Tax Time: Don't Panic, Do Hire Early

When people hear the words "tax time," they immediately think of April 15 — but in the staffing world, tax time should be top-of-mind in the winter, not the spring. With a finite number of qualified tax professionals to choose from, employers have to start preparing for supplemental tax-season staffing early to attain the best talent. What should employers look for in these candidates, and how early should they really start looking for extra tax season help?

The experts from Snelling compiled the following five tips:

1. Recruit early. Start recruiting for temporaries and permanent candidates with accounting backgrounds in the late fall and early winter. Plan your commitment to hire before the season gets crazy, as competition is fierce and salaries consistently rise. The best candidates are typically gone before the season starts.
2. Consider career path development. Identify entry level staff members who are familiar with processes and train them to perform accounting functions that would ease the work load for their staff. Then, use a staffing firm for temporary help to fill the entry level roles. This can develop your internal staff and make recruiting for entry level positions easier because there's a career path development available.
3. Anticipate your needs. Asking and answering a few key questions can help ensure you know exactly where you stand and what you'll need for the season. What do you consider the peak work flow during tax season? What qualities does the ideal candidate possess? What type of training are you prepared to offer? Should you find an accountant who can provide tax planning advice and help throughout the year and not just at tax season?
4. Questions to ask or qualities to look for in a candidate:
   • Ability of candidates to work longer hours
   • Experiences from last tax season
   • Examples of being detail-oriented
   • Good references

Hire a professional. Find an accounting or finance specialist with a good track record. Skills are more important than past history. Retired corporate tax professionals or top accounting students can often meet your needs. When recruiting, always be on the lookout for individuals with tax experience, whether you need temporary or permanent employees.