Cloud Tax Refund Platform

Industry: Accounting and tax services
Organisation: Australian tax refund firm with multiple branches
Solution type: Cloud web application and customer portal
Core technology: Angular, .NET microservices, SQL Server, Microsoft Azure
Engagement: Consulting, design, build, integration, hosting and support

Headline resultNew branches operational within hours using only a laptop and internet connection

Overview

A tax refund firm operating across several branches was held back by desktop software and local servers. We replaced them with a single cloud platform, built through our cloud application development services, that unifies operations, gives management a real time view of every branch and includes a customer portal for bookings, document uploads and refund tracking.

The Business Problem

Each branch ran its own desktop applications and servers. Data was siloed, software updates were slow to roll out and IT costs were high. Opening new branches was expensive and slow, and clients had to call or visit for most interactions.

Siloed branch dataSiloed data across branches
Slow updatesSlow, manual software updates
High IT costsHigh IT and infrastructure costs
Limited self serviceLimited self service for clients

Our Solution

We built a centrally managed cloud web application using our Microsoft Azure consulting services. Staff and clients access it from anywhere with an internet connection, and updates are deployed once for everyone. Management sees branch performance in real time.

A customer portal lets clients book appointments, upload tax documents, download completed returns and track progress. Refunds are paid through electronic funds transfer integration and automatically reconciled against Australian Taxation Office payments. Credit and risk checks were automated to speed up applications.

Client books an appointment online
Documents uploaded to the portal
Staff prepare the return
Refund paid by electronic funds transfer
Payment reconciled against the ATO

Cloud tax refund practice platform for multi-branch firms

Key Features

Customer portal for bookings, document uploads and progress tracking
Online appointment booking
Electronic funds transfer integration for faster refunds
Automated reconciliation of refunds against ATO payments
Automated credit and risk checks
Real time branch performance reporting
Central user and branch administration

Outcomes

Real time visibility of performance across all branches
Significantly reduced IT costs by removing local servers
Faster rollout of software updates
New branches up and running within hours
Fewer phone calls thanks to online booking and self service

Technology Stack

Frontend4 technologies

Angular

HTML5

CSS3

JavaScript

Backend4 technologies

.NET

REST APIs

Microservices

Data2 technologies

SQL Server

Azure Blob Storage

Hosting1 technology

Microsoft Azure

Integrations2 technologies

Electronic Funds Transfer

ATO Reconciliation

Who This Solution Suits

This approach suits accounting practices, tax agents, financial services firms and any multi branch business moving from desktop software and local servers to the cloud.