Talent acquisition is a draining endeavor for many accounting firm owners.

Chris Johnson of CJ CPAs knows the pain of trying to hire the right people. The time wasted, the money lost, the endless cycle of hiring and rehiring.

After coming up short again and again, he knew something had to change.

So, he did something bold: he offered a $50,000 sign-on bonus to attract top-tier talent to his firm, CJ CPAs.

No tricks. No clawbacks. Just a clear, upfront investment in the right person.

But this strategy wasn’t about throwing money at a problem — it was about rethinking how firms approach talent altogether. Chris turned recruiting into a marketing funnel, refined his messaging, and doubled down on culture. And while the bonus got attention, it’s what happened next that really matters.

If you’ve ever struggled to find the right people — people who align with your values and want to grow with your firm — this episode of the Accounting Talent podcast is for you.

Accounting firms succeed when their people thrive. Join us each month as we uncover the best strategies, tools, and insights for attracting, managing, and leading high-performing accounting teams. Subscribe now to build a stronger, more successful firm!

In this final episode of the Accounting Talent podcast, Rob Brown reflects on the journey of the show, discussing the challenges and opportunities in recruitment, retention, and talent development within the accounting profession. He shares ten powerful takeaways that firms can implement to remain competitive and attract talent, emphasizing the importance of hybrid work, employer branding, onboarding, wellbeing, leadership development, upskilling, inclusion, succession planning, agile recruitment, and creating a talent stack. As the podcast concludes, Rob looks ahead to the future of talent in accounting and his ongoing mission to help firms differentiate themselves as employers of choice.

Key Takeaways

• Master hybrid work to thrive in the new era.
• Build a strong employer brand to attract talent.
• Onboarding with excellence is crucial for retention.
• Prioritize wellbeing for a productive workforce.
• Develop leadership at all levels for better retention.
• Upskill your people to stay competitive.
• Inclusion is essential for a diverse workplace.
• Plan for succession to ensure continuity.
• Stay agile in recruitment to meet demands.
• Create a talent stack for holistic growth.

You can watch this specific episode on our YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/Bb5Y9sgYxd4

This is the Accounting Talent Podcast, dropping every Thursday to accounting professionals, finance specialists, software vendors, tech providers and influencers in the accountancy, CPA and bookkeeping space. If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

Check out the Accounting Talent page on LinkedIn for more relevant content on getting ahead in the hiring game:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/talent-in-accounting

Thanks to our sponsors:

ACCOUNTINGFLY. Accountingfly connects employers with top U.S.-based accounting talent through a variety of services including dedicated searches, Always-On Recruiting, and freelance placements for seasonal or temporary needs. They specialize in remote accounting recruitment, recognizing early on the significant advantages that remote work offers to employers, job-seekers, and their own operations. They pride themselves on their track record of matching the right candidates with the right opportunities and building a robust team of industry experts. Additionally, their partnership with Going Concern—an esteemed source for accounting news and insights—further enhances their ability to stay on the cutting edge of remote recruiting by tapping into a natural pipeline of job seekers.

TOA GLOBAL. TOA helps you hire elite talent for your accounting firm. Join thousands of leading firms empowering their teams with job-ready outsourced accountants & bookkeepers. They work to unlock your firm’s potential with strategic accounting outsourcing services. The "TOA Global Difference" is simple - build a flexible, scalable outsourced accounting team to align with your firm now and as you grow. Crush the talent crisis and outsmart your competitors by adding highly skilled accounting professionals to your firm faster. Permanently increase your firm’s capacity with a dedicated outsourced accounting team in weeks, not months. Access elite professionals and discover a hidden pool of elite accounting talent ready to enable your firm’s growth with additional capacity. Build a dedicated team of highly skilled outsourced accountants and bookkeepers for your firm today.https://toaglobal.com

In this episode of the Accounting Talent podcast, Rob Brown and Jeff Phillips discuss the contrasting views on the accounting profession's performance in 2024 and make predictions for 2025. They explore the challenges of attracting talent, the impact of private equity, the return to office trends, and the role of AI in the industry. The conversation emphasizes the need for a stronger value proposition in accounting and the potential for entrepreneurial opportunities as younger generations enter the field.

Takeaways

• 2024 was a challenging year for the accounting profession, with mixed opinions on its impact.
• Predictions for 2025 include a focus on enhancing the value proposition for accounting careers.
• Private equity is becoming increasingly influential in the accounting sector, especially for small firms.
• The return to office trend may drive talent away from firms that enforce it too strictly.
• There is a continuing decline in the number of new professionals entering the accounting field.
• AI is expected to play a significant role in automating accounting tasks in the near future.
• Younger generations are likely to start their own accounting firms, creating new opportunities.
• Compensation and work-life balance are critical factors in attracting and retaining talent.
• The accounting profession must adapt to the changing expectations of the workforce.
• Collaboration among stakeholders is essential to strengthen the accounting brand and attract new talent.

You can watch this specific episode on our YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/fS_VWemRmDU

SHOW DETAILS HERE

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You can watch this specific episode on our YouTube Channel here: [LINK]

This is the Accounting Talent Podcast, dropping every Thursday to accounting professionals, finance specialists, software vendors, tech providers and influencers in the accountancy, CPA and bookkeeping space. If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

Check out the Accounting Talent page on LinkedIn for more relevant content on getting ahead in the hiring game:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/talent-in-accounting

Thanks to our sponsors:

ACCOUNTINGFLY. Accountingfly connects employers with top U.S.-based accounting talent through a variety of services including dedicated searches, Always-On Recruiting, and freelance placements for seasonal or temporary needs. They specialize in remote accounting recruitment, recognizing early on the significant advantages that remote work offers to employers, job-seekers, and their own operations. They pride themselves on their track record of matching the right candidates with the right opportunities and building a robust team of industry experts. Additionally, their partnership with Going Concern—an esteemed source for accounting news and insights—further enhances their ability to stay on the cutting edge of remote recruiting by tapping into a natural pipeline of job seekers.

TOA GLOBAL. TOA helps you hire elite talent for your accounting firm. Join thousands of leading firms empowering their teams with job-ready outsourced accountants & bookkeepers. They work to unlock your firm’s potential with strategic accounting outsourcing services. The "TOA Global Difference" is simple - build a flexible, scalable outsourced accounting team to align with your firm now and as you grow. Crush the talent crisis and outsmart your competitors by adding highly skilled accounting professionals to your firm faster. Permanently increase your firm’s capacity with a dedicated outsourced accounting team in weeks, not months. Access elite professionals and discover a...

Rob Brown is joined by Jeff Phillips to discuss the return-to-office mandates sweeping across the industry and how small firms can turn this moment into an opportunity. We explore hybrid working models, the talent stack, and the increasing demand for remote roles. They ask and answer the question: "can firms thrive with a fresh hiring strategy, or are they falling behind?"

Highlights and questions:

• Why mandate a return to the office?
• How can small firms win with remote work?
• Are hybrid models reshaping accounting?
• What’s behind the return-to-office push?
• How can small firms attract remote talent?
• Why is hybrid staffing the future?
• Are remote jobs solving the talent gap?
• Is returning to the office a bad idea?
• How do hybrid models give firms an edge?
• What makes a winning hybrid workforce?

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You can watch this specific episode on our YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/ztUL-apcBrg

This is the Accounting Talent Podcast, dropping every Thursday to accounting professionals, finance specialists, software vendors, tech providers and influencers in the accountancy, CPA and bookkeeping space. If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

Check out the Accounting Talent page on LinkedIn for more relevant content on getting ahead in the hiring game:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/talent-in-accounting

Thanks to our sponsors:

ACCOUNTINGFLY. Accountingfly connects employers with top U.S.-based accounting talent through a variety of services including dedicated searches, Always-On Recruiting, and freelance placements for seasonal or temporary needs. They specialize in remote accounting recruitment, recognizing early on the significant advantages that remote work offers to employers, job-seekers, and their own operations. They pride themselves on their track record of matching the right candidates with the right opportunities and building a robust team of industry experts. Additionally, their partnership with Going Concern—an esteemed source for accounting news and insights—further enhances their ability to stay on the cutting edge of remote recruiting by tapping into a natural pipeline of job seekers.

TOA GLOBAL. TOA helps you hire elite talent for your accounting firm. Join thousands of leading firms empowering their teams with job-ready outsourced accountants & bookkeepers. They work to unlock your firm’s potential with strategic accounting outsourcing services. The "TOA Global Difference" is simple - build a flexible, scalable outsourced accounting team to align with your firm now and as you grow. Crush the talent crisis and outsmart your competitors by adding highly skilled accounting professionals to your firm faster. Permanently increase your firm’s capacity with a dedicated outsourced accounting team in weeks, not months. Access elite professionals and discover a hidden pool of elite accounting talent ready to enable your firm’s growth with additional capacity. Build a dedicated team of highly skilled outsourced accountants and bookkeepers for your firm today.https://toaglobal.com

What’s really causing top talent to leave traditional accounting firms? It’s not what you might think. In this episode, Rob Brown explores why 70% of top performers are ready to jump ship to private equity-backed firms. It’s not just about the money. It’s about opportunities and reimagined career paths. Rob also breaks down the strategies private equity firms use to attract and retain talent that traditional firms often overlook. From accelerated career growth to performance-based equity, you’ll discover why private equity is shaking up the profession.

Key Takeaways

• PE-backed firms have 40% lower turnover rates than traditional firms
• The traditional partnership model is no longer attractive to top talent
• PE firms are creating new roles and faster advancement opportunities
• Compensation isn't just about money - it's about impact and opportunity
• Career ecosystems are replacing traditional career ladders
• PE firms invest 3-4 times more in talent development
• Flexibility and equity participation are critical for retention

Killer Quotes:

• "70% of top performers would jump to PE-backed competitors right now"
• "The old model of recruiting is dead"
• "PE firms understand what traditional firms have missed for decades"
• "Young talent wants to be builders, not just maintainers"
• "In six months, I've done more than in my previous six years"
• "People aren't just quitting jobs - they're leaving career models"
• "The talent war isn't about hiring - it's about reimagining careers"

You can watch this specific episode on our YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/4CYlP1bmPCk

This is the Accounting Talent Podcast, dropping every Thursday to accounting professionals, finance specialists, software vendors, tech providers and influencers in the accountancy, CPA and bookkeeping space. If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

Check out the Accounting Talent page on LinkedIn for more relevant content on getting ahead in the hiring game:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/talent-in-accounting

Thanks to our sponsors:

ACCOUNTINGFLY. Accountingfly connects employers with top U.S.-based accounting talent through a variety of services including dedicated searches, Always-On Recruiting, and freelance placements for seasonal or temporary needs. They specialize in remote accounting recruitment, recognizing early on the significant advantages that remote work offers to employers, job-seekers, and their own operations. They pride themselves on their track record of matching the right candidates with the right opportunities and building a robust team of industry experts. Additionally, their partnership with Going Concern—an esteemed source for accounting news and insights—further enhances their ability to stay on the cutting edge of remote recruiting by tapping into a natural pipeline of job seekers.

TOA GLOBAL. TOA helps you hire elite talent for your accounting firm. Join thousands of leading firms empowering their teams with job-ready outsourced accountants & bookkeepers. They work to unlock your firm’s potential with strategic accounting outsourcing services. The "TOA Global Difference" is simple - build a flexible, scalable outsourced accounting team to align with your firm now and as you grow. Crush the talent crisis and outsmart your competitors by adding highly skilled accounting professionals to your firm faster. Permanently increase your firm’s capacity with a dedicated outsourced accounting team in weeks, not months. Access elite professionals and discover a hidden pool of elite accounting talent ready to enable your firm’s growth with...

In this episode of the Accounting Talent Podcast, Rob Brown and Jeff Phillips continue their deep dive into onboarding, focusing on the practical steps accounting firms can take to retain top talent. Building on Part 1, they address how to provide new hires with the resources they need, foster team engagement, and avoid the common pitfalls of onboarding. The discussion includes actionable strategies for creating a seamless onboarding process that increases job satisfaction and reduces turnover. With insights tailored for the modern hybrid workforce, this is essential listening for firm leaders, HR professionals, and anyone passionate about improving employee experience in accounting.

Key Takeaways

• Great onboarding reduces turnover and boosts productivity.
• Lack of clarity, insufficient resources, and loneliness drive new hires away.
• Structured check-ins ensure alignment and support for new hires.
• A buddy system helps new hires acclimate and feel supported.
• Proactive communication before day one builds emotional connections.
• Streamlined tech training prevents frustration with new tools or platforms.
• Creating a welcoming culture is a strategic investment in retention.
• Onboarding processes must adapt to workforce and tech trends.

Killer Quotes

1. "Retention starts with clarity, tools, and connection."
2. "The war for talent is over—and the talent won."
3. "Treat onboarding like signing a new client."
4. "Loneliness is a job killer—build engagement early."
5. "Momentum starts before their first day."
6. "Don’t make them regret choosing you over the competition."
7. "A Tiffany pen and a note from the CEO sealed my loyalty."

Accounting Fly Onboarding Checklist:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ryANrDaLPUAXyv5mChhsoLNCx0fVXEPATiTkDYp3gps/edit?tab=t.0

Expand Your Reach with the Accounting Talent Podcast

Want to get your brand in front of the right audience? Sponsor the Accounting Talent Podcast and connect with tech-savvy accountants from across the globe. Our listeners tune in for insights and trends, making them the perfect audience for your message. Drop us a line today to find out how you can partner with us!

Does Your Website Attract the Talent You Need?

When potential hires visit your website, what’s their first impression? If you’re not sure, Rob Brown’s Employer Brand Audit can give you the insights you need. Rob will create a narrated video walkthrough of your site, highlighting what’s effective and what might be holding candidates back. Ready to attract top talent? Reach out to Rob on LinkedIn for a chat about optimizing your website.

You can watch this specific episode on our YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/kxDzocmX2uc

This is the Accounting Talent Podcast, dropping every Thursday to accounting professionals, finance specialists, software vendors, tech providers and influencers in the accountancy, CPA and bookkeeping space. If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

Check out the Accounting Talent page on LinkedIn for more relevant content on getting ahead in the hiring game:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/talent-in-accounting

Thanks to our sponsors:

ACCOUNTINGFLY. Accountingfly connects employers with top U.S.-based accounting talent through a variety of services including dedicated searches, Always-On Recruiting, and freelance placements for seasonal or temporary needs. They specialize in remote accounting recruitment,

In this episode of the Accounting Talent Podcast, Rob Brown and Jeff Phillips tackle one of the biggest challenges for accounting firms: retaining talent. They dive into why onboarding often fails, explore best practices, and discuss actionable steps for creating a smooth and engaging onboarding process. From setting clear job expectations to connecting new hires emotionally with the team, this conversation is packed with insights for reducing turnover and increasing employee engagement.

Key Takeaways

• Proper onboarding reduces turnover and builds engagement.
• New hires need clear job expectations from day one.
• Emotional connections foster trust and team cohesion.
• Structured check-ins improve communication and clarity.
• Onboarding should include introductions to key team members.
• A checklist can streamline the onboarding process.
• Leadership involvement is essential to a successful start.

Killer Quotes

1. "The first 90 days decide whether they stay or go."
2. "Losing talent starts with poor onboarding."
3. "Give them a vision they can believe in."
4. "Clarity and connection keep employees engaged."
5. "Day one sets the tone for their entire journey."
6. "Without ownership, onboarding falls apart."
7. "Retention isn’t luck; it’s a process."

Accounting Fly Onboarding Checklist:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ryANrDaLPUAXyv5mChhsoLNCx0fVXEPATiTkDYp3gps/edit?tab=t.0

Want to Connect with a Global Accounting Audience?

Looking to promote your tech or software solutions to accountants worldwide? By sponsoring the Accounting Talent Podcast, you can reach an engaged, international audience of accounting professionals. With our growing YouTube channel, your sponsorship will live on multiple platforms, maximizing your brand’s exposure. Contact us to learn more about this fantastic opportunity!

Is Your Website Attracting Top Talent?

When potential talent lands on your website, what’s their first impression? If you’re not confident about your firm’s online presence, Rob Brown’s Employer Brand Audit could help. He’ll provide a narrated video showing what candidates are thinking when they visit your site, what’s engaging them, and what might be turning them off. If you’re serious about attracting the best, connect with Rob on LinkedIn to learn more.

You can watch this specific episode on our YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/OsmEcHvTNdI

This is the Accounting Talent Podcast, dropping every Thursday to accounting professionals, finance specialists, software vendors, tech providers and influencers in the accountancy, CPA and bookkeeping space. If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

Check out the Accounting Talent page on LinkedIn for more relevant content on getting ahead in the hiring game:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/talent-in-accounting

Thanks to our sponsors:

ACCOUNTINGFLY. Accountingfly connects employers with top U.S.-based accounting talent through a variety of services including dedicated searches, Always-On Recruiting, and freelance placements for seasonal or temporary needs. They specialize in remote accounting recruitment, recognizing early on the significant advantages that remote work offers to employers, job-seekers, and their own operations. They pride themselves on their track record of matching the right candidates with the right opportunities and building a robust team of industry experts. Additionally, their partnership with...