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FIRM PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

Firms also are seeking help While firms are adjusting their recruiting
strategies, they can also consider ways to increase
from their own staff to get the diversity of their pipeline. One idea is recruiting
from different institutions than they normally do,
such as minority-serving institutions (e.g., histori-
new candidates in the door. cally Black colleges and universities), schools with
large diverse populations, and community colleges.
There is often untapped potential there that is
worth their investment.
Virtual recruiting is another strategy firms are
By focusing its recruiting efforts on the Uni- using to reach more candidates.
versity of Tennessee, Knoxville, the firm has built “Virtual works very well for some folks — or
up its reputation. The firm regularly participates in it can have the opposite effect,” said Stacee Rash,
on-campus events and connects with professors. Its CPA, a partner with Martin Starnes and Associ-
practice administrator has been building relation- ates in Hickory, N.C. “There’s a lot of crickets
ships with schools for a decade, Parton said. As sometimes. How do you connect with [candidates]
more students share positive experiences with the through a screen?”
firm within their social networks, it becomes easier The firm’s HR manager, Mia Snipes, has tried to
to find the next intern or hire. counter Zoom fatigue by securing earlier spots in
colleges’ recruitment windows, and she has included
a video presentation in virtual meetings to “really
AICPA RESOURCES convey our best face to them,” she said.
And the firm has made sure to stay in touch
Articles with students and other prospective candidates
“How Companies Are Responding to Rising Pressure on Wages and as they develop. Each time the firm’s staff checks
Benefits,” JofA, Dec. 21, 2021 in with prospective candidates and students, they
“Companies Embrace Unusual New Strategies to Survive a Labor Crunch,” make sure to set a date for a future conversation.
JofA, Nov. 10, 2021 “You have to remember, too, that students’ lives
have changed dramatically [during the pandemic],
“Finding the Best Talent Using Remote Interviews,” JofA, July 1, 2021
and their families’ lives have changed,” Rash said.
“Find Success With Virtual Campus Recruiting,” CPA Insider, April 19, 2021 For example, she said, a hiring manager might learn
“How Hiring Practices Have Shifted as a Result of the Pandemic,” JofA, April 9, that a student has canceled plans for grad school
2021 and now is available to hire.
“Powerful Internship Programs for Smaller Firms,” JofA, Dec. 1, 2018 Some firms have found success with recruiters.
“We’ve got two dedicated recruiters [on staff]
Podcast episode out in the marketplace. We brought on the second
“Recruiting, Flexible Working, and Tax Season Issues for Small Firms,” JofA, one literally within the past few months,” said
March 15, 2022 Alexander, whose firm employs 230 people. “We
feel like we need that level of effort.”

IN BRIEF remote work options and hire remote ■ Some firms are attempting to change
staff from outside their local areas. the mentality that accountants must
■ Accounting firms have embraced ■ Some firms are increasing their work extended hours, taking steps
different strategies to recruit and recruiting efforts on campus and such as limiting the hours per week
retain staff in the face of a tight labor making internship and job offers to staff can work during busy season.
market. students earlier than they typically ■ Firms are taking some of the pressure
■ Many firms offer flexible hours and would. off staff by letting go of problem clients.

To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Courtney Vien at Courtney.Vien@aicpa-cima.com or
919-402-4125.

8 | Journal of Accountancy May 2022