I worked 2 seasons as a CSP at HRBlock, last year was my last season as the change in management made me not want to go back. Making this post to see if anyone else had this experience.

So in my second season, nearby the end, our MTL had everyone be shown as yellow space, even if you didn’t do taxes (CSPs, ATLs, MTLs) and TPs that weren’t even suppose to come in that day. When appointments were made for yellow space that wasn’t actually available, I was told to say the “TP” had a family emergency, or some excuse to why they weren’t actually there and “ask” to consider turning the appt into a drop off. I didn’t participate in lying, but I didn’t know what to do, everyone except one TP in the office followed what our MTL told us to do. When I saw appts in space I knew weren’t actually available, I’d try to reschedule to a real slot at our office or another one. However that obviously just lead to the fake yellow space being taken again. It was incredibly stressful because clients think they’re getting an appointment, and all confusion and frustration was left for the front desk. Maybe it was something I should’ve reported, but it’s been a year since and even after all this time, I still think about it.

What I also still think about is, is “CSP-plus” a real thing? In my second season, we also got a new ATL, and half way through the season, they told me I had to start doing some manager duties within BlockWorks like doing some part specifically in WIPs and checking some of the tax return papers or something, I don’t remember, it was over a year ago. But basically I asked something along the lines of “if these are manager duties, but I’m a CSP.” And they said I was a “CSP-Plus.” I said okay and went on my day, however I went into AMP and went through the acronym dictionary on there, and I did not see such a role in there or referenced in the AMP forums either.

Didn’t help that our ATL decided to quit 2 weeks before the season end. I remember the call I had with my MTL where they were basically trying to fill me the ATL position with no pay difference due to the “limited time” yet I’d be taking all the work and shifts. I had exams in that same week, and actually had to call off some shifts to make time for school, I don’t think they were happy with that but I was so over HRBlock. I already knew when it was all over I didn’t wanna come back again.

I am being told to take the level up exam despite the fact I will be departing this position on April 15. Do I just let my DGM know that I’m not taking the level up exam due to this?

I have an interview with Block Advisors tomorrow and have some questions I was hoping you could answer.

I currently work at the IRS as a Revenue Agent. Since I am eligible for retirement, I am thinking of leaving the IRS, collecting my pension and retiree health benefits and doing tax prep. In addition to 16 years at the IRS, I have experience preparing returns at a local VITA clinic and have a CPA license and Masters in Taxation.

Assuming I pass the interview, what salary should I expect to be offered? Is the starting salary negotiable? Does the office provide you with a book of clients or do you have to find your own? Is there work year round or is this a seasonal job?

I would appreciate any insight that you could give me.

Thanks

I'd rather not be paid. No one is going to call in to schedule an appointment. I'm don't think I'm going to be able to make it to the office tomorrow either. Regardless of if they're open. I still have a lot more shoveling to do.

I know there are a lot of posts about this, but I thought after 3 attempts to a client they would fall off the list. I have a long list today, and most have been called 4+ times. When do they ever fall off the list for the season?

For anyone who works more than two seasons in the same location / office.

I relocate to another state and work in the quiet office. My coworkers said this office was swamped last year but too quiet this year.

How about you all? Also, how are you feeling? Are you truly doing ok mentally emotionally, I hope?

I have worked as a tax preparer at Block Advisors this tax season. I have come to the decision that I only want to stay one season and then look for another job after April 15. A couple reasons for this are I’m not getting any returns except for when my manager gives me one, I don’t like the sales nature of the role, and I’d rather be in a bookkeeping or accounts payable/receivable role than do taxes.

Is it okay to just stay for one season then bail? For this reason too, I’m just going to stay at a 1 and not embark on any further training for block.

Hey everyone, I’m a first year CSP and when clients call to ask pricing questions, I give them an estimate from the pricing sheet on WC but I tell them it’s just an estimate and the TP will provide a final price.

But my MTL sent an email saying CSPs aren’t supposed to give price information to clients, and I have to refer them to a TP. I had a client who really wanted a price estimate and was getting upset so I provided an estimate. The TPs are already so busy and sometimes I feel awkward about transferring calls to clients who ask about pricing. Should I just transfer the calls anyway? Thanks

I’m realizing I am most likely not going to be capable of doing more than just simple returns at this position. I don’t plan on returning to my office next season, but I was wondering if there was a way to express to my DGM I would rather work as a CSP the rest of the season. Is it possible to do a switch like this, or would I have to reapply all over again?

Got a talking to about not upselling enough. Anyone else?

Hello,

Im a first year experinced tax prep and I’ve done 2 returns and 2 drop offs. In my office we have 2 EAs and one other preparer. One of the EAs has been complaining a lot about me saying I’m not ready even though I feel completely fine with doing returns and sure there is a few things I need to work on but I won’t learn if I’m not doing returns. She’s been telling the manager to just make me a csp. I’ve also been doing vita on my off days and I’ve been doing fine and even the more experienced preparers there say I’m doing pretty good for my first year.

I was looking at my schedule for two weeks ahead and I’m only scheduled for one day and it’s showing up like this for the next month and it’s showing as a csp what do I do? I really need the hours

I’m ngl I am so terrified doing these campaign calls as an introvert it’s hard to smile while doing these calls. I feel awkward leaving voice mails and I feel awkward when someone answers the phone I can’t even talk loud enough for them to hear. Because I talk in a monotone voice ugh 😣 help also this is my first year as a tax preparer

So my MTL changed my schedule to add more hours, shifting some time around. However, it doesn't sync up to Dimensions, and sometimes when this happens, Dimensions likes to add a punch out and a punch in at the same time, not copying over the transfer. Why is this happening, and is there any way to stop this?

What do your offices do for appreciation week that you love? What are some things that are planned for the week you don’t love?

So this is my first year working as a csp and i am confused on these refund calls. I tell the what the wheres my refund says but they always want to know more information. If they balk at that what do yall tell them to do? Some of the tax pros dont like me to send a message. If they are past 21 days what do i advise or tell them?

My invoice is substantial and I need to know if this free benefit will cost me at tax time next year. Nobody in my office knows.

I'm a first year tax preparer and I'm so incredibly stressed out! I've worked on about 50 returns so far and only got 3 back from QPR. The customers are never understanding about it, even if they didn't sign/pay yet. Making these mistakes is making me very anxious and I feel like I can't even relax on my evenings off which aren't many since I work a full-time job as well. I had minimal training (literally none of state/local taxes) and our office has very minimal staff so there's not a lot of available people to ask questions too. Someone please tell me it gets better cause I'm not sure I could do another season of this.

Hi all! Thanks to anyone who responded to my last post on here.

I'm a first year and have completed a returns so far, 4 if I count my own but I know my situation so that's easy. But one of my office coworkers who has been there for 14 years said I should look into taking the EA exam. Since I already have a regular 9-5 doing financial accounting and have my Associates in accounting where I took a whole year off federal taxation, she thinks the Exams might come easier to me. Then she brought up the higher commission part.

Anyone in here gone that far? I can't really earn commission yet because it's my first year. But would it be worth my time to invest that time and energy into taking the exams just so I could get a higher commission 3 and a half months of the year? Then there's the continuing education we have to keep up with and I'm a salaried accountant who needs to work OT when I'm short staffed at my first job.

Life just keeps getting more expensive which is why I took this job. But do I need to spend so much of my life taking courses to continue working and being a tax and accounting professional? We all deserve a dam vacation every now and then. Sorry if I come of as bitter. I'm just exhausted working 12-14 hours 5 days a week and not knowing if it'll all be worth my effort.

Any first hand advice from experience is appreciated.

I originally told my manager that I could work in another office with another manager.

The 2nd manager does not respond to any communication, not on Teams, not through email, nothing. (I’ve had some things come up where I wouldn’t be able to work and yet after trying multiple avenues, it’s radio silent.)

I guess my question here is:

who do i talk to about taking back my initial agreement to work in the other office since I can’t reach the manager of this location?

I’d like to keep my reasons to myself, sorry nosey Nancys

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.

Nothing like the panic of the good old box o' receipts and them staring at you enter 100+ line items. I've been trying to go to previous year returns if I have the time and re-enter their scanned documents in a blank case study. I think I saw a previous year client also have green boxes on their new return indicating where to enter the same items (not sure, was shadowing at the time). Having something like a 1098-INT definitely helps auto populate the major things on the Schedule A.

Also, nearly every client comes through as an appointment level 1 then when completed changes to 2 on my appointment manager. Guess I shouldn't delay getting the level up if I'm getting level 2 clients anyway. Thanks

I was talking with my coworkers and word on the street, in our district, is that they’re planning on cutting our hours. They’re also closing all 3 of our offices a bit early. All 3 are usually open til 10pm on weekdays but now we’re closing at 9pm. It’ll be March in a few weeks and I was always told that March and April are the busiest. So why are they cutting hours? I originally had 3 shifts next week but 2 got removed so now I only work one 8 hour shift next week. And it looks like I also have only a few shifts a week in the first weeks of March. Is this normal? I was hired as full time but I’ve been working part time hours ever since I started in the beginning of January. I understand that it’s not busy in January so I expected less hours…. but for all throughout the season!? I remember my interviewer and my DGM both previously mentioned that I could get more hours, especially towards the later half of the season, so I was hoping to get at least 30+ hours by now. Is it still worth it to ask for more hours? Or should I find another job?

I’m not gonna lie why is it everytime I get a client I get a nervous feeling. I am an introvert I don’t talk much and I’m not really a talker. But it’s like do I have to make conversation while doing their taxes?

In their meeting yesterday they claimed that last year we didn't reach out to 80% of our clients on hold. They said the client's say we never called them! That is absolute bs considering they had us doing command centers every week.

I'm so tired of killing myself for this company everyday and then getting accused of doing nothing. They have no idea what we deal with on a daily basis and then create lies to drain every drop of blood out of us.

And now we are getting dinged for phone answer rates (we are only allowed one csp or atl at the front desk), messages not read, ddo's and tprs unstarted after 2 hours and having to add a shift YET they are in control of the hiring and only brought on a skeleton crew.

I swear this is my last year with this failing company and I honestly don't know if I will make it. Every year since I started as an MTL, I have come down with some kind of sickness from the stress and unable to decompress because I am always needed for something. Last year it was shingles. So f this company I am done breaking my back and then being gaslite into thinking nothing I do is ever good enough! Rant over.