Know your worth. Negotiate with confidence.
You've impressed at interview and the offer is on its way. Now comes the part many people find the most uncomfortable: talking about money. Our consultants negotiate offers with finance, HR and business support leaders across Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and North Derbyshire every week. Here's how to secure a package that reflects what you bring.
Negotiating isn't about being pushy. It's about making sure your next role is right for you, and that the business sees the full value of what you bring from day one. Done well, it builds respect on both sides. Whether you're a purchase ledger clerk moving into your first credit control role, an HR Advisor stepping up to Business Partner or a Financial Controller weighing up a Finance Director offer, the same principles apply: prepare, look at the whole package and keep the conversation positive.
Do your research first
- Know the market rate: Look at similar roles in your area, at your level and in businesses of a similar size. A management accountant role in a large group will often pay differently to one in an owner-managed business. Your consultant can give you an honest view of what the market is paying right now.
- Know your own numbers: Write down your current base salary, bonus, pension contribution, car or car allowance, and any other benefits. You need the full picture to compare like for like.
- Know your must-haves: Decide what matters most to you before you start. Is it base salary, flexibility, a clear route to promotion or study support? Knowing your priorities stops you trading away the things you care about most.
- Know your walk-away point: Set the minimum package you'd accept, and stick to it.
Look at the whole package, not just the salary
Base salary matters, but it's only part of the story. Two offers with the same headline figure can be worth very different amounts once everything else is added in. When you compare offers, look at:
- Bonus: How is it calculated, what are the targets and how often has it actually paid out?
- Pension: What does the employer contribute, and do they match additional contributions?
- Hybrid and flexible working: How many days in the office, core hours and flexibility around start and finish times.
- Holiday: Days on top of bank holidays, whether it increases with service and whether you can buy or sell days.
- Professional development: Study support for ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, AAT or CIPD, including fees, exam leave and revision time.
- Commute and travel costs: A longer journey can quietly eat into a higher salary.
- Progression: A clear path to the next step can be worth more over time than a bigger number today.
- Additional benefits: Is there a car or car allowance, private medical, life assurance and income protection?
When to talk about money
- Early on, be clear on expectations: Make sure the salary range works for you before you invest time in the interview process. If you're working with us, we'll confirm this with you before you're put forward.
- During interviews, focus on the role: Use interviews to show what you can do and find out what the business needs. That's what builds your negotiating position.
- Negotiate once there's an offer: You're in the strongest position once the business has decided it wants you. That's the time to discuss the details.
If you're asked about your salary expectations directly, give a considered range based on your research rather than a single figure, and make sure the bottom of that range is a number you'd be happy with.
How to negotiate well.
Thank them first: Start by showing you're pleased to receive the offer and keen on the role. Enthusiasm sets a positive tone.
Base your case on value: Talk about the skills, experience and results you'll bring, not what you need personally. "Based on my experience leading the year-end audit and the scope of this role, I was hoping for something closer to..." lands far better than "I need more money."
Be specific: Ask for a clear figure or a clear change, rather than "a bit more".
Ask for everything at once: Raise all the points you'd like to discuss in one conversation. Coming back with a new request each time can test goodwill.
Be ready to be flexible: If there's no movement on base salary, there may be room elsewhere, such as an extra day's holiday, an earlier salary review, study support or more flexible working.
Stay professional: Keep the conversation friendly and collaborative. You're agreeing terms with your future manager.
Get it in writing: Once everything is agreed, make sure it's confirmed in your written offer and contract before you resign from your current role.
Handling a counter offer
When you resign, your current employer may try to keep you with a pay rise or a promotion. It can be flattering, and it's worth thinking about carefully before you decide.
Ask yourself why you started looking in the first place. If it was purely about money, a counter offer might solve the problem. If it was about progression, culture, flexibility or the work itself, more money is unlikely to change that. Your consultant can talk it through with you honestly so you make the decision that's right for your career.
Common mistakes to avoid
Accepting on the spot
It's fine to thank them and ask for a day or two to consider the full offer.
Focusing only on base salary
You could miss better value in pension, bonus, flexibility or study support.
Overstating your current package
Offers can be subject to checks, so always be accurate about what you earn now.
Making ultimatums
Unless you're prepared to walk away, don't say you will.
Negotiating after you've accepted
Once you've said yes, reopening the conversation can damage trust before you've even started.
Resigning before it's in writing
Wait for your written offer and contract from your new company before handing your notice in to your current one.
Let us negotiate for you.
One of the biggest advantages of working with a specialist recruiter is that you don't have to have the money conversation on your own. Your consultant knows the businesses we recruit for, what they've paid for similar roles and where there's room to move. We'll talk through your priorities, present your case to the hiring manager and come back to you with honest advice, so you can focus on making the right decision.
Ready to find out what you're worth?
Talk to one of our specialist consultants about your experience, your goals and the roles that could take your career further.