Can you imagine living in today’s world without a solid GPS navigation system? You would be lost, take more time to find your destination, and overall, have to put in a lot more effort. Now, the best practice management software is like a GPS system for your accounting firm.
For many, Senta Practice Management Software has been a reliable tool to plot the course of business action. Senta is one of the Accounting Practice Management Software in the UK with its varied solutions that assist with coordinating different tasks, projects, and company resources built for small and medium-sized accounting companies.
However, as businesses grow, adding a larger customer base and more complexity, many find that Senta Practice Management can seem restrictive. When your practice management software fails to meet your accounting firm's needs, you can find yourself in a maze of inefficient workflows and missed opportunities, much like a vehicle with an incompatible navigation system.
Fortunately, there are many newer, more agile Senta alternatives in the UK market that boast better features and efficiencies at a fraction of the cost. With 77% of accounting businesses intending to invest in new technology in the next few years, finding versatile and adaptive software solutions for your business is essential.
To help you in that endeavor, we have collated the top 10 Senta alternatives in 2024 that can help you level up your business.
Why You Might Consider Senta Alternatives
There are several reasons why you might consider Senta alternatives, depending on your specific business priorities.
Limited Collaboration Features: Senta lacks features like in-app mentions, comments, or notes on tasks and clients. This can hinder real-time collaboration between team members, requiring them to use additional tools like Slack or Teams.
Proposals: Senta doesn’t offer a proposals or engagement letters module. So, as an accounting or bookkeeping firm - you will need to buy this product separately from the market. Also, another issue with this approach is one has to manually start projects after the proposal has been accepted. This leads to loss of productivity. Learn more about proposal software for accountants.
Better Features: Many Senta alternatives offer additional features that might be important for your needs, such as:
- Advanced workflow automation
- Client portals for secure collaboration
- In-depth reporting and analytics
- Mobile app access
- Proposals
Pricing considerations: While Senta offers competitive pricing for smaller firms at £32 per month for the first user (£25.60 billed annually), some alternatives like Cone provide better value at a lower cost ($10 per user). Some users find that the payment modes of Senta are only optimized for UK companies, making it difficult for users from other regions.
User experience: Online reviews from users who used Senta suggest that the user interface of Senta could be better. For example, users say that the notification area and home screen could be updated so that they are easier to use.
What To Look For In A Senta Alternative?
Choosing the right Senta alternative can be categorized into three main buckets to consider: core functions, additional features, and others.
Core Functionalities
- Projects, tasks and workflows: This is the core function, so ensure it covers tasks like client management, engagement creation, time tracking, billing, and reporting. The software should enable accounting businesses to keep detailed client records, including contact information, engagement history, correspondence logs, and any other pertinent information.
- Integrations: Evaluate your present software environment and choose options that function seamlessly with the tools you use the most. (For example, integrations with QBO, Xero, Zoho Books.)
Additional Features
- Client Portals: Secure client portals can help improve communication and document exchange. Look for features in Senta alternatives like client access control, document upload capabilities, and progress updates.
- Reporting And Analytics: Tracking KPIs and gaining insight into your firm's performance is made easier by detailed reporting. Prioritize alternatives that offer customizable reports and dashboards.
- Mobile App Access: If remote work or on-the-go access is important, choose an alternative with a mobile app for managing tasks, accessing client information, and staying connected.
Other Considerations
- Pricing: Compare pricing models and features at various price points to get a solution that meets your budget and requirements.
- Scalability: Consider future expansion and select an option that can expand with your company, allowing additional users and data without compromising on quality or efficiency.
- Security: Evaluate the alternative's security measures, including data protection and compliance with applicable requirements.
- User Experience (UX): Select an option with a user-friendly interface that is simple to learn and navigate for both your staff and clients.
10 Best Senta Alternatives Software For Accountants And Tax Practitioners
Let us look at the top 10 contenders against Senta practice management software for accountants and tax practitioners in 2024.
Cone
Cone stands out as an unified accounting practice management software - proposals, and practice management software. With Cone, you get a modern platform that covers accounting CRM, proposals, projects, workflows, billing, invoicing, and email management—all at a fraction of the cost compared to other options (just £10 per user/month). Sign up now!
Best Features:
Competitive Pricing: Starting at 10£ per user/month, Cone significantly undercuts the market average of £50 per user/month, offering an affordable solution without sacrificing functionality.
Unified Platform: Unlike other solutions that require separate proposal software, Cone unifies proposal management with practice management, along with other functionalities, into a single, streamlined platform. Kick-off projects automatically as soon as the proposal is signed. No more manual work.
Invoicing: Cone offers a complete proposal and invoicing software also integrated together. But, it’s flexible that you can create invoices from projects or on an adhoc basis. No more switching between the tools to invoice the clients.
Intuitive and Efficient: Cone challenges the status quo of clunky, difficult-to-use software with a steep learning curve by offering an intuitive interface that simplifies operation and enhances efficiency.
Enhanced Client Portal: Cone stands out by offering an impressive client portal that allows for effective management of client documents and communications, providing clients with transparency and fostering trust.
Integrated Email Management: Say goodbye to scattered emails. Cone integrates email directly into its platform, making communication seamless and ensuring timely responses.
Reporting and Insights: Get valuable insights to guide your firm's growth. Cone's reporting capabilities help you track metrics and make informed decisions.
Effortless Billing Processes: Streamline billing with Cone's software. Create professional invoices, manage payments, and handle receivables with ease.
Key Features:
- Leads management
- Sales pipeline
- Proposals
- Engagement letters
- Flexible drag & drop editor
- Templates
- Invoicing and Billing
- Integrations with accounting software
- Workflow automation
- Customer onboarding
- Task management
- Email management
- Reporting..and a lot more
Pricing:
Cone has a free tier to get started for a single user and provides a free trial for larger teams. The most cost-effective pricing for Cone starts at £10 per user/month. Sign up now!
Financial Cents
Financial Cents is another worthy Senta alternative software solution from the US to consider for managing accounting practices. It helps streamline processes such as data collection, project handling, team collaboration, and task management for bookkeeping and accounting firms, all within a centralized platform.
Best Features:
Effective Hourly Rate Reporting: Track your time with Financial Cents to see how your invoiced hours compare. This helps you understand your project and client profitability, and adjust pricing as needed.
Client Database: Financial Cents' client database makes managing client information a breeze. It automates data collection, streamlines tasks, and simplifies communication with email integration and secure password management.
Capacity Management: Keep track of your team's workload by setting expected weekly hours for each member. See how many hours they have available, assigned, or completed, and adjust tasks accordingly.
Client Request Management: Easily ask clients for information or documents right from the dashboard. They can upload files to their portal, and you can set reminders to speed up responses.
Key Features:
- Activity dashboard
- Auto-follow-ups for client tasks
- Customize client task emails
- Emails triggered by tasks
- Approval process control and approval workflow
- Client management and client portal
- Collaboration tools
- Customizable branding and reports
- Customizable templates
- Time tracking
- 5000+ integrations
Pricing:
Financial Cents offers two pricing tiers: Team and Scale.
- The Team Plan is priced at $49 billed monthly and $39 billed annually.
- The Scale Plan is priced at $69 when billed monthly and $59 when billed annually.
They also offer a 14-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
QuickBooks Online Accountant
QuickBooks, developed by Intuit, provides both a desktop and an online version for accountants and tax practitioners to satisfy a wide range of business requirements. It simplifies invoicing and spending tracking while also providing seamless bank reconciliation and tax processing.
Best Features
ProAdvisor Program: The ProAdvisor Program delivers exclusive perks such as training, certification, and marketing materials. Users can improve their abilities, reputation, and customer base by taking online courses, becoming certified, and listing themselves in the Find-a-ProAdvisor directory.
Version Control: Collaborate easily with real-time file sharing. Work simultaneously in QuickBooks with your team. Easily switch between clients with multiple windows, eliminating the need for constant logins.
Client Dashboard: Access all your client's QuickBooks Online files, reports, and tasks from the dashboard. Monitor progress, deadlines, and alerts easily. Switch between clients effortlessly and manage their financial health, sending messages or requests as needed.
Accountant Toolbox: Enhance your accounting with advanced tools and reports using the accountant toolbox. Make batch adjustments, reclassify transactions, and undo reconciliations from anywhere.
Wholesale Billing: Users can get up to 50% off on their clients' QuickBooks Online subscriptions with wholesale billing. You can offer better prices by bundling services with QuickBooks Online.
Key Features
- Extensive features like invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, and payroll
- Customizable reports, charts, and graphs
- Third-party integrations and apps through the QuickBooks App Store
- Provides both iOS and Android apps
- Customer support through telephone, chat and email
Pricing
QuickBooks offers four plans:
- The Simple Start plan starts at $15
- The Essentials plan starts at $30
- The Plus plan starts at $45
- The Advanced plan starts at $100
Karbon
Karbon, one of the Senta alternatives, is a cloud-based platform that enables accounting firms to manage client work, workflows, and communication in one place. With its single dashboard, you can effortlessly assign tasks, track deadlines, and check progress on all of your projects.
Best Features
Document Management: Karbon's document management allows you to exchange documents, request e-signatures, and access files from any device.
Client Management: With Karbon software, users can effectively manage client relationships by monitoring interactions and storing client information, documents, and notes in a central location.
Calendar Integration: Sync your Google or Outlook calendar with Karbon to optimize your schedule and align tasks and events.
Workflow Automation: With over 70 pre-made templates for typical accounting services, you may automate repetitive activities and save time for more important duties.
Client Portal: Karbon’s client portal lets clients submit documents, sign agreements, pay payments, and communicate securely without requiring a password.
Key Features
- Native iOS and Android apps
- Automatic Client Reminders
- Task Automation
- Industry Integrations
- Budget vs Actual Reporting
- Integrated Email
- Team Collaboration Tools
- Workflow and To-Do Lists
Pricing
You have three options for a paid subscription: Team, Business, and Enterprise.
- Team: Costs $59 per user per month if paid yearly, or $79 per user per month if paid monthly.
- Business: Costs $89 per user per month if paid yearly, or $99 per user per month if paid monthly.
- Enterprise: Pricing is customized.
Karbon also offers a 14-day free trial.
Accountancy Manager
Accountancy Manager, which is owned by Bright now, is an accounting practice management software used by accountants and bookkeepers. When it comes to Senta vs. Accountancy Manager, Accountancy Manager has more features specifically curated for accounting firms.
Best Features:
Track Costs: Efficiently track staff costs and client revenue with Accountancy Manager's profitability tracking. Add fixed fees, monitor staff time, and analyze total revenue for informed decisions.
Highly Personalized Templates: Streamline communication with over 40 pre-made email templates tailored for accountants, saving time and ensuring consistency.
Audit Trail: Keep a comprehensive record of all client interactions with the Accountancy Manager's Client Timeline feature, promoting transparency and alignment.
Custom Forms: Simplify information gathering with custom forms designed to streamline self-assessment processes. Ensure GDPR compliance and secure data transfer by sharing forms directly on the client portal.
Automated Onboarding: Automate proposals and engagement letters with the Accountancy Manager. Integration with HMRC for 64-8 agent authorizations streamlines code requests, eliminating hassles with expired codes.
Key Features:
- Automated task management
- Notifications for incomplete forms
- No Long Term Contracts
- Unlimited Storage
- Free Client Portal
- Free E-Signing
- Free Ongoing Support
- Integration with software like QuickBooks, Xero, Zapier etc.,
Pricing:
- Accountancy manager is priced at £42 per month.
- It also offers a 30-day free trial without any credit card or contract.
Glide
Glide is an accounting practice management platform originally designed for efficient workflow management and now evolved into a practice management platform.
Best Features
Workflow Automation: Streamline your processes effortlessly with Glide's robust workflow automation, ensuring tasks progress seamlessly through each stage.
Staff Scheduler: Visualize and manage staff allocations efficiently using Glide's Staff Scheduler, facilitating optimal resource utilization.
Useful Integrations: Glide seamlessly integrates with Xero, Companies House, and HMRC, enhancing its functionality and compatibility.
Time and Fees (Paid Add-On): Enhance your time tracking and fee management with Glide's optional Time & Fees module, providing additional functionality to meet your specific needs.
GDPR Compliance: Glide prioritizes data protection with GDPR compliance, ensuring the security and privacy of your sensitive information.
Useful Integrations: Glide seamlessly integrates with Xero, Companies House, and HMRC, enhancing its functionality and compatibility.
Key Features:
- Email and SMS alerts
- Highly configurable process editor
- Visual process maps
- Template workflows for Accounting firms
- CCH/Digita client data connectors
- Glide Scheduler
- Multiple charge rates per user
- Job-based time analysis
- Custom client and non-client time categories
Pricing:
Glide offers three pricing tiers:
- Basic: £41.23/month.
- Advanced: £63.22/month.
- Professional: £82.46/month.
The time and fees module is available as a paid add-on starting at £6.51/month for the first user.
Client Engager
With Client Engager, accountants can expand their service offerings, engage clients more effectively, and differentiate their practice in the market. This user-friendly tool is a hassle-free solution, offering efficiency straight out of the box.
Best Features
Professional Clearance Letters: Simplify the process of generating professional clearance letters with Client Engager software. Swiftly communicate between accounting firms and clients, with pre-set services and customizable options requiring only previous accountant details for prompt letter generation.
Automated Email: Streamline client communication with automated emails for record requests, job submissions, and payments. Schedule reminders effortlessly to ensure tasks get done on time.
Add Services Option: Customize your services to fit your client's needs and expand your practice with the add services feature. Create specialized offerings, like cash flow reviews, easily.
Job Stages: Divide your work into stages with Client Engager software, using colours to show urgency levels. Keep things moving smoothly and evenly distribute the workload.
Pricing Tool: Tailor pricing for your services with a handy pricing tool. Simplify complex calculations with customizable fields and a wizard calculator, making it easy for your team to determine prices.
Key Features
- Letters of Engagement
- Bulk Message all your clients
- Create forms for your clients
- Use filters within the app
- Dashboard with a complete summary
- Kanban and traditional modes of workflow
Pricing
Client Engager offers a 28-day free trial. Starting at £9, ($11.37) for 0 to 10 clients, the pricing of Client Engager goes up to £497, ($627.96).
Pixie
With Pixie practice management software, you can stay organized and know what needs to be done without feeling overwhelmed. With automatic task creation and customizable templates, Pixie boosts productivity and streamlines task management, helping accountants stay organized and efficient.
Best Features
Client Reminders: Save time with Pixie's client reminders feature, which automatically sends emails to clients for tasks like requesting information, reminding them about payments, or soliciting feedback.
Team Management: Pixie's team management feature makes accounting tasks easier by putting everything in one place. This feature allows you to assign jobs, track progress, and get notifications once tasks are done.
Recurring Tasks: Simplify workflows with Pixie's recurring task feature, allowing tasks to repeat automatically on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. Create task templates effortlessly for consistency and time- savings.
Email Integration: Organize emails effectively with Pixie's email integration, prioritizing client messages, logging emails to client records and tasks, and delegating tasks directly from your inbox. Convert emails into actionable tasks with one click, and ensure secure file sharing with encrypted attachments.
Client Onboarding: Accelerate client onboarding with Pixie's software, featuring customizable workflows and templates. Automate tasks like sending welcome emails, assigning checklists, and conducting AML checks.
Key Features
- Workflow automation
- Job auto-assignment
- External and internal deadline tracking
- Work report
- Powerful custom fields
- Email and document timeline
- Hassle-free document portal
- Document e-signing
- Secure file sharing (GDPR compliant)
- Thousands of Zapier integrations
Pricing
Pixie offers plans based on the number of users.
- For less than 250 users - it is $129 per month
- For 251 to 500 users - it is $199 per month
- For 500 to 1000 users - it is $329 per month
- For over 1000 users, contact the sales team
A 30-day free trial can be utilized before choosing a paid plan.
Canopy
Canopy is a practice management software based out of the US exclusively built for accounting and tax firms. It helps businesses streamline their processes and increase productivity by offering a variety of services such as proposal creation, time tracking, billing and invoicing, among others.
Best Features
Proposal Generation: Create professional proposals and estimates to present to potential clients. Effortlessly create, send, and manage engagement letters and proposals. Ensure compliance, impress prospects with detailed, clear expectations, and secure document access.
Client Management: Manage the entire client lifecycle seamlessly in one place. From prospect to client, streamline proposal-to-payment processes, simplify procedures, and retain clients with branded engagement letters and secure client portals.
Canopy AI: Harness the power of AI with Canopy. Delegate mundane tasks, like crafting emails, to save time and focus on what you enjoy. Generate data visualizations effortlessly and gain insights without diving into every data point.
Time Tracking: Manage time and money effectively with Canopy. Track staff time, streamline payments, and budget project time for better business decisions. Simplify invoicing with automated reminders for faster payments.
Transcripts And Notices: With Canopy's IRS integration, you can conveniently review a client's tax history, ensuring they have all the necessary documents. The partnership grants secure access to the Transcript Delivery System (TDS), allowing real-time tracking of transcript requests.
Key Features
- Best-in-class security
- Send, view, organize, and act on all email communications
- Easily upload, store, and manage an unlimited amount of internal and client documents
- Gather eSignatures with a secure link or verify identity with a KBA
- Utilize templates, perform bulk actions, and set up recurring tasks
- Automate conditions and actions
- Set and track time on each task
Pricing
Canopy offers different types of plans for small accounting firms and growing firms.
For small businesses with 4 or fewer users:
- The starter plan is $45 per user per month billed annually and $60 monthly
- The essential plan is $66 per user per month billed annually and $88 monthly
Jetpack Workflow
Jetpack Workflow is a project management software for accounting firms. Recognizing the unique challenges in the industry, Jetpack Workflow simplifies task management, document tracking, and client communication with features such as customizable templates, real-time tracking of progress, and easy integrations with other apps.
Best Features
Workflow Optimization: Break down and organize accounting workflows into manageable steps, increasing team productivity.
Custom Work Templates: Create custom work templates within seconds, freeing up time for quality work and scalability. It also has 70 custom-fit templates that you can use.
Exceptional Customer Support: Jetpack workflow provides exceptional support and onboarding at no extra cost, led by a team of accounting workflow specialists with a 10-minute average response time.
Integration with 2000+ Apps: Since the Jetpack workflow can integrate with Zapier, it can sync with over 2000+ other apps easily.
Cascading Task Deadlines: With the cascading deadline view, you can never miss a deadline with automated reminders and a prioritized to-do list, ensuring the timely completion of tasks.
Key Features
- Monitor team progress in real-time
- Scalability support
- Unlimited jobs, documents and clients
- Team collaboration and management
- QBO and Zapier integration
- Live chat, phone, and email support
- Drag and drop scheduling view
- Budgeted time and pacing reports
- Bulk work reassignment option
Pricing
Jetpack workflow offers 2 pricing options:
- Organize at $56 per month
- Scale at $63 per month
Accountants can schedule a demo and get a 14-day free trial after signing up on the website.
How To Choose the Right Senta Alternative?
Choosing the right Senta alternative involves a carefully planned approach. Here's a breakdown of the process:
Deep Needs Assessment
List Senta's Shortcomings: Identify specific areas where Senta practice management falls short for your firm. Is it lacking key features? Are you experiencing integration problems? Note them down.
Prioritize Missing Features: Determine which missing or subpar features in Senta are causing the most significant pain points. This reveals the "must-haves" for an alternative.
Outline Desirable Features: Think beyond basic replacements. Are there features that would streamline your workflow and go beyond what Senta offers (e.g., advanced automation, better analytics, better client-facing project management tool)?
Research and Compare Alternatives
Utilize Resources: Use online reviews, comparison websites, and software directories to build an initial list of potential alternatives.
Examine The Feature Offerings: Scrutinize each alternative's features, comparing them against your list of "must-haves" and "desirables."
Pricing Comparison: Look for alternatives that balance your desired features and budget.
Try Before You Buy
Free Trials: Test-drive several of the top contenders with free trials (if available). This allows you to experience the user interface and features directly.
Demos: Schedule demos with software providers for a guided walkthrough and to address any specific questions.
Team Involvement: If you have a team, gather feedback from those who would use the software. Their experiences and needs matter.
Evaluation and Decision
Consider Scalability: Choose a Senta alternative that can grow with your firm, ensuring it meets both current and future needs.
Consider Reliability And Reputation: Check the list of the accounting practice management software in the UK exclusively.
Customer Support: Assess the level of customer support provided by the alternative. Evaluate
their responsiveness and availability.
Ready To Level Up?
The digital landscape for accounting and tax professionals is constantly evolving, offering an array of accounting practice management software beyond Senta practice management software. When making your decision, keep in mind your company's specific workflow, budget, and future growth goals.
By carefully assessing these options and completing extensive research, you can position your company to accept new technology, manage hurdles, and eventually achieve more efficiency and profitability in the ever-changing world of finance.
Cone Practice Management Software is the unified proposal and practice management software which is premium, but not pricey and enhances your practice with a comprehensive platform for CRM, proposals, projects, workflows, billing, invoicing, and more, at a cost-effective rate starting from £10/user/month. Sign up today!
FAQs
- How do I choose the right Senta alternative?
Assess your needs, research options, try free trials, involve your team, and consider scalability & data migration.
- What are some popular Senta alternatives?
Cone Accounting Practice Management Software, Xero Practice Manager, Karbon, and Accountancy Manager are few of the popular Senta alternatives.
- What are the typical costs of these alternatives?
The pricing can vary but typically falls between $20 to $100 or more per user per month. This range depends on the features included and the size of the firm.