How Accounting Practice Management Tools Are Transforming Firm Operations

Guest Author
8 hours ago
4 min read

When you’re running an accounting firm, complexity is par for the course. Between juggling client deadlines, managing staff workloads, and keeping an eye on cash flow, it's easy to feel like you're running in five directions at once. But what if much of that chaos is actually coming from the tools you're using — or more accurately, how many tools you're using?

That was a central theme in a recent panel at Boomer Consulting's Managing Partner Circle, hosted by Emily Maxie, SVP at Firm360, where two firm leaders shared how consolidating their accounting practice management software brought newfound clarity, efficiency, and even sanity to their daily operations.

"We Replaced Five Tools with One"

Fancher Sargent, President of CRS CPAs in Tennessee, shared that before adopting Firm360, his team was operating with a tech stack that included Practice CS, FirmFlow, GoFileRoom, scattered Excel files, and more. "When I looked at it, I thought, 'Holy cow, we got rid of all of that and put it in one location,'" he said.

That one location? Firm360.

By centralizing document management, workflow tracking, project visibility, and communication tools into one hub, Fancher's firm saw a dramatic improvement in how quickly they could respond to clients and manage internal operations. The integration with Outlook 365, for example, meant that client emails were no longer siloed — any team member could see the entire history of communication in one place.

The Power of Visibility

Alaina Gump, CPA and Partner at Anchor Point, echoed similar benefits. "We moved our document management, our workflow management, and our practice management all into one software," she explained. The result? Her team could now see all key client information — documents, projects, billing status — in one view.

"We were able to consolidate those, and we’ve seen a cost savings in that as well," she added. But beyond the dollars, the real value was in clarity: "Now it’s a hub. Everything runs out of that."

Both leaders emphasized how this visibility into projects, time tracking, and accounts receivable has not only streamlined their firms but also brought a new level of accountability to the team. Staff members now have to assign time entries to specific projects, which has cut down on scope creep and revealed previously hidden work.

Better Client Experience, Too

Centralization doesn’t just benefit internal operations — it also simplifies the client experience. Both firms highlighted the success they’ve had with Firm360’s client portal, especially in terms of adoption. Clients find it easy to use, secure, and intuitive. One firm even moved away from SafeSend and other portals because everything they needed — including digital signatures — was now handled within Firm360.

For firms still juggling multiple systems, this is a game-changer. "We're down to one portal," Fancher said. "And our client adoption rate has been so quick."

Saving Time Where It Matters Most

Time savings came up frequently in the discussion. Fancher estimated that each staff member was saving two to four hours per week thanks to Firm360’s centralized system. That translates to up to 200 hours a week across the firm — time that can be redirected to more strategic, revenue-generating work. Read the full case study here.

"They're not trying to figure out what's next on their plate or where this document is related to a client," he explained. "Now it's all in one place."

Change Management Matters

Of course, centralizing tools means implementing change — and change is never easy. Alaina emphasized the importance of involving both admin and client-facing staff in the transition. Her firm created a committee that handled setup and served as an internal resource post-implementation.

"They became our experts," she said. "That makes people feel a little more comfortable if they can go to someone they know."

Fancher’s team approached change from a different angle: his staff was so frustrated with the old systems, they were eager for something better. Even so, the structured implementation process provided by Firm360 helped set expectations and made the transition smoother than past tech rollouts.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait

When asked what advice they’d give to firm leaders who feel overwhelmed, both panelists had the same response: get off outdated systems as soon as possible.

"It will change your life," said Fancher.

Alaina agreed, adding that the right tools can make it easier to prioritize strategic initiatives. "You feel like there are five or ten 'big' initiatives at any given time. A centralized system helps you actually move forward on them."

The Takeaway

If your firm is running on a patchwork of legacy tools, you’re not alone. But you also don’t have to stay there. Centralizing your accounting practice management tools with a solution like Firm360 can bring dramatic improvements in visibility, efficiency, and client satisfaction — all while saving your team precious time.

Modernizing your operations might feel daunting, but the payoff is worth it. One tool, one hub, one less thing to worry about.

And that’s something every firm owner deserves.

FAQ

What are the benefits of centralized accounting practice management tools?

Centralized tools reduce complexity, improve visibility, and save time by combining workflows, document storage, billing, and communication in one platform.

What is the best accounting practice management software?

Many firms prefer Firm360 for its all-in-one platform, customizable workflows, and intuitive client portal. It's built for accountants by accountants.