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...

Christina Ricke discusses the evolving landscape of accounting careers, emphasizing the flexibility and opportunities available in the industry today. She highlights the unique culture at Pinion, where diverse talent is embraced, and the importance of leadership and employee engagement in creating a positive work environment. Christina also addresses the significance of mental wellness and the firm's commitment to supporting its employees. Looking ahead, she expresses excitement about the future of Pinion as it navigates global partnerships and the impact of technology on the accounting profession.

Key Takeaways

• The accounting industry offers more flexibility than perceived.
• Finding the right fit in a firm is crucial for job satisfaction.
• Diversity in talent is essential for modern accounting firms.
• The role of Chief People Officer is becoming increasingly important.
• Employee engagement can be measured by referrals and satisfaction.
• Retention rates are a key indicator of employee happiness.
• Leadership development is integral to the firm's culture.
• Success skills are vital for professional growth in accounting.
• Mental wellness support is essential in today's workplace.

As Pinion’s people strategy leader, Christina Ricke creates a legacy of talent. She champions change in the areas of recruiting, retention, employee relations, talent development, and human resource consulting.

In Pinion’s brick and mortar and virtual offices from coast to coast, Christina fosters a firm culture of entrepreneurship, continual improvement, and creative destruction that breeds out-of-the-box ideas, innovation, and forward progress. Originally from an ag community in rural southwestern Kansas, she grew up family farming and custom harvesting. To this day, she lives with farmer’s values and loves her continuing involvement with the food and ag industry. Christina Ricke joined Pinion 20 years ago, and eventually led the firm’s community banking practice. She performed tax work, strategic planning, and business development building the firm’s bank-industry presence in the Kansas, Oklahoma and Colorado markets.

But devoted to people issues throughout her career, she became increasingly driven to transition to a role where she now creates career opportunities for the firm’s team members. As a member of the firm’s leadership team, she focuses on understanding the exclusive personality traits that enable each unique team member to flourish. And she continually builds and supports the kind of environment that makes it enjoyable for people to stay and grow as satisfied professionals who continually expand their talents.

________

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

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...