Hiring in finance can feel like walking a tightrope.
You’re not just trying to find someone who looks good on paper—you need people you can trust with sensitive data, who understand compliance inside out, and who won’t crack under pressure. Oh, and ideally, you’d like to hire them… yesterday.
But if you’re still juggling CVs in spreadsheets, chasing references over email, and manually screening every applicant, you’re not alone—and you’re not making it any easier on yourself.
That’s where an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) built for the financial world can really help. Whether you’re in a bank, a fintech company, insurance, or wealth management, the right tool helps you move faster, stay organized, and keep things compliant—without cutting corners.
In this guide, we’ll walk through what makes finance hiring so different, how the right ATS can simplify things, and which features actually make a difference for teams like yours.
Why Financial Services Companies Need a Specialized ATS
1. Hiring for Sensitive, Regulated Roles
From credit analysts to compliance officers, your hires directly impact your risk exposure and brand reputation. Every role has to be filled by someone qualified, reliable, and compliant. A standard hiring system can’t offer the nuance needed—an ATS built for finance can.
2. Compliance Isn’t Optional
You deal with KYC, AML, GDPR, FCA guidelines, and more—and so should your ATS. A finance-focused system helps you ensure that all pre-employment documents, checks, and consents are handled and logged automatically.
3. High Competition for Niche Talent
In finance, the race to attract skilled professionals is intense. Manual hiring processes cost you time—and top candidates. A modern ATS reduces delays and offers a professional, streamlined candidate experience that positions your brand as top-tier.
Key Features of an ATS for Financial Services
| Feature | Why It Matters |
| Role-Based Shortlisting | Filters candidates by certifications (e.g., ACCA, CFA), experience, and department (audit, risk, etc.) |
| Integrated Compliance Checks | Handles GDPR consent, criminal checks, financial history, and identity verification |
| Audit Trails & Reporting | Keeps logs of every hiring step—essential for internal audits and FCA compliance |
| Custom Hiring Workflows | Build different pipelines for roles like investment analysts vs. customer service agents |
| Secure Document Storage | Store and manage NDAs, contracts, proof of certifications, and background check reports securely |
| Candidate Experience Tools | Mobile-friendly application process and automated updates build trust from day one |
How an ATS Helps Financial Hiring Teams Win
✅ Reduce Time-to-Hire
With competition fierce in finance, you can’t afford long hiring cycles. An ATS automates posting, screening, and scheduling—so you move fast and stay ahead.
✅ Ensure End-to-End Compliance
Whether you’re dealing with GDPR, FCA, or internal security standards, a good ATS acts as your compliance partner. Everything is documented, traceable, and secure.
✅ Attract & Retain Top Talent
A smooth, professional application and interview experience speaks volumes in finance. It tells top-tier candidates that you take their time—and your brand—seriously.
Why Financial Firms Choose the Discovered Applicant Tracking System
At Discovered, we understand that hiring in financial services isn’t just about filling seats—it’s about safeguarding your reputation, protecting sensitive data, and staying fully compliant.
That’s why the Discovered Applicant Tracking System was built specifically to solve the challenges that financial institutions face every day.
✅ Built to Speed Up Secure, Compliant Hiring
Studies show that 89% of candidates drop off when hiring takes too long. The Discovered Applicant Tracking System helps you reduce time-to-hire by automating the busywork—posting jobs, screening candidates, scheduling interviews, and managing compliance checks—all in one secure platform.
✅ Designed for Financial Compliance Workflows
Our Applicant Tracking System helps you:
- Filter candidates by certifications like CPA, ACCA, or CFA
- Collect and manage GDPR consents, financial history, and background checks
- Store sensitive documents securely with encrypted access controls
- Log every action for full audit trails, perfect for FCA or internal reviews
- Automate offer letters and contracts based on pre-approved workflows
✅ One Central Hub for All Your Hiring Activities
With the Discovered Applicant Tracking System, you can:
- Post roles across multiple job boards in one click
- Pre-screen candidates using custom role-based filters
- Let candidates self-schedule interviews
- Automate compliance document collection and tracking
- Manage all candidates, hiring stages, and reporting in one easy-to-use dashboard
“The platform has streamlined all the applicants that come in. We’re able to organize them and see what stage they’re at. It saves us tons of time.”
— David, Specialty Veterinary Pharmacy
✅ Recognized by Industry Leaders
Discovered is trusted by businesses across industries and recognized by:
- Capterra
- TrustPilot
- Software Advice
- SHRM Recertification Provider
We continuously improve our platform based on client feedback, ensuring that your hiring process stays fast, secure, and future-ready.
Comparing Manual Hiring vs. ATS in Financial Services
| Hiring Step | Manual Process | With ATS |
| CV Screening | Time-consuming, error-prone | Pre-screened using job criteria |
| Interview Scheduling | Long email threads | Candidate self-books slots |
| Compliance Verification | Manually tracked across emails | Automatically requested & logged |
| Offer Letter Issuance | Delayed by approvals | Auto-sent based on predefined workflows |
| Reporting & Audits | Scrambled during audits | Instant access to full audit logs |
Real-World Scenario
Let’s say you’re hiring for a Risk Analyst and a Client Services Rep. Without an ATS:
- You manually screen 150+ CVs
- Check if each one has required certifications
- Schedule interviews with 10 top candidates
- Track compliance docs in your inbox
That’s hours of manual work.
With an ATS?
- Pre-set filters shortlist the top 15
- Candidates self-schedule interviews
- Compliance alerts are built-in
- You focus on evaluating—not managing the process
And if you’re hiring across departments, the ATS lets you set up multiple pipelines—just like firms in legal or government sectors do for role-specific workflows.
Where Finance Overlaps with Other Industries
If your financial services business touches sectors like health insurance, public pensions, or hospitality-related payment systems, here are other relevant ATS guides you might find useful:
- Applicant Tracking System for Health and Social Care
- Applicant Tracking System for Hospitality
- Applicant Tracking System for Recruiting Agencies
- Applicant Tracking System for Manufacturing
- Applicant Tracking System for NHS
- Explore All Industry ATS Solutions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can the ATS verify professional certifications automatically?
Some ATS platforms allow integrations with certification databases or enable candidates to upload verifiable credentials like CPA, CFA, or ACCA certificates.
- Is it safe to store financial background checks in the ATS?
Yes. A secure, GDPR-compliant ATS uses encryption and access controls to safely store and manage sensitive documents.
- Will it work for both enterprise banks and small firms?
Absolutely. Most ATS platforms are scalable. You can customize workflows whether you’re a multinational institution or a boutique advisory firm.
- What if we hire internationally?
Many ATS tools support multi-region compliance, including EU GDPR, UK ICO, and U.S. background verification integrations.
- Can it help us prepare for FCA audits?
Definitely. The right ATS logs every decision, timestamp, and document—making it easy to generate compliance reports for regulatory audits.
Final Thoughts
Hiring in financial services is high-stakes. Every decision has compliance, client trust, and long-term risk attached to it.
A purpose-built Applicant Tracking System for a Financial Services Business empowers your HR team to hire efficiently, professionally, and compliantly—without compromise.
Schedule a free demo with our ATS experts to dive into how our AI-powered solution can enhance your hiring strategy.
Content
