Running a successful accounting practice isn’t just about technical expertise — it’s about running a tight, professional operation from the first client touchpoint to the final signed agreement. Yet for many firms, two of the most critical client-facing documents — proposals and engagement letters — are still being produced manually, through a patchwork of Word templates, copy-pasting, and chased-up email threads.
The result? Hours lost, errors introduced, and a client experience that doesn’t reflect the quality of your work.
That’s changing fast. Here’s why more accountants are turning to purpose-built software to handle both documents — and how doing so transforms the entire client onboarding journey.
The Problem With Manual Document Workflows
Picture a typical Monday morning at a growing firm. A promising new prospect has expressed interest in tax and bookkeeping services. Someone now needs to write up a proposal, get it approved internally, send it over, wait for a response, then draft an engagement letter, chase a signature, and file the whole thing away.
Done manually, that process easily consumes two to four hours per client. Multiply that across a year’s pipeline, and you’re looking at weeks of productive time swallowed by admin.
Beyond the time cost, there’s the risk factor. Outdated engagement terms, inconsistent service pricing, vague scope language — these aren’t just inefficiencies. They’re liability exposures.
Starting Strong: Proposal Software Built for Accountants
The client relationship begins with a proposal. First impressions matter, and a polished, clearly priced, professionally structured proposal signals that your firm is organised and worth trusting.
Purpose-built proposal software for accountants — like FigsFlow — solves the problem at the source. Instead of starting from a blank document each time, firms can build proposals in under a minute using pre-loaded templates designed specifically for accounting services: tax returns, bookkeeping, VAT, payroll, advisory, and more.
What makes FigsFlow stand out is that it was built by accountants, for accountants. Templates align with the standards of major professional bodies including ACCA, ICAEW, CIMA, AAT, ATT, and CIOT — so every proposal you send is both professional and compliant. Automated pricing calculators eliminate inconsistencies, and built-in branding tools ensure every document looks like it came from your firm, not a generic platform.
Clients can review and accept proposals online, cutting the back-and-forth that delays conversion and reducing the average time from proposal to approval significantly.
Locking It In: Engagement Letter Software That Protects Your Firm
Once a client says yes, the next step is formalising the relationship before any work begins. This is where many firms still struggle — producing engagement letters manually, tracking signatures via email, and hoping nothing falls through the cracks.
Engagement letter software for accountants changes this entirely. FigsFlow automates the transition from accepted proposal to signed engagement letter, pre-populating the letter with the client’s agreed services, fees, and terms — no re-entering data, no copy-paste errors.
Key features include compliance-ready templates updated in line with regulatory changes, e-signature capabilities for frictionless client sign-off, automated reminders for unsigned letters, and a centralised dashboard where you can track every letter’s status at a glance. For firms working with family groups or connected companies, FigsFlow generates one proposal but separate, compliant engagement letters for each individual or entity — a time-saving feature that multi-client practitioners particularly value.
One Platform, One Workflow
The real advantage of using FigsFlow for both proposals and engagement letters is the seamlessness of the end-to-end workflow. From generating a branded proposal, to client acceptance, to a fully populated and signed engagement letter — the entire process can be completed in minutes rather than hours.
For accounting practices focused on growth, that efficiency compounds quickly. Less admin means more time for billable work, better client experiences, and a more scalable operation overall.
If your firm is still relying on Word templates and email chains to manage proposals and engagement letters, it’s worth exploring what purpose-built software can do. FigsFlow offers a 30-day free trial — long enough to see the difference it makes in your day-to-day workflow.
Ready to modernise your client onboarding process? Visit FigsFlow to learn more or start your free trial today
