Role search
Get a UAT lead who can own manage end-to-end testing cycles. Also called User Acceptance Testing lead
No postings. No stacks of resumes. No chasing. You choose from a short list of people who have done this before.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present.
Interim Headhunters starts with the work behind this request: A UAT lead bridges the gap between what developers build and what accountants require. This role determines if a system configuration survives a real month-end close or collapses under the pressure of actual transactions.
This is what we do all day: place interim executives, interim managers and contract professionals.
Need someone now? Call 305-306-4829.
- No upfront fee
- 2 to 3 vetted consultants per assignment
- Matched to your industry
- You choose
- Interim plus permanent search
- UAT lead
- User Acceptance Testing lead
The judgment call
What this hire really comes down to
A UAT lead bridges the gap between what developers build and what accountants require. This role determines if a system configuration survives a real month-end close or collapses under the pressure of actual transactions. You need a lead who validates that record structures, workflows, and saved searches align with internal controls and reporting mandates.
Your lead must focus on the mechanics of data integrity rather than user interface preferences. They verify that multi-subsidiary consolidations and revenue recognition calculations produce accurate financial statements. This person serves as the final barrier against deploying unstable logic that would otherwise require expensive, retroactive fixes in your production environment. By simulating actual transaction volumes, they verify that the system handles stress without error.
What we check
What we check before you see anyone
- We verify candidates have managed end-to-end testing cycles in complex financial modules. We look for individuals who document every test scenario, track defect resolution times, and report pass rates to stakeholders. A qualified lead must demonstrate how they categorize bugs based on operational impact rather than just noting aesthetic issues, ensuring the most critical path items are fixed first.
- We assess their ability to build realistic test scripts that mirror your specific accounting workflows. We require examples of how they stress-test multi-currency environments and intercompany reconciliation logic. They must show us they know how to identify edge cases that cause automated bank feeds or payment batches to fail during peak volume. This includes verifying that native features are used correctly before any custom code is even considered for testing.
- We confirm their technical proficiency in configuring roles and permission sets to test segregation of duties. Candidates must describe how they simulate user behavior to ensure restricted access works as intended. We check for their experience in setting up sandbox environments that accurately mirror the configuration states of your live system to prevent environment-specific false positives during the validation phase.
- We evaluate their communication strategy during high-pressure pre-launch windows. We look for consultants who provide clear, actionable summaries for leadership, distinguishing between critical blockers and minor process tweaks. They must prove they can keep developers focused on urgent patches while maintaining a methodical testing schedule. This ensures that the technical team receives feedback that is immediately actionable and focused on the core stability of the accounting system.
Sourcing
Where we find them
We identify UAT leads among experienced system administrators and former implementation consultants who have transitioned into focused validation roles. These professionals understand the entire lifecycle of a build and possess the patience required for rigorous testing. They gravitate toward this work because they prefer the intellectual challenge of debugging logic over the constant demand of routine maintenance. They understand that their primary value lies in their ability to find flaws before the user ever sees the screen.
We also recruit from teams that specialize in quality assurance for ERP systems. These individuals offer a deep understanding of standard testing methodologies and risk management. They move into contract engagements to apply their systematic approach to diverse industry environments where precision is required to avoid financial reporting errors. These consultants seek out these roles because they enjoy the process of systematically deconstructing complex workflows, identifying gaps in logic, and seeing their corrections lead to a clean, stable system implementation.
Where searches go wrong
Mistakes we see
- Treating UAT as a final check performed by casual users without technical oversight. This leads to missed logic errors in complex integrations or financial calculations that only surface after the system is live.
- Allowing the testing period to overlap too closely with the go-live date. This removes the time necessary to refactor code or update configurations when the lead discovers critical failures during the final cycle.
- Failing to document how specific configurations influence financial outputs. Without this record, subsequent updates or upgrades often break core processes because the original design intent was never recorded.
The search
How the UAT lead search runs
- We define your current technical gaps by auditing the modules you have configured and the financial processes causing the most friction. This allows us to find a lead with specific experience in your software version and accounting complexity.
- We conduct technical vetting to confirm the candidate can translate accounting requirements into testable logic. We prioritize those who provide examples of how they have successfully pushed back against project timelines to protect the stability of the ledger.
- We present candidates who have documented the testing of similar implementations. You confirm their fit by discussing how they would handle a failure in your specific month-end workflow during the final stages of the deployment.
Questions
When should a UAT lead join the project?
They should join as soon as you have stable configurations in a sandbox environment. This allows them to audit the build before testing begins.
Can a project manager handle UAT?
Project managers focus on timelines and resources rather than functional logic. A UAT lead is required to evaluate if the system actually works for your accountants.
How do you measure success for this role?
Success is measured by the absence of critical configuration errors after go-live. A strong lead identifies and resolves these issues before your team starts using the system.
Do I pay for testing tools?
No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire. You use your existing system and internal resources to perform the tests.
What replacement terms apply?
We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
How are recruiting fees agreed?
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present. We scope the assignment before quoting; the fee page explains our model.
How soon can we see options?
Availability depends on the assignment and the people who fit it. We qualify interest and commitments rather than promising a shortlist date before the search is scoped.
What if the scope grows?
Discuss new responsibilities before adding them to the engagement. Agree the priorities and record any change to the brief and terms.
Can we extend an engagement?
Discuss what remains unfinished and whether the same responsibility is still needed. Extensions depend on the person's commitments and the agreed engagement terms.
Can the appointment become permanent?
A permanent move can be discussed if both sides want it. Review the future role and the applicable agreement instead of assuming that temporary coverage automatically converts.
How is a confidential search handled?
Tell us what can be disclosed and whom we must not contact. We agree those boundaries before approaching people; do not send sensitive records with an initial brief.
What are the replacement terms?
We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
What do you not do?
We do not sell job-board reposting as a search or bill hourly for recruiting work. We do not take a retainer unless expressly agreed, and an introduction does not authorize an engagement.
Tell us the seat
No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire. Share the title, the situation and the timing. A person reads it.
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The Six-Step Search
What do you get at each step of the search?
We agree what the person must own before contacting anyone. You see how the search is scoped and which backgrounds we pursue. We speak with candidates about the work before presenting them. The Six-Step Search gives you useful written notes and support through interviews, rather than a pile of applications.
- 01
Scope call
We talk through the seat, the business and what has to change.
You get: A one-page role brief you approve before we search.
- 02
Market map
We work out where people who have done this job actually sit.
You get: A short note on the pool and how we plan to reach it.
- 03
Direct outreach
We approach people who are not looking at job boards.
You get: Progress updates so you are never chasing us.
- 04
Screening
We interview every candidate on the work, not the resume.
You get: Written notes on fit, availability and terms for each person.
- 05
Shortlist and interviews
You meet a short list. We handle the scheduling.
You get: Several vetted options and a debrief after each interview.
- 06
Offer and start
You choose. We help settle terms and the start date.
You get: Confirmed terms, a start date and check-ins after day one.
Tell us who you need.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present.
Send us the seat. We will take it from there.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present.