Building the Ideal Tech Stack for Accounting Firms

A decade ago, accountants were buried in paperwork, depending on spreadsheets for everything from tax returns to client reports. It is 2025, and the landscape has transformed. With the need for real-time reporting requirements, increasingly complex rules, and scalability requirements, technology has become a non-negotiable for accounting companies. Research shows accountants are investing more in technology, an average of £30,000 or 50% more investment than in previous years.

For accounting companies looking to stay competitive, updating their tech stack is not just functional but also a way to future-proof their results. Technology is driving growth for accounting firms, with 62% of accountants linking client growth to increased capacity from tech investments. But in a constantly changing environment, what should a contemporary tech stack for your accounting practice look like?

For accounting firms, a comprehensive tech stack must include these three software:

• Proposal software
• Project management software
• Receipt management software
  

Winning clients starts with your proposals. Proposal software helps you make the best first impression, streamline client onboarding, and boost conversion rates. Project management software is important for efficiently delegating and completing tasks using deadline tracking, collaboration, and managing multiple client accounts. Receipt management tools digitize and organize expense tracking, reducing manual errors and saving time during audits or tax filing. Together, these tools improve productivity, enhance client satisfaction, and ensure compliance while minimizing operational inefficiencies.

Proposal Software

Proposal software can help professional services firms create professional, tailored proposals, saving time, and reducing errors. Teams that use proposal software tools have a success rate of 45%. Features like customizable templates, e-signatures, automation, dynamic pricing tables and pipeline tracking boost efficiency, helping professional services firms deliver exceptional results. Below are some of the leading proposal software to consider for your firm:

Cone

Cone’s proposal software for accountants offers proposal generation, billing, and payment in a unified solution that is tailored for companies like accounting, freelancing, and consulting. Its ease of use and flexibility make it ideal for small and medium-sized organizations looking to deliver high-quality bids. Its other notable features include:

• Pre-Designed Proposal Templates
• Automated Proposals and Renewals
• Dynamic Interactive Pricing and Quotes
• Invoice Automation with Multiple Payment Methods
• Easy Client Onboarding with e-Signatures
• Sales Pipeline Management
• Secure Data Handling
  

Cone’s plans start at $8/month, making it affordable for firms of all sizes.

Ignition

Ignition delivers a fully automated engagement process, including smart upselling and detailed scope management. Its advanced tools ensure high ROI for scaling practices. Some of its best features include:

• Branded, easy-to-sign proposals
• Smart upselling with pre-set packages
• Automated billing and payments
• Bulk proposal management
• Customization and branding
  

Ignition pricing starts at $39/month for freelancers and scales to $399/month for enterprise firms. While its pricing is higher than other proposal software, its advanced automation justifies higher costs, especially for larger firms handling a high volume of proposals.

Practice Management Software

Practice management software helps professional firms streamline workflows, track deadlines, and centralize client and project data. It reduces errors, enhances collaboration with shared tools, and provides real-time insights, often boosting productivity by up to 30%. A good practice management tool ensures firms can meet client demands efficiently, maintain compliance, and scale operations without compromising on quality.

Cone

Cone’s accounting practice management software is designed for smaller firms seeking a single platform for project management, client communication, and billing. It is affordable yet packed with essential features like:

• Project Management
• Client Portal
• Time Tracking
• Document Management
• Integrated Email Management
  

Starting at just $5/user/month, it is a budget-friendly solution for small firms. Cone is also scalable for larger enterprise requirements.

Karbon

Karbon practice management platform includes AI-driven capabilities and consolidates client connections, tasks, email, and processes into a single platform, allowing teams to operate more effectively and cooperatively. For firms focused on optimizing efficiency and scaling effectively, Karbon’s capabilities can deliver a significant return on investment. Its features include:

• AI-Powered Automation
• Integrated Email Management
• Workflow and Task Automation
• Client Portal
• Time Tracking
  

Karbon offers tiered pricing plans designed to cater to different business needs. The team plan starts at $59, providing essential tools for smaller teams. The Business Plan, priced at $89, adds advanced features suitable for growing firms with more complex requirements. It also has an Enterprise Plan with tailored pricing and capabilities.

Canopy

Canopy provides modular tools that grow with your firm. Whether it is managing client relationships or automating billing, Canopy’s flexibility makes it a standout option for practices of all sizes, with features like:

• Client Engagement Platform
• Document Management
• Workflow Automation
• Time and Billing
• AI-Powered Insights
  

Canopy’s pricing is structured to meet the unique demands of firms at different growth stages, ensuring value at every level. Small businesses can choose the Starter Plan at $45. The Essentials Plan at $66 offers a cost-effective entry point for medium- or large firms exploring automation. Growing firms that require more advanced features like AI-powered insights and deeper workflow customization can go with the Standard plan at $150 or the Pro plan at $175.

Receipt Management

Receipt management tools automate the collection, categorization, and integration of financial records into accounting systems. For professional services firms, this not only saves time but also minimizes errors, particularly during audits or tax filings.

Dext Prepare

Dext streamlines the gathering, processing, and administration of financial information, including costs and invoices for businesses, bookkeepers, and accountants. It has the following features:

• Automatic invoice collection, Invoice, and receipt extraction
• Automatic categorisation
• Integrate with over 30 accounting software
• Manage all payments in one place
• Access records via Dext’s mobile app
  

The  Essentials Plan starts at $199. For just $15.99 more, the Advanced Plan at $214.99 offers a significant opportunity to unlock additional features and functionality.

Stay Ahead with a Strategic Approach

Adopting advanced tools isn’t just about keeping pace with industry standards—it’s about setting new ones. Investing in the right tech stack can help professional services firms gain the agility to adapt, scale, and thrive in a competitive landscape. Building an ideal tech stack isn’t a one-size-fits-all exercise. It requires an understanding of your firm’s unique challenges and opportunities.

Tools like Cone proposal software and Cone practice management software, in addition to your tech stack, will offer a comprehensive, affordable, and flexible solution to simplify processes and drive growth. By investing in the right tools, you’re not just upgrading your tech stack—you’re creating the path for long-term success.