Aureus Group Talks Tax Preparation

Nov. 11, 2008 - PRLog -- Midlands Business Journal, October 10, 2008
Tax season may not be so close it's nipping at our heels, but industry experts say now is a great time to get your W-2s, charity receipts, and other items in order. That same philosophy of time is on your side also applies to the accountant - firms should be assessing their staffing levels now. Allotting enough time to adequately prepare for the rush of tax time is especially crucial this year as a number of tax law changes and provisions are going into effect, according to accountants.There are things that tax advisors should be doing right now to prepare for tax season as well, according to Chris Carlson, regional manager of Aureus Group. Carlson consults with firms to make sure their workforce is up to par for the busy season. Though she said the preparation is often case specific, depending on such factors as whether or not a business operates in a multi-state area, all firms should make sure they have the applicable software and updates on hand. But the No.1 mistake, she said, are firms not being proactive enough when it comes to staffing. "Estimating as best you can how the workload is going to affect your current staff and if you have the competencies to continue meeting their day to day obligations and complete the necessary tax filings and deadlines," Carlson said. If an employee leaves in the middle of tax season, for example, Carlson said that is not a good time to train a new team member. "I've seen that hurt companies," she said. "They have to make sure they have everyone on board and trained. It's beneficial to have one or two people on call or lined up to be backup. You never know what can happen - tragedies happen, people get sick, life goes on, but the deadline stays the same."

# # #

Aureus Group is a division of C&A Industries, Inc. , a national leader in human capital management. Since 1969, Aureus Group has successfully placed thousands of exceptional professionals with leading organizations in a wide variety of industries. Our three specialized divisions - Aureus Executive, Aureus Finance & Accounting, and Aureus Systems - offer contract and direct hire opportunities customized to fit your career goals. With a reputation for honesty and integrity, and an unparalleled commitment to confidentiality, we deliver superior career opportunities.