Economy Tops Busy Season Problems [UPDATED]

Still, many firms are reporting one of their most profitable seasons in years, with more extensions and higher revenue per client.
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And accountants are decidedly upbeat on the outlook for their firms and themselves. Some 47% percent are expecting continuing improvements in business through 2010, compared to only 16% bracing for more setbacks. And at their own dinner tables, 44% are upbeat, compared with 16% who see more trouble ahead.

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And, unlike in recent surveys, accountants are also generally upbeat about their clients, customers and the nation’s economic outlook as a whole — a stark reversal from a year ago this time when they saw the economy crashing and clients disappearing.

For firm leaders, all this could add up to a new round of heated competition as firms vie for a limited pool of Class A clients and, according to other research we’ve done, a surge in staff turnover.

If you thought it was a bumpy ride on the way down with the economy. Just hold on. It could be just as bumpy on the way up again.

But signs of strong season are emerging.
[Updated April 24, 2010 with data as it develops.]


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In a new CPA Trendlines survey by Bay Street Group LLC, the first 100 accounting firm professionals responding since the end of tax season April 15 are reporting that the “general economic situation” was their chief challenge or concern this year.
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Second on the list: late or unprepared clients, which may be no surprise considering the economic toll on many businesses and individuals.

But the third-ranking issue may, indeed, come as a surprise: staffing. It may be ironic — or sweet revenge — that accounting firms were having trouble recruiting good staffers because just about a year ago at this time many of the same firms were cutting headcount in response to a collapsing economy.

Busy Season 2010: Top Issues


General economic situation. 57%
Clients late or unprepared. 32%
Staffing issues. 27%
Personal or family issues. 25%
Setting aside enough time to plan. 24%
Tax code changes. 23%
New accounting and auditing issues. 22%
Technology/software problems. 18%
Competition from others. 17%
IRS operations. 16%
Partner or office issues. 16%
New office, technology or software processes. 16%
Late or erroneous K1s, 1099s, etc. 15%
Making plans correctly. 14%
Source: CPA Trendlines

One Response to “Economy Tops Busy Season Problems [UPDATED]”

  1. Conrad Giedt

    I don’t get it.
    57% say the general economic situation is affecting their business( one would assume this to be a negative factor, or may once again, i dont get it!!)
    BUT, 54%(19+35%) say business is better off!!!
    I wish i could say that CPAs are eternal optomists,
    but reality teaches me this is the profession that brought us the failure of Arthur Andersen and Enron.
    We just don’t seem to really understand micro and macro ecomomic issues.
    It appears to me that we are headed into more uncertainty and challenges for all business.
    heck all you have to say is health care to know that business has big challenges ahead.
    I suppose CPAs have gained a new “right to work act”. Unfortunately, this will not be good for business in general.