Quick Overview
- 1#1: Karbon - Intelligent workflow automation and project management platform designed specifically for accounting firms.
- 2#2: Financial Cents - All-in-one practice management software with project tracking, team collaboration, and profitability tools for accountants.
- 3#3: Jetpack Workflow - Workflow and project management tool built to streamline recurring tasks and client projects in accounting firms.
- 4#4: TaxDome - Comprehensive client management platform with project workflows, document sharing, and billing for tax and accounting pros.
- 5#5: Canopy - Practice management software offering project timelines, time tracking, and deadline management for accounting firms.
- 6#6: Accelo - Professional services automation suite with advanced project management, time tracking, and invoicing for accounting teams.
- 7#7: Senta - Cloud-based practice management system integrating project delivery, client portals, and team coordination for accountants.
- 8#8: Practice Ignition - Client onboarding and project automation platform with proposal management and recurring services for accounting firms.
- 9#9: BigTime - Resource planning, project management, and time billing software optimized for professional services including accounting.
- 10#10: Xero Practice Manager - Integrated practice management tool for scheduling jobs, tracking time, and managing client projects within Xero accounting software.
We ranked these platforms based on their alignment with accounting-specific workflows, user-friendliness, feature depth (including time tracking, client portals, and profitability tools), and overall value, ensuring options that balance power with accessibility for firms of all sizes.
Comparison Table
In today's competitive accounting landscape, effective project management software is essential for streamlining workflows and meeting client needs. This comparison table explores top tools—including Karbon, Financial Cents, Jetpack Workflow, TaxDome, Canopy, and more—to help identify solutions that align with firms of varying sizes, highlighting key features, pricing structures, and usability. Readers will gain clear insights to make informed choices that boost efficiency and client satisfaction.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karbon Intelligent workflow automation and project management platform designed specifically for accounting firms. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | Financial Cents All-in-one practice management software with project tracking, team collaboration, and profitability tools for accountants. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | Jetpack Workflow Workflow and project management tool built to streamline recurring tasks and client projects in accounting firms. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | TaxDome Comprehensive client management platform with project workflows, document sharing, and billing for tax and accounting pros. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 5 | Canopy Practice management software offering project timelines, time tracking, and deadline management for accounting firms. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Accelo Professional services automation suite with advanced project management, time tracking, and invoicing for accounting teams. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | Senta Cloud-based practice management system integrating project delivery, client portals, and team coordination for accountants. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | Practice Ignition Client onboarding and project automation platform with proposal management and recurring services for accounting firms. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 9 | BigTime Resource planning, project management, and time billing software optimized for professional services including accounting. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | Xero Practice Manager Integrated practice management tool for scheduling jobs, tracking time, and managing client projects within Xero accounting software. | specialized | 7.3/10 | 7.8/10 | 6.9/10 | 7.0/10 |
Intelligent workflow automation and project management platform designed specifically for accounting firms.
All-in-one practice management software with project tracking, team collaboration, and profitability tools for accountants.
Workflow and project management tool built to streamline recurring tasks and client projects in accounting firms.
Comprehensive client management platform with project workflows, document sharing, and billing for tax and accounting pros.
Practice management software offering project timelines, time tracking, and deadline management for accounting firms.
Professional services automation suite with advanced project management, time tracking, and invoicing for accounting teams.
Cloud-based practice management system integrating project delivery, client portals, and team coordination for accountants.
Client onboarding and project automation platform with proposal management and recurring services for accounting firms.
Resource planning, project management, and time billing software optimized for professional services including accounting.
Integrated practice management tool for scheduling jobs, tracking time, and managing client projects within Xero accounting software.
Karbon
specializedIntelligent workflow automation and project management platform designed specifically for accounting firms.
Intelligent workflow automation with pre-built templates for accounting-specific milestones, enabling firms to standardize and scale processes effortlessly
Karbon is a cloud-based practice management platform tailored for accounting firms, enabling seamless project management, workflow automation, and team collaboration. It helps firms organize client work from onboarding to delivery, track time and profitability, and centralize client communications. With pre-built workflows for tax, audit, and advisory services, it scales with growing practices while providing actionable insights into firm performance.
Pros
- Highly customizable workflows specifically designed for accounting processes like tax prep and audits
- Excellent team collaboration tools with real-time updates and client portals
- Robust integrations with key accounting software such as Xero, QuickBooks, and Microsoft 365
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small firms or solos
- Advanced reporting requires the higher-tier plans
- Mobile app functionality is solid but lacks some desktop features
Best For
Mid-sized accounting firms seeking to streamline operations, improve profitability, and deliver client work efficiently at scale.
Pricing
Starts at $59/user/month (Team plan, billed annually); higher tiers at $99/user/month (Business) and custom Enterprise pricing.
Financial Cents
specializedAll-in-one practice management software with project tracking, team collaboration, and profitability tools for accountants.
Pre-built, accounting-specific workflow templates that automate common firm processes out of the box
Financial Cents is a practice management platform tailored for accounting firms, offering robust project management, workflow automation, and time tracking features. It provides pre-built templates for common accounting services like tax preparation, bookkeeping, and audits, enabling firms to standardize processes and improve efficiency. The software also includes client portals, profitability reporting, and integrations with tools like QuickBooks and Xero, making it a comprehensive solution for firm operations.
Pros
- Highly specialized workflows and templates for accounting services
- Intuitive interface with strong client communication tools
- Detailed profitability tracking and reporting
Cons
- Limited advanced customization options compared to enterprise tools
- Integrations are solid but not as extensive as some competitors
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams
Best For
Mid-sized accounting firms needing specialized project management to streamline workflows and boost profitability.
Pricing
Starts at $49/user/month (billed annually) for Pro plan, up to $99/user/month for Enterprise with advanced features.
Jetpack Workflow
specializedWorkflow and project management tool built to streamline recurring tasks and client projects in accounting firms.
Advanced capacity planning that visualizes staff workloads and bottlenecks based on upcoming deadlines and recurring tasks
Jetpack Workflow is a specialized project management software designed exclusively for accounting firms, allowing users to build, automate, and track customizable workflows for client services like tax preparation, audits, and bookkeeping. It includes features such as recurring checklists, deadline management, staff capacity planning, and performance reporting to ensure compliance and efficiency during busy seasons. The platform integrates with popular accounting tools like QuickBooks and Xero, providing a centralized hub for firm operations.
Pros
- Highly customizable templates tailored for accounting workflows like tax seasons and audits
- Robust capacity planning and deadline tracking to optimize staff utilization
- Strong reporting and analytics for firm performance insights
Cons
- Pricing is on the higher end compared to general-purpose PM tools
- Initial setup and customization can have a learning curve
- Limited mobile app functionality for on-the-go access
Best For
Mid-sized accounting firms seeking a dedicated tool to manage client projects, deadlines, and team capacity during peak seasons.
Pricing
Starts at $45/user/month (Solo plan), $69/user/month (Team plan), with custom Enterprise pricing.
TaxDome
specializedComprehensive client management platform with project workflows, document sharing, and billing for tax and accounting pros.
Tax-season optimized workflow automation with pre-built pipelines for returns, extensions, and compliance tracking
TaxDome is an all-in-one practice management platform tailored for tax professionals and accounting firms, offering tools for client onboarding, workflow automation, document management, and billing. It features customizable pipelines, task assignments, and kanban boards to manage projects like tax returns, audits, and bookkeeping efficiently. The software integrates client portals for secure communication and payments, reducing email back-and-forth while ensuring compliance.
Pros
- Tax-specific workflow templates and automation for seasonal projects
- Secure client portal with e-signatures and payments
- Comprehensive integrations with QuickBooks, Stripe, and email systems
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced customizations
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams
- Mobile app lacks full desktop functionality
Best For
Small to mid-sized accounting firms needing an integrated solution for tax preparation workflows and client management.
Pricing
Starts at $50/user/month (Essential), $70/user/month (Premier), $125/user/month (Enterprise); annual billing offers discounts.
Canopy
specializedPractice management software offering project timelines, time tracking, and deadline management for accounting firms.
Pre-built, industry-specific workflow templates for tax prep, audits, and bookkeeping projects
Canopy is a comprehensive practice management software tailored for accounting and tax firms, offering tools for workflow automation, document management, client communication, time tracking, and billing. It features customizable workflows specific to tax preparation and accounting projects, a secure client portal for document sharing, and integrations with tools like QuickBooks, Xero, and tax software such as CCH and Drake. The platform centralizes firm operations to improve efficiency during busy seasons like tax time.
Pros
- Highly customizable workflows tailored to accounting and tax processes
- Robust document management and secure client portal
- Strong integrations with popular accounting and tax software
Cons
- Higher pricing compared to general PM tools
- Steep initial learning curve for advanced features
- Limited reporting customization options
Best For
Mid-sized accounting firms needing an all-in-one platform for tax workflows and client management.
Pricing
Starts at $49/user/month (Essentials, billed annually) up to $119/user/month (Enterprise); custom quotes for larger firms.
Accelo
enterpriseProfessional services automation suite with advanced project management, time tracking, and invoicing for accounting teams.
Smart Workflows for automating end-to-end processes from project intake to invoicing and retainers
Accelo is a comprehensive professional services automation (PSA) platform designed to streamline operations for service-based businesses, including accounting firms, by integrating project management, CRM, time tracking, invoicing, and resource scheduling into a single system. It enables firms to manage client engagements like audits, tax preparations, and compliance projects with task automation, Gantt charts, and billable time tracking. The tool emphasizes workflow automation and reporting to improve efficiency from sales pipelines to project delivery and billing.
Pros
- All-in-one PSA suite with strong CRM, project management, and invoicing tailored for billable services
- Advanced automation workflows and retainer management for recurring accounting projects
- Robust integrations with accounting tools like QuickBooks and Xero, plus detailed profitability reporting
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to feature density and complex interface
- Higher pricing may not suit very small accounting firms
- Limited native customization options for highly specialized accounting workflows
Best For
Mid-sized accounting firms needing an integrated platform for managing client projects, team scheduling, time tracking, and automated billing.
Pricing
Starts at $39/user/month (billed annually) for CRM basics; full PSA suite from $89/user/month with custom enterprise quotes available.
Senta
specializedCloud-based practice management system integrating project delivery, client portals, and team coordination for accountants.
Drag-and-drop workflow builder that automates multi-stage client projects like onboarding and compliance checklists
Senta is a cloud-based practice management software tailored for accounting firms, focusing on workflow automation, client management, and project tracking to streamline operations from onboarding to compliance. It provides customizable workflows, task assignments, client portals for document sharing, and integrated time tracking to ensure deadlines are met efficiently. The platform emphasizes automation to reduce manual work, making it ideal for handling recurring accounting projects like tax seasons and audits.
Pros
- Powerful workflow automation for custom processes without coding
- Robust client portal for secure document sharing and communication
- Real-time dashboards and reporting for project oversight
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small firms
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations
- Limited native integrations with some non-accounting tools
Best For
Medium-sized accounting firms seeking to automate client workflows and project management for better efficiency.
Pricing
Starts at $59/user/month for Basic plan (billed annually), up to $99/user/month for Enterprise with advanced features and unlimited clients.
Practice Ignition
specializedClient onboarding and project automation platform with proposal management and recurring services for accounting firms.
One-click proposal generation that instantly activates into automated workflows and payment collection upon client approval
Practice Ignition is a client engagement and practice management platform tailored for accounting firms, focusing on automating proposals, onboarding, payments, and workflows to streamline client lifecycles. It enables firms to create professional, customizable proposals that convert into active engagements with automated task sequences and milestone tracking. While it supports project management through workflow automation and client portals, it excels more in sales-to-delivery pipelines than in advanced resource scheduling or complex Gantt charts.
Pros
- Seamless automation of proposals, e-signatures, and recurring payments integrated with Xero and QuickBooks
- Intuitive client onboarding workflows that reduce administrative time
- Professional client portal for collaboration and document sharing
Cons
- Lacks advanced project management tools like Gantt charts or detailed time tracking
- Pricing scales quickly with client volume, which may strain small firms
- Customization of workflows requires initial setup time
Best For
Mid-sized accounting firms seeking to automate client engagement pipelines and basic project workflows without needing heavy-duty PM features.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for Launch plan (up to 50 clients), scales to $499+/month for higher tiers based on client count and users; custom enterprise pricing available.
BigTime
enterpriseResource planning, project management, and time billing software optimized for professional services including accounting.
QuickBill, which instantly converts time and expense entries into customizable invoices
BigTime is a professional services automation (PSA) platform tailored for accounting firms, offering robust project management, time tracking, billing, and resource scheduling tools. It integrates seamlessly with accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero, enabling accurate invoicing, expense management, and profitability reporting. The software helps firms track billable hours, manage client projects, and forecast revenue, making it suitable for service-based workflows.
Pros
- Seamless time tracking and automated billing with QuickBill
- Strong integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and CRM tools
- Detailed profitability reporting and resource forecasting
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for small firms with minimum user requirements
- Mobile app lacks some advanced desktop functionalities
- Initial setup and customization require a learning curve
Best For
Mid-sized accounting firms managing multiple client projects with a need for billable time tracking and profitability analysis.
Pricing
Tiered plans start at $10/user/month (Essentials), $25/user/month (Pro), and $45/user/month (Elite), billed annually with a 5-user minimum.
Xero Practice Manager
specializedIntegrated practice management tool for scheduling jobs, tracking time, and managing client projects within Xero accounting software.
Native two-way integration with Xero accounting software for automatic syncing of invoices, timesheets, and client data
Xero Practice Manager (XPM) is a cloud-based practice management tool tailored for accounting firms, offering client management, job and workflow tracking, time recording, and billing automation. It integrates seamlessly with Xero's accounting software to streamline financial operations and practice workflows. Designed for small to mid-sized firms, it supports staff scheduling, document storage, and client portals to enhance efficiency in project delivery.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Xero accounting for real-time data sync
- Tailored workflows and job management for accounting-specific projects
- Robust client management and communication tools including portals
Cons
- Outdated user interface compared to modern PM software
- Limited advanced project visualization like Gantt charts or resource forecasting
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams without proportional feature gains
Best For
Small to medium-sized accounting firms already using Xero that need integrated practice and project management without complex setups.
Pricing
Subscription tiers start at ~$65/month for Essentials (up to 5 users), ~$130/month for Premium; billed annually, varies by region and users.
Conclusion
When identifying the best project management software for accounting firms, three tools rise to the top, with Karbon leading as the top choice, offering tailored intelligent workflow automation. Financial Cents and Jetpack Workflow follow closely as standout alternatives, each excelling in distinct areas to meet varied firm needs. Together, these options redefine practice efficiency, making project management more seamless and effective.
Begin your journey to streamlined operations by trying Karbon, or explore Financial Cents or Jetpack Workflow based on your specific priorities—taking this step will transform how your firm manages projects.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison