New Employers asking about 'Financial Integrity and Reliability'

giddykipper

Hi there

I've just managed to get myself a new job with a firm of Chartered Accountants (I'm a Secretary), I'm really excited and it should really help financially, however, I've just received my contract and in it is a form to fill in about my 'Financial Integrity and Reliability'.

The question says ......

In the last ten years have you made any compromise arrangement with your creditors or otherwise failed to satisfy creditors in full?

Well the answer is YES because I'm currently in a DMP.

It says that YES answers will need further explanation.

Could they decide to withdraw the job offer because I've got bad credit and am in a DMP??? Also, could they check my credit file??

Really really worried about this now!!

Thanks

bottleofred

Hi Giddykipper,

I'm honestly not sure if they will withdraw the offer, but hopefully someone with more knowledge than me will be along soon to answer. I hope it works out for you though.

Red

Hazzinho

Financial organisations do perform checks on potential employees. if someone has bad credit there is a chance fraud may be commited because of their circumstances. your call i guess but if they do a credit check it's not going to look good if you've said no. They've asked for more info so you might be ok. hate it when companies do that, should be mentioned in the interview. good luck!

Tixy

I doubt that an accountancy firm will do a full credit check on you (they would have to have your permission and would have to have the appropriate authority to do so). What they might well do (as might any employer) is to search the publicly available registery trust for and CCJs or bankruptcy, IVAs etc.

Rather than just fill in the form I would be tempted to talk to the HR department, explain that you are on a DMP making reduced payments but that you do pay back all of the debt on a DMP and that no creditors have taken court action against you (assuming this is the case).

Then ask them how you should fill the form in and if this counts as a compromise arrangement.

Whilst all staff complete this forms I doubt it would affect them employing someone as a secretary. But I would take this option rather than just put no and risk up with them finding out later somehow.

pink_princess

I credit score my staff but this should have been done prior to interview to save wasting your time or there's. I would pick up the phone to them & be as honest as possible. Then they will also hear just how much you want the job.
Good luck x

Magi74

You could try a phone call to HR along the lines of "I was thinking about applying for a job with you but I'm on a DMP - would that be a problem?" Rephrase it slightly if there's no jobs (i.e. "I would have applied but I'm on a DMP...") and see what response you get.

If you do fill in the form then better to be honest. You can sell the virtues of a DMP - you were in difficult waters so you took the decision to manage your finances betters etc. It can be turned into a positive.

Good luck

giddykipper

Thanks for your replies everyone.

I've telephoned the recruitment agency who I got the job through (because they're still open but the accountancy firm aren't), explained everything to them and they've sent the HR manager an email explaining the situation and asking her to contact me for a chat about it tomorrow.

The agency don't think that there should be a problem as its an 'arrangement' with my creditors with no CCJ's, IVA's or bankruptcy involved.

Fingers crossed though for tomorrow!!

bottleofred

Good luck Giddykipper, I hope it works out ok.

Butti

I hope this works out for you Giddy Kipper. I can't see how it should be a problem at all with you being a secretary for them rather than the MD or the auditor.

Good luck,

B

giddykipper

Thanks again everyone :T

Well, I've had a phone call from the HR Director who tells me that as I'm not involved in any kind of audit work, it really won't affect anything, not to worry and that she's looking forward to seeing me on my start date! :j

Can't believe she called me at home at half nine at night to put my mind at rest!! Result!!!

Thanks again for all your replies, really appreciate it!

backinbusiness

That's a good sign and great news!

Well done OP and enjoy your new job.

bib