You CAN hire Accounting and Finance Talent in today’s market – here is how…

Once upon a time, you could post a job to find a high-quality accountant.

Those days are gone – long gone.

This is the toughest hiring market we have ever seen, and we have been around since 1973.

Here are some facts:

·????????300,000+ accountants and auditors have?left their jobs?(a 17% decline)

·????????75% of certified public accountants are retiring (or close to retiring) according to the?American Institute of CPAs

·????????The Wall Street Journal is reporting a 21% increase in starting Accounting and Finance salaries, and we are seeing a 30% increase in many areas over the past three years

Silly me – I expected things to return to some sense of normalcy in 2023. My thought was that the pandemic was fading into the background. There were even rumors of layoffs in the Accounting and Finance space.

But the reality is that it has become even more difficult to find Accounting / Finance talent.

Last week, one of our Senior Recruiters and her assistant spent twelve hours calling a list of potential candidates for a job offering top pay and a hybrid schedule with a solid company. In the old days we would have had many candidates in our database interested in hearing about this role. In this new world, this expert recruiter and her assistant spent twelve hours to find ONE candidate.

Welcome to hiring in 2023.

So, how can you hire in a market like this?

Well, first, recognize that this is a different world. The age of multiple candidates interested in your Accounting / Finance role is gone.

Second, ask what makes your job compelling. Is it the ability to develop a new skillset, salary, management opportunities, or work from home options? Once you are clear on the attractors, ensure you are effectively highlighting them.

Third, create a recruiting plan. Identify the top one hundred candidates that might be interested in your role. Then get their attention through phone calls, emails, LinkedIn messaging, letter writing, and ______ (fill in the blank). You will need to be creative, as well as organized and resolute.

Fourth, recognize that the journey has just begun when you find an interested candidate. You will need to create an offer that will be accepted AND withstand a counteroffer (believe me, the counter is coming in today’s market).

Finally, ensure your onboarding program is working at peak efficiency. You have worked hard to align your organization with an exceptional person. Ensure that meaningful retention strategies are in place.

I hope this is helpful. This market is challenging, but with a strong recruiting plan and hard work, you will hire your next great financial professional.?