{"id":14116,"date":"2018-10-25T08:00:10","date_gmt":"2018-10-25T13:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/?p=14116"},"modified":"2018-10-29T10:37:29","modified_gmt":"2018-10-29T15:37:29","slug":"how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/practice-management\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Simplify the Finish and File Process"},"content":{"rendered":"

The keys to a successful tax season include an efficient, standardized workflow, a well-trained staff, and clear client expectations. By rearranging a few key workflows and clearly communicating up front, many firms have eliminated client touchpoints and non-value steps from the tax preparation process.<\/p>\n

\u201cFinish and file\u201d includes everything after the firm finishes the tax preparation: sending the return to the client for review, collecting and tracking 8879 signatures, e-file, tracking acknowledgements, invoicing and billing the client for tax preparation services, collecting fees, processing client payments and returning client documents. Many firms lose productivity in the in the finish and file stage of tax preparation as a result of hangover practices from the days of paper processes. If the client doesn\u2019t return the 8879 or doesn\u2019t pay immediately, additional contacts and mailed invoices extend the process even longer.<\/p>\n

Some firms allow the billing process to dictate the finish and file workflow. Intuit\u00ae ProConnect\u2122 recently completed a tax planning boot camp where we polled users about their billing practices. Forty percent of tax firms said they bill by the form, and 37 percent bill by the hour. Most of these firms were invoicing after e-file, which creates multiple client contacts. It is more efficient and a better client experience to consolidate all the actions into a single client contact to complete the engagement. Anecdotally, these same firms say the effort to complete the tax returns and the fees charged don\u2019t change much year over year. For most clients, firms adjust the bill to last year\u2019s fee plus a small increase rather than accepting the invoice calculated by the billing system inputs.<\/p>\n

Conversely, leading firms acknowledge that tax preparation is a function of value delivered, rather than the time invested or pages in a tax return, and they clearly communicate to the client what the fee is before<\/em> beginning the work. They also communicate when the payment will take place to avoid the non-value steps of invoicing, billing and collection.<\/p>\n

Renee Daggett is an enrolled agent, Advanced QuickBooks ProAdvisor\u00ae and the owner of virtual firm AdminBooks, Inc<\/a>. Daggett reviews and standardizes her processes regularly to make her staff of 14 as productive as possible during tax season. Daggett says, \u201cHaving a payment authorization on file prior to beginning data entry on a client\u2019s tax return allows us to work more efficiently. We\u2019ve set the client\u2019s expectations for price and procedure up front, we\u2019ve promoted productivity within our organization by eliminating the need to reach out to the client post-data entry for payment, and we\u2019ve eliminated accounts receivable by billing at the time of tax return completion.\u201d<\/p>\n

When firms resolve to communicate fees to clients before beginning preparation, it is possible to simplify the finish and file process into a single client contact. Here are a few more recommendations to simplify the finish and file process:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Deliver tax returns electronically.<\/strong> Create one PDF copy of the tax return to be retained as the firm file copy and sent to the client for review. Only send it once unless there are changes from the review. Some firms are still creating multiple PDF file copies, which requires additional time and steps without corresponding benefits. Use a secure portal, rather than email, to deliver returns securely. Intuit Link is a secure portal that is included with ProConnect\u2122 Tax Online<\/a>, Lacerte\u00ae<\/a> and ProSeries\u00ae<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  2. Offer e-signature.<\/strong> IRS and almost all states allow e-signature of individual 8879s, although e-signature of business 8879s is still not allowed by IRS. E-signature<\/a> solutions reduce cycle time and improve tracking of authorizations.<\/li>\n
  3. Lead with electronic payments.<\/strong> While a\u00a0minority of seniors (31 percent) still use checks<\/a>, the overwhelming majority of consumers prefer electronic payment methods. Even with seniors, preparers can facilitate an electronic check or ACH debit. QuickBooks\u00ae Online Accountant<\/a> includes a free subscription for tax and accounting firms to maintain their books. Use QBOA for efficient firm accounting, and consider enabling QuickBooks Payments<\/a> to accept ACH, credit card and electronic payments.<\/li>\n
  4. Shred all client documents.<\/strong> A best practice to simplify the finish and file process is to stop mailing documents back to clients. This saves time, money and client contacts. Communicate a policy that all documents will be destroyed and the firm will retain electronic copies. Be explicit about the document retention period.<\/li>\n
  5. Do not send acknowledgments.<\/strong> An important best practice and last step in the standard workflow is to create a PDF of the fully accepted e-file acknowledgement and retain it in the firm files. However, instead of sending acknowledgement letters to clients, communicate a policy that everything is filed and complete, unless you inform them otherwise.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Clearly communicating changes to clients is key to a smooth transition.\"payment<\/a> Here is a sample Payment Authorization Agreement<\/a>, which includes a client message to communicate the change in the finish and file process. Making a few adjustments in the finish and file process can dramatically improve productivity and the client experience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Find out how you can update your finish and file workflow to improve productivity and your client experience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":107079872,"featured_media":10137,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rkv_browse_by_id":0,"rkv_cta_id":0,"rkv_optimize_for_pagespeed":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"useModifiedDate":false,"customPublishDate":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false},"categories":[116807,45875901],"tags":[2924455,646041692,2717],"intuit_collection":[],"intuit_series":[],"coauthors":[509474111],"class_list":["post-14116","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-practice-management","category-workflow-tools","tag-esignature","tag-firm-of-the-future","tag-link"],"header_image":"","yoast_head":"\nHow to Simplify the Finish and File Process - Tax Pro Center | Intuit<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/practice-management\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Simplify the Finish and File Process - Tax Pro Center | Intuit\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Find out how you can update your finish and file workflow to improve productivity and your client experience.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/practice-management\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Tax Pro Center | Intuit\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IntuitAccountants\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-10-25T13:00:10+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2018-10-29T15:37:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/credential-e1535552844673.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"655\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"356\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jim Buffington, CPA\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@IntuitAccts\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@IntuitAccts\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jim Buffington, CPA\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\\\/practice-management\\\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\\\/practice-management\\\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Jim Buffington, CPA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/accountants.intuit.com\\\/taxprocenter\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/69deaf5d3fc8b3bf12209f19673bbc56\"},\"headline\":\"How to Simplify the Finish and File Process\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-10-25T13:00:10+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2018-10-29T15:37:29+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\\\/practice-management\\\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":829,\"commentCount\":1,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/accountants.intuit.com\\\/taxprocenter\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\\\/practice-management\\\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/09\\\/credential-e1535552844673.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"esignature\",\"firm of the future\",\"link\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Practice Management\",\"Workflow tools\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\\\/practice-management\\\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\\\/practice-management\\\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\\\/practice-management\\\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\\\/\",\"name\":\"How to Simplify the Finish and File Process - Tax Pro Center | Intuit\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/accountants.intuit.com\\\/taxprocenter\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\\\/practice-management\\\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\\\/practice-management\\\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/09\\\/credential-e1535552844673.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-10-25T13:00:10+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2018-10-29T15:37:29+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\\\/practice-management\\\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\\\/practice-management\\\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\\\/practice-management\\\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/09\\\/credential-e1535552844673.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/09\\\/credential-e1535552844673.jpg\",\"width\":655,\"height\":356,\"caption\":\"Finishing calculation for tax form on April 15 concept, with calendar in front\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\\\/practice-management\\\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How to Simplify the Finish and File Process\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/accountants.intuit.com\\\/taxprocenter\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/accountants.intuit.com\\\/taxprocenter\\\/\",\"name\":\"Tax Pro Center | Intuit\",\"description\":\"Tax Pro Center\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/accountants.intuit.com\\\/taxprocenter\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/accountants.intuit.com\\\/taxprocenter\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/accountants.intuit.com\\\/taxprocenter\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Tax Pro Center | Intuit\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/accountants.intuit.com\\\/taxprocenter\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/accountants.intuit.com\\\/taxprocenter\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/10\\\/Tax_Pro_Center_Logo_Final_large.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/10\\\/Tax_Pro_Center_Logo_Final_large.webp\",\"width\":872,\"height\":160,\"caption\":\"Tax Pro Center | Intuit\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/accountants.intuit.com\\\/taxprocenter\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/IntuitAccountants\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/IntuitAccts\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/intuitaccountants\\\/?hl=en\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/intuit-accountants\\\/\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/accountants.intuit.com\\\/taxprocenter\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/69deaf5d3fc8b3bf12209f19673bbc56\",\"name\":\"Jim Buffington, CPA\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/6111a2693701099be15a87d8653b63ad450baa67a4bb7f27dd380b116b4ff5f0?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/6111a2693701099be15a87d8653b63ad450baa67a4bb7f27dd380b116b4ff5f0?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/6111a2693701099be15a87d8653b63ad450baa67a4bb7f27dd380b116b4ff5f0?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Jim Buffington, CPA\"},\"description\":\"Jim Buffington, CPA, is an advisory services leader with Intuit\u00ae Accountants. He has 20+ years of professional experience in sales management, public accounting, strategic alliances, product marketing, business process design, new business development and strategic planning. Connect with Jim on Twitter @jimatintuit.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/accountants.intuit.com\\\/taxprocenter\\\/author\\\/taxpro13\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to Simplify the Finish and File Process - Tax Pro Center | Intuit","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/practice-management\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How to Simplify the Finish and File Process - Tax Pro Center | Intuit","og_description":"Find out how you can update your finish and file workflow to improve productivity and your client experience.","og_url":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/practice-management\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\/","og_site_name":"Tax Pro Center | Intuit","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IntuitAccountants","article_published_time":"2018-10-25T13:00:10+00:00","article_modified_time":"2018-10-29T15:37:29+00:00","og_image":[{"width":655,"height":356,"url":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/credential-e1535552844673.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Jim Buffington, CPA","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@IntuitAccts","twitter_site":"@IntuitAccts","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Jim Buffington, CPA","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/practice-management\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/practice-management\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\/"},"author":{"name":"Jim Buffington, CPA","@id":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/#\/schema\/person\/69deaf5d3fc8b3bf12209f19673bbc56"},"headline":"How to Simplify the Finish and File Process","datePublished":"2018-10-25T13:00:10+00:00","dateModified":"2018-10-29T15:37:29+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/practice-management\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\/"},"wordCount":829,"commentCount":1,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/practice-management\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/credential-e1535552844673.jpg","keywords":["esignature","firm of the future","link"],"articleSection":["Practice Management","Workflow tools"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/practice-management\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/practice-management\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\/","url":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/practice-management\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\/","name":"How to Simplify the Finish and File Process - Tax Pro Center | Intuit","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/practice-management\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/practice-management\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/credential-e1535552844673.jpg","datePublished":"2018-10-25T13:00:10+00:00","dateModified":"2018-10-29T15:37:29+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/practice-management\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/practice-management\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/practice-management\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/credential-e1535552844673.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/credential-e1535552844673.jpg","width":655,"height":356,"caption":"Finishing calculation for tax form on April 15 concept, with calendar in front"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/practice-management\/how-to-simplify-the-finish-and-file-process\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How to Simplify the Finish and File Process"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/#website","url":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/","name":"Tax Pro Center | Intuit","description":"Tax Pro Center","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/#organization","name":"Tax Pro Center | Intuit","url":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Tax_Pro_Center_Logo_Final_large.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Tax_Pro_Center_Logo_Final_large.webp","width":872,"height":160,"caption":"Tax Pro Center | Intuit"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IntuitAccountants","https:\/\/x.com\/IntuitAccts","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/intuitaccountants\/?hl=en","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/intuit-accountants\/"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/#\/schema\/person\/69deaf5d3fc8b3bf12209f19673bbc56","name":"Jim Buffington, CPA","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6111a2693701099be15a87d8653b63ad450baa67a4bb7f27dd380b116b4ff5f0?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6111a2693701099be15a87d8653b63ad450baa67a4bb7f27dd380b116b4ff5f0?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6111a2693701099be15a87d8653b63ad450baa67a4bb7f27dd380b116b4ff5f0?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","caption":"Jim Buffington, CPA"},"description":"Jim Buffington, CPA, is an advisory services leader with Intuit\u00ae Accountants. He has 20+ years of professional experience in sales management, public accounting, strategic alliances, product marketing, business process design, new business development and strategic planning. Connect with Jim on Twitter @jimatintuit.","url":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/author\/taxpro13\/"}]}},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/credential-e1535552844673.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pazjGh-3FG","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":8596,"url":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/practice-management\/how-can-you-implement-a-firm-of-the-future-workflow\/","url_meta":{"origin":14116,"position":0},"title":"How Can You Implement a Firm of the Future Workflow?","author":"Amy Clark","date":"July 10, 2017","format":"video","excerpt":"More and more firms are embarking on the journey to become a Firm of the Future, from getting on the cloud for tax preparation, accounting, file storage and client communications, to offering clients value pricing, and marketing their practices digitally. Chris James, general counsel at James Management Group, has been\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Practice Management"","block_context":{"text":"Practice Management","link":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/category\/practice-management\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Firm of the future tax preparation workflow","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/fotf-workflow-feature-image_04.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/fotf-workflow-feature-image_04.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/fotf-workflow-feature-image_04.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":76534,"url":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/practice-management\/workflow-tools\/smartvault-and-proconnect-tax-streamline-firm-workflows\/","url_meta":{"origin":14116,"position":1},"title":"SmartVault and ProConnect\u2122 Tax streamline firm workflows","author":"Scott Cytron","date":"February 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"This case study explores the integration of Intuit\u00ae ProConnect\u2122 Tax and SmartVault to create a seamless end-to-end digital tax preparation workflow.","rel":"","context":"In "Practice Management"","block_context":{"text":"Practice Management","link":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/category\/practice-management\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"SmartVault and ProConnect\u2122 Tax streamline firm workflows","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SmartVault-and-ProConnect%E2%84%A2-Tax-streamline-firm-workflows-copy.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SmartVault-and-ProConnect%E2%84%A2-Tax-streamline-firm-workflows-copy.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SmartVault-and-ProConnect%E2%84%A2-Tax-streamline-firm-workflows-copy.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SmartVault-and-ProConnect%E2%84%A2-Tax-streamline-firm-workflows-copy.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":51094,"url":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/practice-management\/workflow-tools\/creating-capacity-with-automation\/","url_meta":{"origin":14116,"position":2},"title":"Creating capacity with automation","author":"Jim Buffington, CPA","date":"February 14, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"For most firms, there is usually more client work than capacity available. Jim Buffington, CPA, created a practical roadmap that will help you create your tech stack and focus on firm goals.","rel":"","context":"In "Practice Management"","block_context":{"text":"Practice Management","link":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/category\/practice-management\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Creating capacity with automation","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Creating-capacity-with-automation-copy.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Creating-capacity-with-automation-copy.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Creating-capacity-with-automation-copy.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Creating-capacity-with-automation-copy.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14016,"url":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/practice-management\/tax-practice-of-the-future-3-steps-to-increase-advisory-services\/","url_meta":{"origin":14116,"position":3},"title":"Tax practice of the future: 3 steps to increase advisory services","author":"Jim Buffington, CPA","date":"November 28, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"This article focuses on three critical steps future-focused tax practices can take to increase their advisory services.","rel":"","context":"In "Advisory Services"","block_context":{"text":"Advisory Services","link":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/category\/advisory-services\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"tax practice of the future","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/TPOTF-TWITTER-A.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/TPOTF-TWITTER-A.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/TPOTF-TWITTER-A.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/TPOTF-TWITTER-A.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14242,"url":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/practice-management\/how-to-prepare-your-firm-for-online-transformation\/","url_meta":{"origin":14116,"position":4},"title":"How to prepare your firm for online transformation","author":"Chris James, JD","date":"November 26, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Find out how Chris James, JD, moved his firm's tax preparation, bookkeeping services and client files to the cloud.","rel":"","context":"In "Advisory Services"","block_context":{"text":"Advisory Services","link":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/category\/advisory-services\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Virtual tax accountant","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/cloud-virtual-reality-e1535552599517.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/cloud-virtual-reality-e1535552599517.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/cloud-virtual-reality-e1535552599517.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":24485,"url":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/advisory-services\/the-path-to-advisory-defining-your-tax-advisory-services\/","url_meta":{"origin":14116,"position":5},"title":"The Path to Advisory: Defining your tax advisory services","author":"Intuit Accountants Team","date":"December 6, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Build advisory services in your practice with a basic understanding of what kinds of services to offer.","rel":"","context":"In "Advisory Services"","block_context":{"text":"Advisory Services","link":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/category\/advisory-services\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Tax Advisory Services","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tax-Advisory-Services.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tax-Advisory-Services.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Tax-Advisory-Services.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14116","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/107079872"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14116"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14116\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14153,"href":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14116\/revisions\/14153"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10137"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14116"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14116"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14116"},{"taxonomy":"intuit_collection","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/intuit_collection?post=14116"},{"taxonomy":"intuit_series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/intuit_series?post=14116"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=14116"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}