My firm lays off 10% of our employees as we're preparing for Tax Season

That sucks. Partners must be wanting a larger pool for themselves, and know that the culture is "max work from min employees." They know, even if it's poorer quality, the returns will get prepared.

But hey, public accounting and accounting as just a career field, are losing more and more people each day, so that's on them. People don't want to become accountants anymore. Big 4 will be fine most likely just because they'll still be considered the "prestigious" employers of accounting, but other than that, it's going to be rough for smaller mid-size firms.