Retaining Employees After a Difficult Tax Season

This year’s busy season was especially challenging for accountants and CPAs who are still navigating the world of working remotely and feeling burnt out after the yearslong COVID-19 pandemic.

The busy season on top of exhaustion can end up taking a bigger toll on employees’ mental health, according to Allison Irvine, CPA, a Chicago-based market director for LHH Recruitment Solutions. In her role, Irvine has worked directly with accounting and finance professionals looking for jobs as well as with companies seeking employees. Currently, Irvine manages the teams for recruitment across Illinois and Wisconsin. Here, Irvine offers her tips for retaining employees after another challenging tax season. 

Turn the Great Resignation Into the Great Reevaluation 

The number one priority for firms and leaders should be tailoring working conditions to align with employees’ values, and that means flexibility, Irvine said.

For example, just two weeks ago, LHH represented a candidate who received two offers: one from an LHH client and one from a competing firm. The former offered a hybrid schedule with one day a week working from home, while the competing firm offered a 100-percent remote position. Ultimately, the candidate took the job with the competing firm, Irvine said.

“Flexibility is the number driver in an applicant’s job search right now. We are seeing this in action every day,” Irvine said.

The great reevaluation also presents an opportunity for job seekers who have little experience to get into a firm or company that is willing to take a chance on them due to the current staffing shortage.