10 Best CRM for Accountants in 2023
Cecily Giancaterino
Sep 11, 2023
∙
15 min read
CRM
Accountants often find themselves spinning plates, juggling multiple clients while trying to keep the business afloat by acquiring new ones. It's an everyday struggle for accountants and accounting firms alike.
Luckily, CRM software can alleviate these common pain points. CRM platforms can track new client leads, streamline communication, and even predict current client needs. In other words, a CRM platform can be a game-changer for your accounting firm.
There are several options for CRM software on the market for accountants. Knowing the pros and cons can help you choose the one that fits like a glove.
In this guide, we round up the top 10 CRM for accountants in 2023, including their features and benefits.
First, here are a few key takeaways to know about CRM platforms for accountants:
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software is a tool that can be customized to specifically cater to the needs of accountants, such as collecting and organizing client information.
- CRMs help accounting firms and tax professionals stay on top of client-facing duties, such as scheduling, personalized communication, and client follow-ups.
- Common capabilities accounting CRMs offer include lead management, client management, forecasting, and workflow automation.
- When choosing the best CRM for you, key things to look for include accounting-specific features and functionality, integration capabilities, customization and usability, security and compliance, and value and scalability.
- The best accounting CRM software platforms on the market today include the following: FiveCRM, Insightly, HubSpot, Zoho CRM, Pipedrive, TaxDome, Nimble, Liscio, Accelo, and Freshsales.
Table of Contents:
What Is a CRM for Accountants?
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software is a single platform for client and lead management. CRM software helps accountants, accounting firms, and tax professionals organize their contact lists, automate client information updates, track tasks related to client management, nurture existing client relationships, and acquire new clients.
Do Accountants Need a CRM?
CRM software can benefit both solo accountants and those who own an accounting firm. For example, CRM platforms enhance client satisfaction by maintaining seamless interaction and constant communication. They can also help you streamline your operations, enabling you to scale your firm.
How to Evaluate CRM Software for Accountants
Selecting a CRM platform that fits your specific needs requires you to consider features, integration capabilities, and more. Let's dive into these considerations so you can make the best decision for your firm.
Features and Functionality
A CRM for accountants should have features and functions tailored to the needs of accounting professionals. These features should include client and lead management, appointment scheduling, forecasting, workflow automation, task monitoring, and secure storage of documents.
Integration Capabilities
A good CRM integrates seamlessly with your existing software and other tech tools, streamlining your workflow. For example, the platform you choose should integrate with your accounting software, such as QuickBooks, or your project management tools.
Customization and Usability
Ease of use and customizability are essential to optimizing your unique work processes and system. Choose CRM software that's customizable to fit your firm's workflows and needs with a simple interface that's easy to navigate.
Security and Compliance
Accounting firms and professionals must comply with data protection regulations. Select a CRM that adheres to these rules and can provide robust security and client data protection.
Value and Scalability
Future-proof your accounting business and make it growth-ready by choosing a scalable CRM with flexible pricing plans based on your company’s current needs.
1. FiveCRM
Rating: 4.4/5.0 (G2)
Key Features:
- Complete customization: FiveCRM is a completely customizable CRM that can be designed to fit your specific accounting workflows.
- Workflow automation capabilities: FiveCRM enables you to automate tedious tasks like client follow-ups and appointment setting, so you can focus on serving your clients.
- Real-time data analytics: Client data, as well as key metrics, can easily be logged and monitored in real time, generating up-to-date insights that can help you grow your firm.
- Robust client data management: Maintaining client relationships is the heart of an accounting consultancy. FiveCRM provides robust client data management features, such as in-depth client dashboards, so client information is always at your fingertips.
FiveCRM is a versatile CRM that can be tailored to fit the specific needs of accounting professionals and firms. It offers customizable features and functions that enhance client relationships, track leads effectively, and generate insights for data-driven decision-making.
FiveCRM also offers many integrations with other accounting platforms, so you can fully optimize your workflows. Plus, FiveCRM enables GDPR and privacy legislation compliance, helping you safeguard critical client data.
FiveCRM features a simple pricing plan that's customizable to fit your needs. Our plans start at $70 per month/seat when billed monthly.
2. Insightly
Rating: 4.2/5.0 (G2)
Key Features:
- Automated workflows: Insightly CRM facilitates the growth of your client base through automated digital marketing and lead management. Its built-in and customizable project management tool creates and follows through the workflow until successful completion.
- User-friendly interface: Quick and easy to use, Insightly CRM systematically manages call logs, intuitively organizes client data, and efficiently adapts to your unique needs with its customizable features.
- Powers team collaboration: Insightly CRM makes collaborating with the team easy through its mobile application and platform, enabling quick task tracking and monitoring.
Insightly CRM is a go-to tool because of its user-friendly interface, customization options, and capacity to streamline workflows, enhance productivity, and foster collaborations within your firm.
Insightly also offers over 500 connections via its AppConnect, enabling you to integrate all of your accounting tools so you never miss a thing.
For pricing, Insightly CRM starts at $29 per user/month. There's also a free trial available if you'd like to test-drive Insightly CRM within your firm.
3. HubSpot
Rating: 4.4/5.0 (G2)
Key Features:
- Centralized database management: HubSpot makes organizing and maintaining client information and communication history easily accessible through a centralized database that facilitates personalized and informed interactions.
- Customizable pipeline management: Depending on your needs, HubSpot allows for a tailored end-to-end client management pipeline.
- Task and activity tracking: HubSpot facilitates proactive client communication and timely delivery of services through its task and activity tracking features.
HubSpot CRM is a holistic platform for accountants and accounting firms that helps manage client relationships, streamline workflows, and generate real-time data insights that drive sales and growth. Plus, HubSpot offers robust integrations with the other tools in your accounting tech stack.
You can take advantage of HubSpot CRM for free if the limited features are enough. For more robust features, the CRM Suite Starter starts at $30 per month when billed monthly.
4. Zoho CRM
Rating: 4.0/5.0 (G2)
Key Features:
- Comprehensive features: The Zoho CRM ecosystem has a solution for your accounting firm’s every need. It's loaded with a comprehensive roster of features, from sales force automation and process management to marketing automation.
- Custom solutions and integrations: Its state-of-the-art and easy-to-navigate customization and integration options offer versatility, allowing your accounting firm to grow and meet its unique requirements and business goals.
- Price protection: You will get the best deal in terms of features while enjoying flexible pricing solutions and no hidden fees, making it a superb investment for your accounting business.
Zoho CRM is an entirely cloud-based solution that can be customized to fit the needs of your accounting business. Adaptable and feature-rich with its contact management and workflow automation solutions, Zoho CRM helps you manage your entire client lifecycle, driving business growth.
Zoho CRM's Standard pricing plan starts at $14 per user/month when billed annually.
5. Pipedrive
Rating: 4.2/5.0 (G2)
Key Features:
- Comprehensive and automated: Pipedrive provides a comprehensive set of features with options to automate simple to complex functions essential in operations.
- Detailed analytics: Pipedrive provides detailed data analytics reports, generating insights helpful in decision-making.
- Easy-to-navigate and customizable interface: Pipedrive’s easy and customizable drag-and-drop functions allow accountants to choose the custom fields, tags, and filters that make the most sense for their firm.
Pipedrive is a CRM with a user-oriented design, making it a good fit for accounting professionals. Its comprehensive features enable you to manage everything from simple tasks to intricate processes.
See your entire sales cycle at a glance with the visual sales pipeline feature, or see a full history of your client interactions with the detailed contact history. Other features, such as revenue forecasting, customizable dashboards, and lead segmentation, make Pipedrive a powerhouse CRM for your firm.
Pipedrive's Essential plan starts at $14.90 per user/month. Other plans are available, including Advanced, Professional, Power, and Enterprise.
6. TaxDome
Rating: 4.7/5.0 (G2)
Key Features:
- Customizable and all-in-one functionality: A robust CRM with all-in-one functionality, TaxDome is a flexible tool that allows you to pick and choose features to activate depending on your business needs.
- Workflow automation: TaxDome has the capacity for pre-configured or customized automation that can be set up to match your firm’s specific requirements.
- Client portal: TaxDome’s dedicated client portal, accessed through a mobile application, is easy to navigate and intuitive, enhancing client utility.
Specifically built with the tax professional in mind, TaxDome is an all-in-one platform with a centralized hub and user-friendly client portal, making customer management a breeze. And through its many customizable features and options for automation, you can boost the efficiency of your workflows.
TaxDome's Lite plan starts at $33 per month and is great for solo accountants or tax professionals. TaxDome Pro is best for firms and starts at $50 per user/month.
7. Nimble
Rating: 4.5/5.0 (G2)
Key Features:
- Commitment to marketing: Designed with your business growth in mind, Nimble is committed to providing unique features and functions that make your marketing goals easier.
- Solid customer support: Getting help is easy with Nimble’s responsive and attentive customer service.
- Value for money: Nimble offers its software for free for smaller firms with lower caseloads and fewer contacts, but it also provides a Nimble for Enterprise option for scalability.
Nimble, a relationship-focused CRM, is ideal for accounting professionals and firms as it supplies clients with business and social data, allowing them to thrive in their businesses. With its specialized functions and nifty features, Nimble streamlines workflows, which is perfect for an accounting firm that involves an entire team.
One standout feature is the "Today" page, which provides instant insights into your sales pipeline, appointments, and tasks, all in one place.
When billed annually, Nimble starts at $24.90 per user/month.
8. Liscio
Rating: 4.6/5.0 (G2)
Key Features:
- Accessibility through cloud-based storage: Your accounting team can access tasks and information from anywhere as data and actions are stored in the cloud and accessed using Liscio’s mobile app.
- Secure client communication: The security of your information is guaranteed with its integrated Adobe Sign feature, secure document drive, and internal communication integration that keeps client data private.
- User-friendly interface: Liscio’s straightforward and intuitive design improves usability. Ease of access to information, automatic reminders, and built-in features save time on both the client and business sides.
Liscio is a secure, cloud-based portal designed explicitly for accountants that helps you communicate with clients and meet them where they are. With Liscio, everything you need to know about your clients, from contact information to contract signatures, is available on a single screen.
Plus, Liscio's integrations can simplify your workflows. Liscio connects with apps ranging from Gmail to Calendly. Pricing for Liscio starts at $40 per user/month when billed annually.
9. Accelo
Rating: 4.4/5.0 (G2)
Key Features:
- Strengthens collaboration: Accelo is perfect for larger accounting firms with multiple departments, as its collaborative interface allows for efficient task tracking and transparent sharing of information.
- Time-sensitive task scheduler: With options to schedule tasks following your firm’s workflows, trigger task updates, and set up notifications, work processes become seamless.
- Broad integration options: Accelo easily integrates with other accounting, communication, and remote management tools, keeping information flowing smoothly through your workflows.
Built for service-based businesses, Accelo caters to teams of all sizes with its intuitive interface. Accelo offers a range of features covering everything from sales and project management to billing. This end-to-end platform can power your business and sustain growth by providing you with efficient workflows.
Accelo's pricing starts at $24 per user/month for the Plus option. You can also bundle all of Accelo's modules for $89 per user/month.
10. Freshsales
Rating: 4.5/5.0 (G2)
Key Features:
- Intuitive interface: Freshsales’ centralized client database has an intuitive interface, allowing easy set-up, quick access to information, and real-time opportunities through the notification feature.
- Excellent customer service: Its customer service experience is superb, with 24/7 access and responsive email and live chat support.
- Complete data visibility: Track complete performance metrics through statistical charts easily and get valuable data to improve your firm's performance.
Freshsales is a comprehensive CRM that equips accounting teams to attract leads, engage with clients, and nurture relationships.
Beyond lead management and reporting, Freshsales also offers a wide range of innovative features, including AI contact scoring and predictive deal insights. Plus, the intelligent workflow features can automate tasks such as sending emails, assigning leads, and creating reminders.
Freshsales offers a free version with minimal features. For more robust capabilities, pricing starts at $15 per user/month for the Growth plan.
Leverage FiveCRM in Your Accounting Firm
FiveCRM is an impactful and customizable CRM solution designed to support accountants in streamlining operations. With FiveCRM, it's easy to revolutionize how you manage leads and nurture customer relationships, so you can grow your firm.
Book a demo of FiveCRM today to experience how our platform can help you reach your goals.
FAQs: CRM for Accountants
Q: What is a CRM for accountants?
A: A CRM (Customer Relationship Management) for accountants is a single platform designed to help accountants, accounting firms, and tax professionals organize their contact lists, automate client information updates, track tasks related to client management, nurture existing client relationships, and acquire new clients.
Q: Why do accountants need a CRM?
A: CRM software can benefit both solo accountants and accounting firms. It enhances client satisfaction by maintaining seamless interaction and constant communication, streamlines operations, and enables firms to scale and grow.
Q: What are the key features to look for in a CRM for accountants?
A: When choosing a CRM for accountants, it's essential to look for accounting-specific features and functionality, integration capabilities, customization and usability, security and compliance, and value and scalability.
Q: Which are the top CRM platforms for accountants in 2023?
A: The top CRM platforms for accountants in 2023 include FiveCRM, Insightly, HubSpot, Zoho CRM, Pipedrive, TaxDome, Nimble, Liscio, Accelo, and Freshsales.
Q: How can a CRM platform benefit an accounting firm?
A: A CRM platform can track new client leads, streamline communication, predict current client needs, and enhance client satisfaction. It can also automate various tasks, making operations more efficient, and help in scaling the firm.
Q: What integration capabilities should a CRM for accountants have?
A: A good CRM for accountants should seamlessly integrate with existing software and tech tools, such as accounting software like QuickBooks or project management tools, to streamline workflows.
Q: How does CRM software ensure the security and compliance of data for accountants?
A: Accounting firms and professionals must adhere to data protection regulations. A reliable CRM will comply with these rules, offering robust security features to protect client data, such as data encryption and two-factor authentication.
Q: Is customization important in a CRM for accountants?
A: Yes, customization is crucial. A CRM for accountants should be adaptable to fit the firm's unique workflows and needs. It should offer a simple interface that's easy to navigate and customize to optimize work processes.
Q: How does a CRM help in client and lead management for accountants?
A: A CRM helps accountants organize their contact lists, automate client information updates, track tasks related to client management, nurture existing client relationships, and acquire new clients, ensuring efficient client and lead management.
Michael King says...
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“Each client, and each of their campaigns, has its own unique specifications. We essentially needed to set up mini CRMs on one platform to meet those requirements.”
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