An update since I've been away from LJ-land ( Read more... )

After 17 years H&R Block decided to close the office I work in. Apparently, we weren't profitable enough. The manner we found out was when one of my co-workers drove by and saw the office wasbarren; everything was emptied out. A few days later, the Block signage was removed from the building. I e-mailed the District Manager to ask him about it. ( Read more... )

Yesterday we lost heat in our office. First, we thought it was the thermostat, so we pried the cover off and replaced the battery. Nope. Still cold air blowing. Manager called the landlord and the District manager. AFAIK, nothing has been done. So I'm bundling up this morning to work in an icebox. At least, it'll be warm today--almost 30.

The last few days have seen more of the complex and therefore, higher fee returns coming in. I have a pretty good record of sealing the deal--only 1 out of 170 clients failed to complete their return. The man never brought in his mortgage info to finish it. He obviously didn't like when I wouldn't estimate expenses for him (He would've overstate ( Read more... )

Our office manager gave us the news today that our office won't be closing after all. We've been given a one year reprieve. (Business isn't better, but apparently they've cut enough labor costs to make it feasible to stay open ( Read more... )

This afternoon I prepared tax returns for an anime fan. It's probably the only time I'd use my anime-gleaned Japanese in a conversation. I remembered her from last year because she wrote a book on Japanese lessons and the return was done by Mrs. Useless. This year was a straight 1040 EZ ( Read more... )

In the meeting with the District Manager this afternoon, he laid out expectations for the coming year. Everything is built around service. He explained that our office is "failing" and unless things turned around dramatically, the office would be closed in 2011. I'd then be moved to another Block office. Clints would be notified of my new office ( Read more... )

District office called to set up a rehire interview with the District Manager for next week. Apparently, that is a new twist for returning. It's not just a slam dunk you'll automatically return. I take my conitnuing ( Read more... )

It's sad to see someone who you've dealt with over the years who was once vibrant now in signs of decline. It's expected when you age. I saw it in my ( Read more... )

A month remains in tax season. I'd have to average doing 5 returns per day to reach last year's total of returns prepared. There's no way that's going to happen. In the office I'm basically the only one with any appointments. I wouldn't be surprised if corporate seriously looks at combining our office with another that's located just over a mile ( Read more... )