Dear Tax Pros: If you’ve been promised additional help, but you check their LinkedIn page and see they’re only recruiting for on-site people…you’re being played. They know how absolutely brutal the market is for tax talent, so on-site job ads are not good-faith recruiting efforts.

Beware of Misleading Recruitment Practices in the Tax Industry

As tax professionals, it’s crucial to stay vigilant when it comes to recruitment practices in our industry. You may have encountered firms that promise support and additional help during the busy tax season. However, a closer look at their LinkedIn profiles might reveal they are primarily advertising for on-site positions. This could be a significant red flag.

The current job market for tax talent is incredibly challenging, and while firms advertise for full-time on-site roles, it can indicate a lack of genuine intention to alleviate the burdens faced by their teams. Instead of providing practical solutions to ease the pressure during peak periods, such firms may simply be focused on their profit margins.

For organizations that genuinely want to support their tax professionals, implementing flexible work arrangements, such as remote working options, would be a straightforward step. Hiring additional staff—even if that means bringing in less experienced individuals—can lighten the workload and create a more manageable work environment.

In a time when employee retention and well-being should be top priorities, it’s essential to discern between genuine offers of support and superficial recruitment tactics. Understanding the motivations behind these practices can help you choose potential employers who prioritize the well-being of their teams, rather than just their bottom line. Always do your due diligence and prioritize companies that truly support their workforce.