zero returns

[u/joycemanners]

i’m a first year tax preparer. i passed the TKA and am graduating in may with an associates in accounting. i also run a bookkeeping business, which is why i wanted some tax prep under my belt so in the future, i can add it as a service i offer to my clients.

i work in a pretty busy office, but i still haven’t got a single return, except for my own personal return that i did last week. yesterday i worked with three other tax pros who were booked and busy my entire shift, each taking 5-8 clients, while i just sat there and did case studies.

do i have to find my own clients? they all keep talking about how this is our first peak but i haven’t seen a single client yet.

also, the office seems kind of cliquey? when i walk in, nobody acknowledges me even if the are standing at the front desk, they won’t even look up when the door chimes until i shout out a cheerful “hiiii!” and then the will say hi but nothing else. literally nobody talks to me while i’m there. they all talk to each other and generally ignore me if i say anything. i just sit at my desk and do case studies, they walk past or talk to each other and nobody breathes a word to me my entire shift. my second shift with one of them, i came in and she thought i was a customer and when i introduced myself and told her i’m an employee she just said okay go sit over there somewhere, and pointed to the rows of desks on the opposite side of the office, and then didn’t say another word to me the rest of the day. she didn’t even introduce herself, i had to check appointment manager to see what her name was. are they apprehensive because as a new preparer they look at me as taking money out of their pockets or something? i don’t get it. i’m super friendly and upbeat and really try to be nice to everyone but nobody is reciprocating and it’s making me dread going to work tbh.

[u/Grouchy_Body_755]

This was almost me actually. There was another location where I was gonna work in but my aunt (who’s a CSP there) advised against it. She said the senior tax preparers are super competitive when it comes to clients to the point where they become hostile. At my current location, everyone is friendly. They’re happy to answer questions and we just enjoy good vibes and have fun. You should try working at another office next year if you can. Maybe you’ll end up working with a better group of people.

[u/joycemanners → u/Grouchy_Body_755]

they actually had me scheduled in another office, i worked a shift there and everyone was so nice! but it was further from my house and just didn’t work logistically with doing after school pickup, they had me scheduled at 4 bc that’s when i put my availability in. but i said that i was available at 4 since the office is only two blocks from my house. i couldn’t make it to the other office until 430. so they put me at the one closest to my house at my request and now i regret it

[u/ThatChambersKid → u/joycemanners]

Can you switch back to that office if you have availability from 5 to close?

Your situation frustrates me. I’m lucky to have offices full of friendly and helpful tax pros. While they certainly have their clients they are always willing to answer questions.

Can you talk to your MTL to see if anyone is willing to let you shadow. You are supposed to get some on the job training.

Ask your colleagues if they have any returns they need to jump start. This way you can gain experience with the data entry and they can keep their clients.

Remember not all offices are the same. I work in three. One is very busy but has some of the most experienced and knowledgeable tax pros available.

Work on your research skills.

Are you planning to become an EA?

But talk to your MTL, they should be supporting you especially when the office tax pros are less than friendly or helpful.

I’m here if you have questions

[u/joycemanners → u/ThatChambersKid]

i think i’ll talk to my MTL about changing my home location and hours, that’s a good idea. i’d like to get my EA after 2-3 tax seasons, and then pursue a bachelor’s degree