Reduce Your Stress this Tax Season by Following These 5 Basic Pointers

It's not unusual for CPAs to experience a range of emotions about the first few months of the year. The firm depends on the extra income it brings in, which often accounts for a huge portion of the practice's annual profits. Sadly, plenty of accountants basically forget about their accountant websites and other key marketing channels for the entire duration of the season, and they allow their health to deteriorate. Even taking into account the extra money it brings, all too often, busy season ruins a practice.

To get the most out of busy season and leave the stress behind, successful CPA firms follow these 5 steps:

1. They Choose Their Accountant Websites Wisely

In filing season, every minute counts toward the bottom line. An hour here or there printing out documents or filing paper returns can really add up, preventing firms from reaching revenue goals.

Keeping the office simple is the name of the game, which is why well-prepared accountants use accountant websites to increase efficiency. The following website features take care of a lot of the grunt work that can slow down a CPA during busy season:

- Secure file exchange

- Online tax organizer

- Pay by credit card

- E-newsletter

- Frequently asked questions page

- Google map and directions for car and public transport

2. They Clean Up Their Before Crunch Time Hits

One of the greatest contributors to stress is a disorganized work space. Especially in a business like accounting, piles of papers and files quickly get out of control, spilling all over the floor and teetering on the edges of crowded desks. Important documents can get lost in clutter mountains – leading to angry clients.

The most successful firms take time before busy season to prepare for the onslaught of work. These CPAs get their accountant websites all set to go, clean off their desks, and generally declutter their space. They also set aside an area for projects that can wait until after busy season.

Once work starts coming in, it helps to spend a couple minutes at the end of every day to tidy up the office. Folks who do this report feeling empowered and well-prepared for the next day.

3. They Give 'Em the Pink Slip

All accountants have clients who trigger ulcers when they walk through the door. These difficult folks might take issue with every single fee, leave nasty comments on firms' accountant websites, or just come across as highly unpleasant and antisocial.

The truth is, there's no need to put up with such problems - and successful accountants have learned to ease these clients out. When accountants "let go" of the troublemakers, they realize they can put more energy into cultivating their relationships with the better clients who bring in more revenue and are actually fun to work with.

4. They Know When to Ask for Help

Think of all the time-consuming, administrative tasks accountants perform each day: e-mail, processing and filing returns, updating their accountant websites, sending out client reminders, answering phone calls, etc. Wouldn't it save time to hand all this off to someone else?

Busy season is the perfect time to hire interns. Many interns are fresh from schooling and more than happy to get real-life office experience. Both accountants and interns benefit - and busy season can become much more manageable.

5. They Refuse to Burn Out

During busy season, many accountants work 10, 12, 14 hours a day - or more. But not all of them. The wisest CPAs don't allow the job to take over their lives, even when workload is at its height.

Take a page from their playbook. Decide in advance each day what time you're going to leave the office, and stick to it. A few more hours of sleep will greatly enhance your mood and boost your efficiency.

Be willing to set some boundaries for clients as well. Let them know that ALL pertinent documents must be received in your office by a certain date or else their returns will be extended. Period.

This year, try out some of these tips - and most important of all, make your health and well-being a priority. Once a week, forget about accountant websites, tax organizers, and dissatisfied clients - and relax. Indulge in a film, draw a hot bubble bath, or catch up with friends. Once you do, your firm will thank you!

Kenneth Marshall is an independant expert and one-time Corporate Officer of CPASiteSolutions.com. His core service is marketing small practices by taking advantage of good quality accountant websites. While using social networking and Search Engine Optimization forms the basis of his practice he also stresses the importance of good, old fashioned networking and excellent customer service in helping accounting practices grow their client bases.