There is a lot to think about at the start of Q1. You are recovering from your holiday hangover while making ambitious plans for the coming year. With all that’s going on, staffing may be the last thing on your mind. However, it’s worth it to survey your workforce and consider bringing in help now rather than later. Here’s why:
Prepare for a Seasonal Rush
The first quarter is a busy time at all businesses. You are either coming off of a holiday rush, or gearing back up after a period of holiday dormancy. You are making short- and long-term plans for the new year and putting new initiatives into place. In every case, the success or failure of these efforts will depend on having the right staff in place. Rather than waiting until later and trying to hurry through the recruiting process, start early in Q1 and make sure you’re bringing the best available talent on board.
Relieve the Burden on Permanent Staff
With tax season fast approaching, your permanent accounting staff has a lot on their plate. Bringing on new staff that is either temporary, part time, or full time can help lighten the load on your long-time employees and ensure that no project/client is neglected. It’s also important to consider that Q1 is a busy time for resignations as people receive their year-end bonuses and get into a reflective mood. Having extra or on-demand staff in place can help you overcome the consequences of an unexpected vacancy in stride.
Start the New Year Strong
You don’t want to stumble coming off the starting line. Mistakes and setbacks that you experience in Q1 can have lasting impacts that you’re forced to deal with for the rest of the year. Being fully staffed and having all the necessary accounting skills at your disposal can help you avoid these early mistakes. You may invest a little more in staff now, but it’s worth it if that extra help allows you to generate more revenue or cut costs later in the year.
Connect With Top Talent
You’re not the only one interested in recruiting during Q1, and job seekers know that. January and February are two of the busiest recruiting months of the year, and they tend to draw out the best available talent on the market. Plus, since many people leave jobs around the new year, fresh talent has suddenly become available. You may be able to bring impressive new accountants on board simply by extending your invitation at the right time.
Timely recruiting is only one aspect of strategic recruiting. To learn more about building speed, efficiency, quality, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness into your recruiting process, have a conversation with an expert from The Squires Group.
