The New Tax Year: How To Take It By Storm

The new tax year has arrived, and if you’re an accountant, you’ve probably got that mix of excitement, mild dread, and the irresistible urge to colour-code everything. Maybe you’ve promised yourself this year will be “more organised,” “less reactive,” or “the year we finally automate that one horrible process.”

Well, good news. You don’t need to do it all manually. Let’s walk through some smart, practical tips to help you kick off the new tax year with confidence, clarity—and yes, a bit of help from AI bots who love admin more than any human ever could.

the new tax year

Call in the Bots Early

If you’re not automating at least part of your workflow yet, this is your sign. Tools like Bots For That can take the grunt work out of:

  • Recurring monthly reports

  • Categorising transactions

  • Chasing clients for missing info

  • Reconciling banks (bless them)

Think of them as your digital assistants—ones that don’t get tired, never forget, and don’t need a tea break. Set them up now while the year’s fresh, and let them do the heavy lifting before things get hectic.

Wrangle Those Bank Rules

Bank rules are like the plumbing of your accounting workflow: unnoticed when they work, but chaos when they don’t.

Now’s the perfect time to:

  • Review, consolidate, and clean up old rules

  • Build smart, logic-based rules for common transactions

  • Standardise across clients so you’re not reinventing the wheel

Pro tip: Test them with sample data to avoid awkward misclassifications when it counts.

Refresh Your File & Folder Game

If last year’s file structure was a bit… chaotic (no judgment), use this reset to create a consistent, logical setup.

A few tips:

  • Standardised folder names (2025 > Client > BAS, Payroll, Tax, etc.)

  • Date formats that sort themselves (e.g., 2025-04_BAS_Q3)

  • Document automation tools that save reports in the right folder, right away

Don’t just do this for your own sanity—your future self will thank you when deadlines hit.

Declutter Your Digital Life

A new year is a great excuse to tidy up:

  • Archive old client files and offboarders

  • Close unused software access

  • Clean up your inbox and cloud storage

It’s like spring cleaning, but for your tech. And if you’ve got bots doing the admin work, you might even have time to enjoy the metaphorical sunshine.

Build a Rolling Compliance Calendar

BAS, IAS, Super, Tax Lodgements… it’s easy to lose track.

Set up a master compliance calendar using:

  • Google/Outlook shared calendars

  • Project management tools

  • Bots (yes, again!) that remind you and your clients

You’ll sleep easier knowing you’re not relying on a post-it note and a prayer.

Review Your Clients (And Fees)

Start the year with clear boundaries and value alignment:

  • Who’s draining your time?

  • Who’s grown beyond your current scope?

  • Who needs a price review?

Reissue engagement letters where needed, and consider letting go of “bad-fit” clients. Freeing up time for quality work (or lunch breaks) is a win.

Template and Automate Your Reporting

Reporting doesn’t need to be a bespoke masterpiece every time.

Create templates for:

  • Monthly summaries

  • Cash flow reports

  • Quarterly insights

Then set up bots to deliver them on schedule, so you can focus on higher-value conversations with clients (not formatting spreadsheets).

Skill Up on AI + Automation

The bots can’t help you if you don’t know how to unleash them.

Make time to:

  • Attend a webinar or workshop

  • Watch product demos (especially if you’re using Bots For That!)

  • Assign one team member as your “automation champion”

AI isn’t replacing you. But it will replace those who don’t use it.

Reboot Your Team’s Workflow

Clear responsibilities = fewer bottlenecks.

Start the year by:

  • Mapping out task ownership

  • Centralising client communications

  • Making sure everyone knows which bots are doing what

Use a team tool like ClickUp, Monday.com, or Asana to track jobs and stay aligned.

Approach the Year Like a Fresh Start

Set the tone. This isn’t just “same old accounting year #X”—this is your opportunity to:

  • Build better systems

  • Reduce chaos

  • Spend more time on the work you actually enjoy

Even a small tweak—like a new reporting bot or a better folder structure—can compound into major gains by year-end.

Wrapping Up: Less Scramble, More Strategy

The tax year reset isn’t just about doing the same thing again—it’s a chance to do it smarter. With the right combination of tech, process, and planning, you can transform your accounting year from reactive to proactive.

Let the bots do what they do best. You focus on what only you can do: guiding, advising, and making clients feel like they’ve got their financial act together (even if they don’t).

Need help getting started with automation or curious about how Bots For That can fit into your workflow? Just ask—we’re here to make tax season feel a little less taxing.