FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions companies ask before working with Inner Circle Agency: how our search process works, what timelines to expect, what our guarantee covers, and where we place talent.
What does Inner Circle Agency do?
Inner Circle Agency is a boutique executive search firm placing permanent, high-impact talent for companies across the United States and Canada. Our strongest practices are finance leadership (Controllers, Directors of Finance, VPs of Finance, CFOs), legal talent, ERP implementation roles (NetSuite, SAP, Dynamics), and director- to executive-level positions across functions. See our specializations for the full picture.
Who actually runs my search?
A senior recruiter, overseen directly by founder April Ben-Sabat. That answer stays true for the life of the search: no handoff to a junior associate after the kickoff call, no pod of coordinators. You will know the name of the person working your search, and you will hear from them directly.
How long does a search take?
Most senior searches take 30 to 90 days from brief to accepted offer, depending on role, market, and how quickly your interview process moves. Our fastest search went from brief to accepted offer in 11 days. That was an exception a tightly scoped brief made possible, not a promise, but it shows what focused search work can do.
How is Inner Circle Agency different from a large staffing firm?
Volume firms run many searches per recruiter and win on speed at staff level. We deliberately carry a small number of searches at a time so every one gets senior attention. You receive a considered shortlist, usually a handful of candidates we would genuinely hire ourselves, rather than a stream of resumes to sort through.
What does your guarantee cover?
Every placement is guaranteed. If a placement does not work out within the guarantee period agreed in your engagement, we rerun the search. Specific terms are set out clearly in each agreement before a search begins.
What do your services cost?
Fees depend on the role, the search type, and the engagement structure, and we discuss them openly during scoping, before any work begins. There are no surprises and no charges you have not agreed to in writing.
Where do you place talent?
Across the United States and Canada. Recent placements span the US East Coast and Southeast, Quebec, and Ontario, with remote and hybrid roles served in both countries. We are fully bilingual in English and French, which matters for US companies hiring in Canada and for Quebec employers hiring bilingual talent.
Do you help US companies hire in Canada?
Yes, and it is one of our strongest lanes. Canadian talent is often closer, more available, and more affordable than US employers assume. We handle the practical differences (compensation norms, notice periods, bilingual requirements) so the hire works on both sides of the border. Our guide to what US companies get wrong about hiring across the border covers the details.
What information do you need to start a search?
The role, the must-haves, the compensation range you have in mind, and what success looks like in the first year. From there we run a scoping conversation, confirm the brief back to you, and begin the search. You can start by sending us your hiring brief.
Do you work with candidates?
Yes. If you are a senior professional in finance, legal, technology, or operations, you can share your CV at april@ic-a.ca. Conversations are strictly confidential: nothing is posted, nothing goes on file with any employer, and nothing reaches your current employer.