Tech-forward accounting firms — including those listed in this year's
Whether evaluating potential clients, accepting new ones, or working with existing ones, managing them all was a clear pain point for many firms, leading them to concentrate on improving the efficiency and efficacy of their processes at every stage. Some, like Top 25 firm Cherry Bekaert, focused their efforts on the start of the process when evaluating and accepting new clients, according to assurance partner Jonathan Kraftchick.
"One major advancement was the implementation of a custom-built solution that reduced the average time for our client acceptance process by more than half. Additionally, we automated our engagement letter process for assurance and are in the process of extending this feature to the rest of the firm. This platform is significantly reducing the time from initiation to final signature," he said.
EisnerAmper, another Top 25 Firm, also focused on the engagement letter process, having moved it to a SaaS-based system that chief technology officer Sanjay Desai said automates the creation, routing, approval, delivery and tracking of engagement letters for faster, smoother and more consistent processes. This, he said, has served to both reduce manual effort and improve client relationships.
"The platform also plays a key role in risk management, using standardized templates and workflows to ensure compliance with firm policies and regulatory requirements. In addition, we've introduced a centralized SaaS-based client portal that enhances collaboration and visibility across all engagements. The new portal also includes improved data collection functionality creating a more efficient, connected and transparent experience for clients," he said.
Beyond client intake, some firms also reported developing new solutions they could offer to clients to improve value. Iowa-based Community CPA and Associates, for example, developed a new payroll portal that lets clients upload hours, enter new employees, update employee info, retrieve payroll documents and delegate access.
Meanwhile, Top 50 firm LBMC developed and implemented its own practice management application to provide real-time client engagement KPI dashboards, which CEO Jim Meade said should "significantly improve engagement realization as well as enhance the client experience."
Finally, firms did not ignore the matter of actually getting paid by the client. Many reported improved billing and collection processes driven by new technology investments, such as Illinois-based Mowery & Schoenfeld.
"As with any firm, billing and revenue collection is key to our cash flow and success," said Chris Madden, director of information technology. "We have invested in and implemented a new technology solution to assist with collections with a goal of improving this process."
Security improvements
Many tech-forward firms also focused heavily on cybersecurity as both the number and scale of threats continues to increase. For some, like California-based Navolio & Tallman, these efforts have largely been about process. The firm recently changed how it vetted new cloud-based tools.
"We look closely at security, usability, and how well each tool fits with our goals," said IT partner Stephanie Ringrose. "Reviewing vendor SOC 2 reports and similar documentation is a key part of that process, helping us ensure that everything we adopt meets our standards for data protection and compliance. This approach has already helped us roll out some great new technology for our family office team, and we're continuing to build out a flexible, modern tech stack that really supports their specialized needs."
Others, like Top 50 firm UHY, took a more technical approach, utilizing a number of new tools over the past year, including some driven by AI, which chief information officer Russell Gibson said has become a differentiating feature with clients.
"Recognizing the increasing sophistication of cyber threats — especially those leveraging AI — we've adopted AI-driven cybersecurity technologies to identify and mitigate threats more swiftly and efficiently. These tools have been critical in safeguarding our firm and our clients from evolving cyberattacks, including ransomware and sophisticated phishing campaigns. Our proactive stance on cybersecurity and AI-driven solutions has positively influenced how we acquire new clients. Demonstrating our commitment to advanced technology and rigorous security protocols has differentiated our firm in a competitive marketplace, assuring potential clients of our ability to securely handle their sensitive information," he said.
And, of course, AI
Firms also made major investments in AI that have since paid off. They have used it to automate routine processes, provide insights and strengthen core services. For instance, Allen Smith, chief information officer at Top 25 firm Baker Tilly, has heavily integrated AI tools into both tax and workflow over the past year.
"Overall, the biggest way that technology has changed our firm this year is by leveraging and adopting emerging technologies," he said. "For our assurance practice, that means incorporating AI tools into our methodology and workflow; and in tax, new technologies and AI are changing the skill sets of our tax professionals. By embedding AI chat capabilities in tax research platforms, it drives tax professionals to their answers quickly and through a more comfortable conversational approach. Skills are transforming from having to know the answer to being the best at finding the answer."
UHY's Gibson said his firm has used AI to bolster both its audit and risk management capacities.
"By implementing AI-driven data analytics and automated reporting tools, we've streamlined audit processes, significantly reducing manual tasks and enhancing our ability to deliver deeper, real-time insights to clients. AI has also improved accuracy in risk assessment and predictive analysis, allowing us to proactively address potential issues before they arise," he said.
Mike Kempke, chief information officer at Top 10 firm Grant Thornton, pointed to his firm's heavy AI investments in both client service and internal administrative areas. Given how many clients are using AI, he believes it's imperative for firms to keep up.
"At Grant Thornton we see AI as the way to enable growth and add more people to meet the increasing demands of our clients," he said. "The adoption of AI is not optional; it is crucial for remaining competitive and ensuring the firm's continued success."
