Best CRM for Bookkeepers
CRMs that integrate with QuickBooks save accountants time and centralize data. This guide highlights accounting-focused and versatile options with QuickBooks integrations, including Karbon, Insightly, Freshsales, Pipedrive, and Salesforce Sales Cloud, suitable for bookkeepers and accounting firms.
Ideal Customer Profile
Accounting and bookkeeping firms seeking a QuickBooks-integrated CRM to centralize client data, automate workflows, and support scalable onboarding.
Common Pain Points
- •Siloed or scattered client data across multiple apps
- •Manual data entry and double data entry
- •Frequent context-switching between tools
- •Lack of accounting-specific features in generic CRMs
- •Limited client data sharing and onboarding automation
Top CRM Picks
5 expert-vetted recommendations
Ranked recommendations based on feature depth, pricing transparency, and adoption within the industry.
Perfect For
Accounting firms wanting an accounting-specific CRM with workflow templates and practice-management integration.
⚡ Key Features
- Integrations with QuickBooks and Xero Practice Manager
- Contact management
- Client portal
- Automatic client reminders and tasks
- Activity timelines
- Direct email integration
- Document management integrations (Dropbox, OneDrive, SuiteFiles)
- Invoicing and payments
- AI (GPT-powered, beta)
Pros
- ✓Accounting-specific tool built for accounting firms
- ✓Automated workflows and client reminders
- ✓Open API for custom integrations
- ✓Frequent product releases and innovations
- ✓Centralized activity timelines
- ✓250+ accounting workflow templates
- ✓Robust reporting with Karbon Practice Intelligence
- ✓Collaborate in context with @mentions and email-to-task conversion
Cons
- ✗May require more time to set up than basic alternatives
- ✗Geared towards teams; may be less suitable for sole practitioners
- ✗Not a standalone traditional CRM
- ✗No dedicated marketing automation features
"Karbon has 4.8 stars on G2 and 4.7 stars on Capterra"
Perfect For
SMBs needing QuickBooks Online and Xero integrations plus project management and customizable workflows.
⚡ Key Features
- Integrations with QuickBooks Online and Xero
- Contact and lead management
- Sales pipeline management
- Automated, scalable processes
- Project management
- Data tracking and metric analysis
- Client portal
- Custom apps
Pros
- ✓Wide range of integrations
- ✓Customizable workflow automation
- ✓Track milestones and manage processes
- ✓Ability to build custom apps for departments
- ✓Customizable data capture and reporting
- ✓Relationship visualization between entities
Cons
- ✗No built-in customer service features; mixed customer support experiences
- ✗Not accounting-specific
"4.2 stars on G2; 4 stars on Capterra"
Perfect For
Firms with a dedicated sales team needing a scalable CRM with QuickBooks integration.
⚡ Key Features
- Integration with QuickBooks and Xero
- Contact management
- Activity timelines
- Chat campaigns
- Workflow automation
- Sales sequences
- Multiple sales pipelines
- Integrated email
- Forecasts, reports, and dashboards
- Freddy AI
Pros
- ✓Free plan available
- ✓Simple, intuitive interface
- ✓Auto-profile enrichment (Enterprise)
- ✓Strong support across channels (even on free plan)
Cons
- ✗Some customization and API access limited to higher tiers
- ✗Basic integrations with other Freshworks tools
- ✗Not accounting-specific
"4.5 stars on G2; 4.5 stars on Capterra"
Perfect For
Firms with dedicated sales teams seeking a straightforward, configurable CRM.
⚡ Key Features
- Integrations with QuickBooks and Xero
- Contact management
- Visual sales pipeline
- Reporting and dashboards
- Revenue forecasting
- @mentions and comments
- Activity reminders
- Task automation
- Integrations
Pros
- ✓Calendar and email integration
- ✓Ability to call from the app (with credits)
- ✓AI-assisted task prioritization
- ✓Unlimited sales pipelines
Cons
- ✗Not accounting-specific
- ✗Designed for salespeople; may not suit firms without dedicated sales
- ✗Limited QuickBooks integration (only one user can install)
"4.2 stars on G2; 4.5 stars on Capterra"
Perfect For
Large, growing firms needing deep customization and AI-powered insights.
⚡ Key Features
- Integration with QuickBooks
- Activity, lead and opportunity management
- Pipeline management
- Contact management
- Forecasting
- Reporting and dashboards
- Workflow automation
- Quote builder
- @mentions and comments
- Custom fields and custom objects
Pros
- ✓Highly customizable with extensive apps ecosystem
- ✓Suitable for large, complex firms
- ✓Generative AI capabilities (Einstein GPT)
Cons
- ✗Can be complex and costly to implement
- ✗Lower tiers are comparatively limited
- ✗Not accounting-specific
"4.3 stars on G2; 4.4 stars on Capterra"
Buying Guide
Step-by-step guide to finding your perfect CRM
Strategic considerations to shortlist the right CRM platform for your workflow, tech stack, and growth roadmap.
- 1
Pinpoint your firm’s size, growth plans, and core CRM needs to choose a tool with scalable onboarding and templates.
- 2
Define the required depth of QuickBooks integration (two-way sync, user access, and data flows).
- 3
Ensure essential features are in the tool: contact/lead management, activity timelines, document management, integrated email, client portal, real-time reporting, and workflow templates.
- 4
Consider industry focus: prefer accounting-specific or strong accounting integrations over generic CRMs for smoother workflows.
FAQ
Common questions answered
Quick answers to common questions digital teams raise when evaluating CRM platforms.
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