It's all downhill from here

Eight working days left before Christmas, and more than eight 31 March 2011 company accounts to finish before then. In fact I want them finished and out of the door before the end of this week, but that might be asking a bit much!

On the personal tax front we are up to date with the work we have in the office, we just have a lot still to come in. As usual, much of the delay is waiting for the last few bits and pieces to enable us to complete returns that were all but finished months ago. The good news is that there are very few sets of accounts for 2011 tax returns that haven't yet come in, and certainly no big ones, so it looks like January will involve a lot of chasing clients, telephone calls and emails.

Meanwhile, there's a discernible pre-Christmas atmosphere in the office these days, the Christmas tree is up, cards are piling up on desks and the team are merrily chatting about their Christmas shopping when they come up for air. We try to keep the atmosphere fairly light in the office, especially during the most stressful periods, otherwise I think we'd all crack up. The key at the moment is to keep the tax team happy and healthy - I am counting on them being at work between Christmas and New Year so that we don't start January under too much pressure but at the moment I'm not sure there will be enough for them to do if they all want to work that week. They need to focus for the rest of this week in getting outstanding information and paperwork in before Christmas.

And on top of all that I have my first full SA tax enquiry for years under way and the Inspector wants to arrange a meeting with the client in January - luckily for me he's away skiing for most of the month so sadly I'm going to have to suggest a date in early February!