A Hiring Checklist

Source: Journal of Accountancy

• Employees must be aware of business principles and be up-to-date on business news.
• Ensure high ethical standards by asking candidates to discuss hypothetical ethical quandaries.
• Search for indications of loyalty, such as respect for former employers, longevity at previous jobs, and appreciation of confidentiality.
• Evaluate potential creativity.
• Hire people who pay attention to details.
• Place high value on the ability to prioritize work.
• Find out if candidates are compatible with firm culture. Are their goals attuned with firm goals?
• Will candidates place the firm’s interest above their own, i.e., be team players?
• Evaluate candidates in terms of their ability to move to the next level of responsibility in the firm.

From Journal of Accountancy, August 2007. For the complete article, click here, then select Checklist under “Columns.”