After doing a year’s worth of work in just four months, you and your staff have earned serious rest. The final push of tax season is over, but before everyone fully unwinds, consider carving out a day for a staff retreat. It’s the ideal time to debrief, reflect and lay the groundwork for an even more efficient and strategic year ahead. To guide a well-structured discussion during this retreat, we’ve compiled five purposeful questions for your consideration.

A day to reflect, recharge and realign

Book a hotel, spa or retreat center for a day dedicated to relaxation and renewal – with a side of strategic planning. Use the morning for structured discussions on what worked, what didn’t and how your team can evolve. The afternoon? Pure recharge mode.

Here are six essential areas to evaluate.

1. Tax prep workflow: is it supporting or slowing you down?

Start by evaluating your current systems. Are you still accepting paper documents over the counter, or have you moved to a client portal for digital submissions? Is the portal intuitive, or do clients and staff struggle to use it?

Frontline staff often have the best insights into workflow snags. Invite candid feedback. For example:

• Are missing document follow-ups efficient or frustrating?
• When unusual tax scenarios arise, is there easy access to research tools?
• Could automation streamline document intake or prep reviews?

Improvements here can mean fewer headaches next year.

2. Advisory services: are you capturing what tax season reveals?

Tax season provides a unique window into clients’ lives. Are you leveraging it to grow your advisory services and provide valuable planning for each stage of your client’s life?

For example,

• Should college students with earned income be encouraged to open Roth IRAs?
• Are clients exploring gig work or side hustles that call for Schedule C coaching?
• Are parents and grandparents thinking about Social Security timing, RMDs, gifting or estate planning?

3. Technology: are you working smarter or just working harder?

Take stock of your equipment and systems.

• Are scanners, copiers, and computers fast, reliable, and up to date?
• Is your client portal version current and user-friendly?
• Are remote and hybrid team members able to work as efficiently as those on-site?

Outdated tech eats time. Upgrading even modestly can yield real productivity gains.

4. Marketing: is your brand keeping up?

Your website and marketing strategy deserve the same post-season audit. Consider these questions:

• Is your online presence polished and current?
• Could refreshed photos, blog posts, or newsletters showcase your niche expertise better?
• Are staff interested in contributing content to enhance visibility?

Evaluate whether to bring in a marketing professional – or redirect internal talent – to drive outreach. Either way, don’t let your visibility stagnate.

5. Artificial intelligence: strategic tool or loose cannon?

AI tools can supercharge your practice – if used wisely. Consider assigning someone to oversee AI implementation to ensure quality and ethical use.

Effective-use cases include:

• Drafting blog posts or email templates
• Brainstorming content ideas
• Conducting preliminary tax research

AI won’t replace your expertise but can save time and spark creativity.

6. Yes, actually rest

After the brainstorming, truly unwind. Lounge. Walk. Swim. Play pickleball. Laugh over a slow meal. Step away from the “tax brain” and give your whole self a reset. You’ve earned it.

Final word: recharge with purpose

If this season already felt smoother, it’s likely thanks to the tools and systems you put in place. If not, you’ve just gathered a roadmap to improve.

Before you head back to the office:

• Knock out your CPE with NATP’s robust virtual offerings
• Register for Taxposium 25 (July 21-23)

Don’t skip the chance to reflect and refresh, whether it’s one day or a long weekend. Tax season may be cyclical – but your growth doesn’t have to be.