Rules for the WEC Workspace

Refer to the procedures shared in this guide when working on engagements within this workspace. This will ensure the work being done meets our partner's expectations.

This manual is intended for all Pros currently active within the WEC Outsourcing workspace.

About WEC

For 30 years, Wall, Einhorn, & Chernitzer has approached accounting from a distinct vantage point. The Virginia accounting firm is dedicated not only to its craft, but also to its people - clients and employees alike.

The Virginia CPA and advisory firm operates under the belief that the most successful relationships are those built with confidence, cultivated by collaboration, and sustained through commitment.

These values are essential to the firm's ability to provide fully-informed, holistic, and comprehensive financial advice to achieve clients' long term goals. Ultimately, strong relationships are the cornerstone of the Wall, Einhorn, & Chernitzer culture.

Steps to access the Workspace:

  1. Sign into https://portal.worklayer.com

  2. Identify and select the WEC workspace. For this partner, the workspace domain is wec.worklayer.com

  3. Once you have created an account within this domain, you will enter your Pro portal. As soon as you are completely set up to begin accepting opportunities, you can expect communication from the support team.

  4. If you have an iOS mobile device, download the Worklayer app to collect and work on opportunities while on the go.

Prep Returns: How it Works

1) Pro picks up opportunity from the pool: Once you've picked up the opportunity within the portal, ensure to complete and check off your first set of milestones. The expectation for this client is that all communication and technical questions regarding the return will take place within the job chat. (Note: for any questions regarding software and/or pricing, please ensure to direct to your designated Customer Success Associate or the Support Team via the widget in your portal)

2) Client assigns Pro to return on CCH Axcess: The client should provide you with credentials to access their instance of CCH Axcess Tax Software. It is within their software where you will be able to access the prior year return and where you are expected to complete the deliverable. It is up to you to confirm that you have access to this information. If you find you haven't received credentials or access to prior year documents, ensure to let the dedicated Tax Manager know within the job chat.

3) Confirm access to Supporting Documents: Supporting documents will be provided within the "Document" section of CCH Axcess. Unless the client has already indicated they still need to provide you with supporting documents, ensure to follow up if you are missing anything as the deliverable should be completed by the deadline. (Note: if you're unable to complete by the proposed deadline, contact your designated Customer Success Associate or the Support Team via the widget in your portal)

4) Doing the Work: Be sure to keep track of / check off any completed milestones as this is how the Support Team will determine your progress within a job. Any questions or communication pertaining to the deliverable should be brought up within the chat (for audit records). Under no circumstances should communication take place off the chat. (Any Pro found communicating with the client outside of the chat is subject to a strike system and/or subsequent removal).

Best practice is to collect all questions and address them within a single communication.

The following diagram will explain the process from when you pick up an opportunity within this workspace until it is closed.

Notes for Preparers:

  • You should have access to the client's tax workpapers, prior year return and current year tax proforma through our instance of Axcess Tax and Axcess Document. Please let Penny know (through chat) if that is not the case.

  • Please be sure to organize the workpapers and bookmark the various sections. For example, if there are K-1s please be sure to create a bookmark titled K-1s and move the relevant pages to that bookmark. You can refer to last year's workpapers as a general guide as to how to arrange the workpapers.

  • Preparers should also always set the return to e-file

  • Preparers should always clear all diagnostics

  • Please double-check your entry before closing the task. We’ve had several returns where K-1s were missed, 1099s were missed and some information doubled in the returns. Please be extra vigilant in ensuring all of the data has been input and was correctly entered.

  • Please ask questions. If you see something is missing that was there last year or that is mentioned in the current year workpapers, or if something new is in the workpapers for this year, please make a note of it and ask about it. We need to be aware of anything that’s different between last year and this year.

  • Please create your open/missing items/questions list in Excel and upload it to the “documents” section of the job in TaxFyle. This is a super-easy format for us to get a list of what’s missing, what questions you have, etc.

  • Preparers should be sure everything is checked back in before completing this return.

Review Returns: How it Works

1) Pro picks up opportunity from the pool: Once you've picked up the opportunity within the portal, ensure to complete and check off your first set of milestones. The expectation for this client is that all communication and questions regarding the return specifically will take place within the job chat. (Note: for any questions regarding software and/or pricing, please ensure to direct to your designated Customer Success Associate or the Support Team via the widget in your portal)

2) Client assigns Pro to return on CCH Axcess: The client should provide you with credentials to access their instance of CCH Axcess Tax Software. It is within their software where you will be able to access the prior year return and where you are expected to complete the deliverable. It is up to you to confirm that you have access to this information. If you find you haven't received credentials or access to prior year documents, ensure to let the dedicated Tax Manager know within the job chat.

3) Check for Supporting Documents: Supporting documents will be provided within the "Documents" section of the job opportunity (in your portal). Unless the client has already indicated they still need to provide you with supporting documents, ensure to follow up if you are missing anything as the deliverable should be completed by the deadline. (Note: if you're unable to complete by the proposed deadline, contact your designated Customer Success Associate or the Support Team via the widget in your portal)

4) Doing the Work: Any questions pertaining to the work that must be completed (i.e the return) should be brought up within the chat. Best practice is to collect all questions and address them within a single communication.

5) In-Software Updates: You should be prepared to make updates within the software and provide any relevant comments, mark-ups, and necessary calculations. Always confirm with the client / Tax Pro on your team if you have doubts.

Notes for Reviewers:

  • You should have access to this client's tax workpapers, prior year return and current year tax proforma through our instance of Axcess Tax and Axcess Document. Please let the client know within the chat know if that is not the case.

  • Please do a detailed review of the return, meaning go through the source docs to be sure everything has been input, and input correctly. Look at the return overall and in detail – if there’s something that does not make sense add it to the questions/missing items list.

  • Please make sure the return is set to e-file and clear all diagnostics

  • Please be sure everything is checked back in before completing the return

General Guidelines for this Workspace

Missing Items List Template

Click here for a template of the missing items list

File Extensions on Client's Behalf with Approaching Deadlines

If you see that a client’s job is nearing the filing deadline and they’ve been unresponsive for an extended period of time, it is essential best practice to file an extension on the clients behalf. That way the client avoids accruing any penalties with the IRS as a result.

Alert Clients/Support when you'll be Unavailable

In the event that you are out of town, on vacation, have a business trip, etc. please let it be known to your clients and/or the Support Team ahead of time. This way the Support Team can make any necessary arrangements with an engagement if they see that a due date is approaching to maintain that positive client experience.

Any Questions that aren't "return-specific" should be directed to Support, not the Client

If you come across any technical issues not necessarily related to the return (i.e. payout, scope of work, software related issues, client unresponsive) direct your questions to the Support Team as they'll be able to assist you further. The easiest way to get in contact is to use the Support Widget located on the bottom right-hand side of your portal.

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