Engagement Models

Two ways to work with us

Depending on the seniority and sensitivity of the search, we offer contingency and retained arrangements.

Contingency

Contingency Search

The most common arrangement for Senior Associate through Senior Manager level hires. No upfront cost — you pay only on successful placement.

  • 25% of first-year base salary
  • Payment due on start date
  • 90-day rebate guarantee included
  • Suitable for most Associate through Senior Manager roles
  • Multiple concurrent searches accepted
Submit a vacancy  →
Retained

Retained Executive Search

For Director, Principal, and Partner-level searches where discretion, depth of search, and market positioning matter most.

  • Engagement retainer + completion fee
  • Dedicated, confidential search process
  • Market mapping and competitor analysis
  • Off-market candidate sourcing
  • Firm identity withheld until appropriate stage
Discuss a retained search  →
Disciplines

Where we specialise

We cover the full breadth of public accounting — from entry-level specialist roles through to partner-track leadership positions.

Tax

Corporate, individual, partnership, international, R&D credits, SALT, estate & trust, nonprofit. All levels, all firm types.

Audit & Assurance

External audit, internal audit, SOX compliance, PCAOB, IT audit. Staff through Partner, public and private client bases.

Accounting & Financial Reporting

Financial reporting, compilations, reviews, bookkeeping, and accounting services — within CPA firm structures.

Leadership & Management

Director, Principal, and Partner searches. Confidential, thorough, and built around long-term fit.

Technology & Innovation

ERP implementation, data analytics, AI and automation within CPA firms embracing digital transformation.

Niche Specialisms

Healthcare, real estate, government, energy, financial services — sector-specific expertise within public accounting practice areas.

What's Included

Full-service, not just a resume

Every assignment includes the full range of services from brief to placement and beyond.

Discovery & Brief

A structured conversation to understand the role, team, culture, and what a genuinely great hire looks like — before we search.

Active Network Search

We go beyond job boards, tapping our established network of passive professionals who aren't actively looking.

Candidate Vetting

Every candidate is screened for technical fit and cultural alignment before introduction. No raw databases, no bulk forwarding.

Interview Coordination

We manage scheduling, brief both sides, and provide feedback throughout — so the process runs smoothly for everyone.

Offer Negotiation

We advise on market-rate compensation and help structure offers that candidates accept — reducing the risk of counter-offer situations.

90-Day Aftercare

Check-ins at 30 and 90 days post-placement. If something doesn't work out, our guarantee means we find a replacement at no additional cost.

Professional consultation
Our Philosophy

Quality over
everything

The public accounting recruitment market is not short of generalists. Large staffing firms promise scale; job boards promise reach. What they rarely deliver is judgment — the ability to distinguish between a candidate who looks good on paper and one who will genuinely thrive at your firm.

Tallero is built differently. We focus exclusively on public accounting because depth of expertise produces better outcomes than breadth. We maintain a smaller roster of active assignments so each one gets the attention it deserves. We measure success in tenure and satisfaction, not placement velocity.

That's a different model — and a better one for the firms and professionals we work with.

About Tallero  →
Fees & Terms

Transparent from the start

No surprises. All fee arrangements are confirmed in writing before any search begins.

Contingency Rate

25% of first-year base salary, due on candidate start date. No upfront cost, no fee if no placement is made.

Retained Search

Engagement retainer plus a completion fee. Total investment agreed upfront in writing. Tailored to search scope and level.

Guarantee Period

90 days from start date. If a placed candidate leaves or is released for performance reasons, we conduct a free replacement search.

Candidate Fees

No charge, ever. All fees are paid entirely by the hiring firm. Candidates receive the full Tallero service at no cost.

Payment Terms

Contingency fees are invoiced on the candidate's first day and due within 14 days. Retainer payment schedule confirmed at engagement.

Exclusivity

Not required for contingency searches. Retained searches are conducted on an exclusive basis to ensure the dedicated resource they require.

Ready to work together?

Whether you're hiring or exploring your next move, we're a straightforward conversation away.

Submit a vacancy  → Submit your resume  →