6 Best CRMs for Accountants in 2023

In our independent review, discover the best CRMs for accountants that streamline key accounting tasks and keep sensitive financial data safe.

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An accounting CRM is software that helps accountants and bookkeepers organize financial data. The top CRMs for accountants use automation to reduce paperwork and minimize human error while also offering real-time revenue reports, billing and invoicing modules, and security features to protect clients’ sensitive financial data. To help you find the best accounting CRM for your needs, we've compiled six programs that we recommend based on our independent review.

Here are the six best CRMs for accountants:

  • Freshsales: Best accounting CRM overall for cost and usability (free starting price)
  • Zoho CRM: Best accounting CRM for multinational businesses (free starting price)
  • HubSpot CRM: Best free accounting CRM with premium upgrades (free starting price)
  • EngageBay CRM: Best CRM for easy-to-use accounting features (free starting price)
  • Method:CRM: Best accounting CRM for native accounting features (14-day free trial)
  • Salesforce: Best software for advanced features and data security (30-day free trial)

Salesforce emerged victorious in advanced features and customization, while Method:CRM scored highest for key accounting CRM features. Our overall winner, Freshsales, won the cost category and ranked second in ease of use. No matter what you’re looking for, we trust any of our top six CRMs for accountants will have what you need. Here’s a breakdown of how each entry scored in key features, price, and usability — you can also jump down to see the evaluation criteria and process.

Note: All per-user prices are with a one-year commitment unless noted.

Freshsales: Best Overall CRM for Accountants

Freshsales offers a balance of essential and advanced features at an affordable cost.

Price Range: Free to $69 per user, per month (21-day free trial)

Overall Rating star-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-full Cost star-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-full Core Features star-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-full Ease of Use star-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-full Customization star-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-full Advanced Features star-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-full Customer Support star-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-full

Pros:

  • Freddy AI insights
  • Clean, intuitive interface
  • Excellent mobile app

Cons:

  • CPQ add-on may be costly
  • Growth plan lacks AI insights
  • Fewer integrations than rivals

Freshsales is the best CRM for accountants (and a top-rated CRM overall) for its affordable cost, ease of use, and well-rounded suite of standard and advanced features. It offers task automation, document management, and AI-driven insights to help bookkeepers organize and streamline their financial data. A Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) add-on is available for $19 per month and adds esignatures, a document builder, and automatically-calculated quotes.

Freshsales’ free plan is available for up to three users. If you want a no-cost CRM that’ll scale with your business, HubSpot’s free CRM hosts unlimited seats.

Freshsales Pricing

  • Free Version: Supports up to 3 users
  • Growth: $15 per user, per month
  • Pro: $39 per user, per month
  • Enterprise: $69 per user, per month
  • Free Trial: 21 days for all paid tiers
  • Integration with Freshworks’ free marketing and service platform tiers
  • Access to Freshsales Marketplace

Freshsales Key Features

  • Freddy AI: Analyzes financial data to forecast revenue and make recommendations.
  • Task Automation: Set up triggers to update contact information and raise invoices.
  • Mobile App: Access offline data, create quotes and invoices, and record voice notes.
  • CPQ Add-On: Adds esigning, a document builder, and an automatic price calculator.

Freshsales CRM for accountants

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Zoho CRM: Best for Multinational Businesses

Zoho CRM is a versatile platform that supports multitudinous currencies and languages.

Price Range: Free to $52 per user, per month (15- to 30-day trial)

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Pros:

  • Supports 50 world currencies
  • Ample data security tools
  • Zoho Finance Suite add-ons

Cons:

  • Takes time to implement
  • Zoho add-ons can get pricey
  • Inconsistent user support

Zoho CRM is a highly-customizable software option that can be tailored for an array of industries, including accounting. Notably, ideal for multinational companies wanting to streamline global operations. With support for up to 50 currencies, businesses can generate reports and revenue forecasts in both local and foreign currencies. Zoho CRM can also be translated into nearly 30 languages to better accommodate branches and clients worldwide.

Zoho CRM is a marketing CRM flush with tools for email and social media campaigns — all helpful if you’re trying to grow your accounting business. But if you simply want a way to manage expenses and organize client data, consider Method:CRM.

Zoho CRM Pricing

  • Free Forever: Supports up to 3 users
  • Standard: $14 per user, per month
  • Professional: $23 per user, per month
  • Enterprise: $40 per user, per month
  • Ultimate: $52 per user, per month
  • Free Trial: 15 days; 30 days for Ultimate tier
  • Integration with Zoho’s suite of products
  • Access to Zoho Marketplace

Zoho CRM Key Features

  • International Business: Supports up to 50 currencies and nearly 30 languages.
  • Client Portals: Customers can sign in to access financial data or ask questions.
  • Data Security: Two-factor authentication, activity audit logs, and IP blocking.
  • Add-Ons: Add Zoho’s bookkeeping and finance software; some are available for free.

Zoho CRM CRM for accountants

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HubSpot CRM: Best Free CRM With Upgrades

HubSpot’s free CRM can be enhanced with over 1,000 app integrations and paid upgrades.

Price Range: Free to $1,200 per month (Sales Hub)

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Pros:

  • Free version has unlimited seats
  • Access to 1,000+ integrations
  • Custom quote & invoice builders

Cons:

  • Paid upgrades are expensive
  • Interface itself not as flexible
  • Limited support with free plan

HubSpot is a free CRM with a wealth of sales and marketing tools. It also includes free custom invoice and quote generators plus access to its HubSpot App Marketplace, which boasts over 1,000 integrations so you can build an accounting stack with programs like QuickBooks, Xero, and Chargebee. With unlimited seats, HubSpot CRM is great for firms wanting free software that’ll scale with them. (Paid upgrades add Stripe payments and quote-based workflows.)

Though it has an extensive selection of integrations, HubSpot CRM itself is not all that flexible. Zoho CRM is a low-cost alternative with myriad customization options. (It also has a free tier, but it’s limited to three seats.)

HubSpot CRM Pricing

  • Free-for-Life: Supports unlimited users
  • Sales Hub Starter: Starts at $45 for up to 2 paid users
  • Sales Hub Professional: Starts at $450 for up to 5 paid users
  • Sales Hub Enterprise: Starts at $1,200 for up to 10 paid users
  • Integrates with HubSpot's marketing, service, and ops platforms
  • Access to HubSpot App Marketplace

HubSpot CRM Key Features

  • Free CRM: Hosts unlimited seats; includes invoice templates and quote generators.
  • HubSpot App Marketplace: Add the functionality you need with over 1,000 integrations.
  • Custom Permissions: Manage individual user access for select data and CRM tools.
  • Paid Upgrades: Add Stripe digital payments and set up quote-based workflows.

HubSpot CRM CRM for accountants

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EngageBay CRM: Best for Easy Accounting Tools

EngageBay CRM offers a user-friendly experience for accountants who are new to CRMs.

Price Range: Free to $73.59 per user, per month

Overall Rating star-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-full Cost star-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-full Core Features star-fullstar-fullstar-full star-full Ease of Use star-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-full Customization star-fullstar-fullstar-full star-full Advanced Features star-fullstar-fullstar-full star-full Customer Support star-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-full

Pros:

  • Integrates with Xero
  • Superb user support
  • Easy to set up & learn

Cons:

  • No native QuickBooks integration
  • Free plan lacks automation
  • Phone support with Pro only

EngageBay CRM is a user-friendly sales and marketing CRM with an easy-to-learn interface plus excellent 24/7 support. Thus, it’s useful for accountants transitioning from spreadsheets to CRM software. Key features include email tracking, appointment scheduling widgets, and task management tools to ensure every payment and expense is accounted for. Meanwhile, native Xero integration adds invoicing, payment tracking, and access to clients’ payment history.

EngageBay CRM will suffice for first-time CRM users who can get by with the basics. However, for an accessible CRM with a broader range of features and integrations at a comparable cost, check out Freshsales.

EngageBay CRM Pricing

  • Free Version: Supports up to 15 users
  • CRM & Sales Bay Basic: $11.95 per user, per month
  • CRM & Sales Bay Growth: $45.99 per user, per month
  • CRM & Sales Bay Pro: $73.59 per user, per month
  • Integration with EngageBay Marketing Bay and Service Bay
  • Access to EngageBay integrations library

EngageBay CRM Key Features

  • User Support: All plans come with 24/7 live chat access plus email support.
  • Xero Integration: Syncs with CRM data to generate contacts’ billing history.
  • Task Management: Track due dates and add notes to keep colleagues updated.
  • Email Tracking: Notifies users when recipients open emails and file attachments.

EngageBay CRM CRM for accountants

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Method:CRM: Best for Key Accounting Features

Method:CRM offers tight QuickBooks integration along with native financial management tools.

Price Range: $25 to $74 per user, per month (14-day free trial)

Overall Rating star-fullstar-fullstar-full star-full Cost star-fullstar-fullstar-full star-full Core Features star-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-full Ease of Use star-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-full Customization star-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-full Advanced Features star-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-full Customer Support star-fullstar-fullstar-full star-full

Pros:

  • Tight QuickBooks integration
  • Financial management tools
  • Tailor the CRM with expert help

Cons:

  • Not SOC 2 compliant
  • Limited support hours
  • May overwhelm novice users

Method:CRM is a sales platform with a wealth of native financial management tools for creating and tracking estimates, sales orders, bills, and receipts. It’s great for companies seeking a QuickBooks CRM; it tightly integrates with the popular accounting software and features two-way sync with QuickBooks Desktop and Online. This combination allows users to generate and send invoices, and build self-service portals with up-to-date payment information.

Method:CRM is the top pick on our list for core CRM accounting features, but it’s not as transparent as Salesforce when it comes to data security protocols and compliance standards.

Method:CRM Pricing

  • Contact Management: $25 per user, per month
  • CRM Pro: $44 per user, per month
  • CRM Enterprise: $74 per user, per month
  • Free Trial: 14 days
  • Access to Method:CRM integration library

Method:CRM Key Features

  • QuickBooks CRM: Two-way sync with QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online.
  • Financial Management: Create and track estimates, sales orders, bills, and receipts.
  • Client Portals: Build self-serve client portals featuring updated payment statuses.
  • Customization: All plans include a free one-hour call with a CRM customization expert.

Method:CRM CRM for accountants

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Salesforce: Best for Advanced Features & Data Compliance

Salesforce is rich in advanced features and compliant with major data protection standards.

Price Range: $25 to $330 per user, per month (30-day trial)

Overall Rating star-fullstar-fullstar-full star-full Cost star-fullstar-full star-fullstar-full Core Features star-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-full Ease of Use star-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-full Customization star-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-full Advanced Features star-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-full Customer Support star-fullstar-fullstar-full star-full

Pros:

  • Complex reporting & forecasting
  • Multiple data compliance standards
  • Financial Service Cloud add-ons

Cons:

  • Support could be better
  • Costly, especially with add-ons
  • Substantial learning curve

Salesforce is an analytical CRM known for its powerful reporting capabilities, accurate revenue forecasting, and extensive task automation. It also adheres to a wide range of domestic and international data standards including PCI DSS, SOC II, APEC, and GDPR. Together, this makes Salesforce the best choice for large firms requiring advanced features to streamline complex tasks plus stringent data compliance for both local and international standards.

Salesforce's high costs may make it cost-prohibitive for smaller businesses. Zoho CRM is a more affordable option that features AI-powered tools plus a customizable platform that can be tailored for international business dealings.

Salesforce Pricing

  • Essentials: $25 per user, per month
  • Professional: $80 per user, per month
  • Enterprise: $165 per user, per month
  • Unlimited: $330 per user, per month
  • Free Trial: 30 days
  • Access to Salesforce AppExchange

Salesforce Key Features

  • Advanced Features: Robust reporting, revenue forecasting, and task automation.
  • Data Compliance: Compliant in various local and international protection standards.
  • User Permissions: Create roles and permissions so data is viewed by the right eyes.
  • Financial Cloud Add-Ons: AI analytics, increased security, more from $10 per month.

Salesforce CRM for accountants

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Top 5 Accounting CRM Features

Below are the top tools the best CRM for accountants should have:

Billing & Invoicing

CRM Reporting

Document Management

Workflow Automation

Data Security & Encryption

Generate and send invoices using CRM data, then automatically update client profiles with current payment status.

Create and share visual reports featuring real-time analysis of a company’s financial health.

Securely store digital tax documents, contracts, and invoices for easy retrieval so they can be emailed or printed at a later date.

Automate data entry and other repetitive tasks to reduce paperwork and the likelihood for human error.

Financial data is extremely sensitive — make sure it’s encrypted and adherent to security standards wherever you do business.

How We Evaluated the Best CRMs for Accountants

To find the best CRM software for accountants, we created a rubric with six weighted categories plus multiple subcriteria. We sought out software with a balanced combination of essential CRM features, accounting-specific tools, and robust data security. After scoring 10 options, we shortlisted the top six with a rating of 3.9 or higher. In addition to an overall winner, we assigned five runners-up and distinguished them based on how they scored in specific categories.

Evaluation Criteria

Cost, core features, and ease of use carry the most weight in our ratings since we believe those are the most crucial factors to consider when choosing an accounting CRM. That’s followed by advanced features, which also include data security and compliance. Rounding out our rubric are customization options (such as third-party app integrations) and quality of user support.

Cost:
20%
Core Features:
20%
Ease of Use:
20%
Advanced Features:
15%
Customization:
15%
Customer Support:
10%

Bottom Line: Best CRM for Accountants

The top accounting CRMs streamline accounting tasks, monitor revenue and expenses, and ensure compliance with tax codes. Our list features general software rather than industry-specific CRMs — every entry here can aid accountants in multiple aspects of their business. However, if you’re a certified financial planner, you’ll need additional features like householding and milestone tracking, so check out the best CRMs for financial advisors.

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