Learning opps give your firm an infinite advantage

For many of us, the end of the year is more than closing books and preparing for tax season. It’s a natural pause point: a chance to reflect, reset, and prepare for what’s next. While some professionals see this time as a period of winding down, many tax accountants recognize it as the perfect moment to adopt a growth and learning mindset. By intentionally investing in new skills, exploring fresh strategies, and strengthening teams, you can transform year‑end reflection into a launchpad for long‑term success.

What it means to have a growth mindset

A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and knowledge can be developed through effort, curiosity, and continuous learning. This means moving beyond the idea that technical expertise alone defines success. Instead, it’s about embracing change, seeking out new tools, and viewing the challenges, such as workflow bottlenecks in your firm or low-paying clients.

You can cultivate three fundamental qualities within yourself and your firm to leverage new learning opportunities:

1. Curiosity over comfort: Accountants with a growth mindset ask, “What can I learn here?” instead of “How do I avoid mistakes?” Check out my Moving the Needle series on YouTube to help you adopt a growth mindset in relation to your firm in the digital age.
2. Adaptability: View new legislation, technology, or client demands not as burdens, but as chances to expand their skill set.
3. Resilience: A growth mindset helps you bounce back from setbacks and use them as learning experiences.

At year end, when you may naturally reflect on performance, this mindset becomes especially powerful. In short, a growth mindset turns year‑end reflection into a catalyst for both professional and personal success.

Now is always the ideal time to learn

While the end of the year creates a unique urgency that makes adopting a growth mindset easier and more impactful, making this a true daily practice is key to non-stop opportunities for your firm to truly evolve, and for all of the individuals in it to expand their capabilities.

Shifting to a growth mindset requires intentional effort to embrace learning as a life choice which also requires changing your perspective. These tips can help!

Try to reframe challenges

View new tax laws, client demands, or technology updates as opportunities to expand expertise.

• Set learning goals: Identify one or two areas, such as advisory skills, leadership, or automation, to focus on each year.
• Celebrate progress: Recognize small wins; for example, mastering a new software feature or leading a successful team project.
• Encourage curiosity: Ask questions, seek feedback, and explore beyond traditional accounting topics in your firm’s learning journey.

By embedding these habits into daily practice you can make growth a permanent part of yours and your team members’ professional identities.

Lean into the right learning resources

Intentional learning thrives on access to the right educational resources. Consider your unique learning style, Do you prefer in-person, online, or blended learning? There really are a wealth of accounting channel options available including:

• Professional associations: Organizations such as the AICPA and state CPA societies offer year‑end webinars, courses, and legislative updates, plus live and online events.
• Technology providers: Software companies such as Canopy (IRS transcripts and practice management), Gruntworx (tax automation), and Intuit® often release training modules or updates at year‑end, helping firms prepare for tax season. Check out the many Intuit ProConnect Tax, Lacerte® Tax webinars at the Education Resource Center with product update trainings, and resources to help tax professionals navigate changing tax laws and client needs.
• Peer networks: Engage with colleagues through forums, LinkedIn groups and  mastermind communities such as The Abundant Accountant (check out content from Michelle Weinstein on the Tax Pro Center, The CFO Project, Infinite Ties and many others. Connecting with peers on the same path as you allows you to cultivate professional connections and practical insights.
• Client conversations: Listening to client concerns can reveal exactly which skills or strategies you and your team need to develop. Consider these questions as a good starting point. 
• Curated content: Trusted blogs such as the Intuit Tax Pro Center, podcasts (Tune into Eric Green on IRS issues and practice building), and industry publications such as the National Association of Tax Professional’s Tax Notes,  can help you discern what is of interest to you and focus on relevant information.

The key to being efficient and effective in cultivating a learning culture is to be selective. A growth mindset isn’t about consuming everything; it’s about finding the most relevant, actionable knowledge. The takeaways from your learning initiatives are most effective when applied quickly. Try to take what you learn and put it into practice right away. Immediate application reinforces learning and demonstrates value to clients and colleagues.

Adopting a growth and learning mindset provides a year-round advantage

The end of the year is not just about closing books. It’s about opening doors. For tax and accounting professionals, adopting a growth mindset during this season means embracing curiosity, seeking out the right information, and applying new skills to both client work and firm strategy. The benefits are clear: stronger advisory services, more resilient teams, and greater career satisfaction.

By treating each day as a time for learning, you can position yourself not only to survive year-end and tax season but to thrive in the year ahead. Growth isn’t a one‑time event. It’s a mindset that will permeate your firm’s culture when consistently practiced. There’s no time like the present to chart your educational needs and engage in professional education.