A CPA firm runs four kinds of software: tax prep, write-up and accounting, a document and client portal, and practice management or workflow. The right mix depends on whether you focus on tax, advisory, or both, and your firm's size. Across the stack, a small firm commonly spends $2,000 to $10,000 a year. Here is how to choose each piece — and where software stops doing the job.
We build websites and lead capture, not accounting software — so this is an honest buyer's guide, then where our piece fits alongside the tools you pick.
The engine for 1040s, business returns, and e-file. Choose by your return volume and the forms you handle. Per-return pricing suits low volume; unlimited suits a busy tax shop.
For monthly bookkeeping and financial statements, and for working in the platform your clients already use. If you do advisory, this is where you live, not just at tax time.
Secure file exchange and e-signatures. Clients hate emailing W-2s and you should not store them in your inbox. A portal is the security and convenience baseline.
Jobs, due dates, capacity, and billing. A solo preparer can skip a heavy one; a multi-staff firm without it loses track of deadlines and write-ups during busy season.
Priced by return volume and modules. Pay-per-return for a small shop, unlimited for a high-volume tax practice.
Scales with staff. Worth it once missed due dates or unbilled work start costing you more than the fee.
A security and client-experience baseline. Cheap relative to the risk of trading tax documents over email.
Vendors want you on every module. You probably do not need it if:
CPA software runs the clients you already have. It does not bring new ones. That is the gap our piece fills. Our Start Getting Leads plan is $249/month: a hand-built firm site that ranks for "CPA near me" and "small business accountant [city]," with 24/7 AI lead capture that answers "do you handle S-corp returns?" and takes the inquiry. Month-to-month, you own it. The AI capture is the same AI receptionist we run on our own companies. Grow in Google at $597 adds the SEO engine.
Related: bookkeeper software, CPA website design, SEO for accountants, and our business software & tools hub.
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Tax prep, write-up and accounting, a document portal, and practice management. The mix depends on whether you focus on tax, advisory, or both.
Tax software runs a few hundred to several thousand a year by volume; workflow tools $30–$150/user/month; a portal $20–$80/month. A small firm often spends $2,000–$10,000 a year.
Yes. Software runs clients you already have; a site that ranks for "CPA near me" and captures inquiries is what brings new ones in.
Send your firm name and city — we'll confirm your market is open and build a working demo within 48 hours. Free, no card, no commitment.
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