As we continue to celebrate two decades of growth and innovation at Green Key Resources, it’s only right to journey back to the roots of our firm’s first practice area. From the team’s humble beginnings to becoming a leader in the industry, Green Key Accounting & Finance has played a pivotal role in shaping our identity and success as a firm.
The team emerged organically, driven by the passion of our company’s founders. It represented their areas of expertise and commitment to delivering exceptional value to clients and candidates. Brian Blake, Senior Partner at Green Key, along with Partners James Whitehead and Jason Kien recently expressed how honored they are to have developed their careers with the Accounting & Finance team over the past 20 years.
Reflecting on the Journey
Since 2004, the Accounting & Finance team has expanded and diversified, adapting to the changing needs of their clients and candidates, as well as the dynamic landscape of the recruitment industry. Twenty years later, the team now has over 35 recruiters with offices in NYC, Long Island, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The team is proud to encompass a wide range of solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of their clientele.
“After I graduated college, I started working in sales and didn’t see a future there. I knew Matt [Kutin] through a mutual connection and when I heard he was starting the firm, I immediately reached out. I started working as a consultant for the first couple of months,” James reflected. “Shortly after, in early 2005, I was offered a full-time role as a Junior Candidate Recruiter. I was able to help build our first database of clients and candidates. These days, I tackle a lot of internal training and mentorship, while also running a lot of business development and driving new client relationships.”
The team’s journey was not without its challenges. Like many others, they tackled economic uncertainty, tightening budgets, and heightened competition. Nevertheless, the team’s members remained resilient. They adopted new strategies, tightened their belts, and redoubled their commitment to delivering value to their clients and candidates.
James expanded on the challenges the team has faced, saying, “When Covid hit, we thought we were only going to be home for about two weeks. It ended up being almost six months. During this time, we were all unsure as to how we’d make another placement or schedule interviews without going into an office. But once we figured out working from home, and our clients realized they can virtually interview our candidates, we were able to see success that flowed into 2021 and 2022.”
GKR Accounting & Finance Team’s Core Values
“Our recruiters are honest, ethical and truly have our clients and candidates’ best interests in mind with any search we take on,” said Brian. At the core of the Accounting & Finance team are their guiding principles and values, which have remained prevalent throughout the years:
- Integrity: Like all other areas, integrity is non-negotiable for the team. They operate with the highest standards of honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct, earning the trust and confidence of their clients, candidates, and colleagues alike.
- Work Ethic: The team believes in the power of hard work, dedication, and perseverance to achieve their goals. They are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and put in the extra effort to deliver results that exceed expectations. Whether it’s meeting tight deadlines, tackling complex challenges, or going the extra mile for their clients, they approach each task with a strong work ethic that sets them apart in the industry.
- Collaboration: The team understands that the best results are achieved when they work together as a team, leveraging each other’s strengths, skills, and expertise. They foster an environment where ideas are freely shared, feedback is welcomed, and collaboration is encouraged at every level. By working together, they achieve more, innovate faster, and deliver better outcomes for their clients and candidates.
- Innovation: Innovation is at the heart of everything the team does. They are constantly exploring new technologies, methodologies, and approaches to deliver creative and effective solutions that drive results for their clients.
Paired with these core values is the need to be curious, “Something I always try to harp on is the need to be intellectually curious, because we’re constantly working with different companies within different industries. You have to want to know who they are and what they do. This is what drives success in our group,” said James.
Why AF at Green Key?
So, why do recruiters choose to recruit on the Accounting & Finance team at Green Key? Colleagues are drawn to the team because of their collaborative work style, as well as their family-like culture. Their commitment to these principles creates an environment where every team member feels supported and empowered to excel.
Clients choose to partner with Accounting & Finance because they recognize their dedication to integrity and collaboration. Their strong work ethic ensures that they deliver results efficiently and effectively, building long-lasting relationships and bringing in top talent.
“Candidates are attracted to our diverse client base and quality of jobs,” said Brian, when asked why candidates seek out their services. “We have built a reputation within the industry through our dedication to providing exceptional service and delivering results that exceed expectations. Candidates often hear about our team’s professionalism, integrity, and success stories, which further reinforces their decision to partner with us. Our track record of placing top talent in rewarding positions speaks volumes about the caliber of service and opportunities we offer, making us the preferred choice for candidates seeking a fulfilling career path.”
Jason also added, “I was taught from the very beginning to treat my job more as a ‘career counselor’, rather than someone just trying to make a placement. Everybody on our team takes a lot of pride in giving strong, genuine career advice, whether we ultimately make a placement or not. In the end, we’ve guided that candidate in their career journey.”
Looking to the Future
As Accounting & Finance looks ahead, they remain dedicated to continuing their team expansion and solidifying their presence in both old and emerging markets. They are committed to leveraging their two decades worth of expertise and experience to capture new opportunities and meet the evolving needs of their clients and candidates. Their strategic approach involves a keen focus on identifying key markets for growth and implementing tailored strategies to establish a foothold within them.
Brian stated, “We will continue to grow our national footprint across the country.”
