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Eide Bailly

Introduction

Eide Bailly LLP, a nationally recognized mid-tier public accounting and professional services firm, faced increasing complexities as it grew both in size and in the number of clients it served. The firm's manual, labor-intensive process for handling 1099 filings became increasingly challenging to manage, especially as new firms joined Eide Bailly, each bringing different methods and processes. With rising concerns about accuracy, timeliness, and workflow consistency, Eide Bailly recognized the need for a more automated and structured solution to streamline its tax form processing. Implementing Tax1099 proved transformational, allowing Eide Bailly to achieve efficient, transparent, and scalable e-filing capabilities that adapted smoothly to their expanding operations.

Client Background

Eide Bailly LLP is a Trans-Mississippi American mid-tier public accounting and professional services firm headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota. Incorporated in Minnesota and founded in 1998 from the merger of Eide Helmeke & Co. and Charles Bailly & Co., Eide Bailly has since grown into a "Top 25 CPA Firm" in the United States. With approximately 3,500 employees spread across forty-nine offices in fifteen states—and one in India—the firm offers an extensive range of services including tax, assurance, consulting, and advisory to clients nationwide. This remarkable growth, especially post-2017, has brought both success and operational challenges, particularly in standardizing processes like tax form filing across multiple offices. Seeking a streamlined and error-free approach, Eide Bailly turned to Tax1099 to modernize their filing process and support their team’s continued focus on accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.

Challenges

High Manual Workload

As the firm grew, their manual filing process became increasingly burdensome, requiring extensive hands-on time and leading to inefficiencies.

Process Inconsistency

Mergers with other firms introduced varied processes, making it challenging to create a unified and streamlined workflow.

Risk of Missed Deadlines

The manual nature of their processes raised concerns about missing critical eFiling deadlines, particularly at month-end and year-end, causing stress and potential client dissatisfaction.

Lack of Real-Time Visibility

The firm had limited ability to monitor the filing status of forms in real time, making it hard to track progress, identify incomplete filings, and manage updates.

Client File Handling

Manually converting and processing data from client-provided formats into the firm’s system was time-consuming.

Impact Area  Description  Pre-Tax1099 Situation  Desired Outcome 
Time Spent on Filing Manual filing required significant staff time, with key team members working extra hours to manage filing deadlines. Estimated weekly time spent: 10-15 hours per employee Reduce time spent on manual filing by 80%.
Risk of Errors and Missed Deadlines Inconsistent, manual process increased the risk of errors and missed e-filing deadlines, potentially leading to compliance issues or penalties. High risk of errors; no centralized tracking for deadlines 100% accuracy with deadline reminders & notice management
Process Scalability Integrating newly acquired firms' processes was challenging without a centralized digital system, causing workflow inconsistencies, especially during peak season. Workflow inconsistencies; difficult integration across offices Standardize and automate filing process
Client Satisfaction and Transparency Limited tracking and real-time adjustments added stress during deadlines and limited real-time updates to clients. Low visibility on filing progress and status  100% visibility on filing progress

Discovery of Tax1099

The firm recognized the need for a streamlined, automated solution that could handle the high volume of tax filings while improving accuracy, reducing manual errors, and enhancing scalability. This search led Eide Bailly to Tax1099, a robust e-filing platform designed specifically to meet the compliance and efficiency needs of large accounting firms. Tax1099 offered the structured, transparent process Eide Bailly was looking for, allowing them to transition smoothly from manual to automated tax filing.

Solution Provided by Tax1099

Centralized Dashboard with Reporting Features

The centralized dashboard allowed team members across offices to track e-filing progress, view outstanding tasks, and generate reports on filings that were incomplete or not accepted.

Scalable Bulk Filing Capabilities

Tax1099’s bulk upload feature enabled Eide Bailly to handle large volumes of 1099s and W-2s efficiently, supporting scalability even during peak periods.

Client-Friendly Communication Tools

The platform’s mailing service feature reduced the time Eide Bailly spent on distributing forms to clients, streamlining client communication and improving service levels.

Real-Time Tracking

Tax1099 allowed Eide Bailly to upload files directly to the platform, bypassing manual processes. The system provided real-time status updates for each form, enabling staff to check progress, make adjustments, and address potential issues promptly.

Results & Outcome

The transformational impact of Tax1099 on Eide Bailly’s operations, enabling them to achieve efficient, accurate, and scalable tax form processing that aligns with their growth and client service goals.

Monthly Time Saved  Data Accuracy Integration Time  Client Satisfaction 
20-32 hours per employee per month   100% Accuracy with data checks  Reduced by nearly 50%  High, due to increased transparency & communication 

Conclusion

Eide Bailly’s transformation with Tax1099 illustrates the power of seamless automation to overcome complex, high-stakes challenges in tax form processing. Tax1099 enabled Eide Bailly to reclaim valuable time, reduce errors, and gain real-time insights into every step of the filing process. The platform’s adaptability and the support provided by the Tax1099 team have not only strengthened Eide Bailly’s operational efficiency but have also elevated the firm’s service standards across a growing client base. Today, Eide Bailly stands empowered, confidently navigating high volumes and tight deadlines with a solution that evolves with their needs—setting a new benchmark in accuracy, transparency, and client satisfaction.

Dan Gertrude

“I love how in Tax1099 I can upload the file, walk through the entire process, and easily upload it to the IRS directly... I can see what has been processed and where it's at.”

Jullian Robison, Senior Manager, Eide Bailly