How to Choose the Best CRM Software for Accountants
How can the CRM automate many of the work, leaving you more prone to focus on overall strategies for your customers?
First, let's take a quick look at accounting software for the accounting industry.
Software for accounting firms
As a certified accountant, you possess experience utilizing accounting software frequently. But with a high level of customers and a great deal of jobs, you're also likely utilizing various other tools:
- Calendar
- Time Tracker
- Cloud File Storage
- Invoicing
- Analytical tools
- Project management tools
- Financial
- Knowledge base and Data base
- Automations (emails, calls, invoices, reminders etc) *
- Marketing tools
- Integrations
*79% of accountants engage in manual tasks that could be automated.
While the word automation may be intimidating to many, it doesn’t mean that accounting will ultimately become obsolete. On the contrary, automation empowers you to get away from repetitive tasks like data entry and gives you the opportunity to focus on more productive endeavors like analysis, consultations, and sales.
Cloud accounting software is designed to ease your accounting firm's workflow.
Cloud-based systems have altered the accounting industry. Now, what cloud services might you ask? Well, it's the storing and accessing of data via the internet rather than on your computer's hard drive.
While the technology has been around for awhile, cloud computing has enabled accountants with countless cloud-based applications, such as accounting software like Flowlu.
The benefits of using a cloud-based accounting software:
- access your accounting data from one or more different devices from multiple locations.
- Your financial information updates in real time so your team always has accurate information.
- You have the benefit of scaling your number of licenses as necessary.
Cloud software is safe for accountants.
A concern for accountants in the cloud accounting industry is privacy. To keep client info secure, especially their finances, accountants need to decide, Is cloud accounting secure?
The first reason is that cloud-based accounting retains information safe from external threats since it relies on the cloud who created it.
Second, keeping your data offsite reduces the risk of it being compromised if your devices are stolen or physically damaged because they're not in the same location. Lastly, a cloud solution functions as a backup for your data in case your devices are lost, stolen, hacked, or broken.
Just like cloud-based accounting solutions, cloud CRM systems for accountants make managing your business relationships easier and help you increase your sales and profits.
A CRM for accounting firm
Customer relationship management software, is a crucial tool for any business - but with so many different options on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is best for your needs. As an accountant, you need a CRM that will help you keep track of your clients, manage your finances, and streamline your workflow. In this article, we'll give you some tips on how to choose the best CRM software for your accounting business.
What features in an accounting CRM can benefit your firm?
There are many advantages to the CRM software available from accounting firms. Here are some ways CRM software can help you improve your company 's profits.
- Instant Online Self-Service Portals Allow Can be able to serve your customers much better with 24-hour self-service online ordering portals.
- Access the statistics on your website's traffic and sales with a push of a button.
- Easily capture your customer's details from your leads. Get a 360-degree view of every customer from lead to repeat purchase.
- By automating routine tasks, administrative tasks can maximize your productivity.
A powerful customer experience management system will enable you to simplify many aspects of your accounting practice while building a larger list of clientele. How this is possible will become more clear as you discover the top CRM functions accountants must look for in the list below.
Accountants are advised to look for certain indicators in a CRM system.
Not all CRM programs were created by accountants. To help sort through the process of choosing a CRM that meets your needs, see the following four key features of any accounting CRM system.
1. Opportunity for the integration of accounting and CRM software.
As an accountant, it is beneficial for you to have the ability to obtain a clear picture of your client's transaction history. Having all of this information on hand enables you to offer consistent, professional accounting services. The logical step is to choose a CRM software program that integrates with your present accounting software or lets you easily migrate.
Everything concerning all of your client interactions will be compiled into an inclusive database, so that you will always have everything in one single place. No more will you be forced to make countless midair adjustments or track extensive data in order to update your records. Having the ability to make your whole workflow much more efficient is just a part of this integrative database.
2. Onboarding features.
Once a new client earns your firm's services, they should undergo a client onboarding phase. This way, your client knows that they have to know when they must complete the tasks and timelines you mandate and supply your services. When everyone is on the same page, you save time and money for your business and your client.
Look for customer relationship management software that can help you set up and organize your client onboarding strategy. Features like document storage, email templates, and schedule reminders can help ensure every new client receives the same information that coincides with the exact same timeline. The more automated this process is, the easier it'll be for you to enjoy it, and your clients will appreciate it as well.
3. Enhance customer service with improved client management.
Setting up a CRM system, it's essential to ensure that everyone on your team can easily make modifications to customer information stored there. Here are some things to keep in mind when scouting CRM systems:
- Cloud based CRM
- 24/7 access from any location
- Mobile friendly or has an app
- Easy to use for all members
Selecting a program your team is comfortable with can minimize data entry and communication errors that cost your company important customers. Over time, one of the biggest benefits of better client management is increasing your client base organically.
Using a customer relationship management system helps you manage client information more efficiently, which can prompt the helpfulness of your clients towards promoting your service or product. As a result, your satisfied customers will help you generate revenue by referring your business to others and generating favorable word of mouth. Additionally, this improves the ROI related to investing in a CRM.
4. Simple communications.
Accountants have several ways to communicate securely with their clients, such as email and chat. Have you implemented a system for keeping tabs on each message and correspondence? If not, a full-fledged CRM software solution will help you achieve that aim.
By keeping track of detailed communications in a CRM, you'll be able to refer to your history while visiting your clients. Whoever speaks with the customer next time will benefit from this history, too.
In this way, your team can seamlessly carry out tasks without having to go back for information. Your clients will appreciate the single-point focus, which will put openness to heart. As a result, your clients will respect your finances after each engagement.
5. Learn independence for your clients.
Are you looking for ways to get more hours out of your workday as an accountant? If so, then look for CRM software that includes tools for building self-sufficiency among your clients. A great example of this is a CRM that includes built-in self-service portals, which supply your clients greater access to their dealings with your firm.
Your customers can check their history and invoices, and so avoid numerous calls or emails to you. CRMs also enable your customers to pay for services and products directly through these portals, which greatly reduces the administrative burden on your staff.
6. Marketing tools.
Whether you're an independent accountant or work at an established company, your branding matters. As an accountant, your professional and personal brand follow you throughout your career. Think of your private branding as a walking calling card for your accounting services. When looking for a customer relationship management system, consider if it has tools to help you strengthen your accounting brand.
You can contact your clients by sharing resources with them. Suppose you have a digital article related to the particulars of the most recent tax code. If your customer relationship management software makes it easy to populate content in the form of email marketing campaigns, you can present yourself as an expert in your field. This will significantly increase your clients' trust in your skills and knowledge.
7. Automation of the workflow.
As a certified accountant, you carry out a lot of work that is comprised of repetitive entries and tasks. Wouldn't it be fantastic if certain tasks could be automatically completed? This is the concept that stands behind using a CRM with flexible workflow automation.
CRM software compatible with the workflows that you use can be adapted to change the procedures of your business as necessary.
Accounting professionals should consider the usefulness of a CRM.
Your primary focus should be on customer service. To be able to fulfill your customers' financial needs, knowing which services will provide the best service is crucial. Using your accounting CRM can help you with organizational time.
CRM software also provides you with the tools needed to make your customers' lives better. That way, you'll keep a good relationship with your clientele by knowing what's going on with every client.
To review, these are the specific attributes to look at when choosing a CRM:
- The ability to integrate with your accounting software element.
- Functionality that simplifies the client onboarding process.
- A simplified approach for managing your clients.
- The ability to easily communicate and keep track of interactions with your clients.
- Portals for greater client self-management.
- Brand building capabilities.
- Flexible workflow automation for your repeated entries and tasks.
Deciding whether or not to invest in a customer relationship management (CRM) software for your accounting firm is carefully considering the cost of ineffectual customer service. Chances are, the benefits offered by a great CRM system will outweigh the price.
Ready to take your accounting company to the next level? Start your FREE trial with FLOWLU or request a DEMO.
Flowlu is a solid, one-stop business management solution that takes care of your projects, CRM, invoicing, team collaboration and knowledge. Organize your entire workflow and grow your business in ways that it couldn't before.
