{"id":1218,"date":"2008-04-14t10:55:16","date_gmt":"2008-04-14t15:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/48e130086c.nxcli.net\/2008\/04\/14\/four-new-lessons-from-busy-season-2008\/"},"modified":"2015-10-23t03:54:41","modified_gmt":"2015-10-23t07:54:41","slug":"four-new-lessons-from-busy-season-2008","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/\/www.g005e.com\/2008\/04\/14\/four-new-lessons-from-busy-season-2008\/","title":{"rendered":"four new lessons from busy season 2008"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"04142008.jpg\"<\/a>what did you learn this year?<\/strong><\/p>\n

join the discussion; see what cpas say.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

by rick telberg\/at large<\/strong><\/p>\n

congratulations! you survived another busy season.<\/p>\n

it wasn’t always easy. there were last-minute changes to the amt and client pressure for those economic stimulus rebate checks; plus, there were the usual software glitches, staff shortages, sudden departures and naive or ill-prepared clients. and don’t forget the usual personal and emotional crises of the season-spouses and kids who go too long without quality time, frayed nerves with partners and staff and your own health and welfare.<\/p>\n

but all in all, most accountants are reporting a comparably better season than last year. we’ll get to the details in a column coming up as soon as we can crunch some season-ending data. so don’t forget to add your input to our ongoing busy season benchmarking project, here<\/a>. you’ll be joining thousands of accountants who have participated over the last four years.<\/p>\n

in the meantime, let’s go over some of our notes from busy season 2008.<\/p>\n

1. remember the four habits of the highly successful tax practice<\/strong><\/p>\n

in reviewing our data so far, it’s clear that the more effective firms share a few key traits. their partners and staff report less stress, smoother operations and increased revenue-both overall and on a per-client basis.<\/p>\n

what are they doing right? they tend to excel at these four skills:<\/p>\n