No items found.
8 min read

Scaling Up: Creating a Sustainable Accounting Firm Growth Plan

Published on
June 15, 2023
team working at a table over documents
No items found.
Blog

Scaling Up: Creating a Sustainable Accounting Firm Growth Plan

Contributors
No items found.
Subscribe now to receive our latest updates and news.
By subscribing you agree to with our Privacy Policy.
Share this post

Copied!

Scaling up a business is an exciting but challenging process that requires careful planning and execution. For accounting firms, growth can be particularly complex as they navigate the constantly evolving landscape of regulations, technology, and client needs. However, with the right strategies in place, creating a sustainable growth plan is possible. In this article, we will explore the key considerations and steps involved in scaling up an accounting firm, from identifying growth opportunities to building a strong team and leveraging technology. Whether you are a small firm looking to expand or a larger firm seeking to consolidate your position, this guide will provide you with valuable insights to help you achieve sustainable growth and success in the long run.

1. Define Your Niche

One of the first steps to take when developing a growth strategy for your accounting firm is to define your niche. What type of clients do you want to work with? What services do you want to offer? By defining your niche, you can focus your marketing efforts on the right audience and tailor your services to their needs. This will help you stand out in a crowded market and attract the right clients.

2. Build a Strong Online Presence

In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial to the success of any accounting firm. This means having active social media accounts, a professional website, and a well-written blog. Your online presence should reflect your brand and showcase your expertise. By providing valuable content to your audience and engaging with them regularly, you can build trust and establish yourself as a thought leader in your field.

3. Invest in Technology

Investing in technology can help your accounting firm streamline processes, improve efficiency, and provide better service to your clients. Cloud-based accounting software can make managing client accounts easier, tracking expenses, and generating reports. Additionally, investing in cybersecurity measures can protect your clients' sensitive information and prevent data breaches. By staying up-to-date with the latest technology, you can stay ahead of the competition and provide a better client experience.

4. Hire the Right People

Your accounting firm is only as good as the people who work for it. Hiring the right people is essential to achieving your growth goals. Look for candidates who have the kind of skills, experience, and personality that will fit in with your team and represent your brand. Additionally, consider hiring interns or entry-level employees to help train and develop your future leaders.

5. Expand Your Services

One of the most effective ways to grow your accounting firm is to expand your services. This can include offering new services to your existing clients or targeting new markets. For example, you could offer tax planning services to small businesses or expand your services to include financial planning. By offering a wider range of services, you can attract new clients and increase revenue.

6. Develop Strategic Partnerships

Developing strategic partnerships can help your accounting firm grow by expanding your network and providing new opportunities. Consider partnering with other businesses in complementary industries, such as legal or financial services. You can also partner with associations or organizations that cater to your target audience. By working together, you can share resources, cross-promote services, and increase referral opportunities.

7. Focus on Client Satisfaction

Finally, one of the most important aspects of an accounting firm's growth strategy is focusing on client satisfaction. Providing excellent service and building strong relationships with your clients can lead to repeat business and referrals. Make sure your team is responsive to client needs and communicates effectively. Additionally, consider conducting client surveys to gather feedback and identify areas for improvement.

Conclusion

Accounting firm growth strategy requires a clear focus on your niche, a strong online presence, investment in technology, hiring the right people, expanding your services, developing strategic partnerships, and focusing on client satisfaction. By implementing these strategies, you can position your accounting firm for sustainable growth and profitability.

Ready to streamline your accounting practice and increase productivity? Firm360's accounting practice management software is the solution you've been looking for. With our all-in-one platform, you can manage all your firm's tasks and operations in one place, from client management to billing and invoicing. Say goodbye to manual processes and hello to automated efficiency. See for yourself how Firm360 can transform your accounting practice. Book a demo today to start streamlining your accounting tasks and maximizing your team's productivity.

Firm360

Canopy

Karbon

TaxDome

Best For Firms That:
Need an expert-driven, robust solution with U.S. support
Focus on tax resolution services, but also need project management
Firms operating globally that consider AI a necessity
Require support for multiple languages & desire a heavily branded client experience
Document Management
Client Portal
Integrated Time & Billing
Basic Reporting Options
Advanced Reporting Options
At some plan levels
Payment Collection via Credit Card & ACH
E-signature
Via integration
Additional fee
Piloting as of November 2024
Project Management
At some plan levels
Additional fee
Automated Workflows
Additional fee
Advanced Integration Options
At some plan levels
Dedicated Customer Success Manager
At some plan levels
Unclear
Additional fee
At some plan levels
Strong Customer Service Reputation
U.S. Based Customer Support
Unclear
Unclear
Built by Accountants, for Accountants
IRS-integrated Transcript Retrieval Tool
Additional fee
AI Integration
Straightforward Pricing
Monthly Pricing
Based on annual billing and listed prices in Nov. 2024. *Denotes "per user"
$49 - $99*

Custom pricing for 20+ users.

3-user minimum for Standard & Premium plans.
$150 - $175 base price for client engagement platform only.

PLUS

$89 - $107 for remainder of modules for first user.

Small-firm pricing available with limited capabilities.
$59 - $89*

Enterprise pricing available.

Add-ons for implementation, training, customer support & more.
$58 - $66* depending on subscription length.

Seasonal users: $85.

Basic

Popular
$96/year
Basic features for up to 10 users with everything you need.
Get started

Business

$192/year
Advanced features and reporting, better workflows and automation.
Get started

Enterprise

$384/year
Personalised service and enterprise security for large teams.
Get started
Overview
Basic features
Users
10
20
Unlimited
Individual data
20GB
40GB
Unlimited
Support
Automated workflows
200+ integrations
Reporting and analytics
Analytics
Basic
Advanced
Advanced
Export reports
Scheduled reports
API access
Advanced reports
Saved reports
Customer properties
Custom fields
User access
SSO/SAML authentication
Advanced permissions
Audit log
Data history

Firm360

Best For Firms That:
Need an expert-driven, robust solution with U.S. support
Document Management
Client Portal
Integrated Time & Billing
Basic Reporting Options
Advanced Reporting Options
Payment Collection via Credit Card & ACH
E-signature
Via integration
Project Management
At some plan levels
Automated Workflows
Advanced Integration Options
At some plan levels
Dedicated Customer Success Manager
At some plan levels
Strong Customer Service Reputation
U.S. Based Customer Support
Built by Accountants, for Accountants
IRS-integrated Transcript Retrieval Tool
AI Integration
Straightforward Pricing
Monthly Pricing
Based on annual billing and listed prices in Nov. 2024. *Denotes "per user"
$49 - $99*

Custom pricing for 20+ users.

3-user minimum for Standard & Premium plans.

Basic

Popular
$96/year
Basic features for up to 10 users with everything you need.
Get started

Business

$192/year
Advanced features and reporting, better workflows and automation.
Get started

Enterprise

$384/year
Personalised service and enterprise security for large teams.
Get started
Overview
Basic features
Users
10
20
Unlimited
Individual data
20GB
40GB
Unlimited
Support
Automated workflows
200+ integrations
Reporting and analytics
Analytics
Basic
Advanced
Advanced
Export reports
Scheduled reports
API access
Advanced reports
Saved reports
Customer properties
Custom fields
User access
SSO/SAML authentication
Advanced permissions
Audit log
Data history

Canopy

Best For Firms That:
Focus on tax resolution services, but also need project management
Document Management
Client Portal
Integrated Time & Billing
Basic Reporting Options
Advanced Reporting Options
At some plan levels
Payment Collection via Credit Card & ACH
E-signature
Additional fee
Project Management
Additional fee
Automated Workflows
Additional fee
Advanced Integration Options
Dedicated Customer Success Manager
Unclear
Strong Customer Service Reputation
U.S. Based Customer Support
Unclear
Built by Accountants, for Accountants
IRS-integrated Transcript Retrieval Tool
Additional fee
AI Integration
Straightforward Pricing
Monthly Pricing
Based on annual billing and listed prices in Nov. 2024. *Denotes "per user"
$150 - $175 base price for client engagement platform only.

PLUS

$89 - $107 for remainder of modules for first user.

Small-firm pricing available with limited capabilities.Custom pricing for 20+ users.

Basic

Popular
$96/year
Basic features for up to 10 users with everything you need.
Get started

Business

$192/year
Advanced features and reporting, better workflows and automation.
Get started

Enterprise

$384/year
Personalised service and enterprise security for large teams.
Get started
Overview
Basic features
Users
10
20
Unlimited
Individual data
20GB
40GB
Unlimited
Support
Automated workflows
200+ integrations
Reporting and analytics
Analytics
Basic
Advanced
Advanced
Export reports
Scheduled reports
API access
Advanced reports
Saved reports
Customer properties
Custom fields
User access
SSO/SAML authentication
Advanced permissions
Audit log
Data history

Karbon

Best For Firms That:
Firms operating globally that consider AI a necessity
Document Management
Client Portal
Integrated Time & Billing
Basic Reporting Options
Advanced Reporting Options
Payment Collection via Credit Card & ACH
E-signature
Piloting as of November 2024
Project Management
Automated Workflows
Advanced Integration Options
Dedicated Customer Success Manager
Additional fee
Strong Customer Service Reputation
U.S. Based Customer Support
Built by Accountants, for Accountants
IRS-integrated Transcript Retrieval Tool
AI Integration
Straightforward Pricing
Monthly Pricing
Based on annual billing and listed prices in Nov. 2024. *Denotes "per user"
$59 - $89*

Enterprise pricing available.

Add-ons for implementation, training, customer support & more.

Basic

Popular
$96/year
Basic features for up to 10 users with everything you need.
Get started

Business

$192/year
Advanced features and reporting, better workflows and automation.
Get started

Enterprise

$384/year
Personalised service and enterprise security for large teams.
Get started
Overview
Basic features
Users
10
20
Unlimited
Individual data
20GB
40GB
Unlimited
Support
Automated workflows
200+ integrations
Reporting and analytics
Analytics
Basic
Advanced
Advanced
Export reports
Scheduled reports
API access
Advanced reports
Saved reports
Customer properties
Custom fields
User access
SSO/SAML authentication
Advanced permissions
Audit log
Data history

TaxDome

Best For Firms That:
Require support for multiple languages & desire a heavily branded client experience
Document Management
Client Portal
Integrated Time & Billing
Basic Reporting Options
Advanced Reporting Options
Payment Collection via Credit Card & ACH
E-signature
Project Management
Automated Workflows
Advanced Integration Options
Dedicated Customer Success Manager
At some plan levels
Strong Customer Service Reputation
U.S. Based Customer Support
Unclear
Built by Accountants, for Accountants
IRS-integrated Transcript Retrieval Tool
AI Integration
Straightforward Pricing
Monthly Pricing
Based on annual billing and listed prices in Nov. 2024. *Denotes "per user"
$58 - $66* depending on subscription length.

Seasonal users: $85.

Basic

Popular
$96/year
Basic features for up to 10 users with everything you need.
Get started

Business

$192/year
Advanced features and reporting, better workflows and automation.
Get started

Enterprise

$384/year
Personalised service and enterprise security for large teams.
Get started
Overview
Basic features
Users
10
20
Unlimited
Individual data
20GB
40GB
Unlimited
Support
Automated workflows
200+ integrations
Reporting and analytics
Analytics
Basic
Advanced
Advanced
Export reports
Scheduled reports
API access
Advanced reports
Saved reports
Customer properties
Custom fields
User access
SSO/SAML authentication
Advanced permissions
Audit log
Data history

Related Blog Posts