What is a client portal for accounting firms?
A client portal is a secure website or app through which an accounting firm and its clients exchange documents, requests, signatures, approvals, messages and payments. It replaces email attachments and paper with one logged-in place for each client, linked to the firm's practice management system so requests and uploads attach to the right job.
Also calledclient hubsecure client portaldocument portal
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- Replaces
- Email attachments and paper
- Clients can
- Upload, sign, approve, pay
- Linked to
- Practice management jobs
How a client portal works
The firm sends a request, such as a list of documents needed for a tax return, and the client uploads them to the portal, where they are filed against the job. Clients sign engagement letters and returns electronically, approve accounts, answer questionnaires, see outstanding invoices and pay by card or bank transfer. Automatic reminders chase missing items, which is a large part of the time saved. Because documents are stored securely with access controls and an audit trail, a portal also helps with data protection compared with email. Adoption depends on how easy it is for clients: mobile apps, single sign-in and as few steps as possible matter more than features. TaxDome and Canopy build their practice platforms around a client portal.
Common questions
Why do accounting firms use client portals?+
To collect documents and signatures in one secure place, chase missing items automatically and keep everything filed against the right job, instead of searching email.
Is a client portal more secure than email?+
Generally yes: files are stored with access controls, encryption and an audit trail rather than sitting in inboxes, which reduces the risk of misdirected or intercepted documents.
What makes clients actually use a portal?+
Ease of use: a mobile app, simple sign-in, clear requests and reminders. Firms that move all requests and signatures to the portal get higher adoption than those that keep email as an option.
Practice software with a client portal
Part of Accountio’s accounting technology coverage · Glossary
