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7 Key Steps to Automate Your Accounting Workflows

Published on
December 15, 2022
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7 Key Steps to Automate Your Accounting Workflows

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Accounting can be a tedious and time-consuming process. But through the magic of automation, you can make the accounting process simpler, faster, and more accurate. 

Automation helps you save time, effort, and money while ensuring that your financial records are accurate and up to date. It also eliminates the need for manual data entry, reducing the potential for human error. In this article, we will discuss the essential steps for automating your accounting workflows.

1. Evaluate Your Existing Processes and Tools

The first step to automating your accounting workflows is to evaluate your existing processes and tools. Take a look at the current state of your financial operations and identify what processes are manual and which are automated. Analyze the current tools you’re using and determine which ones are outdated or inefficient.

2. Identify Automation Opportunities

Once you’ve evaluated your existing processes and tools, it’s time to identify where you can automate. Look for areas where you can streamline manual tasks, such as data entry, invoice processing, and report generation. 

3. Choose the Right Automation Tools

It's crucial to find the right automation tools for your business. There are many automation tools on the market, from bookkeeping workflow software to accounting practice software. So, it's best to consider your goals and budget when selecting the right tool for your organization. Think about the types of tasks you want to automate, the cost of the tool, and the compatibility with your existing systems.

4. Develop a Detailed Migration Plan

Once you’ve chosen the right automation tool for your accounting workflow, it’s time to develop a detailed migration plan. This plan should include the data you’re migrating, the steps you’ll take to migrate, and the timeline for the project. Additionally, consider how you’ll train staff to use the new automation tool and how you’ll monitor and measure the success of the project.

5. Test and Monitor the Automation Process

Testing and monitoring the automation process is essential to ensure it’s running smoothly. Test the automation tool to make sure it’s working properly and that it’s meeting your needs. Monitor the process regularly to ensure it’s producing the results you expect.

6. Integrate Additional Automation Features

While testing your new automated accounting process, you may find that additional automation features are necessary to make the process more efficient. Consider integrating additional automation features, such as automated data entry and automated reporting, to further streamline your accounting process.

7. Optimize and Refine Automation Processes

As you use the automation tool, you may find areas where you can refine and improve your processes. Take the time to evaluate your current accounting processes and make adjustments as needed. This could include adding new features to the automation tool, tweaking existing features, or changing the way you use the tool.

Conclusion

Automation can help streamline your accounting processes, leading to improved efficiency and cost savings. Following these steps will ensure that you are able to effectively and efficiently automate your accounting workflows, allowing your business to operate more efficiently and effectively.

When it comes to automating your accounting processes, there's only one tool you should rely on. Firm360 is an intuitive accounting practice management software that helps you manage your clients, projects, workflow, reports, and more. With features like quick and easy invoicing, online payment collection, and integrated document management, Firm360 is the perfect tool to help you manage your accounting processes. Try it today and see how Firm360 can help you automate your accounting processes.

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

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