key finding #2: the biggest problems stem from: late or erroneous k1s, 1099s, etc.; late or unprepared clients; last-minute tax code changes; irs operations; and software or technology issues.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
key finding #3: the number on extension increases significantly at firms of 50 or fewer persons, while total revenue jumps at larger firms.<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
key finding #4: lessons learned to be applied next year include changing software, improving workflows, additional training, hiring more staff, better marketing and firing clients.<\/h2>\n
what accountants talk about when they talk about doing things differently next year<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
sample verbatim responses to: what do you plan to do differently next year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- terminate several clients, cut back on work – ease up the workflow.<\/em><\/li>\n
- better training of staff and review currently<\/em><\/li>\n
- put in more hours to get more work out by 4\/15.<\/em><\/li>\n
- push clients to deliver partial information as received.<\/em><\/li>\n
- hire more staff; finish out my contract with software firm and then move to internet based tax software for 2015<\/em><\/li>\n
- hopefully better staffing and also a more firm cut off for clients information.<\/em><\/li>\n
- continue moving paperless, firing atx and moving to ultra tax.<\/em><\/li>\n
- hopefully use better software.<\/em><\/li>\n
- wait to file certain tax returns<\/em><\/li>\n
- train, train, train!!!!\u00a0 then train some more.<\/em><\/li>\n
- do less work myself and delegate more.<\/em><\/li>\n
- perhaps do a little more networking<\/em><\/li>\n
- start planning an exit strategy<\/em><\/li>\n
- starting to semi retire so i will eliminate some clients to reduce work load.<\/em><\/li>\n
- not sure. start filing extensions earlier.<\/em><\/li>\n
- we are making changes to staffing and processes to accommodate an increase in volume.\u00a0 we will also attempt to meet with a greater percentage of our clients in november\/december.<\/em><\/li>\n
- try to push to get the information in earlier.<\/em><\/li>\n
- workflow prep and hire someone<\/em><\/li>\n
- hire additional staff<\/em><\/li>\n
- continue to be proactive in getting information timely, and delegate more.<\/em><\/li>\n
- eliminate unneeded steps<\/em><\/li>\n
- continue to make better use of technology, try to stay on top of industry trends to better serve client needs.<\/em><\/li>\n
- continue to watch overhead expenses.<\/em><\/li>\n
- additional contact with existing clients<\/em><\/li>\n
- hire help, thus reducing profits.<\/em><\/li>\n
- send termination letters to several letters.\u00a0 lighten the work load.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 decide which clients will go on automatic extension and then stick to it.\u00a0\u00a0 touch base with the brokerage houses and find out which ones will give us excel spreadsheets for the schedule d input.<\/em><\/li>\n
- buy a lottery ticket.<\/em><\/li>\n
- more forward tax planning with clients.<\/em><\/li>\n
- advertise more<\/em><\/li>\n
- do more advertising<\/em><\/li>\n
- not schedule a number of audits during tax season.<\/em><\/li>\n
- pray that congress acts timely instead of so late.<\/em><\/li>\n
- try to further tweak processes, might change software since proseries was buggier than usual.\u00a0 might actually trim client load for the sake of mental and physical health of cpas and staff.\u00a0 hope to recoup lost tax revenues with other products or just quality of life…<\/em><\/li>\n
- plan!<\/em><\/li>\n
- not have as many tax engagements<\/em><\/li>\n
- push clients for info sooner<\/em><\/li>\n
- more marketing to small businesses for monthly work and more marketing to non profits in our target market.<\/em><\/li>\n
- be certain that my staff continue to develop their skills, manage time and projects more effectively, and maintain greater control over operations through efficient and effective delegation of administrative duties to a new operations management super star (1 tax season under the collar.)<\/em><\/li>\n
- hopefully get an earlier start<\/em><\/li>\n
- try to be more proactive<\/em><\/li>\n
- try to manage the workflow better<\/em><\/li>\n
- work less<\/em><\/li>\n
- better planning and staffing for tax season.<\/em><\/li>\n
- fire less profitable clients or the ones that are too difficult to deal with<\/em><\/li>\n
- attempt to process more returns earlier if the irs is agreeable<\/em><\/li>\n
- we will be communicating more often and more clearly of what is expected of them. we will streamline the systems of our larger firm to improve effeciency. more training of staff and reminding client of their responsibility in the process.<\/em><\/li>\n
- no<\/em><\/li>\n
- reducing my client base\u00a0 getting rid of quickbooks clients<\/em><\/li>\n
- not fire someone (hopefully) end of feb<\/em><\/li>\n
- may try to sell<\/em><\/li>\n
- more advanced scheduling and time management<\/em><\/li>\n
- staffing, more emphasis on staff independence<\/em><\/li>\n
- market more.<\/em><\/li>\n
- different tax software.<\/em><\/li>\n
- pursue upgrading clients and shedding time suckers<\/em><\/li>\n
- change from atx<\/em><\/li>\n
- improve computer operations<\/em><\/li>\n
- work fewer hours<\/em><\/li>\n
- change software vendor<\/em><\/li>\n
- a push to get clients to provide their information more timely.\u00a0 continue to replace non-profitable clients with clients that can produce more revenue and be more profitable.<\/em><\/li>\n
- better up front processes.<\/em><\/li>\n
- i will not work as hard.<\/em><\/li>\n
- work on ways to streamline our internal processes to become more efficient.<\/em><\/li>\n
- seek alternative income sources<\/em><\/li>\n
- change software and hire before tax season<\/em><\/li>\n
- i need to fire about 20 clients.<\/em><\/li>\n
- we plan to have a marketing campaign to get more clients. we have added staff, and we have had low customer turnover and we plan to keep it that way.<\/em><\/li>\n
- try to start and let clients know that if information is not in the office to complete the return by 3\/31, then an extension is being prepared.<\/em><\/li>\n
- do some advertising<\/em><\/li>\n
- don\u2019t think we can do much different other than hire more part time staff<\/em><\/li>\n
- new software.\u00a0 brace myself.<\/em><\/li>\n
- improve my computer system<\/em><\/li>\n
- continued automation of processes if possible.\u00a0 continued staff training related to workflow.\u00a0 continued client education regarding filing requirements and information.<\/em><\/li>\n
- make sure there is enough staff.<\/em><\/li>\n
- try harder to have clients bring information in earlier. tyr to delegate more.<\/em><\/li>\n
- push more small business clients to provide interim financial data rather than get a whole year’s worht of activity at yaer end. start following up sooner on those returns that have not arrived.<\/em><\/li>\n
- push more small business clients to provide interim financial data rather than get a whole year’s worht of activity at yaer end. start following up sooner on those returns that have not arrived.<\/em><\/li>\n
- more focus on improving current client service and value.<\/em><\/li>\n
- plan to be available earlier and more often<\/em><\/li>\n
- strengthen employees’ training and do more tax planning with clients during 2013 fall and winter.<\/em><\/li>\n
- encourage my clients to bring their tax stuff in earlier.<\/em><\/li>\n
- retire after next year’s tax season.\u00a0 it’s not worth it any longer.\u00a0 too many preparer penalties<\/em><\/li>\n
- different\/improved software and staff<\/em><\/li>\n
- probably will do more returns myself.<\/em><\/li>\n
- continue to hire new staff.<\/em><\/li>\n
- research other software vendors<\/em><\/li>\n
- change software vendors; file more extensions<\/em><\/li>\n
- workflow\/planning\/process analysis this summer to impact how we handle next year<\/em><\/li>\n
- try to eliminate undesirable clients<\/em><\/li>\n
- plan for workflow and staffing even more.<\/em><\/li>\n
- search for better\/more qualified employees.<\/em><\/li>\n
- charge more for our services.\u00a0 divest ourselves of smaller tax returns, hire one more staffer.<\/em><\/li>\n
- increase staffing levels<\/em><\/li>\n
- change software<\/em><\/li>\n
- try to work on returns sooner after receipt.<\/em><\/li>\n
- planning<\/em><\/li>\n
- raise fees if the economy continues to improve.<\/em><\/li>\n
- consider retiring<\/em><\/li>\n
- reduce my client responsibility and therefor my workload — turning 68 and its time to slow down.<\/em><\/li>\n
- try to be staffed a little better and encourage our clients to bring info in sooner.<\/em><\/li>\n
- target new business clients<\/em><\/li>\n
- had no control over late tax changes this year. may evaluate more staff next year<\/em><\/li>\n
- hope for improved software<\/em><\/li>\n
- possibly more staff that is more experienced.<\/em><\/li>\n
- nothing. i think this year was an anomaly<\/em><\/li>\n
- i am getting another up to date computer so that i can network my assistant to me.\u00a0 this year’s system was created on the fly.<\/em><\/li>\n
- staffing changes to better service clients and spread the internal workload.<\/em><\/li>\n
- reach out to clients earlier, and request those with 1099-rs come in early even if they have not received their 1099-r as of yet.<\/em><\/li>\n
- better prep time always helps<\/em><\/li>\n
- more preplanning, newer technology<\/em><\/li>\n
- we are still working through this<\/em><\/li>\n
- i haven\u2019t decided yet.<\/em><\/li>\n
- hire additional help earlier and trained them in changes in laws and forms<\/em><\/li>\n
- try to plan a better workflow system.<\/em><\/li>\n
- add staff<\/em><\/li>\n