Daily Archives: April 27, 2013

Tax Practitioners End Busy Season 2013 Short by 300,000 Returns

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UntitledThe nation’s tax accountants failed in the final days leading up to April 15th to close the gap commonly attributed to early-season delays and confusion, according to the latest data available.

But if the shortfall holds through coming weeks of data gathering, CPA Trendlines believes it could mark a significant and serious downturn in the future of the tax prep industry.

In this report:

  • Tax professionals e-filed 63.3 million returns, down 0.4% from last year’s 69.6 million.
  • Meanwhile, the number of do-it-yourself e-filers grew 4%, to 43.1 million, up from last year’s 41.3 million.
  • Complete statistics on individual income tax returns, filings and filing rates, week by week, in year-to-year percentage change
  • Number sent to IRS
  • Number processed by IRS
  • Number e-filed by tax professionals
  • Number e-filed by self-preparers
  • IRS.gov website traffic
  • Number of refunds
  • Total dollar amount of refunds
  • Average Refund
  • Number of direct-deposit refunds
  • Amount of direct-deposit refunds
  • Average direct-deposit refund

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Achieving Partner Unity: The Competitive Advantage

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August J. Aquila
August J. Aquila

By August J. Aquila
Author of “Leadership At Its Strongest”

Everyone knows that partner unity is one of the keys for success. And we know the benefits of having greater partner unity than the next firm – better client service, less employee turnover, superior profitability.

The problem that many firms face is this: They don’t know how to create partner unity.

This article shows you:

  • Ways to create partner unity.
  • What it is and what it isn’t.
  • Five steps to take.

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The Client Service Team in Action

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by Bruce W. Marcus
Professional Services Marketing 3.0

While some firms have explored the idea of client service groups, and leading thinkers like Patrick McKenna have been training firms in the concept for several years, few firms have developed the art and science of the team as successfully as the Washington-based law firm, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld.

More for mid-size and large CPA firms: What We’ve Learned Since Accounting Marketing Was Legalized • Do Accounting Firms Really Want an ‘Image’? • What Accounting Firms Need to Learn from Personal Financial Planning Specialists • The Delicate Art of Positioning Your Firm in the Mind of the Prospect • Even a Random Disaster Can Be Controlled with Risk Management •

This report includes:

  • The lessons from an interview with creator and manager of the program.
  • Three necessary elements for success.
  • Ten accountable responsibilities for a client service team.
  • Seven actions common to successful teams.
  • Five questions every team should ask clients.
  • Effect on fees.
  • Departure from traditional practice.

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