Every January, it’s the same story for accountants (at least those that aren’t outsourcing).
The profession braces itself for self-assessment season. The annual marathon of missing receipts, client chases, late nights and caffeine-fuelled spreadsheet sessions.
Despite firms’ best efforts, new systems and endless reminders, it always seems to come down to the wire.
Unfortunately, HMRC deadlines never change, but maybe your approach should.
It’s time to consider how outsourcing might solve the new year madness.
The annual Self Assessment dread
Ask any accountant what January feels like and you’ll likely hear a sigh before they answer – frantic.
Self-assessment season tests everything within your firm, from time management to partners’ patience.
It means last-minute client submissions and that sinking feeling when another “just one quick query” email lands in your inbox at 8pm on 30th January.
However, it’s not just about exhaustion. The January rush affects firm morale, client experience and long-term planning.
When your team is buried in admin and compliance, there’s little room left for the kind of proactive, advisory work that truly builds client relationships and better revenue.
It’s a cycle that repeats every year. Predictable, painful, and entirely avoidable if you seek outside help.
The outsourcing advantage
Outsourcing isn’t about replacing your team, it’s about freeing them to focus on added-value work.
By partnering with a trusted outsourcing provider, firms can hand over the repetitive, process-driven work that consumes time and energy during self-assessment season.
That includes:
- Gathering, checking and entering client data
- Drafting and submitting tax returns
- Managing deadlines and chasing missing information
- Performing quality checks and reconciliations
This frees your in-house team to focus on higher-value activities, such as advising clients, exploring efficiencies and actually enjoying what they do best.
The result? Fewer late nights, fewer stress-induced chocolate runs and more meaningful work.
More time = better client relationships
Clients remember how you make them feel, not how many tax returns you file for them.
When your team isn’t overwhelmed by volume, they can respond faster, communicate better and offer insights rather than just updates – positioning your firm as a proactive partner rather than a reactive service provider.
Plus, outsourcing brings operational benefits too. With a consistent external resource in place, you can scale up during peak season and scale down once the rush is over, without the cost or complexity of hiring additional staff.
A calmer, smarter way forward
Self-assessment season doesn’t have to be synonymous with stress. We have seen first-hand how many firms have freed themselves of this annual burden and benefited.
With the right outsourcing partner, firms can transform their busiest, most dreaded time of year into a more manageable, productive period.
Let’s face it, the deadline isn’t going anywhere, so something has to change.
Looking to lighten the load this Self Assessment season?
Our outsourced accountants can help you build capacity, improve turnaround times and give your team back the time they need to focus on what really matters most, your clients.
[Get in touch to find out more]
