As busy season becomes a distant memory, the last thing you may want to think about is your job search. While enjoying a lighter workload and the warmer weather, it’s tempting to kick back and relax over the next several months. This means it’s also time to take a break from job searching, right?

Contrary to popular belief, the answer is no. The perception that public accounting firms cut back on—or even stop—hiring in the summer is just a myth.

“With firms gearing up for the fourth quarter, it’s actually one of the busiest times for hiring,” says Elisa Dammacco, a Senior Managing Director within The Execu|Search Group’s Accounting/Finance division. “As a result, now is not the time to lose sight of your future. If your current employer isn’t meeting your needs, landing a new job sooner—rather than later— can make a huge difference in your happiness and work ethic in the long run.”

If you decide that finding a new job is ultimately the right move for you, here are three additional reasons to kick start your search during the summer months:

1. The luxury of time:

When it comes to finding the right job opportunity, timing can be everything. “The earlier you start educating yourself on market trends and exploring new opportunities, the greater your chances are of identifying and landing a position that aligns with your career goals,” advises Elisa. “There is typically a more diverse range of available opportunities during the summer, so being proactive affords you the time to hone in on the type of role that is the right fit for you.”  This will also help ensure you don’t miss out on any potential jobs, or feel rushed into making an important career decision at the last minute.

2. Less competition:

Since many accountants believe the myth that the summer months are not the right time to look for a job, those who start their job search before September or October will face less competition.  “It will be much harder to distinguish yourself from other candidates in the fall, when the market is flooded with job seekers,” warns Elisa. “If you deviate from this trend, it will be easier to get on a hiring manager’s radar. This could lead you to more interviews and better opportunities.”

3. An easier transition into a new role:

While many public accountants may be wary of entering the market during the summer, those who do land a new position early enough have the opportunity to experience and settle into a new firm before going through busy season. “Summer is an ideal time for accounting firms to hire new staff because they have more time to devote to onboarding and training,” explains Elisa. “This allows you to ease into your responsibilities, get accustomed to the company culture, and focus on learning any new technologies or techniques unique to the firm before getting thrown into something more comprehensive during tax season.”

If you embark on a job search during the summer, it’s important to remember that being proactive doesn’t mean that you have to make a move if you ultimately decide you aren’t ready to. It does, however, allow you to understand your value—a factor that can help guide you in making career decisions that increase your marketability in an ever-evolving industry.