Tax hiring season may feel far away, but in the world of hiring, it’s already here. Firms that wait until the last minute to hire tax professionals often find themselves scrambling for talent — and settling for less-than-ideal candidates. Understanding the natural hiring cycle for permanent employees and freelancers can give your firm a competitive edge during tax hiring season.
Permanent Employees (May to October)
The best time to recruit permanent tax staff is between May and October. This is when most professionals are reflecting on their careers post-busy season and are open to making a change. By starting your search early, you’ll have a stronger pool of candidates to choose from and enough time to integrate new hires before tax season begins.
Historical data from the AICPA show that turnover and hiring activity in accounting consistently spike in the months following the busy season. In fact, employment in tax preparation services often doubles between late fall and the start of the year as firms prepare for the workload surge.
Freelancers (October to mid-December)
As the season ramps up, many firms shift to filling short-term capacity gaps. Good freelance talent is still available in October and November — but the firms that get the best results onboard freelancers early.
Onboard early for better integration: Bringing them in ahead of the rush allows freelancers to learn your systems, processes, and client expectations before peak season, making them far more effective once deadlines hit.
Hire now, start later: Even if you don’t need them until January, you can lock in top freelancers now with a delayed start date. That way, you secure their availability before they’re booked by someone else.
Waiting until after mid-December often means either compromising on quality, paying premium rates, or facing a last-minute scramble. Planning ahead ensures your firm stays competitive throughout tax hiring season.
The Holiday Effect
Once the holidays arrive, the pool of available candidates narrows significantly. Many professionals are focused on year-end obligations or personal commitments, making it harder to attract top talent. That’s why waiting until January to start hiring often means you’re already behind your competition.
Why Planning Ahead Matters
The hiring process for tax professionals has also gotten longer. According to Robert Half, 93% of hiring managers say it now takes more time to make a hire than it did just two years ago. Screening applications, background checks, and scheduling interviews all contribute to delays — which means the earlier you start, the better positioned you’ll be.
Talent & Compensation Trends
Recent industry reports highlight just how competitive tax hiring has become:
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Hiring cycles for experienced tax professionals now average 3–4 months (Insightful Accountant).
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Compensation packages are trending 15–25% higher than pre-pandemic levels as firms compete for talent (Insightful Accountant).
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Candidates are increasingly prioritizing flexibility (remote or hybrid options), technology investments, and efficient hiring processes when deciding where to work (Insightful Accountant).
These trends underline the importance of moving early and presenting an attractive, streamlined offer.
Bottom Line
The firms that thrive during tax hiring season are the ones that start preparing months in advance. Hire permanent staff between May and October, secure your freelancers between October and mid-December, and lock them in early for the best results.
At Accountingfly, we connect firms with both permanent and freelance tax professionals year-round. The earlier you get started, the better your chances of landing top talent before the rush begins.
📩 Ready to plan ahead? Contact us today to build your hiring strategy before tax season is in full swing.
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