked best for me, but they’re more geared towards my speciality.

Recruiting in Motion: I really like them. The recruiters there have all been good. But they’re smaller, so fewer opportunities come their way.

Overall I think the best for most would end up being Lannick.

bhrm wrote: ↑ Robert Half = no...just no
Lannick = The good Lannick folks left to Clarity and Mason Group
Korn Ferry = Futurestep is their recruitment division and even then, mostly higher level positions as they mostly focus on retained search (clients pay upfront).

Source: Used to work in agency and I know people in all of those places and the industry.

Depends on location and person. I am in the states and Robert Half placed me in my current position and am happy with it. Korn Ferry was the one who placed me in my first position from Canada to the USA in a Director role (so agree it’s for higher level roles). Experience has been good with mason and clarity.

Robert half and lannicks contracting side sucks! They will lowball.

It’s all about relationships, I still keep in touch with most of them, and if something interesting pops up they contact me.

abc123yyz wrote: ↑ Depends on location and person. I am in the states and Robert Half placed me in my current position and am happy with it. Korn Ferry was the one who placed me in my first position from Canada to the USA in a Director role (so agree it’s for higher level roles). Experience has been good with mason and clarity.

Robert half and lannicks contracting side sucks! They will lowball.

It’s all about relationships, I still keep in touch with most of them, and if something interesting pops up they contact me.

Lannick was decent once upon a time 15 year ago, then it split off into Mason Group with a chunk of lannickers. Now Lannick sold themselves to the big VACO group of companies, so no longer they are "local' or "Canadian".

Looked at the LinkedIn profiles of positions/companies you want to be in and emulate their buzz words and style of writing.

I basically did that and without lying or embellishing my work history, just rephrasing everything... I went from never being contacted by a recruiter in my life and now I get contacted every month or so. Not a huge difference but shows it helps.

Also depends on how high up you are.