Your roadmap to a more efficient, profitable accounting firm in 2025
We went full detective mode—surveyed 800+ firm owners, grilled 9 industry experts, and
uncovered the 9 biggest workflow nightmares haunting the accounting world.
Your roadmap to a more efficient, profitable accounting firm in 2025
We went full detective mode—surveyed 800+ firm owners, grilled 9 industry experts, and
uncovered the 9 biggest workflow nightmares haunting the accounting world.
Many firms realized they were missing deadlines, losing track of tasks, and struggling with visibility into ongoing work. As workload grew, important client tasks were overlooked, leading to inefficiencies and frustration.
Many firms realized they were missing
deadlines, losing track of tasks, and struggling with visibility into ongoing work. As workload grew, important client tasks were overlooked, leading to
inefficiencies and frustration.
55.5% of firm owners still experience workflow inefficiencies.
The survey highlights the primary challenges impacting firms.
“It is super important to automate everything you possibly can EARLY in the game. Setting up standardized processes (SOPs) and setting boundaries with clients can prevent workflow inefficiencies as your firm grows.”
“It is super important to automate everything you possibly can EARLY in the game. Setting up standardized processes (SOPs) and setting boundaries with clients can prevent workflow inefficiencies as your firm grows.”
Many respondents found that they were spending
too much time on administrative tasks rather than
revenue-generating work. Chasing clients,
managing email threads, and manually tracking
deadlines were major pain points.
– KELLIE PARKS, CPB,
Founder, Calmwaters Cloud Accounting.
“You need to document your processes, even if you and a couple of part-timers already know how to do everything. Skipping this step and relying on memory or scattered notes only slows you down..”
Many respondents found that they were spending too much time on administrative tasks rather than revenue-generating work. Chasing clients, managing email threads, and manually tracking deadlines were major pain points.
“You need to document your processes, even if you and a couple of part-timers already know how to do everything. Skipping this step and relying on memory or scattered notes only slows you down..”
Firms that started small were able to manage workflows manually. But, as client
numbers grew, spreadsheets and manual tracking became unsustainable. The
need for scalability and efficient task delegation became apparent.
Inefficient
Just there
Smooth
47.6% described client & Staff onboarding inefficient.
“Scaling isn’t easy, and it’s definitely not for everyone. The real key is to make sure your foundation is solid before you try to grow. That means having the right practice management software, clear internal processes, and a team that’s already working efficiently and effectively.”
– Mike Sylvester, CPA,
Managing Partner, SBS
CPA Group Inc.
Firms that started small were able to manage workflows manually. But, as client numbers grew, spreadsheets and manual tracking became unsustainable. The need for scalability and efficient task delegation became apparent.
Inefficient
Just there
Smooth
“Scaling isn’t easy, and it’s definitely not for everyone. The real key is to make sure your foundation is solid before you try to grow. That means having the right practice management software, clear internal processes, and a team that’s already working efficiently and effectively.”
– Mike Sylvester, CPA,
Managing Partner, SBS
CPA Group Inc.
Firms that improve their processes and embrace automation gain efficiency and work-life balance. This report shows you how.
Firms struggled with tracking project statuses, work distribution, and collaboration among team
members. Remote and hybrid work environments exacerbated visibility issues, making real-time
updates crucial.
of firm owners in 2024 considered a centralized dashboard the most sought-after workflow software feature.
Other features considered:
Client tasks
and reminders
Client
Portal
Email integration
Recurring
Projects
“I have a visual dashboard that shows where I’m at with all clients at any given moment. It helps me take quick stock of where I stand, which then allows me to plan my weeks better. This was a game-changer for me.
– Erica Goode, CPA
Owner, Erica Goode CPA
PLLC
Firms that improve their processes and embrace automation gain efficiency and work-life balance. This report shows you how.
Firms struggled with tracking project statuses, work distribution, and collaboration among team
members. Remote and hybrid work environments exacerbated visibility issues, making real-time
updates crucial.
of firm owners in 2024 considered a centralized dashboard the most sought-after workflow software feature.
Other features considered:
“I have a visual dashboard that shows where I’m at with all clients at any given moment. It helps me take quick stock of where I stand, which then allows me to plan my weeks better. This was a game-changer for me.
– Erica Goode, CPA
Owner, Erica Goode CPA
PLLC
Many firms struggled with clients sending documents in multiple formats, forgetting to send
key information, or responding only after multiple follow-ups. The lack of a centralized,
automated request system led to delays and inefficiencies.
The average time for clients to submit requested documents is 5 days across
firms on the scale plan in Financial Cents.
Under 10 days
Under 3 days
Under 24 hours
– Logan Graf, CPA
Owner, The Graf Tax Co
Many firms struggled with clients sending documents in multiple formats, forgetting to send key information, or responding only after multiple follow-ups. The lack of a centralized, automated request system led to delays and inefficiencies.
The average time for clients to submit requested documents is 5 days across
firms on the scale plan in Financial Cents.
Under 10 days
Under 3 days
Under 24 hours
“Schedule out information deadlines for each client instead of having a broad deadline for all clients. This helps spread the workout and sets clear expectations.“
– Logan Graf, CPA
Owner, The Graf Tax Co
Many respondents cited stress, burnout, and an unsustainable work-life balance as major
triggers for automation. The inability to delegate effectively or manage workload efficiently
led to frustration and exhaustion.
experienced poor work-life balance
Missed
Deadlines
Saw impact
on revenue
Errors and poor
work quality
Poor work
distribution.
“One of the biggest mistakes firms make is not having a standardized onboarding process. Early on, we had no structured way to track new clients, leading to inefficiencies, confusion, and a lack of guidance for both the firm and the client.
Now, we have refined our process to ensure every client has a seamless experience while maintaining efficiency for our team. Automation should remove unnecessary manual tasks, but the but the human touch should remain in areas that build relationships and trust.“
– Nick Boscia,
Owner, Boscia & Boscia P.C.
Many respondents cited stress, burnout, and an unsustainable work-life balance as major
triggers for automation. The inability to delegate effectively or manage workload efficiently
led to frustration and exhaustion.
experienced poor work-life balance
“One of the biggest mistakes firms make is not having a standardized onboarding process. Early on, we had no structured way to track new clients, leading to inefficiencies, confusion, and a lack of guidance for both the firm and the client.
Now, we have refined our process to ensure every client has a seamless experience while maintaining efficiency for our team. Automation should remove unnecessary manual tasks, but the but the human touch should remain in areas that build relationships and trust.“
– Nick Boscia,
Owner, Boscia & Boscia P.C.
Top areas of impact:
Better standardized systems and processes
Getting work done faster
Improved team collaboration
Faster document collection
“When I think about AI-driven automation, I’m picturing a system that kicks off processes like interpreting data or classifying information. But proper checks and balances are key. The safest approach is to build in a “human in the loop” function to ensure you’re not relying blindly on the tech.”
– Chad Davis, CPA,
Co-Founder of LiveCA LLP
& AutomationTown.io
Some respondents realized they needed automation after learning from more successful firms or attending industry webinars. Seeing how other firms leveraged workflow automation provided the push they needed.
Top areas of impact:
28.7%
Better standardized systems and processes
22.3%
Getting work done faster
11%
Improved team collaboration
10%
Faster document collection
– Chad Davis, CPA,
Co-Founder of LiveCA LLP
& AutomationTown.io
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT STRATEGISTS
If you’re wearing all the hats — client work, admin, marketing — this report helps you cut admin work and focus on your clients.
(2-5 Staff)
Gain insights into how other small firms streamline work without adding overhead cost so you can stay lean and profitable.
(6-20+ Staff)
Learn how automation helps you onboard new clients and staff faster, ensuring processes scale with your firm.
See how firms working across different locations use automation to maintain visibility, collaboration, and client communication.
Find strategies to reduce bottlenecks, track work more efficiently, and improve communication between teams and clients.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT STRATEGISTS
If you’re wearing all the hats — client work, admin, marketing — this report helps you cut admin work and focus on your clients.
(2-5 Staff)
Gain insights into how other small firms streamline work without adding overhead cost so you can stay lean and profitable.
(6-20+ Staff)
Learn how automation helps you onboard new clients and staff faster, ensuring processes scale with your firm.
See how firms working across different locations use automation to maintain visibility, collaboration, and client communication.
Find strategies to reduce bottlenecks, track work more efficiently, and improve communication between teams and clients.
Financial Cents is the #1 Accounting Practice Management software that helps firms to track client work, get client responses faster, and organize everything with one easy-to-use practice management software that your team will love.
Used by over 2,500 accounting, bookkeeping, and CPA firms.
The 2025 State of Accounting Workflow & Automation Report is brought to you by Financial Cents.
Financial Cents is the #1 Accounting Practice Management software that helps firms to track client work, get client responses faster, and organize everything with one easy-to-use practice management software that your team will love.
Used by over 2,500 accounting, bookkeeping, and CPA firms.
tasks completed
client emails sent
projects wrapped up
documents uploaded
Accounting, Bookkeeping & CPA Firms ❤️ Financial Cents
Accounting, Bookkeeping & CPA Firms ❤️ Financial Cents
A cloud-based solution that makes it easy for accounting firms to manage client work, collaborate with staff, and hit their deadlines
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