Sharing our perspective on the latest trends impacting talent acquisition in the accounting industry.
Market Trends: Bookkeepers (+) are Back in Demand and Other Employment Market Tidbits
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Bookkeepers Are Back and Better than Ever?
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- Over the last few years, we’ve had fewer and fewer clients asking us for help finding bookkeepers. That’s changed in 2024. Demand for bookkeepers has come roaring back but with a few notable differences from previous years.
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- But today’s bookkeeper job description looks different from 5 years ago. Our clients’ roles focus on analysis rather than data entry, require high-tech skills (automatic bank feeds, etc.), and often include responsibilities like managing offshore personnel.
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- In other words, today’s bookkeeper role looks a little bit like yesterday’s staff accountant.
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What is the New Talent Stack, and How Can You Benefit?
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- In the latest Accounting Talent Podcast, Accountingfly Co-Founder Jeff Phillips lays out what he calls the new talent stack.
- It’s a framework accounting employers can use to predictably and reliably fill open roles, deliver consistent value to clients, avoid increasing turnover, and increase profit margins.
- It’s designed to solve the talent crisis facing accounting teams by tapping into new sources of talent, including:
- U.S. Based Remote Hires – for full-time roles, works for any role inside the accounting firm or corporate accounting team
- U.S. Based Remote Freelance Hires – for interim roles, project-based talent, and seasonal support (think tax preparers during busy season) and applies to any area your team needs a role filled but doesn’t require a full-time role commitment
- Global Offshoring – taking advantage of the sizable economic arbitrage available by making teams of hires overseas, firms can hire dedicated, results-focused accountants to complete work that supports the domestic team.
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Other Market Trends: Advisory and Xero
- Advisory continues to be hot; firms are looking for candidates with a foundation in tax + accounting (financial statement review) who can analyze financial statements and give financial advice.
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- Xero proficiency as a must-have? We’re receiving more and more requests for Xero-qualified candidates. They’re out there, but it can take a bit more looking.
Salary News: Starting Salaries for Recent Hires by Accountingfly Clients
Here’s a snapshot of recent hires by Accountingfly clients. Let us know if you want more data or details on market-rate salaries!
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Senior Tax Associate
- CPA
- 8 years in public accounting
- Hired at $86K
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Nonprofit Senior Accountant
- QBO Advanced ProAdvisor, Bill.com, and Gusto certified
- 6 years in public accounting
- Hired at $80K
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Tax Accountant
- Experienced with 1120s, 1065s, Schedule C and Schedule E, etc.
- 12 years tax experience
- Hired at $80K
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Accountant-in-Charge
- CPA
- 11 years in public accounting
- Hired at $125K
Meta-trend to Watch: Employers Seeking AI-Savvy Accountants and Willing to Pay
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An Accountingfly First: Firms Asking For Candidates with AI Skills
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- Liz Branch (Accountingfly’s COO) reports that multiple new clients requested candidates with AI experience during calls with partners and hiring managers in May. That’s a first for us, but we expect the trend to continue.
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PWC Says Accountants with AI Skills Get Paid
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- Check out PWC’s AI Jobs report, which concludes that AI skills are in high demand and specifically that accountants with AI skills command an 18% wage premium (see page 8 of the US section).
Working with Accountingfly
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