Georgia Bolinowsky: Bringing a Fresh Perspective to Accounting & Finance Recruitment

Allura Partners has appointed Georgia Bolinowsky to it’s Accounting & Finance team. Georgia brings a wealth of experience and a unique approach to recruitment, specialising in placing accounting and finance professionals in interim and contract roles. We sat down with Georgia to discuss her background, her views on the current market, and why she believes contracting is an exciting opportunity for both employers and candidates. 

Q. Can you tell us about your background and how you got into recruitment? 

Like many in the industry, I fell into recruitment. I originally studied political science and international security at the Australian National University, with plans to enter politics. After a nine-month stint at Parliament House, I quickly realised politics wasn’t for me. I wanted a career where I could work predominantly with people and communicate concepts to individuals who might not have direct access to the market. 

I was finishing my second degree when a director of a recruitment company reached out to me on LinkedIn. I decided to give it a try, and I absolutely loved it. I spent my time talking to people rather than sitting behind a desk all day, which had been a big fear of mine entering the corporate space. 

Q. What drew you to Allura Partners? 

Everyone that I have met at Allura Partners is incredibly driven, highly intelligent, and always wants to do the right thing. They strive for excellence and focus on quality rather than volume. It’s all about providing the best candidate and client experience. If they don’t think they’re able to provide that, they won’t do it. The quality of work is paramount to Allura Partners, and that aligns perfectly with my values. 

Q. You’re moving into private equity and the contracting space at Allura Partners. What excites you about this area? 

I’m really excited about moving into the contracting space. It adds an extra element to my learning curve, which I’m looking forward to. While I have experience working across all industries in the commercial space, getting the opportunity to learn about the private equity space is also going to be particularly exciting. 

There’s a lot of opportunity in the contracting space right now. Businesses are recognising that we’re going through unprecedented times, with rapid changes in technology and business operations. As a result, they’re leaning more on contracting headcount rather than focussing solely on permanent hires. 

Q. What benefits do you see in contracting for both employers and candidates? 

For employers, contracting offers flexibility. If they’re unsure about having space for a role in six months, they have the benefit of not having to pay out redundancy or potentially mislead a permanent candidate. It allows them to assess their needs and the candidate’s fit before making a long-term commitment. 

For candidates, contracting provides an opportunity to diversify their experience. It’s no longer frowned upon to take a six-month or 12-month contracting role. Instead, it’s seen as valuable, diverse experience. Contracting also offers better work-life balance. Candidates can do a contract for a few months, take a career break, or switch industries if they wish. 

Importantly, contracting allows both parties to build mutual trust. They can assess whether it would be beneficial to move forward into a more permanent position after the initial contract period. This often leads to more robust relationships between candidates and clients. 

Q. How do you approach recruitment and what sets you apart? 

I believe it’s crucial to take the time to understand people as individuals, not just as potential placements. I focus on getting to know their career goals and the culture they’re looking for in their roles. Many recruiters in the industry look at dollar signs before considering the individual as a person. I win a lot of my work because candidates appreciate my approach. 

It’s about always being honest with candidates and taking the time to get to know them rather than falling into a transactional mindset. In recruitment, the real difference comes from treating individuals as people rather than revenue-generating products. Taking that extra time and care is what sets me apart. 

Q. What’s your view on the current market, and how should candidates approach it? 

While there’s a lot of talk about the market being down, I don’t believe that’s the case at all. I think the market is more stable and conducive to the environment we saw before COVID. There’s no lack of jobs or opportunities out there for the right candidates. It’s about finding the right recruiter who understands the market inside and out and is willing to go that extra mile to find the right opportunity. 

We’re seeing rapid changes in finance and accounting, particularly with the introduction of AI in finance teams. This is creating exciting opportunities for candidates who can be strategic about the types of jobs they take. Their careers can really take off, but it’s crucial to speak to the right recruiters who can provide advice to ensure they’re constantly being challenged and taking on the right roles at the right time. 

Q. Any final thoughts for candidates considering contracting roles? 

I think it’s important for candidates to understand that contracting isn’t just about short-term, non-committal roles anymore. It’s about providing both candidates and clients the opportunity to build trust and assess fit before committing to a permanent position. 

Don’t be afraid to pivot towards contracting. It’s a great way to diversify your experience, potentially improve your work-life balance, and open doors to new opportunities. The market is evolving, and contracting is becoming an increasingly valuable part of many successful careers in finance and accounting. 

If you're a finance professional looking to advance your career within the contracting space, or a leader aiming to build a successful team, connect with Georgia here.