Automated vs Manual Proposals: How Our Mid-Size Accounting Firm Saved 15 Hours Per Week

Time is the most valuable asset for any accounting firm. Our midsize firm analysed the workflow and came to the conclusion that manual proposals took too much time and resources. Moving to an automated proposal system, we save 15 hours every week and at the same time enhance the quality and conversion of proposals. This article explores the major differences between manually created proposals and automated ones and how automation enhanced our efficiency.

Inefficiencies of Manual Proposal Creation

Prior to automation, our team was used to preparing proposals from scratch, formatting documents, and following up on approvals. Pricing, details of the service, and legal terms needed to be put in manually on every proposal, leading to inconsistency and errors.

Also, follow-ups were becoming quite an annoyance. Quite often, proposals would go unanswered without reminders, and that took more time from our team to call prospects. All these inefficiencies in processes impeded the onboarding of our clients and hurt our revenue-generating results.

Benefits to Be Derived from Automated Proposal Software

Moving over to Figsflow’s proposal software for accountants eliminated most of these inefficiencies. Automated templates allowed us to make quality, customised proposals within minutes—assuredly correct, with consistency in branding.

It integrated with our CRM and accounting tools, pulling in client data and service details with ease. The integration reduced a lot of repetitive data entry and ensured pricing accuracy, saving our team a good deal of time each week.

Streamlining Follow-Ups and Approval Workflows

One big plus was the ability to track the real status of proposals in real time. Whether the client opened, viewed, or interacted with our proposals, we knew when, and hence our team was able to follow up at the appropriate time.

Meanwhile, integrated automated notifications and e-signatures considerably speed up the approval stage. Instead of waiting for the client to print out documents, sign them, and scan them, they could approve the proposals with just one click, reducing turnaround times considerably.

Conclusion

Our company, through automation of proposals, freed up 15 hours per week, which are now used in the strategy of clientele and business expansion. Efficiency, accuracy, and an improved experience for clients due to automated proposals make it irreplaceable in our day-to-day lives. Accounting firms that still have not automated their procedures should make a change in order to gain better productivity and competitiveness.