Episode 61: Assess, Improve, Repeat: The Key Process for Post-Tax Season Reflection and Advancement

Apr 10

Heads up: I use affiliate links for my fave products. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Conquering Workflows & Systems for Bookkeepers & Accountants podcast with Alyssa Lang, founder of Workflow Queen and Magnetic Bookkeeping & Consulting. Episode topic: Assess, Improve, Repeat: The Key Process for Post-Tax Season Reflection and Advancement

In this solo episode, Alyssa Lang covers her key strategies for approaching major seasons and process completions to make improvements through her six step process.

In this episode you’ll hear:

What steps to take to make improvements after core processes and seasons in the business
How to approach clients and team for feedback
How to know what to focus on when it comes to improving and changing processes

Resources mentioned in this episode:

💸 Check out Plooto for receiving payments from clients that will save you a TON of money on fees.

Listen to the Full Episode here 👇🏼

🎧 Listen on iTunes ⇨ Click here

🎧 Listen on Spotify ⇨ Click here

🎧 Chose another listening platform ⇨ Click here

As tax season wraps up, many of us in the accounting and bookkeeping space feel the collective sigh of relief mixed with the nagging thought, "What could I have done better?" Whether you're a seasoned tax professional, a dedicated bookkeeper, or simply a business owner navigating the challenges of financial deadlines, there's a universal truth we all face: tax season affects us all, one way or another.

The Unseen Impact of Tax Season

After every tax season, instead of immediately diving into the next item on the to-do list, I intentionally take a step back. It's during this time—when the memories and challenges of the season are freshest in my mind—that I find the most valuable insights emerge.

During this period, we witness an uptick in cleanups, last-minute document submissions, and a palpable sense of urgency that permeates every aspect of our work. The aftermath, however, often sees a period of reflection ignored. We move on, leaving unresolved issues and inefficiencies in our wake, promising ourselves we'll tackle them "next time."

Six Steps to Post-Tax Season Reflection & Advancement

In the spirit of continuous improvement, I've embraced a ritual that has transformed the way I approach the aftermath of tax season—and, truth be told, any significant project or season in business. Drawing on personal experience, here’s a deeper dive into the six-step process that has become a post-season ritual for not just surviving, but thriving in your next tax season!

Here's a glimpse into my six-step process designed to assess, improve, and repeat your workflow:

Take a Well-Deserved Break: First and foremost, decompress. Choose two non-weekend days to unplug completely. This isn't about avoidance; it's about giving yourself space to breathe and reset. During this time, if thoughts about the past season flutter through your mind, simply jot them down. No analysis, no judgments—just observations. Giving myself this space leads to clearer thoughts and more focused reflections later on.
Document the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Armed with fresh perspective post-break, it's time to dissect the season. What went right? What went sideways? And what was an outright disaster? This isn't an exercise in self-critique but an honest inventory to build upon. For example, perhaps the new cloud-based document management system was a hit, simplifying document submissions and reducing client frustration. On the flip side, maybe communication breakdowns led to eleventh-hour scrambles that left both your team and clients frazzled.
Gather Opinions: This is a team sport. Engage your team (and even your clients) through surveys or discussions to gain a holistic view of the season. Remember, diversity in feedback is gold. We conducted an anonymous survey among our team, asking them to share their candid experiences of the tax season. The feedback was eye-opening, revealing bottlenecks we hadn’t recognized.
Assess and Prioritize: With a wealth of feedback at your fingertips, the next step is to identify patterns and prioritize changes. Not all problems are created equal, nor do they require immediate attention. Focus is your friend. We noticed a recurring theme around client stress due to lack of understanding of the tax filing process. This insight led us to create educational content, simplifying tax jargon, and outlining the steps involved.
Implement and Test: Real-world application of these insights is where theory meets practice. This is where the rubber meets the road. Adjustments in process, communication, or tools now will pave the way for a smoother season next time around. Based on feedback, we revamped our client onboarding for bookkeeping cleanups, streamlining communication and setting clearer expectations from the get-go. The upcoming season will be our litmus test!
Repeat and Refine: As you test new strategies and tweaks, keep the feedback loop going. What works? What doesn't? The goal is continual progression towards efficiency and satisfaction—for you, your team, and your clients. Each year, we build on the last, tweaking our processes and adjusting our strategies based on what we've learned. It's a cycle of growth that keeps us flexible and our clients happy!

Embracing Change and Encouraging Growth

In the hustle of tax season, it's easy to lose sight of the forest for the trees. Yet, it's in the aftermath that we find our greatest opportunities for growth. By taking a step back, reflecting on our processes, and making intentional changes, we not only set ourselves up for success, but also create an environment where improvement is an ongoing journey, not a distant destination.

Last tax season, we were inundated with last-minute cleanups. This year, thanks to process improvements and better client education, we saw a significant decrease in those eleventh-hour rushes.

So, as you reflect on this past tax season, remember: every challenge is a stepping stone to better practices, streamlined processes, and, ultimately, a more fulfilling professional life. That’s what it’s all about, right?!

Your Turn

How do you handle the post-tax season reflection and improvement process? Do you have a ritual or strategy that helps you navigate through the feedback and forward into actionable change? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

If you have any follow up questions, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram at @workflowqueen, or you can email me support@workflowqueen .com. I'm more than happy to answer. And if you like today's episode, I really, really absolutely adore and love you!

If you can also leave us a review and share what episode was your favorite episode? If what golden nuggets you've learned along the way, it really does help keep the light on over here at our podcast.

Thanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me, @workflowqueen For more information about the Conquering Workflows & Systems for Bookkeepers & Accountants Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:

Visit our website: workflowqueen.com

Follow the Blog: workflowqueen.com/blog

Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alyssa-lang-wq

Connect on Instagram: instagram.com/workflowqueen

Connect on Facebook: facebook.com/workflowqueen

Podcast Publishing Tools we use: