Accounting CRM Software: The 13 Best for Your Firm

Every accounting firm owner knows that customer relationship management (CRM) is essential to success. Fortunately, there’s a lot of excellent software available right now that will help you stay on top of your game.

In this blog post, I will discuss 13 of the best accounting CRM software options on the market that you can use today. We’ll go over what each tool offers and some of its pros and cons.

Let’s go!

Table of Contents

What is a CRM for Accountants?

CRM Photo Hubspot

A CRM, or customer relationship management system, is a software tool that helps businesses manage their client relationships and interactions, which is critical when running your firm.

CRMs are also used for customer data management, task automation, lead management, and so much more.

Why Do Accounting Firms Use a CRM?

Most firms use CRM to manage their customer relationships and improve their sales process. A good CRM will help you keep track of your client’s contact information, communication history, and financial data. It can also help you cultivate new leads and convert them into clients.

By tracking your interactions with potential clients, you can make sure you’re following up at the right time and with the right information.

5 Benefits of Using a CRM Platform

Here are some benefits of using a CRM in your accounting firm:

1) Customer Database

Keeps all important information from prospects and actual clients. Using the data, you can implement marketing campaigns, attract prospective clients, and retain customers.

2) Easy Collaboration

A good CRM has powerful features that make it convenient for team members to collaborate. For example, the unified messaging feature enhances communication between the team and clients, while the project management tool allows easier monitoring and delegation of group tasks.

3) Improved Customer Retention

CRMs have the capability to track history, manage information, and interactions with clients, it becomes much simpler to identify and resolve issues because the client data is stored in one place. This makes it easier to achieve customer loyalty and satisfaction.

4) Organized Sales Pipeline

With a well-organized sales pipeline, you can keep track of your leads throughout your sales process so you can close deals in less time and visualize your sales pipeline better.

5) Higher Productivity and Efficiency

Some CRMs also have a feature that reminds clients to submit their documents on time, this is important, especially for CPA firms. Automating processes will significantly reduce the time that is spent on recurring tasks so your team can focus on finishing critical tasks.

8 Main Features Your Accounting CRM Needs

When choosing a CRM for your firm, these are some of the important features you should consider depending on your needs:

  1. Lead management: To see where your leads are coming from and track their progress
  2. Document Management: This is one of the basic CRM features to look for so you can store customer data and share documents easily
  3. Task management: Enables you to track your to-do list when it comes to sales and marketing so you can get things done more efficiently
  4. Email Marketing Automation: Utilizing this feature to send emails and newsletters will keep your clients informed with new updates and other announcements
  5. Workflow automation: Automates repetitive tasks so you can focus on more important things
  6. Online Scheduling: Schedule appointments and meetings with clients conveniently without having to go back and forth with other apps
  7. Contact management: Keeps all contact information in one place for better client management
  8. Billing and invoicing: This feature is crucial for sending invoices and tracking payments

The 13 Best CRM Software Tools for Firms

Now that you know what to look for in a CRM, let’s take a look at some of the best options in the market today:

1. Zendesk Sell

It’s an all-in-one CRM platform that has all the essential features that a firm needs including lead tracking, task management, and workflow automation.

zendesk-sell-features1

Pros

  • Allows you to connect to top apps and integrations that are available in the Sell marketplace to help you work quickly and efficiently
  • Offers four different pricing plans to meet the needs of businesses, from startups to enterprises.
  • 14-day free trial
  • The pricing plan starts at $19 with no hidden fees

Cons

  • You need to pay additional fees to use advanced features
  • Very few third-party integrations
  • Mobile UI needs improvement

2. Hubspot CRM

Here’s the one I used to use in my firm and it’s designed to keep tabs on prospects and clients at various stages of their journey. Hubspot CRM is a free-to-use software (with paid versions) that comes with a number of features including lead capture forms, call recording, live chat, email tracking, and a customer management database.

HubSpot_EmailTracking_3-1

Pros

  • Create and save email templates
  • Conveniently integrates with business tools and apps that you already use
  • Have the ability to send up to 2,000 emails per month for free
  • Reps can set up push notifications to instantly follow up once a lead clicks a link or opens an email
  • 14-day free trial
  • Unlimited users

Cons

  • All the features available within the platform can be a little overwhelming and confusing for first-time users

3. Pipedrive

Popular with many accounting firms, built by ex-Skype employees, Pipedrive is a CRM tool for small and medium-sized firms. It automatically tracks progress, calls, and emails automatically so your team can focus on hitting important goals.

pipedrive-features1

Pros

  • Responsive customer support and helpful videos to answer common issues inside the platform
  • Cheaper alternative to SalesForce
  • Superb interface
  • Supports over 350+ integrations
  • 14-day free trial

Cons

  • Reporting cost is expensive ($200)
  • While other CRMs have the CMS function, Pipedrive doesn’t have this capability

4. Method CRM

Specializing in QuickBooks, you can automate your CRM processes and improve customer experience using this software for small businesses. The client information, payments, invoices, and more can instantly be updated in both Method and QuickBooks accounts thanks to its patented two-way sync.

methodcrm-features1

Pros

  • Nice, customizable, and user-friendly interface
  • Great customer service; Swift responses via phone or chat
  • Sync data in realtime between QuickBooks and Method CRM while eliminating double data entry
  • View previous interactions with your clients and collaborate easily on the platform
  • Personalize Method and automate tedious tasks with ease
  • 14-day free trial

Cons

  • Quite difficult to customize on your own
  • Professional customization services can be expensive

5. Insightly

The CRM of choice for small to large businesses across all industries. Insightly organizes your business data, reports, projects, emails, events, and more… all in one place.

insightly_features1

Pros

  • Offers a free plan that enables you to get a sneak peek of the premium features
  • Set reminders and receive email notifications
  • Users can create tasks from emails they’ve saved on Insightly
  • Insightly’s integration engine, AppConnect, allows users to connect the apps they currently use
  • Easy to set up and use
  • 14-day free trial

Cons

  • The user interface needs improvement
  • Limited availability of integrations

6. Taxdome

TaxDome enables businesses of all sizes to simplify their operations. A great practice management platform designed for bookkeepers and CPAs which helps manage workflows, CRM, invoicing, and important documents.

Taxdome CRM Dashboard

Pros

  • TaxDome team constantly improves its CRM system by adding new features and enhancements
  • Eliminates the need for extra apps and tools
  • Set reminders for clients to complete their documents
  • Offers training sessions and personalized support even for trial users
  • Secure eSignature feature
  • 14-day free trial

Cons

  • Not able to integrate with apps like Zapier and Outlook
  • Can be a bit overwhelming to use at first because of the features

7. Keap (formerly Infusionsoft)

An all-in-one CRM platform that helps small businesses in the accounting industry streamline their firm’s workflow and improve customer experience.

keap-features1

Pros

  • Can keep up to 2500 contacts
  • The email automation system is easy to use and understand
  • Reasonably priced and great for startups
  • Automated lead capture automatically collects contacts through landing pages and lead forms
  • 14-day free trial
  • Robust API with lots of third-party integrations

Cons

  • Automation builder is easy to understand but the criteria you can automate are very limited.
  • The UI is not user-friendly for some

8. Liscio

With Liscio, accounting firms of all sizes can work easily and securely with clients and staff while also gaining access to all client communications for effective collaboration.

liscio-features1

Pros 

  • Gives clients the freedom to send messages, create new tasks, and view documents from any mobile device, anytime, anywhere.
  • Able to receive files up to 5GB each
  • Provides extra security with biometric authentication
  • Easily scan your documents using the app
  • Affordable monthly pricing

Cons

  • Not able to automatically create a task from messages
  • The integration features with other applications can be glitchy
  • Unable to add signature and logo to the messages

9. Dubsado

An all-in-one CRM system for small business owners that helps streamline processes to eliminate repetitive work.

dubsado1

Pros

  • Templates can be customized to reflect your brand
  • Through the client portal, clients can instantly access project information, pay invoices, share documents, collaborate, and much more.
  • Offers unlimited free trial. Once you reach three clients, you can choose to subscribe and keep using their services
  • has a built-in scheduler that allows customers to book appointments or calls directly from your website

Cons

  • To learn how to set things up effectively, you might need to watch a series of videos first
  • The invoicing features are not user-friendly for some users and invoices cannot be altered by date

10. 17Hats

Simplifies repetitive work by using automated workflows and templates so you can gain more clients and expand your accounting business efficiently.

17Hats_Features1

Pros

  • Easy to set up with a user-friendly interface for beginner CRM users
  • Provides an all-in-one document that allows potential customers to choose a package, sign, and pay in just one page
  • Sign and send contracts and proposals online to reduce paperwork and improve your sales process
  • Send automated emails to clients to remind them of overdue paperwork
  • Lead capture form submissions are automatically responded to

Cons

  • You have to use another software if you need a reporting feature
  • Recurring invoices cannot be set to autopay

11. Salesforce

A popular CRM for mostly larger accounting firms, it offers powerful features like lead tracking, task management, and workflow automation. Plus, it integrates with a variety of smart online accounting software tools.

salesforceplatform_features1

Pros

  • Keeps a record of every customer interaction
  • Can be easily integrated with other platforms
  • Provides a security key and strong authentication
  • Collects client information from any source
  • Users can create valuable apps without the assistance of developers

Cons

  • The cost of extra features can be expensive
  • Because of the application’s extensive customizable features, it can be challenging to use

12. Zoho One

A unified CRM software for accounting firms that includes accounting tool features to track cash flows, manage projects, categorize transactions, invoicing, and more.

zohoone-features1

Pros

  • Allows you to track all receivables, prepare quotations, and invoices
  • Maximizes your chances of receiving payments on time by offering clients a variety of payment options
  • You will be able to access all Zoho apps
  • Sales staff will design a workflow model for your company based on your demands

Cons

  • The user interface can be laggy at times
  • You must buy a separate license for each user in your company

13. CapsuleCRM

A simple and straightforward CRM accounting software that has features like contact management, opportunity tracking, and sales forecasting.

capsule_Feature1

Pros

  • CapsuleCRM can be easily integrated with accounting software tools like QuickBooks and Xero
  • The user interface is clean and easy to use
  • Strengthen the security of your account by using a mobile device
  • Offers a free Forever Plan for companies with less than two users
  • Keep important notes and view previous customer interactions and phone calls

Cons

  • You need to create quotes and invoices in a separate platform because it doesn’t have a document generation tool

Ready to Pick Your Next CRM Software?

Choosing a CRM solution that suits your business needs will surely have a positive impact on your firm. With the right tool in hand, you can land more clients and present yourself as a well-organized business.

There you have it! These are the 13 best CRM software tools on the market today. Do you have any favorite CRMs or are you planning to choose a new one from our list? Let us know in the comments below!

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