ARTICLES

Re-Engineering Tax Return Prep, Practical Accounting, August 2007

Tim Shortsleeve, a partner at Bonn, Shortsleeve and Ray, in Rochester, NY, identified seven steps to creating "highly effective" tax preparation".

1. Create a project team with a project champion, usually an owner, someone with decision-making and budget approval authority. Make sure to include those from all levels; owners, managers, staff, and an administrator. It should also involve an IT technician, even if hiring a technology consultant turns out to be necessary.
2. Identify what your firm already does and document all the steps, including the exceptions to general rules.
3. Evaluate the workflow options, including how tax return prep affects computers, monitors, scanners, fax machines, copiers, and mailings. Shortsleeve offers an example how faxing from desktops can save time.
4. Identify any changes to hardware. Studies indicate a greater viewing area and the use of multiple monitors increases productivity. Shortsleeve's firm uses hosted applications rather than running the tax applications on a firm server. One advantage he sees is greater search capabilities.
5. Document new policies.
6. Determine training needs.
7. Implement, which requires communicating the plan and the expectations.