Now that you have made it through yet another tax season it is time to start thinking about what to do next. Is it too soon to start preparing for next tax season? Should you start looking for new clients? Here is a list of great things to take advantage of the post-tax season time period and improve your firm’s services as you go.
Post-Mortem
Making an internal review after the busiest season of the accounting year is the first step in order to make changes in your firm. It is important to get feedback from your team and find out what tax season revealed about your firm’s culture. Some of the questions you may ask your team members include:
- What worked well?
- What did not work?
- What one improvement would you recommend?
This internal survey will not only strengthen the sense of teamwork in your firm, but will also help you prepare for next year’s tax season and make sure you don’t make the same mistakes.
Client Feedback
The constructive criticism you receive from your clients is extremely valuable. They can provide insight into the quality of service and if their expectations were fulfilled with the work you completed. A simple two-question survey can give you plenty of insightful information to work with:
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the service you received?
- What can we do to improve your experience in the future?
A more personal approach with your clients will also be helpful. Not only will you receive feedback and important insights, but the client will also appreciate your interest and desire to improve the quality of your work and services.
Make an Action Plan
After reviewing your firm’s culture and doing extensive research with your clients and team members, the information you gathered needs to be used in an efficient way. Making an action plan to improve your weaknesses and highlight your strengths not only increases accountability, but also increases chances for future success. Remember to have measurable goals and know what resources you need to make next year’s tax season an even better one for your firm.
