Best Accounting Practice Management Software: Reviews of the Most Popular Tools & Systems

Kirsten McNeice
Subject Matter Expert
December 28, 2021
7
min read
Table of Contents
Back
Back

When it comes to keeping up with all that your accounting practice entails, having a practice management system in place is key. It's the only way to ensure that your work is tracked, delegated, and completed on time. The easiest way to monitor deadlines, assign tasks to the right team members and collaborate on accounts is to have a management tool.

READ NEXT: The 5 Best Accounting CRMs for CPA Firms

According to a recent report, 56% of accountants said a key benefit of leveraging technology such as accounting software was the increase in productivity. Begin by identifying your team's needs and then thoroughly researching platform to find the best tool for your business. Some are primarily for billing and invoicing and some offer full project management from beginning to end. Keep in mind any critical business applications that you need to integrate. 

Top Accounting Practice Management Software

We've comprised a list of the top tools for accountants and compared how these solutions stack up against each other. Here are our top five suggestions and how each tool can help your accounting business.  

Accelo

Winner: Best client work management platform

Standout features: 

  • Multiple integrations available to streamline your work
  • Drag-and-drop task board
  • Easy-to-understand dashboards
  • Real-time monitoring for your entire staff and client load
  • Impressive client support and generous trial period

Accelo is an integrated platform made to cover all the bases. It’s made especially for small and medium-sized businesses in the service industry and works best for accountants who want a complete, simple system to handing everything from invoicing and billing to project management and recurring work. 

With multiple, seamless integrations available, such as QuickBooks and Xero, you don't wasting time opening numerous programs and losing track of information. Accelo keeps everything in one dashboard to help everyone stay on the same page. 

Along with managing the client and sales side of things, Accelo helps you better manage employee time and utilization. You'll enjoy fewer worries about overscheduling, see the time spent on each task, know who is doing what and when - all in an intuitive dashboard.

Test out Accelo free for 7 days. The pricing model allows you to decide which products you need and pay only per product per user vs. having to pay a higher fee for everyone to have unnecessary features. 

Xero

Winner: Best accounting software for sole proprietors or freelancers

Standout features: 

  • Optional add-on available
  • Most popular plan is the mid-level plan
  • Send invoices and quotes, enter bills, and reconcile bank accounts on all plan levels

Xero is accounting software that allows you to work on the books with your clients. The add-on feature — an additional $39 on all plans — makes compliance simple for easy reporting at tax time via templates and storage solutions and allows you to pay employees and numerous integrations offer customization to fit your business needs.

Xero's primary function on all plans is to enable you to manage the bookkeeping aspect of your business. The higher-level plans also help you oversee and manage your practice effectively with one spot to manage all of your activities, including workflow, jobs, tasks, timesheets, and invoicing. 

Starting at $11 per month for the Early plan and going up to $64 for the full plan, Xero also offers a 30-day free trial with access to all its features so you can determine which plan works best for you.

READ NEXT: Stop Your Accounting Firm From Being Replaced by Software

QuickBooks

Winner: Best all around accounting system for money management

Standout features: 

  • Allows for easy reporting at tax time
  • Comprehensive program with many features and options available
  • Training and support available

QuickBooks is a robust accounting software product that’s made for people to use on their own or with their accountant. You can keep track of finances, handle payroll, track time, track inventory, and accept payments, all through the QuickBooks platform. It allows you to track multiple clients at once and give access to who you choose, when you choose. 

It can have a steep learning curve, but the training offered is helpful. QuickBooks allows you to try it free for 30 days before committing to a plan, which starts at $25 for basic bookkeeping and goes up to $150 for advanced options. For more comprehensive accounting practice management, you’ll need one of the more expensive options.  

Practice Ignition

Winner: Best payment system

Standout features: 

  • Easily see unbilled clients and who still owes you money 
  • Targeted revenue insights
  • Intuitive business dashboard
  • Several integrations with other apps

Practice Ignition allows you to create proposals with ease, send and reconcile invoices, handle billing and payments, and consolidate your client management tools. You'll have oversight on your clients all in one place. The dashboard allows you to see where your business is and where it's headed without the need to run reports. 

Enjoy a 7-day free trial, but be prepared to pay at least $65 a month for the base plan and over $300 for the top plan. There are caps on how many clients you can have. 

Acuity Scheduling

Winner: Best scheduling system

Standout features: 

  • Customized scheduling page for clients to see real-time availability
  • Client information management at intake
  • App integration for payments and more
  • Ability to manage multiple locations

Acuity Scheduling is a powerful scheduling tool that helps clients and businesses connect better and can be placed on your website with ease. At the moment of scheduling, which the client can do with real-time access to your calendar, they’re asked to fill out an intake form, so you'll have everything you need to know about them handy. The program adjusts to time zones, sends reminders, and allows for easy canceling and rescheduling. 

You can try Acuity for free for seven days, and then plans start at $14 per month and go up to $45 per month, which is best if you have multiple locations or don't want the branding. 

How to Determine Which Software Is Best for Your Accounting Practice

Accounting practice management software is meant to help you streamline your business, so looking for one that can do it all might be in your favor. If you're already using one of the above tools, check to see if it will integrate into one of the all-in-one options so that you can be even more effective with your practice management. Then, ask yourself:

  1. Do you have a team that needs to collaborate easily?
  2. What size is your business?
  3. How easy are the dashboard and reports to understand?
  4. Do your clients like to get involved and want to see the work in progress?
  5. Do you have a very specific need, such as scheduling or getting clients to pay?
  6. What is your budget?

These questions will help you narrow down your focus. Each answer will help you get closer to the kind of software you can afford, the kind you and your clients would benefit from the most, and the one that’s best for your business size. All-in-one options are great, but only if you genuinely need the options presented. A free trial, the ability to cancel easily, and excellent customer service all come in handy as well.

READ NEXT: What Accounting Firms Are Saying About Accelo

Try Accelo for Free

See how your accounting practice can benefit from a complete client work management platform - try Accelo for free today.

Accelo is passionate about helping small businesses succeed because they’re the backbone of business. That's why the system is designed specifically for clients work management and provides all the tools and integrations needed for accountants. 

And check out the Time is Money white paper that further shows the benefits of using Accelo as your accounting practice management software. 

Author Bio
Kirsten McNeice
Accelo's blog posts are brought to you by a team of experienced subject matter experts. With a deep understanding of client and sales management, resource planning, and project efficiency, we aim to share our knowledge and practical insights to help you navigate the complexities of operating a service based business. Our goal is to provide you with expert-driven content, up-to-date information, and actionable advice on Professional Services Automation, designed to help your business succeed.
Test123 tag
Speak with an Accelo expert
Is something to test
Book a Demo
Speak with an Accelo expert
Free Guide
Buyer’s Guide for Client Work Management Software
Essential Considerations and Insider Advice
Download Now
Buyer’s Guide for Client Work Management Software
Free Guide
Buyer’s Guide for Client Work Management Software
Essential Considerations and Insider Advice
Download Now
Buyer’s Guide for Client Work Management Software
Try Accelo for 7 days
Fast and easy setup
No credit card required
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Preview Accelo's power
Learn how the platform works
Explore key features
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
No items found.
No categories