Introduction to Accounting CRM Software
Accounting can often end up feeling like drawing in an endless sea of spreadsheets, paperwork and untallied balance sheets. If you ever wished and prayed for time for more strategic and relationship building with clients, an accounting CRM can make the whole process seamless, from client management to strengthening relationships and bolstering your conversion rates, sometimes even up to 300%!
Accounting CRM software simplifies the fast-paced and complex world of managing relationships along with core accounting work. The right CRM can be the difference between just getting by and getting ahead in the game. When implemented correctly, the return on investment for accounting CRM software can exceed 245%. That’s huge, right?
What is a CRM for Accountants?
CRM software (Customer Relationship Management) is a software which helps accounting firms, bookkeepers, and tax professionals manage the interactions and relationships with their clients. CRM accounting software helps manage and track through the sales pipeline. It helps manage, assign, and track tasks connected to client engagements. It also keeps all client information in a single, safe, organized area and automates operations like sending invoices, reminders, and reports.
Key features to look for in a CRM for Accountants
Client relationship management: Accountants deal with a multitude of clients, and CRM for accounting firms maintains a detailed history of client communications.
Leads management: Accountants looking to grow their business, it’s important to track leads in a centralized database and track them closely to win.
Real-time Collaboration with Clients: Today’s financial world demands agility to be successful. this software enables real-time collaboration, allowing accountants and clients to work on financial matters concurrently. This instant collaboration fosters quicker decision-making, especially during critical periods or when rapid adjustments are necessary.
Task and Deadline Management: For accountants, deadlines are sacred. To keep up with them, software’s robust built-in calendar and deadline management capabilities can reduce the risk of missed deadlines. Most software provides personalized alerts and tools to manage client expectations that can reduce the load on individuals.
Revenue and Profit Reports: Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to tracking revenue and profitability. This software for tax professionals provides comprehensive reports on income streams, business sectors, services, and customer segments. This granular insight allows accountants to identify lucrative opportunities, optimize service offerings, and drive sustainable growth.
Holistic Financial Insight: CRM accounting software comes with a centralized platform for collecting financial information that allows accountants to access all data in one place. This comprehensive view aids in better financial analysis, contributing to smarter decision-making and strategic planning.
Revenue and Profit Reports: CRM for tax professionals helps track income from various business sectors, services, and customers. This granular insight allows accountants to keep an eye on important financial metrics like revenue and profit to ultimately find the most profitable prospects by optimizing service offerings.
What Are The Benefits of CRMs for Accountants and Bookkeepers?
Time Savings: Saves time for accountants by automating managing leads, tracking and helping close them. Accountants benefit from CRM automation and task reminders, optimizing time for value-added activities like financial planning. This efficient time management ensures increased productivity. It also allows accountants to focus on strategic initiatives, elevating their role beyond routine tasks.
Increase Revenue: Ensures that the leads are engaged and managed well which helps increase the revenue.
Scale Business: Optimizes marketing and business strategies by assessing client data, determining niche opportunities, and identifying potential for targeting larger clients. This feature increases the chance to scale accounting business to the next level.
Long-Term Client Relationships: Helps accountants store detailed client information, enabling personalized advice and services. This tailored approach enhances client satisfaction, loyalty, and retention, crucial for accountants relying on long-term client relationships.
Improved Teamwork: In accounting organizations, teamwork is essential. This software makes it easier for team members to collaborate and communicate with each other. It also makes sure that everyone is informed and capable of working well together, which improves overall service delivery.
Cash Flow Optimization: Tracks invoices, payment history, and outstanding balances to help improve cash flow management. Accounting professionals may quickly detect and resolve financial obstacles with this proactive strategy.
Top 10 CRMs for Accountants, Bookkeepers and Accounting firms in 2024
Here are the top 10 CRM software for accountants and bookkeepers that you can check out. If you practice in UK, explore the best alternatives for accounting practice management software in UK.
Cone
Cone CRM software for accountants simplifies leads or deals management, acts as a centralized client and contacts database, client engagements, client interactions, project management and workflows all in a single platform. Using Cone’s CRM software, accountants can generate 27% more revenue. Its intuitive features, top-notch support, and impressive cost-benefit makes Cone a great solution for managing accounting workflows and streamlining accounting organizations. At just 13$ per user per month, Cone provides everything from client relationship management (CRM) to preparing proposals(if you want to learn how to write a business proposal), engagement letters, invoicing, time and billing, and email, all in one place. This translates to potential savings exceeding $30,000 over a two-year term for a 20-person firm. Sign up for free today.
Best Features:
Cone’s CRM software offers the following features:
Centralized client and contacts database: Manage all clients and contacts in a centralized database.
Sales Pipeline & Lead Management: Never miss acting on a lead. Prioritize leads, create proposals and close more deals.
Client Portal: Cone offers a premium Client portal allowing accountants and clients to work on financial matters concurrently. This instant collaboration fosters quicker decision-making, especially during critical periods or when rapid adjustments are necessary.
Chat: Instant communication and collaboration with clients with a real-time chat feature.
Eliminate Document Chasing: Send clients forms, collect e-signatures, and request necessary files effortlessly. Automatic client follow-ups by Cone ensure a streamlined workflow without constant reminders.
Proposals and Engagement letters: Has all the capabilities of an accounting proposal software(e.g. CFO services proposal, bookkeeping contract template), engagement letters, invoices, and client billing within a unified platform.
Automate Workflows for Efficiency: Cone's automation liberates you from time-consuming manual projects and workflow management.
Email Management and Collaboration: Collaborate seamlessly with your team, assign emails, create tasks, and organize messages by client—never missing a crucial email.
Detailed Reporting: Gain insights into project priorities, profitability, and overall efficiency. Make informed decisions based on detailed project reports.
Integration with Accounting Softwares like QBO, Xero or Zoho Books: Cone integrates with all major accounting softwares like Zoho Books, QBO or Xero to avoid manual entries, errors, and streamlining the workflow.
Flexible Payment Methods: Supports various payment methods like direct debit, credit, or debit cards. Charge payments automatically, streamlining collections.
Task Organization And Passwordless Logins: Organize and prioritize tasks efficiently. Passwordless logins for clients facilitate seamless collaboration.
Other Key Features:
- Unlimited contacts
- Project and people management
- Accurate billing for client hours
- Automated reminders and chat features
- Time tracking
- Invoicing and Billing
- Reporting..and a lot more
Pricing:
Cone CRM Software for Accountants offers a free tier for a single user. Cone is way more than a CRM Software - it’s an all-in-one Practice Management, CRM and Proposals Software. Prices start at $13 per user per month for paid plans which is one of the most cost-effective and ideal options purpose-built for accountants available on the market. Sign up today!
Accelo
Accelo is a PSA software for efficient task management, process automation, and optimized customer interactions. With adaptable flexibility, integrations, and an open API, Accelo provides a seamless CRM experience.
Best Features:
Effortless Retainer Management: Accelo's CRM retainers simplify recurring billing, tackling common operational and accounting challenges. The software automates tasks, customizes workflows, and tracks employee time to simplify retainer management.
Efficient Integration: Accelo's CRM accounting software integration with projects enhances transparency in billable hours. Integrating with accounting software like Xero and QuickBooks ensures real-time synchronization and automated notifications for overdue invoices enhance communication.
Leads To Project Conversion: From creating proposals and project plans to automatic notifications of quote acceptance, it bridges the gap between lead generation and account management. This feature eliminates manual conversions of data collected during lead generation.
Efficient Bulk Client Billing: Accelo's bulk billing feature consolidates billable work across projects, tickets, and retainers, enabling the automatic generation of precise client invoices. For accountants, this means reduced manual effort in invoicing, improved cash flow, and higher chances of timely payments.
Lead Management: This feature is designed to help users efficiently track and manage leads through a structured process. From lead generation to lead qualification, the system covers key steps like customer inquiry, inquiry capture, lead filtering, lead grading, and lead distribution.
Key Features:
- Efficient cloud-based operations
- An integrated ecosystem with open API
- Scalable business solution
- Customizable modules for enhanced focus
- Unlimited client portal users
- Advanced custom workflows
- Advanced triggers and automation
- Smart scheduling and utilization
- Role-based users start at $39 per month
Pricing:
Accelo offers a 7-day trial, after which you can choose one of the four plans:
- Professional at $50 per user per month
- Business at $70 per user per month
- Advanced at $90 per user per month
- Elite plan which is customizable
Financial Cents
Financial Cents is a practice management software, but has some features as a CRM for small accounting firms that can make the workflow a whole lot easier. From time tracking to invoicing, client CRM to capacity management, Financial Cents is another option to consider as an accounting CRM that can optimize efficiency.
Best Features:
Accounting Workflow: With recurring work automation, team collaboration, and integrated email functionality, this CRM for CPA ensures efficient, organized processes. The dashboard offers clear visibility, preventing missed deadlines.
Integrated Communication: Financial Cents ensures faster client response with automated requests, secure document sharing, and passwordless portals. The system's auto-follow-ups reduce manual effort, and integrated communication enhances collaboration.
Client Database: Financial Cents' client database is invaluable for accountants and CPA firms, providing a unified platform to efficiently manage client information. The automated data collection streamlines tasks, while email integration and secure password management simplify communication.
Capacity Management: It is a vital tool for accountants, offering a holistic view of team workloads. Accountants can effortlessly reassign tasks, ensuring timely completion and optimizing resource management for an efficient accounting practice.
Time Tracking feature: This feature is a game-changer for accountants, providing seamless tracking of billable and non-billable time. Using this, accounting professionals can easily set time budgets, identify inefficiencies, and ensure they're fairly compensated.
Key Features:
- Integrated email
- Workflows and to-do lists
- Workflow automation
- Client tasks and requests
- Client Portal
- Secure file sharing
- E-signature
- Document management
- Client CRM and database
- Time tracking and billing
- Budgeting and Reporting
- QuickBooks integration
Pricing:
Financial Cents offers a 14-day free trial.
The two paid plans are as follows:
- The team plan starts at $39 per user per month
- The scale plan starts at $59 per user per month
Liscio
Best Features:
Unified Communication Hub: Liscio consolidates all client communication channels, eliminating the need for accountants to switch between multiple platforms, and providing a seamless and efficient communication experience.
Cross-Platform Accessibility: Liscio makes sure you can communicate with your customers wherever they are at all times thus is a viable alternative for an accounting CRM. Customers can select the gadget that best fits their needs such as PCs, phones, tablets, and online and mobile app versions.
Document Management: Liscio’s software platform offers a centralized location to view emails, text messages, files, signatures, and client requests on a single screen. This "whole picture" view enhances visibility, making it easier for accountants to manage and track client interactions and document exchanges.
Real-Time Progress Tracking: Liscio’s features, like progress bars, enable accountants to monitor client progress in real-time. Waiting for client documents becomes a thing of the past, as the platform provides instant insights into task completion and submission status.
Client Experience Enhancement: The software facilitates the creation of seamless client experiences by providing tools like mobile document scanning, eSignatures, Face ID login, and a user-friendly menu navigation system within the app.
Key Features:
- Mobile apps
- Automated reminders
- Email integration
- Secure messaging and file transfer
- Create engagement letters
- Client workflow requests
- E-signatures
- Knowledge-based authentication
- Integrates with Adobe Sign, Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, Quickbooks Online, Zoom, and Zapier.
- Tax organizers
- Advanced security and permissions
Pricing:
Liscio offers three plans:
- The core plan starts at $40 per month per user
- Pro plan starts at $60 per month per user
- For the enterprise plan, you can contact the sales representatives
Pipedrive
Best Features:
Fully Customizable CRM: Pipedrive is also another generic CRM software that is completely configurable, enabling companies to adjust deal stages, pipelines, custom fields, forms, and dashboards to suit their unique sales procedures.
Actionable Data Insights: Through configurable dashboards, the platform recognises trends, patterns, and important performance indicators, so users can make more educated decisions that will boost income. Accountants can also easily track revenue and project future earnings with the help of the sales forecasting feature.
Lead Capture and Storage: Pipedrive makes it possible for users to easily capture and store leads, which promotes effective lead management.
Secure Data Protection: Pipedrive places a strong emphasis on data security, offering advanced features such as user permission sets, visibility groups, two-factor email authentication, and centralized user access management.
Powerful Automation Features: Pipedrive's automation features automate repetitive jobs so that accounting teams may concentrate on high-value work.
Key Features:
- Full email sync with templates, open and click tracking and group emailing
- Automation builder, including email sequences
- Meeting, email and video call scheduling
- Seamless data import and 400+ integrations
- 24/7, multi-language support
- Unlimited reports and customizations
- Streamlined lead routing and account access controls for teams
- Document and contract management with e-signatures
- Revenue forecasts and deeper reporting capabilities
Pricing:
Pipedrive offers a free 14-day trial. After which, you can choose from the following paid plans.
If billed annually:
- Essential plan $9.90 per user per month
- Advanced plan $19.90 per user per month
- Professional plan $39.90 per user per month
- Power plan $49.90 per user per month
- Enterprise plan $59.90 per user per month
Insightly CRM
Best Features:
Affordable and Scalable: Insightly offers modern features in a cloud platform at an affordable price. It is also scalable and designed to grow with the organization.
Sales Pipeline and Lead Management: With this software program, leads can be effectively collected and managed, prioritized according to predetermined criteria, and real-time status updates on each contract can be obtained. It helps the whole sales process, from generating leads to completing deals.
Business Workflow and Process Automation: Insightly helps accountants to automate repetitive tasks, reducing manual work and the risk of human error. It also supports email, reminders, onboarding stages, and more, allowing teams to focus on critical tasks.
Project and Task Management: This software allows Seamless transition opportunities to projects after closing deals. Accountants can copy all relevant details, records, and tasks from the opportunity to the project for complete visibility into customer requirements.
Performance Dashboards and Reporting: The creation of customizable charts and visualizations in real-time is possible with this CRM accounting software. As such, the decision-making is based on up-to-date business data, promoting consistency and efficiency.
Key Features:
- Unlimited file storage
- 50000 records per import and 10000 mass emails
- Native marketing and service integration
- Real-time connector to marketing
- Contact and organization management
- Customizable sales processes
- Built-in business intelligence dashboards
- Customizable, real-time insight cards
- GDPR and HIPAA compliance
Pricing:
Insightly CRM is free for up to 2 users. For more than 2 users, it offers:
- Plus plan at $29 per month per additional user
- Professional plan at $49 per month per additional user
- Enterprise plan at $99 per month per additional user
Zoho CRM
Best Features:
Full Sales Cycle Visibility: Zoho CRM offers insight into every sales cycle stage, including lead generation, conversion, retention, and loyalty. Cross-selling and up-selling opportunities can be accurately tracked and identified with modules for leads, contacts, deals, accounts, and activities.
Omnichannel Communication: Users can communicate with customers through multiple channels such as email, telephony, social media, SMS, live chat, web forms, and more. It provides accounting teams with contextual insights, enabling meaningful conversations.
Team Collaboration: Zoho CRM's Team Collaboration feature enables seamless communication within your team and enhances customer interactions. Accountants can utilize feeds for centralized discussions, integrate chat tools for real-time updates, and leave notes to track sales progress.
Performance Management Tool: Zoho CRM's Performance Management empowers businesses with intelligent tools for sales forecasting, territory management, and multi-currency support, enhancing global operations. AI-driven predictions prioritize leads, while analytics simplify data interpretation.
Key Features:
- Easily create low-code scripts for complex processes
- Develop custom extensions and integrations using the developer console
- Embed third-party applications or custom web pages with widget SDK
- 24/7 support from skilled engineers
- Anytime access via mobile
- Advanced security features like encryption, audit logs, and two-factor authentication
- Effortlessly migrate from existing CRM solutions with Zwitch
Pricing:
Zoho CRM accounting software offers a 30-day free trial.
The paid plans are as follows. If billed annually:
- The standard plan starts at $14 per user per month
- The professional plan starts at $23 per user per month
- The enterprise plan starts at $40 per user per month
- The ultimate plan starts at $52 per user per month
Nimble
Nimble CRM is another one with automation tools that optimize workflows and guarantee effective and customized engagement processes.
Best Features:
Relationship Management: Nimble CRM automatically builds and updates contact records, minimizing data entry and saving time for customer engagement. The social profile matching and enrichment provide valuable insights, making Nimble the go-to solution for accounting professionals.
Marketing Automation: Nimble CRM for accounting firms helps users easily identify and engage prospects, transforming them into satisfied customers. Accountants can scale communications effectively by using web forms, group emails, and email tracking for lead generation.
Custom Web Form: With a user-friendly online form builder, create personalized forms in minutes and seamlessly integrate them into websites, social posts, emails, or any desired platform. Nimble helps to efficiently manage form submissions, visually track responses, and initiate contact creation, streamlining lead generation processes.
Nimble Prospector: With Nimble Prospector, accountants can get valuable insights from email inboxes, social sites, and web browsers. Integrated with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, it ensures a unified experience, while mobile apps and over 100+ integrations enhance on-the-go CRM capabilities.
Lead Qualification Workflows: Nimble CRM's lead qualification workflows and multiple customizable pipelines empower teams. The intelligent email tracking and comprehensive deal report dashboards boost analytics for informed decision-making and sales forecasting.
Key Features:
- 25,000 Contact Records
- 2 GB/Seat Storage
- Microsoft 365 & Google Workspace Integration
- Send 100+ personalized group messages
- Web Forms empower lead generation from websites
Pricing:
A seat costs $24.90 per month if billed annually, and $29.90 if billed monthly.
Nimble also offers a 14-Day Trial for the users.
Method CRM
Method CRM is another one which with its two-way integration with QuickBooks ensures efficient synchronization of data, offering features like automated lead collection, email integrations, web-to-lead forms, and robust estimate management.
Best Features:
Customization: Method CRM stands out with its 100% customizable, code-free approach, empowering accountants to tailor their CRM effortlessly. Whether you choose a DIY approach or enlist expert assistance, Method's customization feature ensures your CRM evolves seamlessly with your business needs, setting it apart as the most customizable QuickBooks CRM.
Billing and Invoicing: Method:CRM's QuickBooks billing software empowers users with unparalleled control over invoice creation, approval, and payment processes. Offering full customization, it goes beyond standard QuickBooks invoices, allowing users to design personalized invoices, automate email invoicing, and streamline billing cycles. With Method's advanced features, including self-serve customer portals and real-time payment updates, businesses gain efficiency, transparency, and a powerful invoicing solution.
Online Self-Service CRM Portals: This portal helps businesses by providing customers with easy access to view, print, and pay invoices online. Integrated with various payment gateways, these portals enhance customer experience, expedite payments, and seamlessly sync with QuickBooks in real time. Streamlining the payment process, Method's CRM portals save time and elevate customer satisfaction.
Data Driven Customer Insights: Method CRM empowers QuickBooks users with a seamless and comprehensive customer management solution. With a 360-degree view of every customer, it consolidates interactions, meetings, and purchase history in one accessible location.
Simple Lead Generation: Method CRM lead collection through automated processes, email integrations, and web-to-lead forms. Effortlessly manage estimates, ensuring a smooth transition from lead to customer. With mobile access, online portals, and personalized workflows, Method CRM empowers businesses to nurture leads effectively, boosting sales opportunities and customer satisfaction.
Key Features:
- Two-Way QuickBooks and Xero Sync
- Online Portals for Faster Payments
- Flexible Automation to Prevent Bottlenecks:
- Boosts sales through simple lead management
- Effortless Time Tracking and Work Order Management
- Automated Job Scheduling and Routing:
- Automation for Every Workflow
- Scalable Solution
Pricing:
Method CRM offers three plans:
- Contact management plan at $25 per user per month
- CRM pro plan at $44 per user per month
- CRM enterprise plan at $74 per user per month
Apptivo
Apptivo is another option for CPA firms with modules covering CRM, project management, invoicing, and more, Apptivo optimizes workflows, enhances collaboration, and drives efficiency.
Best Features:
Powerful Lead Management Tools: Apptivo's lead management simplifies accountants' workflows by seamlessly converting email inquiries into potential leads. The round-robin assignment ensures fair distribution, enhancing team collaboration. Track and qualify leads efficiently, optimizing conversions. Apptivo empowers accountants to focus on high-potential leads, streamlining processes for increased efficiency and business growth.
Excellent Invoicing: Apptivo excels in invoicing, offering a range of apps for expense reports, ledgers, estimates, sales receipts, and more. Ideal for ecommerce operations, it strengthens financial management.
Mobile Apps for On-the-Go: Apptivo lets you utilize specialized mobile apps for iOS and Android devices to stay productive at all times and locations. With real-time data syncing, handle contacts, finances, tasks, projects, and customer support with ease.
Integration Flexibility: Apptivo offers a vast library of integrations, from API/Webhook options to various categories like billing and productivity. Popular integrations include Office 365, G Suite, Dropbox, PayPal, Slack, and Quickbooks.
Quick Quoting for Time Savings: With the Quick Quoting feature, accountants can expedite the quoting process. Predefined quote templates, including standard customer and line item details, allow for the creation of quotes with just one click. Accountants benefit from customizable templates, an integrated items catalog, e-signatures for swift approvals, automated reminders, and support for in-person signatures.
Key Features:
- Workflow automation
- Single and multi-rate tax handling
- In-Person signature support
- Personalized invoice templates
- Reminder automation for follow-ups
- Approval workflow with automated triggers
- Include detailed product or service information in quotes with item catalogue
- Custom dashboards, reporting and lead score monitoring
- Email and SMS automation, and e-invoicing with e-signatures
- Integration with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Xero and QuickBooks
Pricing:
Apptivo CRM offers four plans:
- Lite plan at $15 per user per month
- Premium plan at $25 per user per month
- Ultimate plan at $40 per user per month and
- Enterprise plan can be customizable
You can try the Lite, Premium and Ultimate plans with a free 30-day trial.
Why Cone is The Best CRM Software for Accountants?
With Cone, you can,
- Store and organize unlimited contacts.
- Increase revenue by managing deals or opportunities well using deals and sales pipeline management.
- Find reasons why you are winning or losing leads, take action.
- Automate reminders to eliminate the need for constant client follow-ups. The integrated chat feature ensures seamless communication within the platform.
Way more than a CRM software:
- Manage all aspects, including automation, email management, and billing, in one consolidated platform.
- Increase revenue by 27% with Cone's automated proposal generation, ensuring impressive and professional proposals effortlessly.
- Send proposals directly from the platform, avoiding integration challenges. You can also choose from a variety of pre-built proposal templates.
- Simplify project, customer, and team management, automate workflows for enhanced efficiency.
- Facilitate seamless collaboration—send forms, collect e-signatures, and request files effortlessly.
- Easily integrate with QBO, Xero, ZohoBooks, Gmail, and Microsoft Outlook.
All of the above at 13$ per user/month. Choose Cone with Confidence today.
Ready To Win?
Small accounting businesses can greatly increase operational efficiency by carefully selecting their CRM, giving their accountants more time to concentrate on high-value duties like client advisory services and strategic planning.
Do remember, before you choose to go with a CRM for a small accounting firm make sure you utilize the trial period fully and understand the software thoroughly. Cone’s myriad features ensure that all your needs are fulfilled in a single platform, fully equipped with automation, seamless collaboration and effective communication. Sign up today!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What CRM do accountants use?
CRMs such as Cone, Zoho Books, or Accelo are commonly used by accountants to manage client relationships and streamline workflows.
- Why do accountants need CRM?
CRM helps accountants with lead management, sales pipeline management, client management, communication, client onboarding, document management and overall workflow efficiency.
- What does CRM mean in the accounting language?
CRM, or customer relationship management, is a term used in accounting. It entails the use of technologies to oversee client interactions, client onboarding, expedite correspondence,collect information and thus, overall improve client satisfaction.
- My Accounting business is small. Do I really need a CRM?
Yes, even small accounting businesses benefit from CRM. Organizing client data, streamlining communication, and automating tasks improve efficiency and enable better client relationships, leading to growth.
- What CRM characteristics should I consider while selecting an accounting firm?
Select CRM software that has features like document management, industry-specific workflow customization, task and deadline tracking, client contact management, and connectivity with accounting software.
- What are CRM integrations?
CRM integrations involve integrating CRM software with other programs, such as email, marketing, or accounting. This guarantees smooth data flow, increased effectiveness, and a more thorough picture of customer interactions.