{"id":122838,"date":"2024-02-24t09:14:02","date_gmt":"2024-02-24t14:14:02","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.g005e.com\/?post_type=product&p=122838"},"modified":"2024-07-15t00:38:06","modified_gmt":"2024-07-15t04:38:06","slug":"htrtr","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"\/\/www.g005e.com\/shop\/htrtr\/","title":{"rendered":"how to review tax returns: updated & expanded"},"content":{"rendered":"

stop the problem before it starts<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"
mendlowitz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

by ed mendlowitz<\/strong><\/span>
\n<\/em>preface to the 3rd edition<\/em><\/p>\n

since publishing this handbook’s first and second editions, i have received much feedback from readers and attendees of my webinars.<\/strong><\/p>\n

while reviewing returns is a very important function, the overall quality is not improving except for those who get my message. i know what i am suggesting works because readers have called me to say so.<\/p>\n

my message is quite simple:<\/strong> to have the reviewers do the type of job that is needed for them, you need to improve the quality of the preparers, train better, be steadfast in adhering to the system, and make compliance with the system and quality standards your main concern. you must also create effective and efficient review systems that utilize the reviewer\u2019s top skills.<\/p>\n

we have smart people preparing tax returns, almost all being college graduates and many with advanced degrees and cpa certificates.<\/p>\n

yet error rates by preparers in many firms are greater than 50 percent and reach close to 100 percent in some.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

this seems unnecessary and idiotic to me. i<\/strong>t means that we cannot seem to get error-free work from our staff as a profession. does that make any sense? not to me. why isn\u2019t this changing?<\/p>\n

one reason the quality hasn\u2019t improved<\/strong> is the adoption of modern and clich\u00e9 systems that institute procedures that thwart improvement. these systems lose sight of ways to make money by preparing tax returns, yet they promote their methods as the way to make more money. essentially, these systems continually push work forward, never backward, so that there is no duplication of efforts, lost time, or repeat touches or handling.<\/p>\n

that sounds great on some level \u2013 thanks to expensive training courses brainwashing their customers, these systems create raving fans who return to their practices as converts to these new methods. but there\u2019s an inherent problem: the quality is not improved at the first level of tax preparation: the preparers.<\/p>\n

any reader who disagrees with this is welcome to call me and either tell me i\u2019m crazy or ask me to explain why one of these particular methods isn\u2019t working for them.<\/p>\n

the bigger issue of preparer quality<\/strong> is recognized in this handbook, and easy quality improvement methods are described, explained, and illustrated. preparer quality improvement is the first step in improving the reviewer’s role making their job easier and more fun, and making them better able to provide a superior product and service to clients.<\/p>\n

training reviewers to do better work<\/strong> is what this handbook is about. however, the main thrust of the initiatives described in this handbook is to put the reviewers in charge of preparer training and enforce absolute respect and adherence to the system, meanwhile recognizing that reviewers\u2019 time is more valuable and costly than preparers\u2019 time and that reviewers should use their brains, not their eyes. all of this is covered thoroughly in later chapters.<\/p>\n

i enjoy sharing these methods because i know that they are successful. however, i recognize that they contradict some expensive \u201cnew\u201d practice management methods, and i welcome feedback from readers, especially those who disagree with my suggestion. i always feel good about compliments, but i learn from complainers, so please complain.<\/p>\n

a final word:<\/strong> i believe the logic of what this book recommends is crystal clear. if you agree, don\u2019t you owe it to yourself to try these methods?<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

table of contents<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

updated and expanded<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

chapter 1 \u2013 the nature of tax return preparation<\/p>\n

chapter 2 \u2013 tax return preparation could be a commodity or a professional service<\/p>\n

chapter 3 \u2013 why you should want to improve your review process<\/p>\n

chapter 4 \u2013 review procedures = quality control<\/p>\n

chapter 5 \u2013 establishing a system<\/p>\n

chapter 6 \u2013 why checklists are critical<\/p>\n

chapter 7 \u2013 logistical issues<\/p>\n

chapter 8 \u2013 types of reviews<\/p>\n

chapter 9 \u2013 the preliminary cursory review<\/p>\n

chapter 10 \u2013 the content review<\/p>\n

chapter 11 \u2013 the issues review<\/p>\n

chapter 12 \u2013 review procedures between april 1 and april 15<\/p>\n

chapter 13 \u2013 the get-it-out-the-door method<\/p>\n

chapter 14 \u2013 the topside review<\/p>\n

chapter 15 \u2013 the trying-to-get-a-new-client method<\/p>\n

chapter 16 \u2013 final review by a partner before signing the return<\/p>\n

chapter 17 \u2013 two added steps for the reviewer, regardless of the method used<\/p>\n

chapter 18 \u2013 recommended method for the reviewer<\/p>\n

chapter 19 \u2013 the effectiveness and purpose of reviewing<\/p>\n

chapter 20 \u2013 don\u2019t use your eyes, use your brain!<\/p>\n

chapter 21 \u2013 questions to ask preparers\u2014and yourself<\/p>\n

chapter 22 \u2013 reviewer\u2019s checklists<\/p>\n