Best CRM Software for Bookkeepers
In a Nutshell
As a seasoned reviewer, I’ve tested and evaluated the most popular CRM software specifically tailored to the needs of bookkeepers to shortlist the best tools to manage and control projects and teams more effectively. In this review, I’ll share my insights into the ever-evolving landscape of bookkeeper CRM software.
10 Best CRM Software for Bookkeepers
The bookkeeper industry demands highly customizable CRM software, and here’s my pick of the 10 best software:
- Salesforce – Best bookkeepers CRM overall
- HubSpot – Most popular bookkeepers CRM
- Pipedrive – Best integration capabilities for bookkeepers’ CRM
- Zoho – Most cost-effective CRM
- Bitrix24 – Best in mobile access
- ActiveCampaign – Best for firms with large web traffic
- Accelo – Best time management CRM
- TaxDome – Best customization options
- Zendesk – Best for large bookkeepers
- Less Annoying – Best CRM for small bookkeeper agencies
Why Bookkeepers Need CRM Software
I can’t stress enough the importance of having powerfully designed Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software for bookkeepers. It is a useful tool that bookkeepers may use to increase overall operational efficiency in their firm, budget, generate sales, improve communication, and streamline client management.
A well-designed CRM software helps accountants collect, organize, and streamline client’s data. It enables them to build on prior customer engagement and establish stronger relationships with the client. With the use of these technologies, accountants may more easily provide efficient financial services by keeping track of all customer data in one location.
In addition, bookkeepers benefit from well-analyzed data which optimizes financial processes and also helps in regulatory compliance.
The Best Top 10 CRM Software for Bookkeepers
I have found Salesforce the best bookkeeper’s CRM system for large accounting firms. This dynamic, cloud-based solution for bookkeepers offers bookkeepers an adaptable platform to handle an array of bookkeeping functions, ranging from planning and reporting to cost monitoring and invoicing.
Why I Like It:
In my experience, Salesforce offers robust features like task management, lead tracking, and workflow automation that enable accountants to deliver personalized financial solutions to customers. This helps in customer satisfaction and loyalty, which is helpful for business growth.
The Most Important Features for Bookkeepers
- Document management: Centralized document storage to organize and manage client’s information.
- Automating workflow to avoid repetitive tasks saves time and improves efficiency.
- Task management: Tracking client-related management activities for timely task completion.
- Use AI insights to enhance client experience.
- Customizable dashboards for a comprehensive overview of client’s financial data.
Pros
- Customizable according to the user’s needs.
- Mobile app access while on the go.
Cons
- Complex: It takes a lot of time and effort to implement.
- Has a steep learning curve.
HubSpot CRM helps businesses streamline their business lead and contact management, automated sales pipeline management, and tracking of both incoming and outgoing leads.
Why I Like It:
What draws me to Hubspot is its all-in-one customer relationship management software that helps companies efficiently manage their marketing, sales, and customer care operations.
The Most Important Features for Bookkeepers
- Unlimited users and data.
- Pipeline management: seamless onboarding of clients
- Task and lead automation: teams focus on client work instead of admin work saving time.
- Email marketing and tracking
- Advanced integrated reports to monitor important metrics.
Pros
- Customized email campaigns for both potential and current clients
- Plans for each user can get pricey for small enterprises.
- The interface is user-friendly.
- Reliable customer service
Cons
- User plans for individuals are expensive
- Allows only one email per contact
- The free plan lacks access to customer support
PipeDrive is a powerful, customizable CRM solution for the bookkeeping industry. It streamlines the sale process, boosting productivity.
Why I Like It:
PipeDrive has a user-friendly interface for bookkeepers, allowing users to customize workflows, pipelines, and deal stages to align with their distinct selling processes. It’s the best choice for bookkeepers looking to enhance their operations and improve customer experience.
The Most Important Features for Bookkeepers:
- Wide Integrations with over 350 software.
- User-friendly Interface.
- Customizable.
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Ease of communication among team members
- Multiple customization options
Cons
- A steep onboarding curve
The versatile Zoho CRM has excellent functionality in streamlining sale processes and helping businesses make data-driven decisions. I recommend it to bookkeepers who aim to improve their customer interactions and grow their customer base.
Why I Like It:
Zoho is a cost-effective customer relationship management software that streamlines workflows, eliminating repetitive tasks through automation thus saving time and energy.
The Most Important Features for Bookkeepers:
- Provides training and support
- Centralizing data in one place
- Managing sales pipeline increasing productivity
Pros
- Seamlessly integration with third-party tools and services
- 24/7 customer support is available.
Cons
- The email marketing bundles are pricey
- No free plan
Bitrix24 holds an advantage over its competitors in the bookkeeping industry because of its forever-free plan. In addition, it has a vast array of tools and features such as project management, lead generation, and efficient account management.
Why I Like It:
Bitrix 24 is a tailored software that combines an array of tools for businesses to collaborate on tasks, enhance team members’ communication, manage their projects, and streamline their work effectively.
The Most Important Features for Bookkeepers:
- Mobile app for iOS and Android devices allowing field contacts to be informed
- Inbuilt analytics to track sales performance
- Automation of tasks and notifications
- Third-party integrations
Pros
- Customizable to fit unique users’ needs
- Wide range of automation tools to save effort
- A reliable CRM software with great customer support
- Free plan available
Cons
- Complex
- The free plan doesn’t have integrations
ActiveCampaign CRM is a robust and flexible platform that helps companies automate customer experience, sales, and marketing tasks so they can interact with customers more successfully and enhance their business.
Why I Like It:
ActiveCampaign has a user-friendly interface for bookkeepers and vast email marketing and automation options. The email suite encompasses sequence mapping, segmenting, and auto-responder. It simplifies the admin work, saving time and improving client interactions.
The Most Important Features for Bookkeepers
- Sms automation
- Lead scoring to optimize most promising interactions
- Sales automation saves time
- Email marketing. The drag-and-drop editor allows users to automate and design visually attractive emails.
- Tracking website visitor behavior
Pros
- Mobile app for iOS and Android enabling access while away from the office
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- Ease of communication among team members
- Multiple customization options
Cons
- The free plan has no customization features
- Steep learning curve
Accelo is a comprehensive solution for bookkeepers who want to improve their client interactions. It provides a centralized platform for managing client information, projects, and financial data.
Why I Like It:
I like Accelo for bookkeepers because it includes many features, such as team scheduling, which works well with teams. It enables organizations to manage customer interactions, collect important data, and automate marketing, which can lead to a clearer understanding of your customers.
The Most Important Features for Bookkeepers
- Managing team schedules and workflows
- Multiple customization options for dashboards, templates, and workflows.
- Customizable reports to track project profitability and analyze financial data.
- Communication tools that keep client communication accessible and organized.
- Seamlessly integrates with accounting software, reducing manual data entry, saving time, and improving efficiency.
- Built-in time tracking capability
Pros
- Efficient management of bills
- Responsive and reliable customer support
- Real-time tracking to accurately record bills
- Straightforward onboarding process
Cons
- Can improve on integration tools and services
- Some users find the dashboard complex and overwhelming.
This versatile bookkeeper CRM is tailor-made to meet the specific needs of accounting firms, offering bookkeepers and accountants a comprehensive solution for managing teams, clients, and projects. Moreover, it has more features to enhance client interactions and satisfaction.
Why I Like It:
I recommend Taxdome to bookkeepers as it offers the best user interface to manage staff workflows. It also offers unlimited data storage, unlimited contacts, and built-in SMS communication to help in optimizing workflow. These features help bookkeepers to streamline their sales processes, boosting productivity.
The Most Important Features for Bookkeepers
- Automatic email synching saves time spent on manual entries and bulk email sending
- Intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface
- Highly customizable fields
- Integration with third-party tools
- Mobile app for Android and iOS to access data on the go
Pros
- Unlimited contacts, e-signatures, and file storage
- Tailor-made for tax professionals, bookkeepers, and accountants.
- Email sync
- Excellent mobile app
Cons
- Can improve on lead generation
- Can improve on sales tools
Zendesk CRM is a robust, customizable CRM solution for the bookkeeping industry. It enables tax professionals to take control of the sales pipeline and simplifies the billing processes.
Why I Like It:
Zendesk, a cloud-based CRM, has integrated with great accounting tools like Quickbooks and Freshbooks, allowing users to create, send, and track invoices. These integrations help in tracking accounting and bookkeeping.
The Most Important Features for Bookkeepers
- Live chat enabling real-time engagement with customers
- Multiple channels of communication, such as phone, chat, email, etc.
- Centralized ticketing system
Pros
- Can improve on self-service portals being available on all plans.
- The email marketing bundles are pricey.
Cons
- Communication is accessible on many platforms
- Seamless integration with other tools.
Less Annoying is an inexpensive bookkeeper’s CRM solution ideal for small businesses and users with limited budgets. It’s ideally created for on-site mobile use.
Why I Like It:
As the name suggests, Less Annoying is quite straightforward to navigate. It’s also mobile user-friendly and requires very little knowledge of technology. It aims to streamline business collaborations, enhancing business growth.
The Most Important Features for Bookkeepers
- Multiple integration options
- Automation of repetitive tasks
- Contact and database management
- iOS and Android for mobile
Pros
- Carries out customer satisfaction surveys
- Reliable customer support
Cons
- Can improve on sales tools
Considerations for Small vs. Large Bookkeepers
Bookkeeping is a crucial aspect of any business, regardless of its size. Here are a few features to consider while choosing CRM software for your bookkeepers:
- Highly customizable: Bookkeepers should look for software that offers multiple customization options to configure the system to suit their needs.
- Scalability: The software should be able to handle increased data, workloads, and users over time while maintaining its effectiveness.
- Access to reliable customer support: Some dashboards are complex and will require training to navigate.
- Cost: Bookkeepers should consider cost-effective software that has the important features their organization requires.
- Integration: Every bookkeeper should consider software that seamlessly integrates with other tools to streamline processes and boost productivity.
- Automation: Look for software that automates repetitive tasks to eliminate strenuous tasks and save time.
- Security: Bookkeepers should choose software that keeps all sensitive financial data safe.
Startups Versus Established Players
Startups should choose software that is cost-effective, easy to onboard and customize, and one that is easy to navigate without requiring much training. On the other hand, established players would look for powerful software that is scalable to accommodate the increasing data, users, and workflows.
Conclusion
Choosing a suitable bookkeeper CRM system is critical for bookkeepers to optimize their business processes. Moreover, a good bookkeeper CRM helps streamline workflows and helps in contact and lead management, enhancing customer relations. So, you should carefully explore your organization’s needs and compare available solutions to make an informed decision.
FAQ
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1) What is CRM in bookkeeping?CRM software is a system that organizations use to manage data and interactions with current and potential customers. It contains essential financial information such as invoices, transactions, and payment history, which streamlines workflows.
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2) What CRM works with QuickBooks?Several CRM systems integrate seamlessly with QuickBooks such as Salesforce, Zoho, Method, HubSpot, Capsule, etc.