Elevating Efficiency: Customer Portals Transform Workflows for Accounting Firms & Boost Customer Service

5min Read

Ideally, a customer portal for accounting firms is a secure cloud-based platform that can improve how you interact with your clients.

With a seamless exchange of sensitive information, you can avoid messy paper trails and ensure everyone is reviewing the same and latest set of information.

It’s a dispensable part of today’s work environment where traditional document-sharing methods are obsolete and don’t provide clients with the same level of protection.

Then there’s the efficiency.

You can replace email threads with in-context communications. Every note or question is attached to a digital client file, keeping all the history in one place and avoiding any unnecessary back-and-forth.

Automated alerts go straight to your inbox when new questions pop-up or accountants are reviewed, speeding up the process and freeing up more of your time.

Still not convinced?

Here’s a deeper look into how your accounting firm can benefit from a customer portal.

The Benefits of Customer Portal for Accounting Firms

Client portals offer a multitude of benefits for streamlining operations and improving your customer service. 

1. Streamline Workflows and Reduce Workload

Customer portals for accountants streamline routine tasks, such as document requests and approvals, significantly reducing manual labour. 

When a task is ready for review, you can tag your client, request any outstanding documentation, and highlight any specific queries that need to be addressed.

It also cuts down on email overwhelm.

Instead of scrolling through endless email threads or trying to find missing attachments, all your client communication is in one place. The portal simplifies your workflow and lets you get back to focusing on needle-moving tasks instead of repetitive admin.

One particularly notable time-saving occurred with a set of accounts that previously took around 25 hours in 2021. However, in 2022, the same task only took 12 and a half hours! This substantial time-saving is solely attributable to the use of Silverfin.” – BKL Case Study

2. Real-Time Collaboration and Accessibility

77% of accounting professionals want to work remotely. While that sounds like a challenge for collaboration, it’s possible if your data is in the cloud. 

Your team can:

  • Work the same client file at the same time, from anywhere.  
  • Quickly assign tasks or see all the historical activity and communications with every client file. 
  • Give your clients the most up-to-date financial information.
  • Contact clients via chat and deliver personalised, timely communication.
  • Reduce manual follow-ups with automatic reminders.

A client portal for accounting firms allows you to form closer relationships with regular touchpoints. Make your clients feel more involved and aware of the compliance process by collaborating digitally on working papers, reports, or financial statements.

RELATED: How Cloud Accounting Automation Can Drive Revenue Growth for Accountancy Firms

3. Secure Sensitive Financial Data

Your inbox is not a safe place to store or share files with sensitive information.

With phishing and scammers on the rise, it’s become harder to differentiate between a real account and accidentally clicking on a link that exposes your data.

A  portal gives you a secure accounting firm platform for exchanging sensitive information, storing financial documents, and keeping data out of the hands of hackers.  

Silverfin safeguards your data with robust security measures, meets GDPR-compliant requirements, passes external security audits, and relies on the best-in-class infrastructure and data centres.

RELATED: Mastering the Solution for Accounting Digital Transformation: Hurst’s Success With Silverfin

Embracing Innovation with Customer Portals in Accounting

A customer portal for accounting firms is more than a tool. It’s a strategic asset that propels accounting firms towards greater efficiency and client satisfaction. 

As the industry continues to embrace AI, automation, and cloud-based solutions, these portals can help you revolutionise your workflows and client service. 

Want to see how a customer portal can improve your accounting firm?

Book your Silverfin demo today and get all communication between your staff and clients into one integrated environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a customer portal for accounting firms, and how do they integrate into accounting workflows?

Customer portals are secure online platforms facilitating efficient communication and document exchange between accounting firms and their clients. These portals integrate into accounting workflows by providing a centralised space for document management, collaboration, and data sharing, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of accounting processes.

2. What should firms consider when choosing a customer portal for their accounting practice?

Accounting firms should consider factors like ease of use, security features, integration capabilities, scalability to accommodate business growth, and specific functionalities like real-time collaboration or automated workflows. 

3. Are there any challenges associated with implementing customer portals in accounting firms?

One challenge can be the learning curve associated with new technology. Firms may need to invest time in training staff and clients to use the portal effectively. Additionally, selecting a portal that seamlessly integrates with leading financial software you already use is crucial to avoiding service disruptions and ensuring a smooth transition to the new platform.

More Posts

Everything you need to know about cloud-based accounting software for UK firms

Learn how to boost efficiency with cloud-based accounting software for UK firms. Automate tasks, improve accuracy, and streamline compliance processes.
Read More

How to standardise best practices with software for accounting firms

Every accounting firm strives to deliver consistent, high-quality service. However, achieving this can be challenging due to varying processes and methods within the firm.  If ...
Read More

Webinar takeaways: Best-of-breed vs. full suite technology for accounting firms

What's better for your firm - a best-of-breed approach or a full suite solution? This is what we explored in our recent webinar. Watch it ...
Read More

The call to adventure – Understanding the capacity challenges ahead

Knowing what you’re up against is crucial for success in any endeavour, whether you’re facing a complex challenge, embarking on a new venture or striving ...
Read More
corporation tax calculations

Save time on corporation tax with automated tax compliance tools

Corporation tax preparation has long been a stressful, time-consuming, and error-prone process, and this is especially true when data is managed across systems with mostly ...
Read More

Make Your Working Papers Work: Comparing Top Tools

Bid farewell to the drudgery of manual data and spreadsheet management and say hello to intelligent digital templates. Learn more today.
Read More

EP 6 – AI implementation at FreeAgent: Insights from Stu McEwan, FreeAgent

In the latest episode of the Silver Linings podcast, Stuart McEwan, Staff Product Manager at FreeAgent, shared valuable insights about implementing AI in accounting software. ...
Read More
silverfin

Season 1 teaser | AI: friend, foe or fad?

How long until we’re all working for super-intelligent toasters? Are robots really coming for my job?! These are the sorts of questions we’re asking in ...
Read More

How AI technologies are revolutionising accounting firms in the UK

AI is transforming accounting firms in the UK by automating tasks, enhancing data accuracy and boosting productivity. Here's how.
Read More

Using standardised data to unlock greater accounting firm profit margins

No one knows better than accountants that profit margins are what’s left when your salaries and costs (like rent and software subscriptions) are deducted from ...
Read More
Business Team Meeting Discussion Working Concept

Cloud collaboration tools for accountants

Effortless collaboration has become an essential tool for accounting companies. Seamless communication and shared access to data and documentation help teams effectively manage deadlines, prepare ...
Read More

The Benefits of Digital Working Papers for Accountants

The use of working papers in accountancy started in the 19th century at the beginning of modern accountancy, and have evolved significantly over time.  First ...
Read More

Let’s Chat

Scroll to Top