Sharing our perspective on the latest hiring trends in accounting that impact talent acquisition – Tax Season; Hiring Hybrid and Remote; Salary Updates.
All content is 100% written by the real humans working here at Accountingfly.
2024-2025 Tax Freelancer Market Update–What’s Available and How to Succeed
Considering using freelance/contract help during busy season? Here’s a brief market update (availability and hourly rates) and a few suggestions for successfully integrating and managing tax freelancers.
- Market Outlook
- Reviewers are hard (but not impossible) to find. Candidates with true expertise + training/management capabilities are asking $100+/hr.
- For preparers, we anticipate strong availability, especially for contractors with individual, small business, and HNWI experience. These candidates typically ask $40-$70/hr, depending on certifications, experience and location.
- Lower level (data entry) personnel are also available, with rates starting at $25/hr.
- How to Succeed
- Give the easiest/least complex work to freelancers, freeing up your internal team members to perform more complex work.
- Start freelancers 2-4 weeks early and provide hands-on assistance and supervision during an initial trial period.
- Consider using assessments to confirm skill level. (Accountingfly offers assessments at no cost upon client request).
Schedule a call with me (Liz Branch, COO) to learn how Accountingfly can help find the right freelancer to make busy season easier, at a lower cost than other options.
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!
- Remote Accountant/Tax Preparer
- EA
- 12 years in public accounting
- Extensive small business prep experience (heavy S-Corp)
- Hired at $80K
- Remote Staff Accountant
- CPA
- 10 years experience
- Wide range of experience including accounting, payroll, tax prep, and planning
- Hired at $70K
- Remote Bookkeeper
- QBO ProAdvisor
- 10 years overall experience, 4 years multiple client bookkeeping experience
- Managed 30+ client accounts in multiple industries
- Hired at $48K
- Client Relationship Manager
- CPA in process, MA
- 4 years experience
- High volume prep experience, financial review, and year-end workpapers
- Hired at $72K
- Tax Manager
- EA, CPA
- 7 years in public accounting
- Complex prep and advisory experience, team and client management
- Hired at $125K
Meta-trend to Watch: What to do When Staff Leaves–Steps for Filling a Vacancy
In their recent podcast, Rob Brown (Accounting Influencers Roundtable) and Jeff Phillips (Accountingfly founder and Padgett CEO) talk about immediate steps to take when key personnel leave.
A few key takeaways:
- Phase 1: Take the Opportunity to Get Better
- Exit interview–ensure you don’t have an internal problem causing retention issues, find ways to learn about your firm’s work environment
- Consider whether the departure creates an opportunity to “top grade.” Review your organizational chart and assess whether you can improve the position and/or build up the organizational chart to solve additional problems.
- Phase 2: Write a (Good) Job Description
- Must sell the firm and the job opportunity in a persuasive manner
- Must describe the results that position demands–why does the position exist, and what is expected?
- Phase 3: Promote the Job Description (effectively)
- Get the job description in the hands of your existing team, and offer a monetary bonus if team members help fill the position
- Decide whether you’re going to use a recruiter and, if so, whether you’re looking for help finding a permanent replacement or are seeking temporary assistance
- If not, utilize job boards with a focus on Indeed & Zip, and be sure to allocate budget
- Post job on local university alumni sites, trade associations, and state society sites
- Consider reaching out to former employees, retired past employees, and other network options
Working with Accountingfly
If you’re looking for pre-screened candidates delivered to you without hassle or upfront fees, learn more and sign up for Always-On Recruiting on our website.
We also have a lot of fun working with our clients. Click here to schedule a call or get more information.
We hope you enjoyed our take on hiring trends in accounting.
