I work for a small firm with 5 employees. Public accounting doesn't have to be bad year-round. We specifically refuse accepting clients that we perceive to be sloppy with their records or ones that will likely require extensions due to the nature of their business. As a result, we complete 95-98% of all tax returns by March 15th/April 15th. Our May thru November is a 4 day workweek with Monday's off. The misery of Jan thru April is outweighed by the daily joy I receive knowing there won't be a fall busy season and I can simply coast through the rest of the year once April 15th hits. I think the whole industry needs to migrate away from the old model of tall glass office buildings with sky high rent that require a heavy year-round clientele to fund overhead. Manage your costs as a firm and you can be more tactical with your work instead of accepting every and any client who drops off a shoebox of receipts for you to make your blood boil.
You touched on something that I have always had in mind when season hits, I am not married yet but the thought of having a family of your own and juggling during busy season seems like a horror movie, I always see people with family spending time in washrooms upset saying how much less time they have for family. Kids are asleep when they get home and gone to school while they wake up.
If someone from outside the US wants to work in freelance capacity for a US based accounting firm, which software or skills you think will be of great use or demand in that regard? I am asking for someone who is not a professional accountant yet. Looking forward to your response.
I work for a small firm with 5 employees. Public accounting doesn't have to be bad year-round. We specifically refuse accepting clients that we perceive to be sloppy with their records or ones that will likely require extensions due to the nature of their business. As a result, we complete 95-98% of all tax returns by March 15th/April 15th. Our May thru November is a 4 day workweek with Monday's off. The misery of Jan thru April is outweighed by the daily joy I receive knowing there won't be a fall busy season and I can simply coast through the rest of the year once April 15th hits. I think the whole industry needs to migrate away from the old model of tall glass office buildings with sky high rent that require a heavy year-round clientele to fund overhead. Manage your costs as a firm and you can be more tactical with your work instead of accepting every and any client who drops off a shoebox of receipts for you to make your blood boil.
You touched on something that I have always had in mind when season hits, I am not married yet but the thought of having a family of your own and juggling during busy season seems like a horror movie, I always see people with family spending time in washrooms upset saying how much less time they have for family. Kids are asleep when they get home and gone to school while they wake up.
meticulously planning your kids due date like its a 10 day trip to Florence months away is peak accountant.
I strive to achieve even a fraction of this power level 🧎i kneel
If someone from outside the US wants to work in freelance capacity for a US based accounting firm, which software or skills you think will be of great use or demand in that regard? I am asking for someone who is not a professional accountant yet.
Looking forward to your response.
Good for younger accountants to see this.
Could you make a video talking about the fall busy season?
Very good observation
Great video!