The New Year Hiring Trap: Why January Urgency Leads to June Regret

The New Year Hiring Trap: Why January Urgency Leads to June Regret

Every January, my phone starts ringing. CFOs, business owners, hiring managers—all saying they need someone immediately. The New Year feels like the perfect time for a fresh start. Can I find them a Controller, a Senior Accountant, someone to fix their accounting problems by February?

I understand the impulse. A new year creates momentum. You've got hiring on your list of goals, and crossing it off early feels productive. But here's what I've seen happen over 20 years: The companies that rush to fill roles in January are often calling me again in June because it didn't work out.

The pressure to hire quickly makes people skip steps that matter. They spend less time on cultural fit because they need someone now. They overlook communication issues because the technical skills are there. They make offers to the first qualified candidate instead of waiting to see who else might be available. It feels efficient in the moment. It rarely works out that way.

The accounting professionals who are actively looking in early January aren't always the strongest candidates. The really good people are usually focused on their current roles, wrapping up year-end close, preparing for audits, or finalizing annual reports. They start considering moves later, when things settle down and they have time to think about what they actually want.

This doesn't mean you should ignore hiring until summer. It means being strategic about timing and realistic about your process. If you know you'll need someone, start the conversation early. Understand what you're really looking for beyond "experienced accountant." Be prepared to move when the right person appears, but don't settle just because it's January and you want to check the box.

The companies I work with who make placements that last take their time even when they feel pressure. They involve their team in the interview process. They're honest about workload and expectations. They recognize that hiring the wrong person creates more work than leaving the role open a bit longer.

January is a fine time to start thinking about your staffing needs. It's a terrible time to make rushed decisions you'll regret by summer. If the right person doesn't surface until March or April, that's still better than starting over in six months.