6 spring cleaning tips for the season after taxes

The tax season is over, hallelujah. Based on my experience with many accounting companies in their digital strategies, I am certain that a number of accountants (especially partners and practice owners) are on the verge of exhaustion this season, many of whom are waiting for the 18th of the month. Your first day off in weeks.

This busy time brings with it a number of questions you will not ask for the rest of the year that challenge your career choice ... This could be the last tax season you can take. You may need to reduce the number of customers or hire more staff to reduce the tax times.

But like all other things, the tax season goes by; one or two passes, and we return to the usual routine without taking any action on the pain we have suffered. Do not let this year be the same! Use the post-tax season to make informed decisions about the future of your practice. Like most things in life, your business could benefit from spring cleaning! So, without further ado, here are our 6 spring cleaning tips for the after-tax season.

1. Segment your customers

You can already segment within your customer base. However, I will ask you to consider your customers this way:

a) Documents delivered on time and in sequence

(b) documents that are punctual but not organized

c) Documents that are delivered late

d) Customers who only remember the last minute

e) Customers who were an absolute nightmare and certainly do not want to work with the next season

Take advantage of this quiet moment to decide how to get rid of the last category of customers or convert them into customers you want to work with.

2. Prepare a calendar for the next season

If you do not want to burn yourself, start preparing yourself. Create a list of the following data and add it to your calendar:

a) If you want to receive all documents

b) The date from which you will start applying surcharges for late filing (ideally all after the previous date)

c) The date after which an extension is automatically saved and the delay is not taken into account

Now, writing them down will make sure your rules are set in advance and you do not have to think about them by the middle of next year.

3. Prepare your emails

If you do not have a practice management solution or software that handles customer withdrawals automatically, we recommend that you go to your favorite newsletter software and schedule the following emails:

a) A first e-mail reminder announcing the end of the exercise and you accept the documents completed on January 1st. This should be sent between October and November, and this will also serve as a reminder to customers that you are on your back.

b) A second reminder, which will be sent in the second week of January: Almost all are on vacation in this first week. Here he lists in detail all the documents he needs from his customer. Also, list the data we discussed above to determine the principles.

c) The third reminder must be sent approximately one month before the date on which you wish to receive all documents.

d) A fourth reminder must be given one week before the deadline expires.

e) The following e-mail will be issued on the day of the submission deadline, clearly indicating that this is the last day for regular returns: any shipment sent after that date will result in late fees.

f) The last email will be started on the "no more" day.

It's important that these emails are scheduled as soon as possible, since you probably will not have time during peak season to prepare and / or send as planned. You will also be careful not to deviate from the master plan.

4. Consider selling incentives and advisory services

Look at the list of business customers that you consider to be disorganized (b) or who are not fully in the right place. Do you know why they had this problem? Do you need someone to help you with your daily activities? Is it something that can help, or could you address it to someone who can? Would you not only pay attention to compliance, but also keep an eye on your finances so that you can better plan your tax plans or perhaps help them to improve profit margins and profits?

If the answer is yes, set the time in your calendar and start contacting these customers. As you go deeper into your needs, you can better understand your situation and, together, come up with a solution that will improve your business and make your life easier in the long run.

5. Think about technology

Let's take a look at your technology stack. Are you satisfied with the technologies you currently use in your business? Identify gaps and leave enough time to test alternatives. At the last minute, I have seen many questions in the social networks of professionals who are tired of their current solutions, simply because they simply do not do what they need. Now is the time to start the investigation! When the next tax period comes into force, it will run at full speed.

Also, look at other tools that can help you, but you may not yet use them: you should share documents or platforms that let you send issues and documents directly online. That could be a big win! You may find that some of your customers need to make some adjustments and / or updates to match their technology stack.

6. Design your marketing strategy

So we cleaned up a bit with their customers and maybe their technology stack. With some important decisions to come, it's time to look inside and a little closer to you.

As part of your vision of not having to work on Saturdays during the next tax period, how much did you think about your marketing strategy? The way you position yourself and your brand is the key to the type of client that attracts you. As you know, this is related to a variety of factors, including the value that can exist, the amount it pays, and, above all, the customer.

I've seen bookkeepers taking the time to take strategic breaks and focus on the laser, re-focusing and focusing on it: they've found out who they want to work with and their overall practice strategy this audience aligned. Goal From their online marketing to training for their employees, they've made sure that they stand out for this ideal customer and attract more people through referrals.

Reserve time to clean up and practice your customer list. The important thing is to find your points of reference: discover what is best for you and what you need to make the next year and the tax season a great success.

Give yourself a gift after tax this season: the gift of living your own life. Here's a work- life balance that helps you save valuable time while supporting the growth of your practice.

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Jonathan Mifsud is Head of Digital Strategies at Maze Digital and focuses exclusively on Digital Agenda accounting and implementation. He has more than seven years of experience in the financial industry and has helped accountancy firms exceed $ 1 million in revenue. If you no longer want to do business with your competitors, why not take this opportunity and switch to a free strategy call ?

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