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

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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

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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,