Ben Jones reflects on his first 12 weeks working as a Consultant at Rutherford Cross, explaining what he has learned so far as he focuses on the tax market.
It’s now been 12 weeks since I joined Rutherford Cross as a Recruitment Consultant in the Professional & Specialist Services team, focusing on the Tax market across Scotland (and beyond). It’s Friday morning, and I’m looking forward to our 12:30pm finish – just one of many perks (along with employee ownership, flexible working, access to industry-leading marketing support, and several other benefits) that come with working at The Livingston James Group.
The best part? It’s a fantastic team of business professionals who are genuinely excellent at what they do. I’ve tried to be a sponge over the past 12 weeks, soaking up as much knowledge and experience as I can.
First Impressions
I was anxious, curious and excited in equal measure – all to be expected when joining a new company. Tax is a market that Rutherford Cross has built an outstanding reputation in over the past 15 years, so no pressure! Thanks to this, our connections and relationships span far and wide across the country. It quickly became clear that success here would be built on the strength of those relationships, alongside the expertise of my new colleagues.
My mentor for the foreseeable future is Fraser Burnett, who leads the Professional & Specialist Services team. Over the last few years, he’s worked tirelessly to build strong relationships with Partners, Directors, HR and Recruitment teams. He’s also been hugely successful in attracting high-quality candidates through initiatives such as the ‘Network of Tomorrow’ event series – and by simply being a positive, knowledgeable and helpful consultant. He’s everything you could want in a mentor: enthusiastic, driven, direct and personable. I’ve certainly pushed the limits of the phrase “there’s no such thing as a daft question”, but he’s always just a phone call away.
Understanding the Market
My first goal was to get to know the firms we work with – not just their skill requirements, but who they are as distinct organisations. Every firm is different, and success lies in understanding what makes each workplace unique and who will thrive in that environment.
Not every firm suits every tax professional. It depends on where someone is in their career, what motivates them, and the type of culture in which they’ll excel. The best consultants don’t just place people, they listen, ask questions and provide honest advice. If your recruitment consultant is sharing your details with multiple firms indiscriminately, there’s likely a lack of genuine understanding and relationship-building – both essential in a truly tailored approach to finding your dream job. There’s a lot to consider, and understanding each firm’s identity is crucial.
Flexibility is now the norm, not the exception. Many firms are open to shaping roles around the right person. Right now, if you’re a qualified tax professional in Scotland, you’re in serious demand.
What Tax Professionals Really Want
The other half of my role is speaking directly to candidates, understanding what genuinely matters to them. Every recruiter claims to be different, but what people really want is to feel listened to. I don’t start with a job spec, I start with a conversation. The most common themes? Flexibility, work-life balance, fair pay, and a great team environment. People aren’t overly complicated—those are the essentials. The days when a free apple or a pizza party could win someone over are long gone.
Diversity of work is another key factor. Tax professionals want exposure to a wide variety of clients, from large corporates to high-net-worth individuals. Being part of a team that tackles real, meaningful challenges is incredibly fulfilling. And let’s not forget exam support. Whether it’s CTA, CA, ACCA, CIOT or ATT, the acronyms might vary, but the pressure is the same. Candidates want backing, funding, and a clear path through that journey.
The Takeaway
Bringing all these factors together to help someone find their next professional home is incredibly rewarding. Investing the time and effort to understand what works for both candidates and employers is the key to building long-term partnerships.
From interesting events to our summer social, there’s a lot happening at Rutherford Cross over the next 12 weeks, and I plan to get involved in as much as I can.
For advice on your own career in tax, or if you’re looking for assistance recruiting someone into your team, please contact Ben directly at [email protected].
