In this episode of The Accountant’s Flight Plan Podcast, Brannon sat down with Giles, founder of Accountests and a seasoned accounting professional with 25 years of experience in public accounting and 18 years as a partner in a firm. Giles founded Accountests after years of frustration with the unpredictability of hiring in the accounting profession; hiring seemingly qualified candidates to later realize that they were not the right fit.
Accountests is a structured testing approach to help CPA firms make better hiring decisions. His firm provides assessments that measure both technical and soft skills, ensuring that candidates—from college graduates to senior managers—are the right fit before they are brought on board.
With the ongoing talent shortage in accounting, firms can no longer afford to rely on outdated hiring methods. The reality is that the pipeline of qualified professionals is not getting any stronger. As firms explore technology, automation, and offshoring to fill the gaps, the hiring process itself remains a critical piece of the puzzle. Giles explains how firms can leverage testing to gain a first-mover advantage—allowing them to receive a resume, assess a candidate, and confidently make a hiring decision in a matter of days rather than weeks. Without a defined process, many firms fall into the trap of hiring reactively rather than proactively.
One of the key takeaways from this discussion is the role of testing in evaluating both hard and soft skills. While firms often worry that assessments might scare candidates away, the reality is quite the opposite—strong candidates appreciate a structured and transparent process. Some firms use testing after an offer to determine training needs, but Giles suggests integrating it earlier in the process to make more informed decisions from the start. A well-explained assessment process helps candidates understand their own strengths and how they align with the role.
Beyond hiring, testing also plays a significant role in leadership development. Giles shares how firms can assess key personality traits essential for success in accounting—ethics, relationships, critical thinking and coping mechanisms. These insights help managers identify skill gaps, set realistic expectations and foster meaningful professional growth. He also highlights the importance of diversity in hiring decisions—avoiding the common mistake of bringing on “mini-mes” rather than seeking fresh perspectives that enrich the firm.
To wrap up, Giles shares some of his favorite business books, including Shoe Dog and works by Richard Branson, as sources of motivation for growing a business. For those looking to refine their hiring strategy and develop stronger teams, Accountests, provides a data-driven approach to making smarter, more confident hiring decisions.
Connect with Giles on LinkedIn or visit the Accountets Website to learn more.
If this conversation inspires you to start improving your practice, check out Accounting Practice Academy. We have a workshop that focuses on improving your cashflow to above 50% and reducing your owner hours to under 2,000 annually.
You can listen to the podcast on the player below or watch the latest episode here!
Time Stamps:
00:50 – Introduction of Giles and what led him to the development of Accountests.
4:50 – The current state of the staffing shortage and the impact it will continue to have on smaller firms
7:02 – Is the adage “Hire slow fire fast” still true in today’s market?
11:40 – Using testing to asses both hard and soft skills to expedite and simplify the hiring process
20:14 – Testing for leadership capabilities and career growth within your organization
