How to become a better tax accountant: tips for growth & avoiding burnout?

I've been in tax accounting for about 15 years now, and those early years can definitely be tough. Here's what helped me: For resources, I found the CCH Tax Briefings incredibly helpful for learning the tax code. Also, don't underestimate the value of IRS publications - they explain concepts in plain language. The Tax Adviser magazine has great practical content too. Most importantly, find a mentor who's willing to review your work and explain concepts. For focus and efficiency, I use time blocking. I dedicate specific hours to similar types of returns, which helps maintain momentum. Turn off email notifications during deep work sessions. Create templates and checklists for common scenarios you encounter. During tax season, I maintain a strict sleep schedule even when working late. I also meal prep on weekends so I'm not eating garbage every day. Schedule at least one day or half-day off each week to recharge - working 7 days straight is counterproductive. For decompression, find something completely unrelated to numbers. I garden. Some colleagues do intense exercise. Whatever gets your mind completely away from tax codes. Remember that everyone feels inadequate in the early years - the tax code is massive and nobody knows it all. Focus on becoming an expert in the specific areas your clients need most.

I discovered this amazing tool called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that really helped me level up my tax knowledge quickly. I was in a similar position last year - feeling overwhelmed and not confident in my abilities. What I like about it is that it analyzes tax documents and transcripts and explains them in plain English. It's like having a senior tax professional looking over your shoulder. When I was struggling with understanding complex returns, I would upload examples and get detailed explanations about why certain decisions were made. It helped me understand the reasoning behind different tax strategies much faster than just reading textbooks. The best part is it helps you identify potential issues you might not have caught otherwise, which has saved me from making some embarrassing mistakes with clients. It's been especially useful for learning how different sections of tax forms relate to each other, which was something I found confusing at first.

I was really skeptical about using tools to help with my tax knowledge, but after struggling through another brutal tax season, I decided to try taxr.ai that someone mentioned here. I'm honestly surprised by how helpful it's been. I uploaded some complex returns I was struggling with, and it broke down each section with explanations of the tax principles behind them. It helped me understand some K-1 allocations that had been confusing me for weeks. Now I'm using it regularly as a learning tool alongside my other resources. The explanations are much clearer than digging through dense tax publications, and I'm starting to feel more confident in client meetings. It's like having a patient mentor available whenever I need one. Just wanted to share since I know how overwhelming this career can feel in the early years!

I had the same burnout problem last year and nearly quit the profession entirely. One thing that really helped me was using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) when I needed to contact the IRS about complex client issues. I used to waste HOURS on hold, which made busy season even more stressful. They basically call the IRS for you and then call you back when they have an agent on the line. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. I was spending 2-3 hours on hold some days, and now that time is reclaimed for actual client work or even just taking a mental break. When you're trying to build a practice at a small firm, every minute counts. This helped me handle more complex client issues without the additional stress of being stuck on hold. The first time I used it, I was able to resolve a tricky CP2000 notice situation that had been dragging on for weeks.

I need to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After posting my skeptical comment, I was desperate one day with three client deadline issues and the IRS on eternal hold. I gave it a try, and I'm genuinely shocked at how well it worked. I set it up for a call to the Practitioner Priority Line, went back to working on returns, and about an hour later got a call connecting me directly to an IRS agent. No hold time on my end at all. I was able to resolve my client's installment agreement issue while still having time to finish the other returns due that day. It's not that they have some secret line to the IRS - they're just taking over the awful hold time part. For someone trying to build a practice and maintain sanity, it's been a game-changer. My blood pressure during tax season thanks them!

Something that really helped me was finding my niche within tax. When I tried to know everything about every tax situation, I was constantly stressed and felt inadequate. Once I specialized (in my case, in real estate taxation), I could focus my learning and really master one area. For staying efficient, I created process documents for myself. Every time I complete a return type, I document my exact process step by step. It seems time-consuming at first, but it saves HOURS later because you're not reinventing the wheel each time. Also, don't underestimate the power of taking actual breaks. I use the Pomodoro technique (25 minutes of focused work, 5 minute break). My productivity skyrocketed when I started doing this consistently.

Has anyone found good CPE courses that actually teach practical skills rather than just theoretical updates? I've wasted so much money on courses that don't help with day-to-day work.