But many CPA firms appear to be missing out on the recovery.
by Rick Telberg
CPA Trendlines Research
The nation’s tax and accounting industry appears to have re-started expansion with new hiring in January, after a two-month pause at the end of 2012 in November and December, according to CPA Trendlines research. But the gains appear to be concentrated in non-CPA-owned offices.
Analysts are attributing the 2012 year-end economic stall to two major storms which slowed economic activity: One, Hurricane Sandy, and, the other, Congress, which has been gridlocked under a bubble of hot air.
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In this new analysis, CPA Trendlines finds:
- The nation’s accounting and bookkeeping services employers are re-starting hiring after a short pause.
- The CPA Trendlines Busy Season Barometer survey is showing that 32.6% of respondents cite staffing issues as a “chief concern.” Join the survey; get the updates.
- Employees are putting in more hours.
- Wages are trending upward again.
- The industry is grappling with staff leverage ratios.
- CPA firms, as a subsector, are showing signs of a stall in growth and are holding line on expansion.
- CPA firms are paying top dollar for talent.
- CPA firms are showing fewer hours worked.
- Tax prep offices have slammed the brakes on hiring, pending clarifications from Washington.
- Pay and hours worked are trending upward at payroll agencies, even as their headcounts remain volatile.
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