Best software for accounting and CPA firms in 2025

Technology is transforming the accounting industry in front of our eyes. In recent years, modern tools have unleashed levels of efficiency, accuracy, and client satisfaction that were impossible before. 

With the right software, you can enhance virtually every process involved in running an accounting firm. But there’s a lot to choose from. In addition to accounting software, CPA firms need tools to improve client communication, time tracking, document management, and much more. 

We’ve prepared this guide to help you navigate the ever-growing list of tools available. Read on to explore the best software for accounting and CPA firms in 2025. 

Practice management software

Practice management software is essential for any forward-thinking accounting firm. Where tools like QuickBooks Online handle the actual accounting work, practice management software streamlines day-to-day administrative tasks and internal operations. Below, we’ll look at two of the best options.  

TaxDome

TaxDome is an all-in-one practice management platform. It offers all the tools you need to improve efficiency and boost collaboration, including: 

• Workflow automation
• Customer relationship management (CRM)
• Document management with unlimited storage
• Proposals, engagement letters, and e-signatures
• Task and team management
• Time, billing, and integrated payments
• Firm analytics and AI-powered analytics
• Customizable organizers (forms) for gathering client docs

But TaxDome isn’t just about improving operational efficiency. It also transforms the client experience. With the TaxDome client portal and client mobile app, clients can interact with your firm, share documents, and make payments securely and intuitively. 

TaxDome replaces multiple apps with a single unified platform. Think of it like the central hub for all your firm’s workflows, tasks, documents, and data. In addition to improving efficiency, it’s also more cost-effective. With plans ranging from $700 to $1,100 per year, you can replace multiple software licenses with a just one.

Karbon

Karbon is a practice management platform that focuses on streamlining workflows and improving team collaboration. It offers a broad range of tools designed to simplify the day-to-day running of your accounting firm, including: 

• Team collaboration and task management features
• Workflow automation
• Reporting and analytics
• Document management
• Client portal
• CRM and client communication

Karbon has also been quick to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into its platform. Accountants can use the built-in AI assistant to draft emails and summarise long communications. Think of it a bit like ChatGPT for accountants embedded in your practice management tool. 

In many ways, Karbon is comparable to TaxDome. Both offer the same core capabilities and intuitive user interfaces. That said, there are several areas where Karbon is missing key features. For example, there’s no client mobile app. 

Price-wise, Karbon starts at $59 per user per month. You’ll need to upgrade to more expensive plans to unlock usage limits, key features, and customer support options. 

Client communication and CRM software

Effective client communication and relationship management are essential for accounting firms. With the right tools, you can build strong client relationships, streamline interactions, and improve service delivery. Here are two top choices to consider:

HubSpot CRM

HubSpot offers a range of solutions that span marketing, sales, operations, and customer service. Its Sales Hub CRM offers all the features you need to convert leads, nurture client relationships, and automate client outreach. For example, you can:

• Automate multichannel sales communications and follow-ups
• Track leads and manage prospecting activities with AI-powered features
• Leverage customizable email templates to speed up outreach
• Improve collaboration and data sharing between your team

As the name suggests, HubSpot’s Sales Hub focuses more on converting leads and making sales than nurturing existing clients. This makes it perfectly suited to commercial businesses. Whether or not those features will be relevant to your accounting practice is a different matter. 

Sales Hub offers a range of pricing plans for businesses of different sizes and needs, starting at $14 per user per month. HubSpot also offers a completely free CRM tool with limited functionality. 

Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM is another popular sales-focused CRM. It represents a flexible and affordable option for accountants and CPAs looking to grow their firms. You get a range of handy features designed to streamline your client communication and build lasting relationships, enabling you to:

• Track and organize client interactions, automate follow-ups, and manage sales pipelines
• Gain insights into client behavior and firm performance with AI-driven reports
• Connect with clients via email, phone, live chat, and social media from a single platform
• Sync seamlessly with accounting tools like QuickBooks and Zoho Books

Like HubSpot, Zoho offers a completely free version of its CRM for up to three users. Paid versions start at $23 per user per month.

Tax preparation software

If you run a tax firm or offer tax services, tax preparation software is essential. It helps you streamline tax filing by automating calculations, e-filing returns, and managing client tax documents. At the same time, it helps you stay compliant with ever-changing tax regulations. Here are two industry-leading solutions to consider:

Drake Tax

Part of the Drake Software suite, Drake Tax is a popular choice among tax professionals. It’s designed for small and mid-sized tax firms and streamlines the entire tax preparation and filing process. Its key features include: 

• Instant tax calculations and built-in accuracy checks
• Auto-filled tax forms using EIN data
• Multistate returns and e-filing
• Tax organizers for gathering client tax documents

In terms of costs, Drake Tax offers a pay-per-return option, which costs $350 for 10 returns. Alternatively, you can opt for unlimited 1040 returns for $1,995 per year or unlimited returns for all types of IRS forms for $2,495 per year. 

UltraTax CS

UltraTax CS is a comprehensive tax solution from enterprise software provider Thomas Reuters. As part of the CS Professional Suite, it integrates seamlessly with other Thomas Reuters tools, including its accounting, payroll, and document management solutions. Core features include:

• Support for a full range of federal, state, and local tax filings
• Automated tax filing tools, including built-in compliance checks
• Seamless data sharing that reduces manual input

UltraTax CS works best when connected to the CS Professional Suite. This makes it a solid choice for businesses already using Thomas Reuters software. Some may be put off by its slightly updated user interface, however.

Bookkeeping and accounting software

Bookkeeping and accounting software help firms and CPAs manage day-to-day financial tasks. With the right tool, you can streamline and automate daily operations while ensuring compliance with tax regulations and accounting standards. Here are two of the most popular options to consider:

QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online is the market leader in software for accountants. It’s highly popular with accountants, bookkeepers, and business owners alike thanks to its robust features and user-friendly interface. With QuickBooks Online, you can: 

• Track financial transactions in real time
• Calculate and run payroll
• Automate the bookkeeping process
• Capture receipts and manage expenses
• Generate detailed financial reports
• Create and send invoices — and accept payments

You can choose from a range of different plans depending on your needs, starting at $17.50 per month for basic functionality and rising to $117,50 per month for the Advanced plan.

Xero

Xero is a powerful yet user-friendly accounting software. It’s widely regarded as QuickBooks Online’s main competitor and is known for its strong automation features that help firms save time and reduce manual data entry. Its key features include: 

• More than 21,000 back connections for real-time financial data
• Simple bank reconciliations
• Spending and expense management
• Job tracking and project planning tools
• Time, billing, and payments
• Detailed financial reporting

There’s not much to choose between Xero and QuickBooks Online. Xero is perhaps the better option for mid-sized firms, and its entry point of $2 per month makes it more cost-effective. We recommend signing up for a free trial for both programs to see which one works best for your firm.

Document management and client portals

Effective document management is crucial for accounting firms. When you handle sensitive client documents on a daily basis, you need a way to securely store, organize, and share files. You can do this with document management tools and client portals. Here are two solutions to look out for:

Canopy

Canopy is a popular accounting practice management platform that focuses on simplifying workflows and improving efficiency. Like TaxDome and Karbon, it offers solid document management capabilities, including: 

• A secure client portal where clients can exchange and e-sign documents
• Folders and templates to keep client files organized
• Secure links for sharing documents by email
• Document annotations for improved collaboration

Canopy offers a modular pricing structure. The Client Engagement module comes as standard, but you’ll have to pay an extra $36 per user per month for the Document Management module. Things get pretty expensive if you want to unlock full practice management capabilities.

SmartVault

BSmartVault is a dedicated cloud-based document management platform. Designed for accountants, tax professionals, and other businesses, it offers plenty of handy features for keeping client documents organized and secure. For example, SmartVault allows you to: 

• Store and manage client documents securely in the cloud
• Automate document workflows, requests, and collection
• Exchange documents with clients via a custom-branded portal
• Request and gather legally compliant e-signatures
• Create custom engagement letters, forms, and quotes

Pricing for SmartVault starts at $25 per user per month for the Standard plan. There are also two plans with features specifically for accountants and CPAs: Accounting Pro for $45 per user per month and Accounting Unlimited for $65 per user per month.

Payroll and HR software

Ensuring staff get paid accurately and on time is crucial. If your firm handles payroll and other HR-related functions, you’ll need the right software to ensure accuracy and compliance. Here are two tools that can help.

Gusto

Gusto is a modern payroll and benefits management platform. It simplifies payroll processing for small and medium-sized businesses. While it’s not designed for accountants specifically, it’s a great addition to your accounting tech stack if you administer employee pay, tax deductions, and benefits. With Gusto, you can:

• Run payroll in a matter of minutes
• Track time, attendance, and absence — and sync this data with your payroll
• Register for payroll tax in all 50 US states
• Administer employee benefits and retirement savings plans

In addition to payroll, Gusto supports your wider HR efforts. You can create professional job posts, send offer letters, and onboard new staff faster with customizable checklists. What’s more, Gusto offers native integrations for a broad range of tools, including popular accounting and tax platforms.  

Plans start at $40 per month, plus an extra $6 per month for each person. At the time of writing, you get the first two months for free!

ADP Accountant Connect

ADP Accountant Connect is a payroll and compliance solution specifically designed for accountants and CPAs. It offers real-time payroll data access, automated tax filings, and compliance monitoring. It’s particularly popular with firms that manage payroll for multiple clients, enabling them to: 

• Easily onboard clients and process their payroll
• Generate multi-client payroll reports in a matter of clicks
• Use data-driven recommendations to offer clients advisory services
• Access a broad range of tax resources, forms, and calculators
• Monitor payroll data and other workforce metrics across your clients

What’s more, ADP Accountant Connect integrates seamlessly with top accounting programs such as QuickBooks Online, Xero, and Sage. 

Time tracking and billing software

Accounting firms often operate on a billable-hours model. That makes accurate time-tracking essential. With the right tool, you can log time, invoice clients, and get paid — all in one place. Here are two examples: 

Financial Cents

Financial Cents is technically a practice management system, although it offers a relatively stripped-back set of features compared to platforms like TaxDome, Karbon, and Canopy. It does offer a time-tracking and billing feature designed with accountants in mind, however. Here’s what you can do:

• Track time either manually or using the start/stop timer
• Integrate with QuickBooks Online to turn time data into accurate invoices 
• Set billable rates for different clients, as well as time budgets
• Uncover insights with time-tracking reports 

Because Financial Cents integrates with QuickBooks Online for its billing functionality, it’s well suited to QuickBooks users. Plans start at $19 per month for solo users. For teams, prices range from $49 to $69 per user per month.

Clockify

Clockify is a hugely popular time-tracking tool. It’s used by millions of teams worldwide, spanning all sorts of industries. It also offers some pretty robust task and project management features. Accounting firms can use it to: 

• Track time spent on different tasks, projects, and clients
• Fill timesheets online on any device
• Track attendance and overtime
• Generate detailed reports from time data
• Manage projects, assign tasks, and monitor progress
• Create invoices from billable time

Clockify is known for being incredibly easy to use on any device. It integrates with the most popular accounting platforms and project management tools. What’s more, it’s completely free! 

Audit and compliance software

For accounting firms handling audits, compliance and accuracy are crucial. Audit and compliance software can help your firms automate the audit process, reducing errors and improving efficiency. Here are two popular examples: 

Wolters Kluwer CCH Audit Automation

CCH Audit Automation is an audit platform from professional services software provider Wolters Kluwer. It’s designed to streamline the audit process by automating key workflows. Here’s how it works:

• Simplifies repeat audits by carrying data forward from previous years
• Streamlines the audit planning process
• Allows you to choose from different audit methodologies — or create your own
• Automates the audit programme based on information provided during the planning phase
• Helps you identify and analyze risk at each stage of the audit process
• Generates detailed schedules, checklists, and notes

On the downside, this platform suffers from an outdated user interface that might put more forward-thinking firms off. Additionally, there are no pricing details on the Wolters Kluwer website. 

CaseWare Working Papers

CaseWare Working Papers is a popular assurance and reporting platform. It’s used by accounting firms and public sector organizations to organize documents and data, making audit and accounting engagements run more effectively. Here’s what it offers: 

• Real-time collaboration on audit working papers
• Simple document management tools
• Task management, to-do lists, sign-offs, and approvals
• The ability to roll files forward, simplifying future audits and engagements
• Smart reports and financial statements

While CaseWare is considered an effective platform once up and running, it has a steep learning curve and isn’t the most intuitive platform. Also, there are no pricing details on the CaseWare website, so you’ll need to contact them for more information. 

Financial planning software

While financial planning is often seen as the domain of financial advisors, there’s some overlap with accounting — especially when it comes to advisory services. With the right platform, you can create customized financial plans, analyze client portfolios, and provide data-driven insights with ease. If your work overlaps with financial planning, here are two platforms to consider: 

MoneyGuide

MoneyGuide is a comprehensive financial planning tool that allows you to build personalized plans for clients based on their specific goals, risk tolerance, and financial situation. It offers a range of different tools that span the financial planning process, enabling you to: 

• Prospect and engage clients and investors
• Illustrate income distribution, tax planning, and wealth projections
• Provide insights into areas such as income, cash flow, and net worth
• Demonstrate advanced estate planning strategies
• Create automated lifestyle goals using client data and preferences

MoneyGuide offers a range of integrations for CRMs, client portals, and data-gathering tools, but they are mostly specific to the financial planning industry. Unfortunately, there’s no native integration with accounting platforms. 

eMoney Advisor

eMoney Advisor is a powerful financial planning platform that offers financial modeling, portfolio analysis, and reporting tools. It empowers financial planners and accountants through a range of powerful capabilities, enabling them to: 

• Help clients achieve their financial goals
• Generate reports, update plans, and review client assets in one place
• Provide a great client experience with an intuitive client portal
• Simplify complex financial topics with customizable visualizations
• Model and plan for multiple outcomes with Monte Carlo analysis

eMoney Advisor integrates with document management and storage tools, as well as a range of investment and risk management platforms. Unfortunately, there are no accounting integrations. We couldn’t find any pricing information either, but you can sign up for a free trial and take it from there.

The bottom line

Choosing the right software for CPAs and accounting firms can be overwhelming, but it’s also crucial. The software you use will dictate how efficiently your firm operates — and how happy your clients are. If you’re in the market for new software, the platforms we’ve listed in this guide are a good place to start. 

One of the biggest issues accounting firms have when choosing different software platforms is cohesion. With so many tools to fit together, your tech stack can easily become bloated and overly complex. This is where TaxDome can help. As a complete practice management platform, TaxDome has all the tools you need to run a highly efficient and profitable firm. 

To see for yourself, request a demo today.