The journey towards new clients with an accounting firm begins with a proposal. A proposal is an important document that does much more than list a set of services; it establishes a professional partnership.
Statistics indicate that 75% of all business proposals will never close a deal simply because they happen to be weak. This is where the need to create compelling proposals that influence prospective clients becomes critical.
Proposal software unlocks a world where accountants can minimize manual tasks and maximize streamlined workflows and client engagement. It simplifies your work by allowing you to focus on delivering high-quality service. By offering features such as customized templates, e-signatures, and analytics, this software brings your proposals to life, enhancing both efficiency and effectiveness.
The following article outlines the top 10 proposal software accountants would want to work with.
What is accounting proposal software?
Proposal software is a specialized solution created to streamline the processes of creating, managing, and tracking proposals for accounting firms. By utilizing this software, accountants can not only produce professional-looking proposals but also enhance collaboration with team members and efficiently monitor the success of each proposal.
Moreover, proposal software offers several key features that are particularly beneficial for accountants. For instance, it includes customizable templates. These templates are pre-designed but can be easily personalized to align with your firm’s branding and meet specific client needs.
Collation tools: These tools allow several people to review the proposal simultaneously, maintaining consistency and productivity.
E-signatures: The client would electronically sign the proposals with just a click to avoid paperwork and faster approval.
Analytics and tracking: They will provide valuable inputs on proposal performance, including win rate and client engagement, assisting in data-driven decisions.
Automated billing and invoicing: Some proposal software solutions feature integrated accounting software, automating the billing and invoicing process to ensure reliable cash flow management.
How do you choose proposal software for accountants?
While choosing any proposal software for your accounting firm, consider the following things:
1. Industry-specific features
Look for proposal software that offers features specific to the accounting industry. Templates for engagement letters, tax planning proposals, and audit proposals are especially needed.
2. User-friendly interface
Choose a system with a user-friendly interface and easy navigational skills so you or your team do not have a difficult learning process.
3. Integrations
Ensure the solution integrates well with your existing tools, like accounting software, CRM, and email platforms.
4. Pricing
Compare the pricing of different service providers to select one within your firm’s budget and offer the features you need.
5. Security and compliance
Considering the data to be handled may be sensitive client data, choosing proposal software that assures data security and adheres to relevant regulations must be regarded as a key factor.
6. Customer support: Good, responsive, and helpful customer support can make all the difference when problems or questions arise about the software.
7. Scalability: Consider your firm’s future growth and choose proposal software that can grow with you.
Top 10 proposal software for accountants
1. Super Proposal
Super Proposal has a very advanced feature for pricing tables that allows any accounting firm to represent its services and prices clearly and professionally. It features built-in functions and even templates that cater specifically to an accounting professional’s needs, making it fast and effective in creating truly professional, client-centric proposals.
Use case: Super Proposal can be used by any accounting firm that aims to smooth its proposal process and win more work.
Key Features
Customizable templates: Using Super Proposal, predefined proposal templates, downloadable in PDF can be personalized to your firm’s brand and specific client needs. You can easily add or edit content and provide personalized pricing tables.
Adding a product or service: Pricing tables allow adding more than one product or service. It is added by selecting the ‘Line item’ option to include the existing services or adding new items in case they are not in the listed service.
Contract Letters: Super Proposal lets you add engagement letters for accounting services, ensuring that all the legal and contractual terms get included in your proposal.
Electronic Signatures: The e-signature feature embedded within Super Proposals lets customers digitally sign proposals without any actual paperwork, thus making the approval process even faster.
Engagement metrics: This tool automatically tracks the performance and efficiency of your proposals through reports and analytics, so you might make the necessary changes to optimize your methods to increase your success rates.
Limitations:
Super Proposal is fully featured for accounting firms but may lag behind some of the more generic proposal platforms in terms of the number of integrations with third-party accounting software. It is focusing on adding more important integrations, though.
Customer Support: Super Proposal offers responsive customer support via email and knowledge base to help users navigate through the nook and corner of the platform and resolve issues that arise.
Pricing
We believe in open pricing that gives value and feature-rich services. Here is what our only basic plan has to offer:
- Free trial – 15 days
- Monthly Rate – $24.90 per user per month
- Annual Rate – $19 per user per month billed on a yearly cycle
- Maximum Seats – Unlimited
2. Cone
The cone is proposal software designed for accounting firms. It was recently introduced and has received rave reviews because of its strong features and ease of use. Cone provides an all-in-one solution that automates the creation of proposals, engagement letters, pricing, billing, and payments, among other tasks. Consequently, it streamlines multiple aspects of the accounting process within a single platform.
Review on G2: No reviews yet
Use Case: Cone automates proposals, engagement letters, pricing, billing, and payments all in one place. Therefore, it is perfect for any accounting firm seeking to improve their workflow and enhance overall efficiency.
Key Features
Custom accounting proposal template: You can create proposals for various needs, clients, or whatever; give it a professional look with ease in an instant. Real-time collaboration and team management: Ease the internal review and approval process to speed up proposal turnaround times.
Automated billing and payments integrated with proposals: This smooths the onboarding process and ensures timely receipts.
Analytics for proposals and their tracking: This provides insight into the proposals’ effectiveness to and enhances conversion rate.
One drawback of Cone is that it may not offer as many integrations to other software systems as some generic proposal software options.
Customer Support: Cone provides active customer support to onboard users and help sort out any issues.
Pricing:
Single user: $10/month, Business- $30/month, Growth- up to 5 users: $60/month, Up to 10 users
3. Qwilr
Qwilr is proposal software that has won acclaim for its capability to develop strikingly beautiful, interactive web-based proposals. Unlike PDFs, Qwilr gives accounting firms an opportunity to make proposals that attract clients with the power of embedded content like videos and forms. This makes Qwilr the ideal choice for firms that want to create a niche and leave an indelible mark on prospective clientele.
G2 Review: 4.5 stars
Use Case: Qwilr is best suited for accounting firms that want to create a visually amazing proposal that is very different from PDFs.
Key Features:
Custom web-based proposal templates: Create visually stunning and interactive proposals that are far from what an ordinary PDF would look like.
Embed calculators, testimonials, and more interactive content: Demonstrate your value proposition and build rapport with prospective clients.
Analytics and Reporting: Understand how your proposals are viewed and interacted with to perfect your approach and improve the conversion rate.
Drawbacks: While Qwilr offers a robust package with an attractive feature set, this solution may cost more than other proposal software solutions, with the lowest price of $35 per user per month.
Customer Support: 24/7 email support translates to limited support over weekends and holidays.
Pricing:
Business plan: $35 per user/month. Enterprise plan: $59 per user/month.
4. Proposify
Proposify is one of the most well-liked cloud-based proposal software solutions. It enables companies to create and manage proposal documents with ease. It would be the best option for any accounting firm to get a very simple and accessible online platform that will allow them to quickly create nice-looking proposals, thus increasing their chances of winning new customers.
Review on G2: 4.6 stars
Use Case: Proposify is the go-to solution for any accounting firm that seeks to produce professional-looking proposals in minimal time using an easy-to-use interface.
Key Features:
Custom accounting proposal templates: Produce professional proposals tailored to clients’ needs.
Collaboration and approval workflows: Make internal reviews seamless and ensure documents’ accuracy before sending them out.
E-signature integration: Get proposals signed quickly and safely with less administrative overhead.
Analytics and Reporting: Track the view and interaction of your proposals for deep insight into client engagement.
Cons: Proposify’s proposals look more like PDFs than other options, and the pricing and feature set can be limited compared with different platforms.
Customer Support: Proposify is only available to support its customers from Monday to Thursday, 8 AM—8 PM EST, and Fridays, 8 AM—4 PM EST, via chat, call, and email.
Price:
Basic plan: $35/seat, Team plan: $49/seat, Business plan: $65/seat
5. HoneyBook
HoneyBook has become a go-to all-in-one solution for solopreneurs and small businesses, managing everything from client relationships to proposals and invoicing in one place. While easy to use and with many features, the platform is not functionally deep compared to other proposal software options tailored explicitly for accounting firms.
G2 Review: 4.5/5
Use Case: HoneyBook is ideal for small practices or sole practitioners needing an all-in-one tool to manage client relationships, propose, and invoice.
Key Features:
Tools for Client Management and Communication: Store client data in one place and organise interactions to build better relationships.
Accounting-specific, customizable proposal templates: Showcase professional proposals with well-defined services and highlights.
Automated Invoicing and Payments: Automate billing for timely payment and improvement in cash flow.
Features of Project Management: Project progress and deliverables are tracked, ensuring more clarity for clients and improving customer satisfaction.
Limitations: HoneyBook may lag behind other proposal software in terms of features and integrations that fully meet the needs of an accounting firm. Users who want more robust functionality or tighter integrations with industry-specific tools may find HoneyBook to fall short of those expectations.
Customer Support: HoneyBook provides email, live chat and knowledge base support.
Pricing:
- Starter: $16/month
- Essential: $32/month
- Premium: $66/month
6. FreshBooks
FreshBooks is an established accounting and invoicing platform that also extends into proposal management, making it an all-around tool for accounting firms. With 30 million users to date, FreshBooks is known for being thorough yet user-friendly, streamlining most accounting tasks, including bookkeeping, invoicing, and creating proposals.
Review on G2: 4.5 stars
Use Case: FreshBooks is ideally suited for accounting firms that use it for bookkeeping and invoicing, as it offers seamless integration of these functions with the creation of proposals.
Key Features:
Custom Proposal Template: Create professional proposals detailing your accounting services and fees.
Automate Invoicing and Payments: Simplify your billing process to ensure timely payment, which will improve cash flow.
Time Tracking and Expense Management: Properly track billable hours and expenses for correct invoicing and project profitability. Reporting and Analytics: Understand how your proposals are performing and how client billing works to help fine-tune your business processes.
Limitations: FreshBooks might not have all the advanced features that pure proposal software does; hence, this will limit functionality in more complex cases for your firm.
Customer Support: FreshBooks offers customer support via email, phone, and knowledge base and is usually praised by its users.
Price
- Lite: $5.70/month
- Plus: $9/90/month
- Premium: $18/month
- Custom: custom pricing options
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Bidsketch
Bidsketch is a generic proposal software with many functionalities for making and managing proposals. Though It is not focused on accounting firms, it has various tools that can be deployed to serve the industry’s particular requirements.
G2 Review: 3.6/5
Use Case: Bidsketch is ideal for accounting firms seeking powerful proposal software that can be customized to their exact needs.
Key Features:
Customizable proposal templates: Present professional proposals to your clients, highlighting what you do best: accounting.
Collaboration and approval workflows: Make internal reviews seamless. Ensure accuracy before sending proposals to avoid errors and delays.
E-signature integration: To speed up onboarding get client signatures safely and in record time.
Limitations: Compared to some of the options on this list, this generic proposal software may lack a number of integrations and industry-specific features. Accounting firms may find this to be a less-than-optimal choice for this reason.
Customer Support: email, knowledge base
Pricing:
- Solo – $29/user per month
- Team – $79/3 users/month
- Business – $149/8 users/month
8. Ignition
Ignition is designed explicitly for accounting firms that need an all-in-one engagement management platform. Automation of proposals and client agreements helps firms present professional, branded proposals in less time. Among the key features are customized proposal templates, automated billing and payments, a client management system, and detailed reporting and analytics.
G2 Review: 4.6 stars
Use Case: Ignition is ideal for any accounting firm wanting an all-in-one system to propose, bill, and collect against their services.
Key Features:
Custom proposal templates: Highlight your value proposition with professionally and persuasively drafted proposals that best suit your clients’ needs.
Automated billing and payment: Successfully onboard your clients and get paid promptly to ensure positive cash flow and less administration overhead.
Client management and communication tools: Centralize client information and interactions to indeed strengthen relationships and optimize communication.
Disadvantages: Ignition has some significant costs, starting at $99 per month, which may be a limiting factor for some smaller firms or those with particularly limited budgets.
Customer Support: Ignition provides customer email, phone, and knowledge base support.
Pricing:
- Core: $99
- Pro: $199
- Pro+: $399
9. QuoteWerks
QuoteWerks enables your existing tech stack to trigger automated workflows and streamline quote creation. Specifically designed for accounting firms, QuoteWerks excels in its ability to support seamless integrations with various CRM and accounting software tools, thereby significantly enhancing operational efficiency.
According to a G2 review, QuoteWerks has earned a commendable rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.
In terms of use cases, QuoteWerks is particularly well-suited for accounting firms aiming to systematize their proposal process. It seamlessly integrates with existing CRM and accounting software, ensuring a cohesive workflow.
Key Features:
Automation of Workflows and Quotes: The automation of workflows and quote creation is a major advantage. This feature not only streamlines the proposal process but also ensures that quotes are generated accurately and without errors, saving time and reducing the likelihood of mistakes.
Integrate seamlessly with CRM and accounting software to centralize customer information, automate invoicing, and record payments for seamless efficiency and accuracy.
Analytics and Reporting: Have insight into the performance of proposals, quote acceptance, and revenue generated, thus enabling you to make informed decisions and further optimize your sales process.
Limitations: QuoteWerks may not have as many advanced features and integrations with other solutions as competitors in the proposal software market, limiting its capabilities for complex firms.
Customer Support: QuoteWerks provides customer support through email, phone, and knowledge base.
Pricing:
- Standard – $15 a user per month
- Professional – $21 a user per month
- Corporate – $30 a user per month
10. PandaDoc
PandaDoc is a popular proposal software that comes with a complete feature set to help create and manage proposals. Its customizable proposal templates enable accounting firms to develop professional-looking documents suited to their needs. The platform’s e-signature integration makes this approval process that much more efficient since clients can sign documents from any device.
G2 Review: 4.7/5
Use Case: PandaDoc is ideal for accounting firms that want to provide an intuitive interface for their users and support many integrations or features.
Key Features:
E-signature integration: Securely and quickly acquire your clients’ signatures to speed up the onboarding process and reduce administrative overhead.
Document analytics and tracking: Know how your clients engage in your proposals with detailed insights into views and interactions, thus driving your conversion rates.
Integration with CRM and accounting software: Easily integrate with your current tools to unify client data, automate billing, and monitor payments for incredible speed and accuracy.
Limitations: While PandaDoc provides a surprisingly full suite of features, some of the more advanced tools or industry-specific capabilities that one might find in solutions explicitly targeted at the accounting sector could be somewhat lacking.
Customer Support: PandaDoc provides customer support through email, over the phone, and with a knowledge base, usually receiving positive user comments.
Pricing:
- Essentials – $19.00 per user/month
- Business – $49.00 per user/month
- Enterprise – Price upon request. For big businesses, pricing is according to specific business needs.
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11. Xdoc from Xtenav
X.doc from Xtenav is a powerful proposal creation software designed to smooth the proposal process for accountants. It allows users to easily track progress, customize proposals, and integrate legally binding e-signature options, reducing manual effort.
Although, its an av specific platform, Xdoc provides multiple features that can help accounting firm streamline their process. It has features like automatic price updates, task tracking, eSignatures for quick approvals, and advanced reporting for detailed insights. x.doc is an essential tool for accountants looking to optimize their workflow.
- Capterra rating: 4.6/5
- Pricing: Plans start at $59 per user/month.
- Free trial: Yes, x.doc offers a 15-day free trial.
Key Features:
Efficient document tracking: x.doc allows you to track your proposal’s status and receive real-time updates.
Access proposals on the go: You can receive and sign the proposal from any device and anywhere.
Legally-Binding Digital Signatures: Never waste your time manually. You can use an option of e-signature, to boost your game.
Multiple methods of cost calculations: The price & labor calculation feature is that it can provide every cost update to the client.
100+ proposal templates: With x.doc you can explore the 100+ proposal templates, and the best part is you can customize them according to your brand. You can also add brand images, brand logos and change the font color.
User reviews:
“I like the customization and automation features that I have access to and control over.”
“What I like least is that some of the controls for zooming in and out are not quickly accessible.”
Limitation:
Zooming in and out is not correctly accessible.
Integration:
Offers integration with 7 platforms, including Salesforce, HubSpot, and QuickBooks.
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