Hello everyone,
I decided to do my update at the beginning of this month as busy season has hit me at work and it will be harder and harder to find time to write an update.
I have been doing returns for several weeks now and feel like I am getting hang of most of them. We all have a "task list" that tells us what returns we have been assigned to do and what type they are. The process of brining a return to a place where it can be reviewed, concurred and sent out is long and very detailed. I am learning about where I make mistakes by the reviewer points I receive back from the returns I have done.
I have mostly been doing the non-resident returns for Canada and the United States. On some of the bigger clients the individual returns look very similar. I am learning about sourcing compensation for days worked in the respective countries.
I am also learning how to analyze a clients filing position quickly. We are given a filing position summary for each person and then work along with that to file their returns correctly.
Busy season lasts a bit longer for this department because we don't only have the Canadian tax return deadline but also the United States deadlines. The regular return deadline for the states is mid April but other forms which are very common for expatriates like disclosure of foreign assets are due in June.
The hours are very long right now and I think it's going to take some time to get used to working for such long hours. I'm getting to work around 8 AM and getting home around 8 -8:30 PM for the most part.
I've noticed that every return is a bit different which means that all the way through busy season I will be learning new things.
I am corresponding with clients, requesting information and learning how to address their needs. A lot of the time I will forward any questions onto more senior employees because they know the position that the firm takes on issues much better than me and they request that we do so.
Now to get some sleep before tomorrow morning rolls around!
Miss you guys in Lethbridge.
Kathrine
