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Tax year end pressure has a nasty habit of arriving suddenly… Usually some time in March. Client requests pile up, the inbox overflows and advisers find themselves juggling advice, admin and compliance all at once.
But what if you put January and February to work? This could be the ideal moment to get organised – and a little preparation now can make all the difference between a calm, controlled tax year end and another stressful scramble.
Here’s our team’s top 5 things financial advisers should focus on now, to take the pressure off later.
Not every client needs the same level of attention ahead of tax year end, so here’s the question: why approach it as if they do? January is the time to take a step back and be strategic.
Start by identifying which clients are most likely to benefit from tax year end planning. Think about those with unused ISA allowances, scope for pension contributions, potential capital gains, or inheritance tax considerations. These clients should naturally sit at the top of your priority list.
Segmenting clients into clear groups (for example complex, simple, low-need or transactional) allows advisers to focus time where it adds most value. It also helps support teams prepare in advance by pulling data, arranging reviews, or making sure records are up to date.
Clean, accurate CRM data underpins this process. Firms that invest time now in reviewing and organising client information tend to move through tax year end far more smoothly.
Tax year end is not a great time to discover missing information or outdated documents. It’s not always complex advice that creates delays; sometimes it’s because the data needed just isn’t ready.
Thinking ahead, January is the ideal point to review client files and ensure key documents are complete and current: fact-finds, risk profiles, client objectives, and ongoing service agreements. Suitability templates and standard wording should also be checked to ensure they reflect current regulatory expectations.
From a practical standpoint, this early review reduces the risk of errors, rework, and compliance issues later on. It also makes it far easier to respond quickly when clients confirm they want to proceed with planning opportunities.
Many firms underestimate how time-consuming this preparation can be. Don’t forget the power of having dedicated support in place. It frees advisers to focus on advice rather than document chasing.
We know that one of the biggest challenges for small advice firms is capacity. Adviser time is finite, and tax year end demand often arrives in a very short window.
So this is the month to be realistic about what your firm can deliver. Consider adviser availability, paraplanning resource, and administrative capacity. Where do bottlenecks typically occur? Is it new business processing, illustrations, platform submissions, or client follow-ups?
Once these pressure points are identified, firms can make informed decisions about resourcing. For some, that may mean adjusting client expectations. For others, it may involve bringing in additional support to manage peak workloads.
Planning capacity early avoids rushed decisions later, like overloading advisers or taking on temporary staff with limited onboarding.
One of the most effective ways to reduce tax year end stress is clear communication. Clients who understand deadlines and requirements are far more likely to engage early and provide information on time.
January is the perfect opportunity to send tax year end communications outlining key dates, what actions may be relevant, and what information clients need to supply. Setting internal cut-off dates for instructions can also help manage workflow and reduce last-minute pressure.
Consistency is important. Whether communications are sent via email, portals, or review meetings, they should be clearly documented and aligned with your firm’s compliance processes.
Proactive communication not only improves efficiency but also reinforces the value of ongoing advice, especially so at a time when clients are focused on making the most of their allowances.
Tax year end has a habit of exposing inefficiencies. Advisers find themselves doing tasks that don’t call for adviser expertise, while support staff are stretched trying to keep up.
January provides an opportunity to step back and review how work flows through the business. Where are delays occurring? How much adviser time is being spent on administrative tasks? Are processes clearly documented and consistently followed?
This kind of review highlights the benefits of rebalancing workloads or introducing more flexible support. Whether through improved internal processes or outsourced services, small changes can have a significant impact during peak periods.
Importantly, reviewing processes before tax year end allows any changes to be tested and refined before it’s under pressure.
Tax year end doesn’t have to be chaotic. Firms getting started in January are better placed to deliver timely advice, maintain compliance standards, and protect adviser wellbeing.
By prioritising clients, organising data, planning capacity, communicating early, and reviewing processes, advisers can approach the coming months with confidence rather than concern, and spend time where it matters most.
Don’t forget, we’re here to help. If it’s a struggle finding time and resource to deliver smoothly during tax year end, feel free to explore how our admin and paraplanning services could help.
Book a chat now or give us a call, and we’ll make a plan together.
Michael is known for top quality research and report writing skills, thanks to his razor-sharp analytical nature. His specialist areas span investments, paraplanning and technical.
