The “accounting busy season” is a challenging time for firms as they navigate heavy workloads under tight deadlines, and increasing client demands. Add to this the growing shortage of qualified accountants. Accounting firms are bleeding talent. The shortage is a result of various factors. Baby boomers are retiring, and a new workforce is not entering into the profession due to the demanding nature of the profession.
But Tax Season comes year after year. Returns need to be prepared. Firms offering S Corp tax preparation services and C Corp tax preparation services look for skilled tax professionals to help them through the accounting busy season. Amid the accountant shortage, firms are welcoming innovative solutions too.
What makes it worse? Resources not being used efficiently.
Picture this: you have 5 tax preparers, each capable of filing 250 returns a month. Tax season gives you roughly 10 weeks to get it done, yet many firms don’t even start until March.
Why the delay?
Common tax season hurdles:
The key to surviving (and thriving) in tax season? Preparation.
Proactive planning ensures your team can handle workloads effectively and avoid the last-minute chaos.
Key Steps for Preplanning:
Related Read – Guide for Tax Firms to Re-Invent Tax Season with Offshore Tax Prep
There are parts of tax preparation that don’t need to take up your team’s time—because they can be automated. Such as client communication, collecting documents, sending payment update etc.
By automating repetitive tasks, you can save valuable hours and redirect that time toward more impactful work:
Where to Automate:
Automating simple tax returns, like 1040 prep, starts with mapping out the process step-by-step. Then, it’s about using the right technology to handle repetitive tasks.
For one of our clients, we implemented this approach and helped them scale from 300 returns per tax season to 1,000 returns.
Imagine what that kind of efficiency could do for your firm.
Ready to scale your tax workflow? Let’s make it happen—get in touch today.
When you’re already struggling with staffing, finding new talent with the right skills can feel like an uphill battle.
Instead, prioritize retaining your existing team. How?
Implement Flexible Work Options: Remote work and flexible hours can improve work-life balance, reducing burnout.
A happy and engaged workforce is less likely to leave, ensuring you have a reliable team to rely on during the busiest times.
Burnout often boils down to one issue: constant overwork.
With the ongoing shortage of tax pros, firms are caught in a tough spot. You need skilled talent to manage growth but don’t want to turn away profitable clients.
When growth is your goal, strategic decisions are key. One effective approach? Offshoring tax preparation.
Here’s why it works:
For the cost of one onshore employee, you can often hire two offshore tax pros.
This lets you scale operations without overburdening your team—or your budget.
But what about quality? That’s where choosing the right offshore partner makes all the difference.
A trusted partner can help you maintain service quality, manage workloads efficiently, and avoid burnout—all while meeting your firm’s growth goals.
Ready to explore smarter scaling? Let’s talk.
Choose the Right Partner: Look for firms with expertise in tax preparation and a proven track record.
Establish Clear Guidelines: Communicate your expectations, timelines, and quality standards.
Maintain Regular Communication: Keep an open line of communication to address any concerns and ensure smooth collaboration.
Related Read – How Tax Season Looks Like When Tax Firms Offshore Tax Prep
The accountant shortage during the “accounting busy season” may seem daunting, but with the right strategies, firms can overcome these challenges. By preplanning, automating tasks, reducing staff churn, and outsourcing tax preparation, your firm can thrive even during peak periods.
Every firm’s circumstances are unique, so tailor these strategies to fit your specific needs and goals. Taking proactive steps today will not only ease the busy season but also position your firm for long-term success.
Worried about staff shortage in the busy tax season —we’re here to help!
About Credfino
We are helping over 85 accounting and tax firms based on US and Canada with our constant support.
Here’s how we structure a dedicated team to ensure your tax season runs seamlessly:
That’s a 5-person team dedicated to your account. For high-volume returns, we scale further—adding more preparers and reviewers, all managed by a Tax Manager to oversee deliverables and maintain quality.
Ready to solve accountant shortage issue this tax season? Let’s make it happen.
Every year, we watch tax pros go absolutely bananas from February to mid-April.
Why?
Because they’re cramming 52 weeks of work into just 15 weeks. And most tax pros have just accepted this madness as their FATE. They think it’s just “part of the job.”
Offshore accounting has been around for decades, originally born out of the rise of virtual accounting and the need to send work overseas.
Learn 1040 Tax Return workflow that will minimize the involvement of onshore tax staff, allowing tax firm owners to process 1000+ returns