The 5 best CRMs for bookkeepers

What a CRM does for bookkeepers

As a bookkeeper, managing multiple clients, tracking deadlines, and staying on top of communications can be challenging, especially as your client base grows. A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system tailored for bookkeepers can help you organize client information, automate follow-ups, and ensure timely communication—all from one platform. With the right CRM, you can streamline your workflow, enhance client relationships, and focus more on delivering accurate financial services.

In this blog post, we'll explore the best CRM options for bookkeepers like you, highlighting tools that will help you stay organized and efficiently manage your growing client base.

Почему вам нужна CRM

Having the right CRM in your tech stack can streamline your operations, enhance client interactions and boosts your overall efficiency.

Проблемы без CRM

Managing bookkeepers without the right CRM in place can create several challenges that can hinder your firm's growth and efficiency.

• Disorganization: Without a centralized system, keeping track of client information and bookkeeper tasks becomes chaotic.
• Missed opportunities: Potential leads and follow-ups can slip through the cracks, leading to lost revenue.
• Inefficient processes: Manual processes and redundant tasks consume valuable time and resources.
• Lack of insight: Without data analytics, making informed business decisions is challenging.
• Inconsistent communication: Miscommunication between bookkeepers and clients can result in errors and client dissatisfaction.

Преимущества CRM

Fortunately, the right CRM system can help you address these challenges and offers several advantages that can significantly improve the management of your bookkeeping firm.

• Centralized information: All client and bookkeeper data is stored in one place, making it easily accessible.
• Enhanced efficiency: Automating routine tasks frees up time for more strategic activities.
• Improved customer relationships: Better tracking and communication lead to higher client satisfaction.
• Better decision-making: Data-driven insights enable more informed business strategies.
• Increased sales: Streamlined processes and better lead management can boost revenue.
• Consistent communication: A CRM ensures that all interactions are logged, promoting clear and consistent communication.

Как оценить и выбрать CRM

With a lot of CRMs on the market to choose from, it can be hard to figure out which one matches your requirements best. To help you with your decision making process, we've put together these top tips.

1. Определите свои требования

When selecting the best CRM for bookkeepers, start by identifying the key features your business needs. Look for functionalities such as client management, invoicing, task tracking, and integration with accounting software. A CRM tailored for bookkeepers should streamline your workflow, making it easier to manage client interactions and financial records.

Key features of a CRM for bookkeepers

• Автоматизированные процессы: оптимизирует задачи за счет автоматизации повторяющихся рабочих процессов.
• Обогащение контактов: автоматический поиск адресов электронной почты и контактной информации потенциальных клиентов и клиентов, повышение эффективности.
• Структурированный конвейер: отслеживает лиды и клиентов на определенных этапах, обеспечивая ясность и эффективность процесса.
• Последовательности электронных писем: повышают эффективность коммуникации с помощью шаблонов для последующих действий и автоматизированных последовательностей.
• Связь с LinkedIn: беспрепятственно импортирует лиды и клиентов из LinkedIn и отслеживает переписку в CRM.
• Reporting & forecasting: Provides essential data analysis and predictive insights for better planning.

2. Соображения бюджета

Balancing cost and return on investment is crucial when choosing a CRM. Consider affordable CRMs for bookkeepers that offer essential features without breaking the bank. Evaluate the pricing models and ensure that the benefits, such as increased efficiency and improved client management, justify the expense.

3. Процесс отбора

Researching and choosing the right CRM vendor involves several steps. Start by reading reviews and testimonials from other bookkeepers. Look for vendors that specialize in CRMs for small business bookkeepers or offer solutions for freelance bookkeepers. Attend webinars, request demos, and ask for references to get a comprehensive understanding of the CRM's capabilities.

4. Get a demo

Before committing to a CRM, make sure you see it in action. Requesting a demo can provide valuable insights into how the software operates and how it can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your bookkeeping firm. This hands-on experience allows you to ask questions, explore features, and determine if the CRM aligns with your workflow. Get started with a demo of folk and see if it's the right fit for your business.

3 совета по внедрению CRM

At this stage, it's more about getting familiar with your CRM as soon as possible. To speed things up, we suggest ticking off these three things in the first few weeks.

1. Импортируйте свои данные в новую CRM-систему.

Transitioning to a new CRM can be seamless if you properly import your existing data. Most CRMs allow you to export your current data as a CSV file, which can then be imported into your new system. This way, you won't have to worry about adding contact information manually.

2. Создайте свой первый конвейер

Setting up your first pipeline is a critical step in customizing your CRM for bookkeeping. Create stages that reflect your bookkeeping process, such as "Client Onboarding," "Document Collection," "Data Entry," "Reconciliation," and "Reporting." This tailored pipeline will help you track the status of each client and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

3. Привлеките свою команду

Once your CRM is set up, it's essential to onboard your team effectively. Provide training sessions to familiarize them with the new system, emphasizing how it can streamline their daily tasks and improve client management. Encourage them to explore the CRM and offer feedback to ensure it meets their needs. A well-trained team will be more confident and efficient, maximizing the CRM's potential.

The 5 best CRMs for bookkeepers

1. народный

folk is a modern CRM platform for managing contacts, workflows, and relationships, offering customizable pipelines, AI-driven tools, and integrations to enhance deal management and prospecting. For bookkeeping teams of 20-50 people, folk CRM stands out as the ideal solution, providing the perfect balance of simplicity and powerful features that growing practices need to manage their expanding client base efficiently.

👉🏼 Try folk now to manage contact-based reminders with your bookkeeping team

Основные характеристики

• Обогащение контактов: автоматически обогащает контактные данные, находя адреса электронной почты и URL-адреса LinkedIn, что позволяет эффективно связываться с клиентами без ручного ввода данных или дополнительных затрат на услуги электронной почты.
• LinkedIn integration: Seamlessly import contacts from LinkedIn and Sales Navigator to track contacts within folk, and use templates for quicker, streamlined communication.
• Слияние почты и последовательности электронных писем: полная синхронизация электронной почты, совместимая с Gmail и Outlook, с доступом к шаблонам и функциями отслеживания, позволяющая пользователям управлять всей коммуникацией непосредственно из CRM.
• Функции на базе искусственного интеллекта: инструменты искусственного интеллекта помогают управлять контактами и отношениями, автоматизировать рутинные задачи и предлагать действия для повышения производительности.
• Integrations: folk connects via its open API and native integrations (e.g., WhatsApp, Kaspr/Allo for calling, Salesforge for LinkedIn and multichannel outreach, PandaDoc for contracts) and also integrates with Zapier and Make to connect to thousands of other tools.

Плюсы

• Простота использования: folk хвалят за интуитивно понятный интерфейс, который делает его доступным даже для пользователей без технических знаний, благодаря быстрой адаптации и минимальной кривой обучения.
• Все в одном: folk оптимизирует ваш рабочий процесс, позволяя импортировать контакты из LinkedIn, автоматически находить их адреса электронной почты, связываться с ними с помощью настраиваемых последовательностей писем и отслеживать взаимодействия в конвейере, устраняя необходимость в использовании нескольких инструментов и экономя время и деньги.
• Интеграция с LinkedIn: легко импортируйте контакты из LinkedIn, отслеживайте переписку в Folk и используйте шаблоны для более быстрой и удобной коммуникации.
• Настраиваемость: настраиваемые поля, конвейеры и рабочие процессы.
• Integrations: folk integrates seamlessly with over 6,000 apps, including Gmail, Zapier, and Make, allowing users to centralize their workflow and reduce manual data entry.

Минусы

• Reporting and analytics: folk includes advanced pipeline and deal-stage analytics, revenue forecasting, and customizable breakdowns by any field.

Цены и тарифные планы

Вы можете попробовать folk бесплатно в течение 14 дней. После этого действуют следующие тарифные планы:

• Стандартный: 20 долларов США за пользователя в месяц.
• Премиум: 40 долларов США за пользователя в месяц.
• Индивидуальная настройка: от 60 долларов США за пользователя в месяц.

2. HubSpot

HubSpot CRM — это удобная в использовании и масштабируемая платформа, предлагающая интегрированные инструменты для эффективного управления продажами, маркетингом, обслуживанием клиентов и операционной деятельностью.

Основные характеристики

• Sales Hub: Provides essential tools for deal tracking, pipeline management, sales automation, and reporting, making it easier for bookkeepers to manage client relationships and track financial engagements.
• Service Hub: Offers customer service tools like ticketing, live chat, and knowledge bases, which are crucial for bookkeepers to address client inquiries and resolve issues promptly.
• Operations Hub: Syncs and automates business processes across different systems, ensuring that bookkeepers can streamline workflows and maintain accurate financial records.
• Lead scoring: Prioritize potential clients with predictive scoring to improve efficiency in converting leads to customers, helping bookkeepers focus on high-value prospects.
• Customizable dashboard and reports: Allows bookkeepers to create tailored dashboards and reports to track key metrics and gain insights into business performance, ensuring better financial management.

Плюсы

• User-friendly interface: The intuitive and easy-to-use interface makes it accessible for bookkeepers of all skill levels, simplifying client management.
• Comprehensive free plan: Offers a robust free version with essential CRM features, ideal for small bookkeeping firms and freelance bookkeepers.
• Seamless integration with marketing tools: Integrates smoothly with marketing, sales, and service hubs, creating a unified platform for managing client relationships and financial data.
• Automation capabilities: Provides powerful automation tools for tasks like email marketing, lead nurturing, and sales workflows, helping bookkeepers save time and improve efficiency.
• Extensive learning resources: HubSpot Academy offers a wealth of free courses, certifications, and resources to help bookkeepers get the most out of the platform.

Минусы

• High cost at higher tiers: Pricing can become expensive as you move to higher tiers, which may be prohibitive for small bookkeeping firms as they scale.
• Limited customization in free plan: The free plan and lower tiers have limited customization options, which can restrict flexibility for growing bookkeeping businesses.
• Сложность расширенных функций: некоторые расширенные функции, такие как настраиваемые отчеты и рабочие процессы, требуют длительного освоения и могут потребовать дополнительного обучения.
• Email marketing limits: Email marketing functionality in the free plan is restricted by limits on the number of emails you can send, which can be a drawback for bookkeeping firms with larger client lists.
• Additional costs for add-ons: Many useful features, like advanced CRM capabilities and integrations, come as paid add-ons, increasing the overall cost for bookkeeping firms.

Цены и тарифные планы

HubSpot has several plans available depending on what features you're after. Below is a summary of their CRM suite on an annual subscription basis.

• Стартовый пакет: 15 долларов США за пользователя в месяц.
• Профессиональная версия: 450 долларов США за пользователя в месяц.
• Enterprise: 1500 долларов США за пользователя в месяц.

3. Pipedrive

Pipedrive — это веб-CRM для малых предприятий, предлагающая управление лидами, автоматизацию, интеграцию с электронной почтой и настраиваемые конвейеры для оптимизации продаж.

Основные характеристики

• Lead and deal management: Centralized tools to manage customer data, interactions, and sales pipelines, helping bookkeepers act quickly on opportunities.
• Sales automation: Workflow automation to handle repetitive tasks, such as client follow-ups and email sequences, allowing bookkeepers to focus on more critical tasks.
• Email integration: Full email sync, templates, and tracking features, enabling bookkeepers to manage all communications directly from the CRM.
• Advanced reporting and analytics: Real-time data analytics and custom reporting tools to track performance, forecast revenue, and gain actionable insights for bookkeeping tasks.
• Customization and security: Options to customize pipelines, fields, and user permissions, with robust security measures to protect sensitive financial data.

Плюсы

• User-friendly interface: The intuitive and visually appealing interface makes it easy for bookkeepers to navigate and manage their client interactions.
• Customization: Allows for a high degree of customization, enabling bookkeepers to tailor the platform to their specific processes with custom fields and workflows.
• Affordability: Offers competitive pricing, making it accessible to small and medium-sized bookkeeping firms without sacrificing essential CRM features.
• Функции автоматизации: включает инструменты автоматизации, которые помогают оптимизировать повторяющиеся задачи, такие как отправка последующих электронных писем и продвижение сделок по воронке продаж, что позволяет сэкономить время и повысить производительность.
• Reporting and analytics: Provides robust reporting and analytics tools that offer valuable insights into client management and help identify areas for improvement.

Минусы

• Базовая отчетность на нижних уровнях: функции отчетности и аналитики в базовых планах несколько ограничены, что требует обновления для доступа к более подробной информации.
• Отсутствие встроенного инструмента для рассылки писем: не включает встроенные функции рассылки писем, поэтому пользователям необходимо интегрировать сторонние инструменты для рассылки писем, чтобы получить такую функциональность.
• Limited customer support hours: Customer support is not available 24/7, which can be inconvenient for bookkeepers needing immediate assistance.
• Price increases with add-ons: The cost can increase quickly when additional features or integrations are added, making it less cost-effective for growing bookkeeping firms.
• Limited project management features: Primarily focused on sales, lacks robust project management features, requiring the use of additional tools for project tracking.

Цены и тарифные планы

An annual subscription plan basis is as follows.

• Базовый план: от 24 долларов США за пользователя в месяц.
• Расширенный план: от 44 долларов США за пользователя в месяц.
• Тарифный план: от 79 долларов США за пользователя в месяц.
• Enterprise plan: Starts from $129 per user, per month.

4. Zoho

Zoho — это CRM-система с сильным акцентом на продажи. Она обладает функциями организации рабочего процесса, управления процессом продаж и автоматизации рабочих процессов. Есть также функции для маркетинговых команд, включая управление мероприятиями и сегментацию клиентов.

Основные характеристики

• Sales automation: Automates tasks like lead management, deal tracking, and follow-up actions, streamlining bookkeeping processes.
• Customizable dashboards and reports: Create and customize dashboards and reports for in-depth financial analytics.
• Lead and contact management: Manages client information, tracks interactions, and segments contacts for targeted communications.
• Workflow automation: Automates routine tasks such as invoicing and follow-ups, improving efficiency and reducing manual effort.
• Email integration: Integrates with popular email services for seamless communication and client updates.

Плюсы

• Affordability: Competitive pricing with various tiers, accessible to small and medium-sized bookkeeping businesses.
• Customization: Tailor the CRM to specific bookkeeping needs with custom fields, modules, and workflows.
• Integration with Zoho suite: Seamless integration with Zoho Books and other Zoho products for a comprehensive bookkeeping ecosystem.
• Multi-channel communication: Manage client interactions across email, phone, social media, and live chat from a single platform.
• AI-powered features: Zia provides intelligent insights, predictive analytics, and task automation, enhancing bookkeeping efficiency.

Минусы

• Steep learning curve: Extensive customization options can be overwhelming for new users, requiring significant time to master.
• Complex setup: Initial setup and configuration can be complex, particularly for bookkeepers without technical expertise.
• User interface: Some users find the interface outdated or cluttered compared to other modern CRM platforms.
• Limited third-party integrations: Integration with non-Zoho applications can be limited or require additional effort.
• Feature limitations in lower tiers: Lower-priced plans may lack advanced features, pushing users to upgrade for essential functionality.

Цены и тарифные планы

Zoho has a free plan limited to three users. After that, for more features and seats an annual subscription plan is as follows.

• Стандартный: 20 долларов США за пользователя в месяц.
• Профессиональная версия: 35 долларов США за пользователя в месяц.
• Предприятие: 50 долларов США за пользователя в месяц.

5. Salesforce

Salesforce — это надежная CRM-платформа для крупных предприятий, предлагающая инструменты для продаж, маркетинга, обслуживания и аналитики с широкими возможностями масштабирования.

Основные характеристики

• Comprehensive ecosystem: Salesforce offers CRM, marketing automation, customer service, and custom app development, making it versatile for bookkeepers managing diverse client needs.
• Customization and scalability: Highly customizable and scalable, allowing bookkeepers to tailor the platform to their specific workflows and manage growth seamlessly.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) integration: Salesforce Einstein provides AI-driven analytics and automation, offering insights that help bookkeepers optimize their client management strategies.
• Extensive integration capabilities: Integrates with a wide range of third-party applications, ensuring seamless operation across different accounting and bookkeeping software.
• Enterprise-grade security and compliance: Robust security measures and compliance features, critical for bookkeepers handling sensitive financial data.

Плюсы

• Comprehensive feature set: Covers sales, service, marketing, and more, making it a powerful tool for managing all aspects of client relationships.
• Highly customizable: Allows bookkeepers to tailor the platform to their specific needs with custom fields, objects, and workflows.
• Extensive integration capabilities: Integrates with a vast array of third-party applications, enabling seamless data flow across bookkeeping software.
• Scalability: Suitable for businesses of all sizes, from small bookkeeping firms to large enterprises, with the ability to grow with your business.
• Advanced analytics and reporting: Provides powerful analytics and reporting tools, allowing bookkeepers to gain deep insights into their data and make informed decisions.

Минусы

• High cost: Can be expensive, especially for small to medium-sized bookkeeping firms, with high licensing fees and additional costs for add-ons and customization.
• Steep learning curve: Extensive feature set and complexity often require significant time and training for users to become proficient.
• Сложная настройка и адаптация: первоначальная настройка и адаптация могут быть сложными и часто требуют помощи экспертов или сертифицированных консультантов, что увеличивает общую стоимость.
• User interface: Some users find the interface outdated and not as intuitive as other modern CRM platforms, which can hinder usability.
• Overwhelming for small teams: Robust features may be overkill for smaller bookkeeping teams or firms, leading to underutilization of the platform's capabilities.

Цены и тарифные планы

При годовой подписке план Service Cloud от Salesforce выглядит следующим образом.

• Стартовый пакет: от 25 долларов США за пользователя в месяц.
• Профессиональный пакет: от 100 долларов США за пользователя в месяц.
• Enterprise: от 165 долларов США за пользователя в месяц.

Заключение

Choosing the right CRM for your bookkeeping firm is crucial for streamlining operations, enhancing client relationships, and boosting overall efficiency. For established bookkeeping practices with 20-50 team members, folk CRM emerges as the clear winner, offering the optimal combination of user-friendly design, powerful automation features, and cost-effectiveness that growing firms need. While platforms like HubSpot provide comprehensive tools, the user-friendly interface of Pipedrive, the customizable features of Zoho, or the robust capabilities of Salesforce each offer unique benefits, folk CRM specifically excels at scaling with mid-sized teams without the complexity or high costs associated with enterprise solutions. Evaluate your firm's specific requirements and budget to find the best fit. Start by exploring free trials and demos to make an informed decision. Try folk for free here.

👉🏼 Try folk now to never miss a follow-up with your bookkeeping clients

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Часто задаваемые вопросы

What is the difference between CRM and accounting software?

A CRM manages leads, clients, emails, tasks, and pipeline stages. Accounting software records transactions, invoicing, payroll, bank reconciliation, and reports. They complement each other and often integrate to keep data and communication in sync.

Which CRM is best for bookkeepers?

The best choice depends on team size, budget, and features needed (email sync, pipelines, reporting, accounting integrations). For mid-sized teams, folk offers ease of use with pipelines, enrichment, and email sequences. Test demos to compare.

How do you implement a CRM in a bookkeeping firm?

Define goals and must-have features, map your pipeline, check QuickBooks/Xero integrations, set budget, shortlist vendors, request demos, run a trial with real data, and train the team. Start simple and add automation after adoption.

How much does a CRM for bookkeepers cost?

Expect $20–$150 per user per month, depending on features and scale. Many offer free tiers or 14-day trials. Consider add-on, onboarding, customization, support, and integration costs. Annual billing often lowers the price.