There’s no way around it: Tax time isn’t fun for anyone, and that includes tax professionals. The busy season between January and April means long hours, late nights, lots of clients, and plenty of headaches. And, as tax firms nationwide need extra manpower during this time of year, hiring isn’t always easy; talented professionals can have their pick of opportunities. Of course, this leaves many tax preparation firms asking, “What can be done to hire the best tax preparers possible, as well as keep current staff from leaving?”
It may seem like there are no easy answers, but there’s plenty you can do to put the odds in your favor. This is what you need to know about hiring tax preparers this season, including what you can do to stand apart from the competition and how you can make your workplace as appealing as possible — for new hires and existing workers alike.
1. Stay competitive
One of the best ways to stay ahead of the competition is to offer opportunities that meet or exceed the standards in your area. This can mean slightly higher salaries, better benefits, like more days off or flexible schedules, or even perks like free meals, gym access, and on-site babysitting if possible. When employees feel they’re valued, or at least properly compensated, they’ll be more likely to take your job offers seriously.
Staying competitive also means being open to negotiation. Employees negotiating for a higher salary or more benefits isn’t an insult; it’s pursuing their perceived worth. You may not always be able to meet demands, but being open to wiggle room can be a strong show of good faith.
For existing employees, big raises may not be possible, but a small bonus or cost of living bump at the start of the season can be very appealing.
2. Offer a comfortable work environment
When employees have to put in long days at the office, they need to be comfortable while they’re there. This means things like ergonomic setups, the option for standing desks, extra monitors for better access to information, up-to-date technology, and tax software that meets all needs. You may also want to consider quiet rooms where employees can take a break, huddle rooms for quick meetings, and well-stocked kitchens.
When your office can’t be a comfortable place where your workers feel supported and safe, they’re less likely to want to come to work. A comfortable, professional space can be apparent as early as an initial interview, so do what you can to provide a great first impression and a positive, productive environment overall.
3. Focus on employee needs
Tax season is stressful and requires a lot out of tax preparers. Even simple, straightforward returns can add hours to an employee’s day, and as April approaches, many preparers find themselves fighting burnout. As an employer, the best thing you can do is determine what’s needed to keep morale high. In many cases, this means little details that make days easier and reduce stress both in and out of the office. A solution that works for many companies? Food.
Catered meals are among the best employee perks possible, because the benefits apply to everyone. All employees need to eat, and having fresh, delicious meals available for free while working late takes the onus off the workforce. Instead of picking up fast food on the way home or cooking at the end of a long day, employees will know exactly where their next meal is coming from.
In addition, food served at work can save money, meaning salaries go a little further. Something this simple — a good meal during a hard day — can be enough to sway a candidate’s decision-making process, which means this small gesture can do wonders to keeping teams fully staffed and ready to work.
With help from a company like ezCater, business catering can be fast and simple. You can order online for any size group, from over 100,000 restaurants nationwide. What’s especially helpful during tax season, when people work a variety of shifts, is the ability to schedule food delivery to accommodate shifting head counts across multiple locations. And, for firms with a number of offices to manage, you can simplify payments with a single ezBill invoicing account across the entire company, and get company-wide visibility and control of your food spend.
Keeping tax season running smoothly is a big task, but with the right employees, it’s easier to get the job done. These three tips can give you a leg up on the other firms in your area, ensuring employees have access to everything needed to make long hours and late nights as manageable as possible.
