Talent acquisition is a draining endeavor for many accounting firm owners. 

Chris Johnson of CJ CPAs knows the pain of trying to hire the right people. The time wasted, the money lost, the endless cycle of hiring and rehiring. 

After coming up short again and again, he knew something had to change. 

So, he did something bold: he offered a $50,000 sign-on bonus to attract top-tier talent to his firm, CJ CPAs. 

No tricks. No clawbacks. Just a clear, upfront investment in the right person. 

But this strategy wasn’t about throwing money at a problem — it was about rethinking how firms approach talent altogether. Chris turned recruiting into a marketing funnel, refined his messaging, and doubled down on culture. And while the bonus got attention, it’s what happened next that really matters. 

If you’ve ever struggled to find the right people — people who align with your values and want to grow with your firm — this episode of the Accounting Talent podcast is for you.