If you’re a CPA, tax professional, or enrolled agent looking to boost your accounting business growth, you need to have a strategic plan in place. Here are three effective strategies that can help you drive accounting business growth:
Start Building Rapport
The first step to driving accounting business growth is to establish a strong relationship with your clients. Reach out to them via email, phone, or video call to let them know that you’re there for them. Use the COVID-19 email templates available in your Marketing Toolbox to keep them informed about any changes in your hours or how you can be reached. Being open to phone calls or even video calls can be a great way to provide in-person time for your clients that need help getting back on their feet.
Reassure them that they can expect the same quality service they’ve always known, even with the changes in how the IRS is working. For example, even with the Practitioner Priority Service® (PPS) hotline down, the Revenue Officers are still working, and you can still download transcripts and get reports. ACS is also open at this time for new client circumstances in which you cannot download transcripts. With a fax of the POA form, ACS will upload transcripts directly to your secure mailbox.
Create a Strategy
To drive accounting business growth, you need to be proactive and have a plan in place to tackle your clients’ tax issues. Take this time to figure out how to best approach the IRS when it opens and have all your documents ready to go so you can be first in line. While the IRS will likely be under some pressure to handle cases with more empathy and leniency this year, there’s no telling what that will mean for you and your clients. You need to be prepared with all the resources at your disposal to help you tackle any challenges that arise.
Consider using tax software solutions to streamline your workflow and maximize your productivity. Having a tax software solution that integrates with your accounting software can help you work more efficiently and save time. Some software solutions even offer real-time updates and alerts, so you can stay on top of any changes in tax regulations and adjust your strategies accordingly.
Think Creatively
To stand out from the competition and drive accounting business growth, you need to think outside the box. Take advantage of the current situation and do a little housekeeping by organizing your client lists and updating your database. Reach out to past clients and people who haven’t filed their taxes with you in a while to remind them of all the ways you can help. Encouraging them to be proactive and file so they can get their stimulus check can help take some of the stress away from people who are feeling pressure from all sides. Offering a hand of help now can go a long way to building lifelong client relationships.
Invest in your social media presence by posting your own take on how people can prepare for the new IRS deadlines, and repost articles that you think will be helpful to your clients on sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. Use Twitter and Instagram to send quick reminders and tips. You may also consider doing a complimentary live broadcast using social media tools or offering consultations on Zoom or GotoWebinar. By using social media, you can build up your online presence and reach a wider audience, driving accounting business growth in the process.
How IRS Solutions Can Help
In addition to the strategies outlined above, tax software solutions can be a valuable tool for driving accounting business growth. With features like real-time updates and alerts, streamlined workflows, and integrated accounting and tax functions, tax software solutions can help you work more efficiently and effectively.
We at IRS Solutions are here for you as you support your clients in their time of need. We are grateful that we get to face down this challenge together and look forward to continuing this work into the future.