April 18 – or April 19 for preparers in Maine and Massachusetts – doesn’t actually mean the end of tax-related work. There are still extensions that require your attention and tax-planning meetings scheduled with year-round clients, but at least there is a lull in the action. As the sun sets on yet another filing season, most tax professionals are looking to enjoy a little downtime before getting ready for next year’s frenetic race to the individual filing deadline.

The Drake Software Education team will soon begin hosting classroom training events to help new and veteran Drake Software customers learn more about their tax preparation software and provide an opportunity to earn CPE. The three-day Drake 101 sessions cover basic functionality and workflow tips, providing hands-on instruction from expert Drake Software educators. To borrow from the hard-fought wisdom of basketball coaches, focusing on fundamentals is the key to success.

Drake 101 Sessions:

Day 1: Setup and Tools – From the ins and outs of software installation and setup to practice management tools, learn how to get Drake Software up and running.

Day 2: Return Prep and e-Filing – In this introduction to return preparation in Drake, instructors guide participants through a hands-on, interactive workshop.

Day 3: Workflow Solutions – Discover the Drake features designed to increase office efficiency, including document management, client portals, and tax preparation automation.

There will also be training opportunities for preparers who want to better understand the Client Write-Up program. Instructors at the three-day Client Write-Up Basics & Beyond classes will teach attendees to set up clients, payroll, and a Chart of Accounts; create customer accounts in the Chart of Accounts; process and e-file Forms W-2, Forms 1099, and 94X series tax returns; and more.

To register for classroom training and the chance to earn CPE, log in to Support.DrakeSoftware.com and select Classroom Training from the Training drop list. The schedule for upcoming events is listed below and on the Drake Software website. See Cat Creek Lodge and Snow Hill Inn for Franklin, NC hotel accommodations.

* Bilingual assistance available.