How SurePrep and UltraTax changed the game for a CPA firm

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When Josh Haislip took over his small CPA firm in Stanton, Texas, he knew he was inheriting more than just a client list. He was stepping into a world of 700 annual tax returns, manual work papers, and the kind of grueling tax seasons that leave practitioners questioning their career choices. 

Fast-forward to today, Josh’s firm tells a completely different story—one of streamlined processes, confident reviews, and weekends spent with family instead of buried in documentation. The catalyst for this transformation? Thomson Reuters solutions SurePrep and UltraTax working together to revolutionize how his firm operates. 

The challenge: Drowning in documentation 

Josh’s firm serves a client base heavily rooted in oil, gas, and agriculture—industries that generate complex returns requiring meticulous documentation. For years, the firm relied on manual work and paper preparation, a time-intensive process that consumed countless hours during tax season. 

The situation was compounded by skepticism born from past experiences with buggy software and systems that promised efficiency but delivered headaches instead. This history of disappointment created a reluctance to embrace new technology, even as the workload continued to grow. 

“Burnout is real. And anything you can do to minimize labor-intensive processes and get back to actually using your mind to review and provide insight, I think goes a long way,” Josh explains. 

The firm was caught in a familiar trap: working harder instead of smarter, with little time left for the high-value advisory services that truly differentiate a modern CPA practice. 

The turning point: A fireside chat at SYNERGY 

The breakthrough moment came at a recent SYNERGY conference during what seemed like an ordinary product presentation. A Thomson Reuters sales representative, who had worked as a tax preparer herself, was sharing her personal experience with SurePrep. Her words cut through the usual sales pitch and spoke directly to Josh’s pain points. 

“She looked us all straight in the eye and kind of paused and said, ‘After a while we weren’t working on the weekends anymore.’ And I was like… even if I could save two hours a week, it’s worth it.” 

That moment of authentic connection sparked a realization: efficiency wasn’t about cutting corners or compromising quality—it was about reclaiming time for what truly mattered, both professionally and personally. 

The solution: SurePrep + UltraTax integration 

Josh had been using UltraTax for over 20 years, relying on its comprehensive tax preparation capabilities for his firm’s complex oil, gas, and agricultural returns. Integrating it with SurePrep created an entirely new level of efficiency that transformed his workflow. 

The seamless connection between SurePrep, UltraTax, and other Thomson Reuters tools like Accounting CS and Practice CS established a centralized workflow that eliminated redundant data entry. With SurePrep automatically organizing source documents, the data flowed directly into UltraTax’s forms, eliminating manual transcription that had previously consumed hours. 

“SurePrep totally slices through the documentation and builds a reliable, accurate product that is uniform throughout every client that you work with,” Josh notes. “And when that information feeds directly into UltraTax, the entire return comes together seamlessly.” 

The Lead Sheets feature proved particularly transformative, replacing outdated reconciliation methods and providing Josh with a clearer understanding of the modern 1040 form. This standardization meant faster preparation times within UltraTax, fewer errors, and a more confident review process. UltraTax’s diagnostic tools became even more powerful when working with SurePrep’s organized data, catching potential issues early and ensuring compliance. 

The results: Peace of mind and client growth 

The impact extended far beyond operational efficiency. Josh found himself sleeping better at night—not just because he was working fewer hours, but because he trusted the accuracy and completeness of his work. The combination of UltraTax’s proven calculation reliability and SurePrep’s thorough documentation process created a double layer of confidence. 

“I sleep at night better knowing that there’s not some mistake that’s hidden somewhere… I have more tools that I’m able to utilize to ensure that I’m not making critical errors,” Josh explains. “UltraTax has always been reliable for calculations, but now with SurePrep feeding it clean, organized data, I know both the inputs and outputs are solid.” 

With time freed up from manual processes, Josh could focus on what truly drives business growth: building deeper client relationships and expanding into proactive tax planning and wealth-building strategies. UltraTax’s planning tools, which had previously been underutilized due to time constraints, have now become integral to client conversations about tax optimization and strategic decision-making. 

A no-brainer investment 

For Josh, adopting SurePrep wasn’t just a technology decision—it was a business and lifestyle transformation that paid dividends immediately. 

“The number one product I would recommend is SurePrep… it rips through documentation so that you don’t have to.” 

Josh’s story demonstrates what’s possible when firms embrace the right combination of tools. The integration of SurePrep with UltraTax didn’t just improve his workflow—it redefined what success looks like for a modern CPA practice. 

For firms still struggling with manual processes and weekend work sessions, Josh’s transformation offers a clear path forward. Investment in the right technology isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about creating a sustainable practice that serves both clients and practitioners better. 

Ready to transform your firm like Josh did? Learn more about SurePrep and UltraTax solutions. Request a demo to see how your firm can benefit today.