Let’s face it: as an accountant, standing out to your prospective clients takes work, and having a polished, professional proposal can make all the difference.
But creating proposals manually is time-consuming and leaves room for errors and inconsistencies. This is especially true when you’re juggling multiple clients and services.
Proposal software is the key to simplifying and smoothing out the process, saving you time and helping you maintain a professional image.
In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of proposal software. Plus, we’ll compare the best proposal software for accountants, including features, pricing, and what sets them apart.
Let’s get into it!
Best proposal software for accountants at a glance
Platform | Best for | Key features | Starting price | Integrations |
PandaDoc | Overall proposal and document management solution for accounting firms | Drag-and-drop editorE-signaturesAnalyticsPaymentsContent libraryCRM integrations | $19/user/month (14-day trial) | 30+ integrations including HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive, Stripe, PayPal, QuickBooks |
Qwilr | Visually appealing, web-style proposals | Smart quotesProposal analyticsAttractive templates | $35/user/month | HubSpot, Salesforce, QuickBooks |
Proposify | Proposal tracking and team collaboration | Roles/approvalsAnalytics,Reusable snippets | $29/user/month | Xero, HubSpot, Salesforce |
Ignition | All-in-one tool built for accountants | ContractsBillingPaymentsE-signaturesAutomated letters | $39/month (Solo) or $99/3 users | Xero, QuickBooks, Karbon (adv. plans) |
GoProposal | Compliance and pricing transparency | Engagement lettersCustomizable templatesAccredited training | $75/month (Solo), $120 Basic | Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, Karbon |
HoneyBook | Solo accountants and small firms | Proposals + contractse-signaturesSchedulingInvoicing | $29/month (annual billing) | QuickBooks, Zapier, Calendly |
QuoteWerks | Advanced quoting and pricing control | Quote builderPricing rulesAudit trailsProposal templates | $15/user/month (Standard) | QuickBooks, Salesforce |
What does proposal software do?
Proposal software helps you create, manage, and track proposals. It’s a great alternative to drafting documents manually, as these platforms come with templates, automation capabilities, eSignature features, and the ability to collaborate in real time throughout the proposal process.
As an accountant, this means you can leverage software to speed up turnaround times without sacrificing accuracy.
How does proposal software help accountants?
If you’re an accounting firm, you’re probably juggling multiple clients, services, and deliverables, so it can be a lot to manage.
With proposal software, you can:
- Reduce the time it takes to create and send proposals
- Maintain brand consistency through pre-approved templates and branding
- Better track client engagement and progress on proposals
- Easily create/edit pricing tables, service descriptions, and contracts
- Smooth out the sales process
- Integrate directly with CRMs and your go-to accounting tools, reducing data entry
Proposal software features to look for
When it comes to choosing the right proposal software, here are the top features to look for:
- Customizable templates: These will save you time from starting from scratch and keep your proposals consistent every time.
- Secure electronic signatures: When clients can sign instantly, it will speed up approvals and the entire proposal process.
- CRM and payment integrations: You need to be able to sync important data from major platforms you use, which will save your team time and prevent switching between tools.
- Pricing tables: The platform you choose should have the ability to clearly present your fees and allow for dynamic pricing.
- Analytics and notifications: This is key for seeing who’s viewed your proposal and reminding you to follow up at the right time.
- Client collaboration: Your software should allow your clients to comment or request changes within the proposal, making revisions simple.
- CPQ functionality: You should be able to configure, price, and quote efficiently with your proposal software for a smooth sales process.
Dive deeper into the ten best proposal softwares here.
7 best proposal software platforms for accountants
Now that you have a bit of a background on accounting proposal software, let’s jump into the top seven platforms that we think are worth your time.
1. PandaDoc
Best overall for accounting firms
While we may be biased, we know that PandaDoc is a powerful and flexible proposal software that is ideal for accounting firms of all sizes.
Our solution has a robust drag-and-drop content library, customizable formatting, and built-in eSignatures that make it super easy for you to generate polished, branded proposals in minutes.
You’ll want features like workflow automation, document analytics, and built-in payment collection—all of which come with PandaDoc software. It’s more than just a simple proposal writing platform, PandaDoc is an end-to-end document management solution.
Key features:
- 1000+ customizable templates
- Drag-and-drop proposal builder
- Interactive pricing tables
- Real-time proposal analytics
- Built-in eSignatures
- Integrates with major CRM and platforms, including HubSpot, Salesforce, and Pipedrive, and payment tools like Stripe, PayPal, and QuickBooks
- Pre-approved content library
- Mobile-friendly and responsive proposals
Pricing: Starts at $19/user/month for the Starter plan. Free 14-day trial and demo available.
2. Qwilr
Best for creating visually appealing proposals
One of Qwilr’s main draws is that it can transform traditional proposals into sleek pages. If you want your accounting firm to stand out with a modern and mobile-friendly design, this might be a good option for you.
It also has automation features that will help streamline the whole proposal process for you, but it’s a bit pricier than other options on the market.
Key features:
- Interactive pricing and smart quotes
- Attractive web-based templates
- Proposal analytics and notifications
- Options for integrations with HubSpot, Salesforce, and QuickBooks
Pricing: Starts at $35/user/month.
3. Proposify
Best for proposal tracking and collaboration
Proposify is great for teams that want full visibility into the proposal lifecycle. Like PandaDoc, it can streamline the proposal process for your sales team with its customizable templates, real-time analytics, and solid CRM integrations.
It’s a platform that stands out for its ability to enhance collaboration and efficiency throughout the proposal process. It works well for mid-size accounting firms that want to focus on scaling.
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop editor with reusable content snippets
- Custom roles and approval workflows
- In-depth analytics and engagement tracking
- Integrations with Xero, HubSpot, and Salesforce
Pricing: Starts at $29/user/month for the Basic plan.
4. Ignition
Best all-in-one platform for accountants and bookkeepers
Uniquely, Ignition is built specifically for accounts. It combines proposals, contracts, billing, and payments into a single platform. It’s a great option when you want to streamline client onboarding and revenue collection processes. The downside is it’s pricey.
Key features:
- Ready-made and custom templates for accounting services
- Automated engagement letters and contract terms
- Built-in eSignatures
- Integrations with Xero, QuickBooks, and Karbon (advanced plans only)
Pricing: Core plan is $99/month for 3 users (great for small firms), but they offer a Solo plan for $39/month for individuals.
5. GoProposal by Sage
Best for firms focused on compliance and pricing transparency
Another software created for accountants, GoProposal is made to simplify proposal creation while staying compliant and transparent about pricing. It has a user-friendly interface and customizable templates.
While it’s a platform at a higher price point, it includes a lot of features that are available across all plans, and the main difference is the number of proposals and users allowed for each. Plus, it offers a 30-day free trial.
Key features:
- Accredited training access
- Automated engagement letters
- VIP support
- Integrates with Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, and Karbon
Pricing: Starts at $75/month for the Solo plan, then jumps to $120/month for the Basic.
6. HoneyBook
Best for solo accountants and small firms
This platform is great for small accounting businesses or freelancers with its user-friendly interface. HoneyBook combines proposals, contracts, and invoicing all in one place. The goal is to avoid unnecessary back-and-forth by having one streamlined system.
Key features:
- Customizable proposal and contract templates
- Built-in scheduling and invoicing with confirmations, reminders, and notifications
- eSignatures and automated follow-ups
- Integration with QuickBooks, Zapier, and Calendly
Pricing: Starts at $29/month (billed annually).
7. QuoteWerks
Best for firms that need advanced quoting functionality
QuoteWerks is a quoting and proposal solution that’s great for firms needing precise control over their pricing and quoting details. It was created to smooth out the sales process by integrating with CRMs and accounting software.
Key features:
- Quote builder with product catalogs and pricing rules
- Templates for accounting and finance proposals
- CRM and accounting integrations (including QuickBooks and Salesforce)
- Reporting and audit trails
Pricing: Starts at $15/month/user (Standard Edition).
Create accurate, compliant proposals faster with the best proposal software
The right proposal software will align with your firm’s workflow and branding, plus it will enhance the client experience, helping you build long-term relationships. Remember to choose a software with top security and compliance features so that you can build greater trust with your customers.
PandaDoc offers enterprise-grade security and compliance. It’s backed with SOC2 certification and in alignment with HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA, and FERPA regulations—so you can trust that your documents and eSignatures will be protected. Our software includes features like detailed audit trails, plus it’s encrypted to keep your data safe.
That’s why Pierre Roy & Associés of Québec switched to PandaDoc.
”The security of our client data is a regulatory requirement, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing our clients’ sensitive information is securely handled is huge. PandaDoc’s SMS verification provides the extra layer of security we need to ensure that our documents reach the right hands. It’s a crucial aspect of our compliance strategy, offering a level of trust and reliability that our clients expect and deserve.”
– Jonathan Roy, Administrative Director at Pierre Roy & Associés
PandaDoc has all the features you need at a competitive price point. It will help you streamline your proposals to win more clients, all while keeping your data secure.
What types of proposals can accountants create with proposal software?
Accountants can create all types of proposals with the right software, including anything for tax services, audits, bookkeeping, consulting, financial planning, etc. Proposal software gives firms the option to customize templates based on whatever services they offer.
Is proposal software compliant with accounting industry standards?
Yes, many platforms are compliant with industry standards for accounting, particularly those created specifically for accountants. They often include features like engagement letters, audit trails, and secure eSignatures that help meet compliance and regulatory standards.
Can proposal software integrate with accounting and CRM tools?
The top proposal software for accountants will integrate with major tools like QuickBooks, Pipedrive, HubSpot, Salesforce, and more. PandaDoc, for example, has a wide range of integrations available with our software. These integrations are a way to smooth out workflows and reduce unnecessary manual data entry, which saves you time and ultimately money during the sales process.