- The right accounting workflow software helps your firm streamline operations, enhance collaboration, build client relationships, ensure compliance, and offer data-driven insights. This improves efficiency, increases productivity, and enhances client satisfaction.
- When choosing the right accounting workflow software, see if it matches your firm’s needs, including the size of your practice, the complexity of its workflow, and the systems that these new software and tools can integrate with.
- Also consider comprehensive tools like Karbon and TaxDome or niche tools like FYI. These tools have the features necessary to help run your firm more efficiently.
In today’s modern accounting, where everything is fast paced, staying on top of your financial operations is crucial. As your firm grows, the complexity of your accounting processes increases, making it tougher for accounting firms to keep up.
This is where workflow accounting software comes into play. Integrating such software into your firm’s operations allows you to streamline financial processes, enhance accuracy, and drive productivity. This article will discuss why accounting firms should integrate workflow solutions into their operations and highlight some platforms that are leading the charge.
To put things into perspective: According to the Sage “Practice of Now 2024-2025 Global Trends Report”, 92% of accountants and bookkeepers surveyed worldwide say they spend too much time on manual tasks. Why not reclaim that time for client advisory or business growth? That’s the real impact of workflow software and why choosing the right tool is a strategic decision for your practice.
Accounting workflow software is a tool that streamlines and centralizes all your accounting firm’s tasks and processes for ease and convenience. This eliminates the need to jump from application to application and keep files scattered across different platforms.
You can manage emails, assign tasks, and keep track of deadlines in one place. Quality accounting flow software also has automation built in, so that you don’t waste time doing repetitive tasks manually. Because you can organize all your files in one place, it’s easier to ensure the quality of your work at every step of the process.
Workflow software for accounting firms also scales processes to ensure smooth operations. Everyone has access to the same information, which ensures consistency and continuity. You no longer need to ask for status updates from different team members. Progress can be tracked in one place. When there is less time spent on administration, you can focus on high-value work like client service and revenue generation.
Streamlined Operations
Monotonous and repetitive tasks are one of the major causes of accountant burnout. Workflow solutions helps with that by automating routine tasks that consume significant time and resources.
By digitizing processes like data entry, document management, and client communications, these automation tools free up accountants to focus on more strategic activities. This enhances productivity but also reduces human error.
Enhanced Collaboration
Modern accounting often involves teamwork, with multiple people tackling different aspects of a client’s financial health. Accounting workflow management software provides a centralized platform where your team can collaborate seamlessly.
Improved Client Relationships
A firm is nothing without strong client relationships. Accounting workflow management enhances client interactions by providing transparency and timely updates. Clients can access their financial information, assign tasks, and communicate with their accountants through a secure portal.
Increased Compliance and Security
Compliance with regulatory requirements is a critical concern for accounting firms. Workflow software helps with that by ensuring all processes adhere to legal and industry regulations, providing audit trails, secure document storage, and automated compliance checks.
Data-Driven Insights
Accounting workflow software provides valuable insights through data analytics and reporting tools. These insights can help firms identify trends, forecast financial outcomes, and make informed decisions.
Automation
A large part of accounting work requires handling tons of documents, which can become repetitive. With workflow software for accounting, you can automate this to save time and reduce errors from manual input. This will make your team more productive.
With so many options available, choosing the right accounting workflow software can be overwhelming. The key is to match it to your firm’s needs, workflow complexity, and existing systems.
Here are some questions to help you guide your decision:
1. Does your accounting workflow software benefit your team and firm overall?
Your software should increase your team’s productivity and efficiency, especially for repetitive tasks. This simplifies day-to-day operations.
Your team’s productivity should boost firm-wide visibility into capacity and workflow bottlenecks. Use software insights to improve and centralize collaboration across your firm.
2. Is the solution fit for your team’s size and complexity?
Smaller firms don’t necessarily need an extensive solution. The opposite is also true: a firm with hundreds of employees cannot get by on simple software with limited features.
Either of these will have your team struggling with their work and can harm your productivity, so find the software that complements your needs.
3. Is the accounting workflow software easy to use and understand?
You can’t tell how easy or difficult it is to use a tool unless you try it. This is why free trials are encouraged before subscribing.
During the free trial period, you can use the software at your accounting practice and address challenges you encounter daily. At the end of this period, you can decide whether or not the solution is helpful and if it’s worth the amount you’re shelling out.
4. Can the accounting workflow software integrate properly with your current tech stack?
A tech stack is supposed to help your firm operate seamlessly. This means that you should know if your firm’s software complements and integrates well with each other. Otherwise, there are too many things going on, which kills productivity.
Focus on software that can perform multiple tasks from a single platform. You’ll save time and resources this way.
Here is a list of software that accounting firms can use to succeed.
Karbon
Karbon is a comprehensive cloud-based practice management software tailored for tax and accounting firms. Designed as a hub for all accounting management solutions, it streamlines workflows, improves team collaboration, and enhances client management.
Karbon’s capacity management dashboard
- Integrated Task Management – Karbon offers intuitive task management features that help teams prioritize and manage their workload efficiently.
- Real-Time Collaboration – The platform supports seamless communication and collaboration, enabling teams to work together from anywhere.
- Client Portal – Karbon provides a secure, user-friendly client portal, enhancing transparency and client satisfaction.
- Customizable Workflows – Firms can tailor the software to their specific processes, ensuring a perfect fit for their operational needs.
- Robust Security Measures – We all understand how critical good security is. With this platform’s top-tier security, firms will be assured that all data is protected and compliant with industry standards.
| Free Trial | 7 Days |
| Team Plan | $59 |
| Business Plan | $89 |
| Enterprise Plan | Custom depending on your needs |
- Easy to use
- Effective task management allows better organization
- Efficient in streamlining communications and project management
- Better team collaboration enhances accountability and increases project visibility
- Multiple inbox features makes task assignments challenging
- Email issues, including tracking historical emails and meeting invites
- Steep learning curve
- Lack of flexibility regarding email integrations
- Limited mobile functionality
Jetpack
Jetpack Workflow is a cloud-based platform that helps accounting professionals simplify and automate tasks to make sure every client need is attended to. Jetpack Workflow is best for small, growing accounting and bookkeeping firms.
Jetpack Workflow’s dashboard
- Task and Deadline Management – Jetpack Workflow keeps track of all client tasks and deadlines in one place, ensuring timely completion.
- Workflow Automation – It can automate recurring repetitive tasks and optimize workflows to save time and reduce human errors.
- Client and Team Collaboration – You can facilitate better communication and coordination among team members and clients.
- Document Management – Securely organize and store all important documents within the platform.
- Unlimited Workflow Templates – Use or create templates for common tasks and workflows such as client setup to standardize processes.
| Free Trial | 14 Days |
| Starter Plan | $30 per month if billed annually, $45 if billed monthly |
| Kickstarter Service Package | $299 |
| Fast Track Plan | $749 |
| Done For You Plan | $1,499 |
- Feature-rich design with its ease of use and intuitive navigation
- Centralized management feature
- Multiple customization options that enhance website functionality and appearance
- Inadequate security with past data breaches
- Slow performance with occasional site lag and glitches
- Poor customer support
TaxDome
TaxDome is an all-in-one workflow accounting software designed for CPA firms, bookkeepers, and tax professionals who want to streamline their operations under a single platform. It combines accounting workflow management software capabilities with CRM, billing, e-signatures, document management, and a branded client portal. This makes it especially effective for firms looking to centralize their processes and improve both internal efficiency and client experience.
TaxDome Workflow’s dashboard
- Integrated Workflow Management – Enables firms to create customizable workflows for recurring client work, track progress, and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
- Branded Client Portal – Clients can easily access their documents, invoices, and project updates in real time through a secure, branded portal.
- Document Management & E-Signatures – Store, share, and sign documents securely, with full compliance and audit trails.
- Billing & Payments – Send invoices, collect payments, and track billable hours directly within the platform.
- CRM for Accounting Firms – Manage all clients’ information and communications in one place, making it easy for team members and the support team to stay aligned.
| Free Trial | 14 Days |
| TaxDome Essentials | $700 per year |
| TaxDome Pro | $900 per year |
| TaxDome Business | $1,100 per year |
- Ease of use, with users praising its simplicity and convenience
- Automation features reduce repetitive tasks and improve client communication
- Helpful and prompt customer support that adds to overall satisfaction
- Steep learning curve in understanding the extensive functions and options available
- Lack of essential features like proposal sending and media file support
TaxDome is useful for larger accounting, tax, and bookkeeping firms. The software is specifically built for these practices to manage daily operations, workflows, and client experience in its integrated system by providing a custom-branded portal to improve efficiency and scale operations.
Canopy
Canopy Workflow’s dashboard
- Client Portal & Communication – Secure portal for clients to access documents, send/receive files, view invoices, and communicate with your team.
- Document Management – Cloud-based storage, version control, drag-and-drop uploads, annotation, and centralized file organization.
- Task/Workflow Automation – Ability to create tasks, assign team members, automate reminders, and recurring workflows to keep engagements on track.
- Time Tracking & Billing – Track time spent on clients/projects, generate invoices, manage payments all within the platform.
- Integrations & Reporting – Connect with other accounting/financial tools (e.g., QuickBooks Online), generate dashboards and analytics to monitor firm performance.
| Free Trial | 15 days |
| Plans for small firms (4 or less users) | |
| Starter | $45 per user per month |
| Essentials | $66 per user per month |
| Custom plan pricing | |
| Standard | $150 a month for unlimited users (annual contract) |
| Pro | $175 a month for unlimited users (annual contract) |
| Additional features | |
| Document Management | $36 per user per month |
| Workflow | $40 per user per month |
| Time & Billing | $31 per user per month |
| Tax Resolution | $50 per month per user (annual billing) |
| Collection Cases | $100 per collections case |
| KBA Esignature | $1.25 per KBA credit |
| Transcripts & Notices | $50 per user per month (annual billing) |
- Strong document management and secure client-portal for sharing files and communication.
- Intuitive user interface and ease of use, helping firms get organized.
- Good workflow/task management features (task assignment, tracking, recurring tasks) that support busy tax/accounting operations.
- Seamless cloud access (remote/mobile) enabling teams to work from anywhere.
- Pricing can be high and somewhat complex (especially when add-ons/modules accumulate).
- Customization and more advanced workflow/reporting options may be limited.
- Mobile/web performance and responsiveness sometimes flagged as less than ideal.
Canopy is best for firms that are highly tax-focused instead of purely bookkeeping due to its Tax Resolution feature and secure document management and client-portal. It’s also best for growing firms that may need scalable solutions. If you run the kind of firm that needs to add more features as its team grows, this may be the most flexible solution for you.
Supercharge Your Operations with Offshore Talent
Workflow accounting software sets the foundation for operational efficiency. Using the right stack can be the difference in gaining a competitive advantage. But tech alone can’t help your firm scale or run smoothly.
A truly effective operational strategy means pairing powerful technology with highly skilled talent. But with a global talent shortage at the heels of the accounting industry, finding the right professionals is challenging. TOA Global provides over 1,200 accounting firms all over the world with professional offshore talent. Partnering with us has helped clients boost firm capacity, increase team productivity, and accelerate their growth.
If you’re ready to start building a holistic scaling strategy with a top-tier offshore team, let’s talk.
