Most now say conditions are better or the same as last year.
In the current results, it appears that pressures on tax professionals eased slightly in the latest week, with a minority, instead of last week's slight majority, reporting relatively difficult conditions.
How's the busy season going so far?
Better than last year: 21%
About the Same: 35%
Not as Well as Last Year: 44%
Interestingly nevertheless, most practitioners are reporting advances in all key operational and financial measures -- revenues, profits, clients, etc.
As of right now, what kind of tax season are you having this year, compared with last year's? (Percentage answering “significant” or “some” increase.)
Total Revenue: 60%
Net Profit: 58%
Number of Clients: 72%
Number on Extension: 42%
Revenue per Client: 64%
Profit per Client: 54%
So what's going on?
Are tax practitioners working harder and enjoying it less?
If so, what would you do differently next year?
A shocker: Respondents suggest personal and inter-personal issues can be just as troublesome this time of year as technology issues or new rules and regs:
Which of these issues is having a significant impact on the filing
season? (Please check all that apply.)
64%: Clients late or unprepared
52%: Shortage of good staff
26%: Technology problems
25%: Personal or family issues
25%: Partner or office issues
24%: New rules, regs, forms
18%: The general economic situation
13%: Last-minute changes by the government
10%: IRS operations
2%: New competition in my area
Why can't CPAs just get along?
