Stress free back to work 2025 : Your summer checklist to get ahead for september (Even while enjoying an iced coffee)
As we explained in our previous article, “5 Steps to a caclm summer and a secure Bbck to work period”, summer in Quebec is synonymous with calm, fewer appointments, a lighter pace, and sometimes even days of remote work.
During this slower period, what better way to prepare for the upcoming busy season than by focusing on back-to-work preparations—without overload or stress! Laying the groundwork now ensures a smoother and more productive fall, especially since September and October are traditionally dedicated to professional training.
To make things easier, we offer a simple and effective checklist to get ahead, refine your processes, and avoid last-minute improvisation during the critical period of the year.
1. Clean up your client files
For accountants, the intense period of preparing company financial statements begins as early as November–December, with the first year-end closings. Before the influx of requests returns and the individual tax season kicks off, take the time to organize your files:
- A little sorting now means much less confusion later. File away completed or inactive mandates. This reduces clutter and facilitates smoother future management.
- Some files may be waiting on just one document or a simple follow-up. Check the status of ongoing files to prevent future bottlenecks.
2. Update your templates and forms
Are your accounting document templates still up to date? Summer is the perfect time to:
- Review your standard financial statements, engagement letters, and service contracts.
- Incorporate recent tax or legal changes, especially if you have clients in regulated sectors.
- Adjust the tone, structure, or design of your templates to reflect your firm’s current image.
Note: With our solution, you can centralize your document templates and easily reuse them for each mandate.
3. Schedule recurring follow ups
Anticipation is key to efficiency. By scheduling reminders and communications in advance, you gain performance when the critical moment arrives. During summer, you can:
- Create automated reminders for tax filings, periodic reports, or assignment deadlines (available via Dimpo).
- Plan automated emails (reminders for supporting documents, mandate renewal notices, etc.).
These may seem like small actions, but combined, they free mental bandwidth for the back-to-work period.
4. Optimize team organization
A well-distributed workload starts early and includes:
- Reviewing the roles and responsibilities of each team member.
- Reassigning files if departures or new hires are expected.
- Ensuring everyone has individual access to the accounting and tax management system.
Thanks to Dimpo, each team member only has access to the files assigned to them according to their responsibilities, while you maintain full control through the admin interface.
5. Anticipate client requests
September often brings urgent or recurring client requests. Be ready to respond quickly by:
- Creating standard response templates for the most common questions (deadlines, required documents, submission methods, etc.).
- Adding a mini FAQ to your website or client portal.
- Preparing a simple form to manage urgent requests or prioritize inquiries.
These initiatives reduce unnecessary back-and-forth and allow you to handle each file more efficiently.
In conclusion, every small action counts
Taking an hour this summer to organize a file, schedule a reminder, or update a template saves you several hours in September. It also reduces oversights, unexpected issues, and ensures a calmer back-to-work period for you and your team.
Keep in mind that the accounting back-to-work period isn’t limited to client files: September and October are also key months for training. It’s the ideal time to:
- Learn about new tax or legal changes.
- Review the digital tools used daily.
- Refine your skills with advanced features of your accounting platform.
That’s why Dimpo provides its users with a wide range of educational resources, including:
- User guides,
- Practical tools for accountants and their clients,
- Continuous training sessions.
Additionally, in November, we host numerous webinars and live training sessions so that every user beginner or advanced can maximize their platform usage.
Take advantage of this quieter season to log into Dimpo , review your files, and check off the first items on your checklist !
