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You are here: Home / News & Resources / Hiring In A Changing Industry

10/14/2021 by Matthew Thorpe, CPA, CFE

Hiring In A Changing Industry

A Changing Industry: Why We Don't Just Hire Accounting Grads

Have you recently stopped into a store to pick up something quick only to find yourself frustrated due to lack of staffing? We understand that every industry is struggling to hire talented individuals, and we are no different.

The pandemic has accelerated the changes that had been creeping into the accounting industry over the past decade, which has caused firms of all sizes to evolve. While change isn’t comfortable, especially for accountants, it is often necessary. We see what lies ahead and want to be at the forefront of taking on the industry-wide talent shortage. Surveys have a shown a steady decrease in accounting program participation, and first time CPA exam takers have fallen to 15-year low point. In 2019, 31% of all new hires at the Big 4 were non-accounting graduates.

While traditional wisdom has told us a bachelor’s degree in accounting was the first prerequisite to a career in public accounting, we are changing our tune. The fact of the matter is that accountants are problem-solvers that use on-the-job training to develop and grow. We’re looking for talented college grads that possess certain skills—such as an attention to detail, a willingness to learn, and the ability to communicate effectively—to join our team.

The job market for accountants will continue to be competitive, but if you are or know talented college graduates that possess the skills we’re looking for, we encourage you to reach out to us! Check out what our firm culture is like with this short video.

Interested in joining our team? Click here to learn more about what career opportunities we have available.

Filed Under: News & Resources

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About Matthew Thorpe, CPA, CFE

Matthew Thorpe is the Director of Operations at Meadows Urquhart.
More about Matthew.

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