Need to know the time length spent in each tax return.

If using Proseries.... open return,  Ctrl B start clock

Try that...see if ProConnect works the same.  Probably not but doesn't hurt to try.

Have them keep timesheets?

I'm leery of in software counters. It tracks how long the file is open, but that doesn't mean work is being done. I get called away from returns all the time - phone calls, email, employee questions, etc.

@sjrcpa ... not to mention wandering over to this place to see what's happening 😉

@mindsmith    If you are billing by the second, you are in the wrong profession.  (Sorry @BobKamman  😉

OCD = Overly Clock Dependent

Do like the auto technicians do.  If the book says it takes an hour, charge for an hour.  If you're good at your job, it was finished in 40 minutes.  

@abctax55 I did forget to mention the wandering time.

Would the exact seconds include to time to select the worksheet and click the stop timer box?

And what if you were to doublecheck to see if the direct deposit box was checked or not, and it was already checked?  Is that part of tax preparation or just the preparer unsure if he/she already selected it?   Would it include printing the return?  Uploading the return to a cloud-based server?  Saving the return?  Updating the client status?

When does a return really get finished!!  A few returns may seem like indigestible meals that never quite go away.

Maybe Jim could provide some guidance on this one.  I'm guessing he is probably one of the few preparers here that would be keeping track of his day by the second.  As for myself I am still old school.  I scribble down on a post-it pad what time I start and "punch out" when I get side tracked on something else and sign back in on the post-it when I am hunkered back down.  I would keep track by the second, but the time it takes to write down the seconds is a second or two I could use to actually prepare the return 😁

Jeff - I scribble on a legal pad. No seconds for me either.

Old school still works for a few things  😀