Accounting Practice Management Software That Runs Your CPA Firm as One System

How a return moves through Axis: from prep to partner review

Most firms already have a review process. The problem is that it lives in people's heads, inboxes and sticky notes. Here is the same process in Axis, using a personal tax return as the example.

1. 1

   One template, every client.

   The admin builds the tax return workflow once as a template. Tasks are assigned by role, such as the client's assigned manager and assigned partner, not by name. The same template works across hundreds of clients, and each client's own team fills in automatically. (Pro and Ultimate)

2. 2

   Work starts when the documents arrive.

   The "request documents" task can go out on a fixed date each year. The "prepare return" task waits until the documents are received, so it never shows up on a preparer's list before there is something to work on. On Ultimate, clients can drop files through a direct upload link without logging in, and outstanding requests send automatic reminders.

3. 3

   The preparer works from one task.

   The preparer opens the task from their calendar or grid view and tracks time, adds notes, emails the client and uploads files without leaving it. Time logs against the engagement, so WIP builds as the work happens.

4. 4

   The hand-off happens on its own.

   When the preparer marks the task complete, the review task becomes ready and the reviewer is notified. No one has to walk over and say "it's ready for you."

5. 5

   Review notes stay on the job.

   The reviewer leaves comments on the job and @-mentions the preparer for anything that needs another look. The conversation stays with the engagement, not in a separate email thread. (Pro and Ultimate)

6. 6

   The partner sees the whole job.

   When review is done, the partner's task becomes ready. Before signing off, the partner can check time spent against budget for each staff member on the job, and the client log shows every email, document and note on that client.

7. 7

   Signatures and billing close it out.

   Signature requests go to the client through the portal with automatic reminders until they're returned (Ultimate). The partner bills from the job's WIP, reviews the draft invoice and sends it by portal or email.

Each arrow: the task is marked complete and the next owner is notified. E-sign and portal are Ultimate.

The return only reaches the reviewer and partner when the previous step is marked done, so no one works a job that isn't ready.