How to Have a Happier Accounting Busy Season This Year

It’s common for CPAs to have a love/hate relationship with busy season.

As a rule, accountants enjoy the influx of money that’s part of the package, which supports the firm for the remainder of the year. Regrettably, many CPAs forget their accountant websites and other critical aspects of the practice from January to April, and they completely give up on staying healthy. In spite of the boost in the bottom line that comes with it, all too often, busy season ruins a practice.

So how can you get the best out of yourself and your staff this season without creating a counter-productive “crunch time” environment? Check out how shrewd accountants maximize the profits of busy season while minimizing the stress:

1. They Invest in accountant websites That Do the Grunt Work for Them

During busy season, time is money. An hour here or there printing out documents or filing paper returns can really add up, preventing firms from reaching revenue goals.

To cut down on needless waste, smart CPA firms choose accountant websites that are loaded with time-saving tools and features. The following website features take care of a lot of the grunt work that can slow down a CPA during busy season:

• Frequently asked questions page
• Google map and directions for car and public transport
• Automated newsletter
• Pay by credit card
• Online tax organizer

2. They Clean Up Their Before Crunch Time Hits

Disorganization in the workplace (and at home for that matter) really adds to people’s stress. Especially in a business like accounting, piles of papers and files quickly get out of control, spilling all over the floor and teetering on the edges of crowded desks. And what happens when a client calls and the CPA can’t find their information easily? Even when they’re confident they can locate any piece of paper quickly, they’re foolish to take a chance with client data.

Accountants who prepare for busy season before the first of the year are more relaxed and more effective in their client work. These CPAs get their accountant websites all set to go, clean off their desks, and generally declutter their space. And they’re careful to “hibernate” any projects that can wait until after April 15th by placing them out of the way where they won’t add to the general chaos.

Another favorite trick enjoyed by successful CPAs and accountants is taking a few minutes to tidy up the office at the end of the day. Nobody likes coming to work when it looks like a construction site. A few touch-ups at the end of a workday will give the next day a much better shot at a smooth start.

3. They Give ‘Em the Pink Slip

It’s part of the package to have some clients who just make life miserable for the whole staff. These difficult folks might take issue with every single fee, leave nasty comments on firms’ accountant websites, or just come across as highly unpleasant and antisocial.

It may be hard to do, but it’s okay to fire obnoxious clients, and smart CPAs terminate these relationships. The time accountants waste dealing with these troublemakers is better spent working with the clients who are easy and problem free.

4. They Know When to Ask for Help

Think of all the time-consuming, administrative tasks accountants perform each day: e-mail, processing and filing returns, updating their accountant websites, sending out client reminders, answering phone calls, etc. Wouldn’t it save time to hand all this off to someone else?

This is a great opportunity to bring in a couple interns who can take on these important but distracting details. Many interns are fresh from schooling and more than happy to get real-life office experience. It’s a win-win situation that can greatly diminish CPAs’ workload.

5. They Refuse to Burn Out

During busy season, many accountants work 10, 12, 14 hours a day – or more. But not all of them. The wisest CPAs don’t allow the job to take over their lives, even when workload is at its height.

Take a page from their playbook. Decide in advance each day what time you’re going to leave the office, and stick to it. Getting enough rest and taking a break each evening only makes the next day that much more productive.

And remember to tell your clients that you can’t work miracles. They should know that they MUST hand in their materials by a particular date or you’ll be filing for an extension on their behalf. Period.

If you’re an accountant facing busy season, remember to take time for yourself. Once a week, forget about accountant websites, tax organizers, and dissatisfied clients – and relax. Treat yourself to a film or your favorite type of live performance, enjoy a hot bath, or make a date with your pals. Once you do, your business will be all the better for it!