As tax season 2024 ends, accounting firms are already gearing up for the following year’s season. Like a master fencer preparing for a bout, mastering tax season requires finesse, strategy, and a well-coordinated plan of attack.
Here are some steps you can take to equip your firm with the tools and techniques needed to thrive in the ever-evolving tax preparation landscape.
En Garde: Performing Post-Tax Season Reassessment
Part of any good game plan is watching the tape. Now is the perfect time—while the memory is still fresh—to regroup and evaluate what your firm did right and what you can improve upon. Solicit feedback from your team and clients.
Discuss what made this year successful and what made it difficult. Identify pressure points and how to alleviate them. This early feedback is a valuable catalyst for adjusting and improving for next year.
Technology Is Your Ally
Technology gets smarter every day, and while some may fear the advent of AI, they can be your greatest ally in navigating the complexities of tax season’s duels. Use machine learning and automation to refine processes, increase productivity, and minimize risk.
Ensure your team is well-versed in the latest tax preparation software to allocate more hours to strategic planning and analysis and provide value to the clients. Explore cloud-based solutions for secure data storage and effortless collaboration with clients remotely.
Stay in Touch With Your Clients
Beyond deftly crunching numbers, building a solid rapport with clients is vital to long-term success. Maintaining clear and proactive communication helps them stay compliant and offers insight into your client’s financial goals, concerns, and preferences.
Establish streamlined communication by:
- Setting clear expectations regarding deadlines, required documentation, and the overall tax prep process.
- Urging clients to keep organized records. Provide seminars and workshops if you must.
- Handing out checklists of required documents.
- Consider an incentive plan for clients who comply early.
Continuous Upskilling
Tax laws are being changed yearly, so leveling up should never stop. Ensure your team stays informed on the latest tax law updates; the IRS website is always a good starting point. Provide comprehensive training on how to master accounting software.
In addition, remember that technical skills aren’t the only thing you should be honing. Interpersonal skills are just as essential to ensure your team provides the best service to the clients.
Riposte by Optimizing Your Workflow
Use the post-tax season review data and adjust your workflow processes to enhance productivity and minimize bottlenecks. Assign tasks based on staff expertise and workload capacity.
Use project management tools to track progress, assign priorities, and allocate resources effectively. Optimizing your workflow ensures tasks are completed promptly, reducing client turnaround times.
Recover: Prioritize Your Team’s Mental Health & Well-Being
Tax season is one of the chaotic times of the year for accountants. Make sure that your team has adequate breathing room and support. Check-ins go a long way; see how they’re doing and encourage them to tag out and recharge.
Another way to lift the burden on your team is by calling for backups. Consider outsourced accountants as reinforcements who are already well-versed in US tax laws and regulations. Remember, a team that’s not burned out produces better results.
Get Ready for the Next Battle!
Tax season will always be a battlefield for accountants, so instead of staying in constant survival mode, dominate the next tax season by implementing these steps to prepare your firm.
Need an extra arm in your accounting firm? Learn how TOA Global’s outsourced accounting services can strengthen your team’s offense with battle-ready accountants. Schedule a free, no-obligation strategy call today.