Most accountants in the UK are multitasking professionals who manage clients, compliance, and deadlines all at the same time. This is far from perfect — every minute counts in this profession, so it’s best to use a tool that can help free up your time.
This tool is called accounting practice management software.
It’s a system that streamlines daily operations so you can focus on what you do best — serving your clients. In this post, we’ll guide you through the best accounting practice management software options for UK users.
| Note: Short on time? Go straight to our list of top 5 practice management software options. |
Why use practice management software in the first place?
The global accounting practice management software market isn’t valued at $1.29 billion for no reason. These tools are getting increasingly popular among accounting professionals because they add value to their work in more than one way. Here are just a few examples:
It’s all about productivity
Dedicated practice management software helps accounting firms work smarter, not harder. A survey showed that nearly 60% of accountants said updating technology had improved their efficiency and productivity.
Revenue boost
According to recent market analysis, revenues for accounting firms have increased by 15% after switching to cloud accounting solutions. Thanks to practice management solutions, you can get more tasks done in the same timeframe.
Related: 47 accounting industry statistics you should know
Global competitiveness
Global competitiveness probably isn’t the main priority for small and mid-sized firms in the UK, but it definitely is for enterprise-level companies. 85% of accountants think that their country’s accounting practices should implement technology to remain competitive in the global market.
So many options out there: How to find the right one?
All it takes is a quick Google search to discover millions of pages dedicated to accounting automation tools:
To avoid getting overwhelmed, it’s better to start your search with some predefined criteria in mind. Our suggestion is to think about the following details when looking for the right practice management software.
UK-specific features
For one, accounting firms in the UK should consider tools that can address local regulations and business practices. For instance, this includes compliance with HMRC requirements, such as Making Tax Digital (MTD), and the ability to handle British tax laws and payroll systems.
Client management
Accountants juggle numerous clients, each with unique needs and deadlines. That’s why a good client practice management system should help you organize client information and simplify communications. These systems include features such as the client portal, automated reminders, and secure messaging.
Workflow automation
You’re probably well aware of just how much repetitive tasks can eat up your time so it’s best to find software with workflow automation capabilities. We are mainly talking about automated task assignments, recurring project templates, and deadline tracking.
Integration with accounting software
Most companies use popular accounting automation software such as Xero or QuickBooks. Your best bet is to find a tool that integrates with third-party systems you’re already using — this enables frictionless data flows between all parts of your accounting tech stack.
Analytics
Practice management software should give you excellent reporting and analytics features to help monitor key performance indicators, track client profitability, and identify areas for improvement.
| Pro tip: A specialized tool or a more generic solution?Bear in mind that there are two main categories of practice management software. The first includes specialized tools designed specifically for accountancy practices, while the other type is broader software that includes practice management as part of an all-in-one solution. Here’s the question only you can answer: Should I opt for a tool tailored specifically to accounting practices, or pick a more general practice management platform? This question has a practical purpose. For example, if your firm already uses a comprehensive business management tool with basic accounting features, you might not need a specialized platform. But if you need lots of industry-specific functionalities, dedicated accounting practice management software could be more beneficial. |
Top 5 practice management tools for UK accounting firms
Now let’s take a look at some of the best tools accountants can use to simplify their practice management operations.
1. BrightManager: Best overall
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BrightManager, formerly known as AccountancyManager, is a comprehensive practice management system designed to help you run an accounting firm in the UK. The idea is to automate as many tasks as possible to avoid unnecessary admin work. For instance, BrightManager automates task lists, tax payments, client emails, and routine records.
The system features a GDPR-compliant client portal with unlimited storage, so you never run out of space for client documents and work-related data. There’s also a time-tracking system for accurate invoicing.
Another detail worth mentioning is BrightManager’s profitability tracking feature that helps you distinguish between high and low profitability tasks. In a nutshell, this tool is a good option for UK accounting firms looking for a user-friendly yet feature-rich practice management system.
- User rating: 4.9 on Capterra, 4.9 on GetApp (no reviews on G2)
- Pricing plans: £33.60 per user/month paid annually (or custom pricing)
- Free trial: 30 days
2. Pixie: Best for small and mid-sized firms
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Pixie is a cloud-based practice management software that works best for smaller and mid-sized accounting firms. The main purpose of this tool is to simplify practice management by centralizing client information in one easy-to-access place.
You can use Pixie for task automation to better manage deadlines, assign jobs, and track progress all from a single dashboard. Thanks to its automated workflows, it’s possible to trigger tasks based on key dates (such as tax deadlines) to reduce manual oversight.
Another thing we like about Pixie is an integrated email management system — it syncs with your inbox to sync client communication and tasks. From our perspective, Pixie is especially appealing to smaller firms because it doesn’t overwhelm users with unnecessary features.
- User rating: 4.8 on Capterra, 4.8 on G2, on 4.8 GetApp
- Pricing plans: Starting at $129 (for firms with up to 250 clients)
- Free trial: 30 days
3. Karbon: Best for team collaboration and workflow management
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Karbon is an adequate solution if you want to improve collaboration and streamline workflows in your accounting firm. This software comes with all of the standard practice management functionalities, so we’ll focus on several features that truly make the difference.
For instance, you can count on Inbox Triage to consolidate all work-related emails, tasks, and client communications. That way, it’s easier to prioritize and organize incoming information without letting any item fall through the cracks.
The task delegation feature is important because it lets you quickly assign tasks to team members, track their progress, and ensure accountability across the entire firm. Karbon also excels in document management as it gives you a centralized repository for file storage and sharing.
In addition, the system generates excellent work and email-related insights with detailed analytics. This is an elegant solution for managers eager to monitor team performance and client interactions.
- User rating: 4.7 on Capterra, 4.8 on G2, on 4.7 GetApp
- Pricing plans: $59 per user/month (Team), $89 (Business), or custom enterprise pricing
- Free trial: 14 days
4. Glide: Best for practice management automation
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Automation is the name of the game when it comes to Glide practice management. First of all, this platform automates email and SMS communications through reminders, updates, and notifications. Simply put, you can stay on top of client interactions without wasting time on repetitive tasks.
Glide also offers a great Staff Scheduler tool that allows you to allocate work based on team availability, skill sets, and workloads. This ensures optimal resource management and helps prevent bottlenecks in project timelines:
Another key element is the Time and Fees add-on. This Glide feature helps you conduct detailed analysis of time spent on client-related tasks by breaking down costs versus revenue. That way, you get to understand the true profitability of each project and begin focusing on jobs that generate the most profit.
- User rating: 4.5 on Capterra, 5 on G2, no reviews on GetApp
- Pricing plans: Basic (£48 per month), Advanced (£75), Professional (£97)
- Free trial: 30 days
5. Practice Flow: Best budget-friendly option
Practice Flow is a simple but powerful tool for UK-based accounting firms. It has a standout auto deadline tracking system that automatically monitors key filing and tax deadlines. This feature is particularly valuable for firms managing multiple clients with varying compliance requirements.
Practice Flow can also help you maintain an organized and up-to-date schedule by integrating deadlines directly into the task management system. It’s an easy way to seamlessly track work progress, allocate resources, and stay compliant without manual input.
We’ll also point out Smart Tasks, a feature that automatically replicates recurring tasks based on your initial inputs. For instance, once you have all the VAT return parameters defined, Practice Flow will take it over from that point on to automate the process for all clients.
- User rating: Still not listed on user review sites
- Pricing plans: Solo (£29/month), Duo (£49/month), Team (£79/month)
- Free trial: 14 days
| Honorable mentionsWe showed you the list of our favorite platforms, but other practice management tools deserve to be mentioned. If you have some time to spare, make sure to check out the following systems: SentaUKUFinancial CentsGlideTaxCalc |
Choose a practice management software that fits your firm
The success of your accounting business mainly depends on your knowledge and client relationships. Picking the right practice management software can make this goal more attainable, especially if you opt for a solution with features that align with your firm's specific services. If you properly evaluate all features, you’ll find a solution that boosts the team’s efficiency, improves client service, and helps the firm become more competitive.
