Choosing the Right Proposal Software in 2023: A Game-Changer for Accountants and Bookkeepers
To reduce manual business work, Accountants are always looking for tools and solutions to streamline workflow, manage time more effectively, and grow business. One tool that can help you do all three is proposal software.
A 2022 survey by Financialcents shows that the biggest challenge an accountant or bookkeeper faces is - spending time on manual work. To be exact, 58% of the survey answered this was their primary challenge. Yours too? If so, we have a few cost-effective and excellent suggestions to help you with this challenge.
What is Proposal Software?
Proposal software helps you create, manage, and send proposals to potential clients. This web-based application can create professional-looking proposals quickly and easily, track your proposals' status, and manage your entire proposal workflow in one place.
Many online proposal generator tools work great for only sending proposals. But what I understand after speaking to accountants and bookkeepers across geography in the past three months is that that's not enough. Saving time by quickly creating proposals is the answer to only a part of the problem. The other concerns lie are:
- Option to brand and customize
- Approval workflow and e-signature
- Quick quote generation and negotiations
- Automate invoicing and renewals
- Streamlined AR process from the start
- Ability to integrate with other apps
Addressing these additional aspects of proposal management ensures accountants and bookkeepers have a holistic solution beyond just creating and sending proposals, ultimately increasing their chances of winning new clients.
Top Criteria to Consider When Selecting Proposal Software
Ease of Use
Pick easy-to-use and navigate software with a user-friendly interface and minimal training required.
Customization
Check if the solutions allow you to customize your proposals to fit your brand and business requirements.
Collaboration
Look for a solution that supports collaboration with team members and clients, enabling you to work together in real-time.
Invoicing and Payment
Choose software that has the ability to automatically raise invoices, update financial books, follow up with automated payment reminders, and have the option to get paid saving you 100+ working hours monthly on business tasks.
Tracking
Choose one with comprehensive tracking features, allowing you to monitor your proposals' progress and win rates and follow up with clients accordingly.
Integration
The software should integrate with other tools you use daily, such as your accounting software.
Pricing
Consider value-for-money solutions. Evaluate features you get versus for the price you pay. Look for a customizable pricing structure which helps you scale as you grow.
Benefits of Proposal Software for Accounting Firms and Accountants
1. Time Savings: Proposal software automates much of the proposal creation and management process, freeing up time for other tasks.
2. Increased Efficiency: With proposal software, you can create and send proposals quickly and easily, reducing the time it takes to close deals.
3. Improved Collaboration: Proposal software enables team members and clients to collaborate in real time, improving communication and efficiency.
4. Better Tracking: Proposal software provides comprehensive tracking features, allowing you to monitor your proposals' progress and follow up with clients.
5. Professional Appearance: Proposal software allows you to create professional-looking proposals that reflect your brand and impress potential clients.
Top Proposal Software Options for Accounting Firms, Accountants, and Bookkeepers
Now that you know the benefits of proposal software and the top criteria to consider when selecting a tool, let's compare some of the most popular options on the market:
Cone Proposal-to-Payment
Cone Proposal-to-Payment is a modern, intuitive tool to send impressive proposals, e-Sign, and automate your invoicing, billing, and payment collections. It's known to solve the entire process from creating proposals to getting paid on one platform for Service Professionals in Accounting, legal, and Marketing.
Advantages:
- Stunning and engaging web proposals
- Easy payments set up
- Automate Invoicing, Renewals, and Collections
- Competitive price point
- Built-in CRM
Disadvantages:
- Limited CRM Integrations
Pricing: Cone Proposal-to-Payment is a free software without limitations or hidden charges. Sign up today.
Pandadoc
Pandadoc is a comprehensive proposal software offering features like e-signatures, document analytics, and payment processing. It's known for its ease of use and customizability, making it a top pick for many accounting firms.
Advantages:
- Comprehensive features
- Customizable templates
- Integration with other tools
Disadvantages:
- Limited customer support
- Limited payment options
- Lack of pricing methods
Pricing: Pandadoc offers a range of pricing plans, starting from $19 per month for the basic plan and going up to $49 per month for the business plan.
Proposify
Proposify is a popular proposal software that offers features such as customizable templates, proposal tracking, and electronic signatures. It's known for its professional appearance and ease of use.
Advantages:
- Customizable templates
- Comprehensive tracking features
- User-friendly interface
Disadvantages:
- Limited integrations with accounting software
- Lack of pricing methods
- Limited payment options
Pricing: Proposify offers a range of pricing plans, starting from $49 per month for the basic plan.
BetterProposals
BetterProposals is a proposal software that offers features such as custom branding, proposal tracking, and electronic signatures. It's known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features.
Advantages:
- Customizable templates
- Small business focused
- User-friendly interface
- Integration with other tools
Disadvantages:
- Lack of pricing methods
- Lack of receivables support
- Limited payment options
Pricing: BetterProposals offers a range of pricing plans, starting from $19 per month for the basic plan and going up to $99 per month for the premium plan.
Top features to consider before purchasing Proposal Management Solution
- Customizable Templates: Select one that provides a wide selection of customizable templates, allowing you to create professional and visually appealing proposals quickly.
- Engagement letters: Ensure that the Proposal Management Solution includes the capability to create and manage engagement letters. Look for features such as customizable engagement letter templates, electronic signatures for quick approval, and tracking functionality to monitor the status and progress of engagement letters.
- Collaboration and Workflow: Must be able to collaborate with team members, track progress, automate approvals via workflow, and send notifications.
- Electronic Signatures: Should be able to sign proposals and streamline the approval process electronically.
- Renewals: Look for a Proposal Management Solution that simplifies the process of renewing contracts and agreements. Features like automated renewal reminders, contract templates, and seamless integration with CRM systems ensure a smooth and efficient renewal process.
- Analytics and Tracking: Tracking capabilities like proposal views, recipient engagement tracking, and notifications when prospects interact with the proposal.
- Automated Workflows and Reminders: Automation features include document generation, follow-up reminders, and proposal status updates notifications.
- Invoicing and payment collection: Must have automated invoicing, ability to bill and collect payments.
- Intuitive User Interface: Proposal software with a user-friendly and intuitive interface allowing easy navigation, document editing, and customization.
- Customer Support and Training: Check for robust customer support, including online documentation, tutorials, webinars, and responsive customer service.
To sum up, proposal software is a must-have for accountants and bookkeepers seeking efficiency and time-saving. Cone Proposal-to-Payment is a perfect choice for modern accounting firms and professionals with all the necessary features for stress-free work. Remember the key criteria we discussed, and you'll easily find the ideal proposal software for your requirements.