2022 has been a roller coaster ride for accounting firms, just like the rest of the world, and this ride doesn’t seem to stop soon. Many experts also believe that the tax season 2023 will bring in a fair share of complexities for accounting and tax professionals. Thus, it is essential to start preparing early than being caught off-guard by a sudden surge of client demands during the tax season.
The first and foremost task a CPA should focus on currently is to create a well-balanced work routine to keep themselves, and their team organized. A proper schedule will also help them to meet the deadlines before time.
Here is how a CPAs’ daily schedule should look like to achieve the maximum number of billable hours and productivity.
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Get Up & Get Dressed
After waking up, take some time out and spend it with yourself or your loved ones to feel energized. It will boost energy and set you in the best spirit for the rest of the day. Also, remember to dress up before starting your day to stay focused on work instead of feeling lazy.
Eat Breakfast
According to dieticians, the best time to eat breakfast is within two hours of waking up. The right breakfast will put the energy levels in an excellent mood to achieve maximum productivity. You can also prepare your breakfast to let the positive energy flow in.
Practice Mindfulness
Most successful people like Arianna Huffington, Oprah, and Tony Robbins start their day practicing mindfulness. It helps clear the mind & balance the stress levels, making you ready to take on the tax season head-on. Moreover, it will just take about 15 minutes of your time.
Set Goals For The Day
Our minds are most active right after we wake up, and ideas keep flooding into our heads in the morning. So, it’s the best time to take out your notepads, sit down, and write your thoughts down. You can also use this time to make a to-do-list for the rest of the day.
Send Emails
According to several studies, the best time to get a response to your emails is at around 10 am. More responses mean more clients, which equals more number of billable hours. Moreover, you can prepare emails beforehand with a free & calm mind and schedule them for the morning.
Hold Team Meetings
The stress hormones are at a peak in the morning, says Daniel Pink, author of “When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing.” Thus, it is best to hold team meetings in the morning as people can use each other’s advice.
Get Done With Day’s Most Important Task
It is seen that our minds are most active during the morning time. Thus, before heading for your lunch, focus only on completing the most important work of the day, and avoid the impact of late afternoon drowsiness on your crucial tasks as it can be the most significant barrier to being productive.
Tip – Try turning off email notifications and keep your mobile devices away at silent mode to focus entirely on the significant task at hand.
Take A Lunch Break
Energy gained from breakfast lasts no longer than 4 to 5 hours. Hence, it is important to gain the strength back to maintain your productivity during the busy season. Don’t miss out on your lunch and try to indulge in a low-calorie meal rather than going for a hearty meal to keep you active for late afternoon tasks.
Work On Less Important Tasks
Afternoon decisions are faster but not as accurate. Avoid precision-tasks like filing tax returns or making financial statements. Instead, focus on tasks that need minimal attention, such as data entry or email checking.
Schedule Important Calls
Studies suggest that late afternoons are the best time to hold business meetings as people are most likely to be available around that time. Also, there will be an ample amount of time to prepare for meetings.
Check-In With Your Team
Grab a cup of coffee or a snack and check on task deadlines to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Monitoring communication frequency among the team is crucial, especially during the busy season.
Prepare For The Next Day
Towards the end of the day, write emails in advance, review your to-do-list, and tick off the completed tasks. Go through your day’s tasks and note down the crucial things to stay organized.
Conclusion
Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” So, start preparing for the tax season 2023 as early as possible because no preparation is ever enough.