While it may be tempting to switch firms during busy season, it's a mistake, says Sheryl Martin, executive director of firm operations for WithumSmith+Brown, P.C., a CPA firm with 11 offices along the Mid-Atlantic corridor. "I would never recommend that anyone move in the busy season. Smile, stick it out and leave in May," she says. "It's always frowned on when you leave, but if you're leaving during tax season, you're inevitably going to leave on bad terms."

For some employers, moving during the busy season is akin to cheating on your spouse. Your paramour may be grooving on your decision now, but in the future, she's going to suspect you'll step out on her, too. "We'd wonder, 'Why wouldn't they do that to us, too?'" says Martin.

The exception to the rule would be a compelling event in your life, notes Glenn Dubiel, a Ft. Lauderdale-based vice president of recruiting firm the Mergis Group. "It has to be something that's beyond your control, such as moving to follow a spouse who's transferred, or a serious injury. Otherwise, a job change during the busy season is a spot on your resume," he says. "Certainly, you can heal that spot, but the people who are going to do the best in their career are those who will tough it out through the busy season."

Move for the Right Reasons

Unhappy accountants who don't enjoy the work sometimes mistakenly view an opportunity at another firm as the gates of hell opening to let them out, says Carl Wellenstein, CPA, a career strategist and coach with ExecGlobalNet in Downey, Calif. "In those circumstances, you need to be clear about why you want to make a job change, or you'll find you've moved from one cell in hell to another cell in hell," he warns.

To make sure you're not simply switching cellmates, create a list of the specific things you don't like about your current job - your boss micromanages you or the firm's ethics are different than yours, for example. Then figure out a way to find out if the next employer will be different.

Such detective work can be especially difficult during the busy season, when a company's unspoken, yet primary, goal may be to fill an open position just to get through the work ahead. "In the busy season, they want someone to fill the position because they need to get things done," says Wellenstein. "So you may not get an objective response." Outside of the busy season, you're more likely to get a reasoned response to questions you ask during an interview.

Wellenstein also has a warning about calls that come from contingency recruiters during the season: Keep in mind their motivation is to place someone and earn a fee. "Make sure it's the right move for you, and not just for the recruiter," he says.

Dubiel counsels that many good job opportunities can be put off until you fulfill your current commitments. "If you have an opportunity, the new company can wait. And, if you're going to an opportunity in another public accounting firm, I'd question why they want to bring you on during the busy season. In reality, what's 60 or 90 days?"