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.

Title: Navigating the Tax Talent Landscape: A Cautionary Note for Tax Professionals

As tax professionals, many of us are familiar with the challenges of finding reliable team members during peak seasons. Recently, there’s been talk of firms promising additional support, yet a closer look at their hiring strategies raises some red flags. If you’ve happened to visit a potential employer’s LinkedIn page and noticed a consistent focus on recruiting for on-site positions, it might be time to question their intentions.

In a market where talented tax professionals are in high demand, it seems counterintuitive for firms to limit their recruitment to on-site roles. This approach may indicate a disinterest in genuinely alleviating the intense workloads that many tax professionals face during critical periods. Instead, it suggests a focus on enhancing their revenue at the expense of their employees’ well-being.

If these organizations were truly committed to easing the burden during busy seasons, they would likely consider implementing more flexible arrangements, such as remote work opportunities. Additionally, they might prioritize bringing on various talent levels—even “C” players—to help distribute the workload more effectively.

As tax professionals navigate this challenging landscape, it’s essential to remain vigilant and discerning about potential job offers. Be wary of firms that don’t adapt their hiring practices to meet the current demands of the market. Your time and expertise deserve to be valued by employers who are sincere about creating a supportive work environment.