Accounting firms face tight deadlines, repetitive tasks, and complex client relationships, especially during tax season. From managing client deliverables and engagement timelines to tracking billable hours and resource availability, the right project management software can make or break a firm’s productivity.
In this guide, we compare the best project management software for accounting firms in 2025, including general-purpose tools and industry-specific platforms. See why BigTime stands out as the solution built for accounting professionals.
What is project management software for accounting firms?
Project management software for accounting firms helps teams track client work, manage internal and external deadlines, assign tasks, and stay organized across multiple engagements. Unlike generic project tools, accounting-focused practice management software solutions often include:
- Time tracking for billable hours
- Recurring project templates (e.g., tax prep, audits)
- Deadline and milestone tracking
- Workflow automation
- Document and client information management
- Integration with accounting and billing software
The result? Better visibility into team workloads, improved client service, and fewer missed deadlines.
Key Features in Leading Accounting Project Management Software
Client and Task Management
Accounting firms need all the tools that allow for quick task creation, assignment, and tracking across clients. Client-centric task lists help firms monitor work across multiple engagements simultaneously.
Time Tracking and Billable Hours Logging
Precise time logging is essential for accurate billing and profitability tracking. The best tools allow teams to track hours by task, client, or project, and then turn the information into costs to bridge the gap between resources and finances.
Deadline and Milestone Tracking
Missing deadlines can result in penalties and lost trust. Top tools offer visual project timelines, due date alerts, and milestone tracking to help teams stay on course. They can also offer a variety of reports for project management KPIs, helping project managers to make the best decisions possible.
Billing and Invoicing Integration
Integrated billing allows firms to turn tracked time into invoices automatically, reducing manual work and improving cash flow. The best project management tools for accounting firms also offer customizable invoices and integrated payments, keeping the entire billing process under one roof.
Workflow Automation
Repetitive tasks like sending reminders, assigning recurring work, or updating statuses can be automated to save time and reduce errors.
The Best Project Management Software for Accounting Firms in 2025 Reviewed
BigTime: Built for Accounting Firm Workflows
BigTime is a purpose-built project management platform for accounting and professional services firms – including the ones specializing in accounting. It combines task management, time tracking, billing, and resource planning in one cloud-based platform to give project managers everything they need to make better decisions, regardless of the type of the project.
Why BigTime Stands Out
Centralize Tax, Audit, and Advisory Projects
BigTime organizes all client work in one system, giving firms a clear view of active projects across all services. From audits to tax prep, teams can work from predefined templates for speed and consistency.
Track Time by Task, Project, or Client
BigTime enables precise time tracking and data collection, so whether you’re working on a one-off task or a long-term engagement, every billable hour is accounted for. Then, every single one of them is translated into actual costs impacting project budget, updating it in the real time.
Create and Send Invoices Automatically
Billable hours tracked in BigTime flow directly into custom invoices. Firms can generate and send client invoices with just a few clicks. BigTime’s project management software can also help you with payments and customization options, creating a perfect digital environment for your business.
An example of project budget report in BigTime
Gain Visibility into Capacity and Utilization
BigTime’s resource management features provide real-time insights into staff availability, project timelines, and overcapacity risks, so firms can plan ahead with confidence and meet important deadlines with ease.
Integrate with QuickBooks, Xero, and More
BigTime connects seamlessly to top accounting systems like QuickBooks, Xero, and Sage Intacct, ensuring accurate financial reporting without double entry.
With everything in one platform, BigTime makes it easy for accounting teams to collaborate, meet deadlines, and stay focused on client success. As a result, it is one of the best project management tools for accounting firms.
Monday.com
Overview
Monday.com is a popular visual work management platform known for its flexibility and vibrant UI. Its customizable workflows and dashboards make it appealing to teams seeking a tailored approach to project organization. However, the abundance of options can create unnecessary complexity, and some users find that advanced functionality requires additional cost or effort to set up effectively.
Key Features
- Task Boards and Timeline Views: Visualize projects with boards, calendars, and Gantt-style views.
- Time Tracking Add-Ons: Enable time tracking for individual tasks to monitor work hours.
- Automations and Integrations: Automate status changes, reminders, and integrate with tools like Slack or Google Drive.
Summary
Monday.com offers strong customization and visual project planning, but it lacks built-in billing or accounting-specific workflows, making it less ideal for accounting firms that need more than generic task tracking.
Wrike
Overview
Wrike is an enterprise-grade project management platform designed for collaborative teams managing complex workloads. While it offers a wide range of features such as workflow automation, reporting, and real-time collaboration, the platform’s breadth can sometimes feel overwhelming for new users. Its complexity and steeper learning curve may limit adoption for smaller teams or those seeking a more streamlined solution.
Key Features
- Gantt Charts and Workload Views: Easily schedule tasks and visualize dependencies.
- Real-Time Collaboration: Share files, comments, and updates in one place.
- Custom Dashboards: Tailor dashboards by role, team, or project KPIs.
Summary
Wrike is excellent for cross-functional teams and firms managing high volumes of work, but its complexity and setup time may not suit smaller accounting practices with limited resources.
ClickUp
Overview
ClickUp is an all-in-one task management and productivity tool known for its flexibility and breadth of features. It brings together tasks, docs, goals, and communication in a single platform, appealing to teams that want an integrated workspace. Still, its vast feature set can feel cluttered and overwhelming, and users often report a steeper learning curve compared to more streamlined alternatives.
Key Features
- Nested Task Structures: Break large projects into smaller, manageable subtasks.
- Built-In Time Tracking and Reminders: Track hours and automate reminders to reduce missed deadlines.
- Docs, Goals, and Dashboards: Centralize documentation and visualize goals across engagements.
Summary
ClickUp offers deep customization, but its steep learning curve and broad feature set may overwhelm accounting firms looking for a focused, easy-to-use solution.
Asana
Overview
Asana is a leading task and project management platform widely used for team coordination and planning. Its clean interface and strong emphasis on task tracking make it easy for teams to organize work and stay aligned. However, some users find its advanced features limited without higher-tier plans, and the platform can feel less intuitive when managing very complex projects.
Key Features
- Task Templates and Custom Fields: Standardize repeatable tasks and customize data fields.
- Timeline and Calendar Views: Track project progress and key deadlines visually.
- Rule-Based Automations: Trigger task assignments and updates automatically.
Summary
Asana is intuitive and scalable, but it lacks accounting-specific tools like billing, utilization tracking, or QuickBooks integration out of the box.
Jira
Overview
Jira is an agile project management platform used primarily by technical and software development teams. It offers powerful tools for issue tracking, sprint planning, and backlog management, making it a go-to choice for engineering organizations. Yet its complexity, steep learning curve, and sometimes cumbersome interface can frustrate non-technical users or smaller teams seeking a simpler solution.
Key Features
- Sprint Planning and Backlog Management: Agile workflows for fast-paced, iterative projects.
- Time Logging and Developer Workflows: Built-in tools for tracking development tasks and bugs.
- Robust Reporting: Customize reports to track project performance over time.
Summary
While Jira is powerful, it’s not optimized for accounting workflows or client-focused task management, making it a poor fit for most firms.
Zoho Projects
Overview
Zoho Projects is a project management tool in the broader Zoho business suite, with features designed for growing teams. Its integration with other Zoho applications makes it attractive for organizations already using the ecosystem. However, the platform can feel less polished compared to standalone competitors, and some users report limitations in usability and advanced project-tracking features.
Key Features
- Task Dependencies and Time Tracking: Manage complex project timelines and measure time spent.
- Gantt Charts: Visualize deadlines and project phases.
- Zoho Books Integration: Sync data with Zoho’s accounting software.
Summary
Zoho Projects is effective for firms already using Zoho, but its limited maturity in accounting-specific features may fall short for CPA firms with complex billing needs.
BQE CORE
Overview
BQE CORE is a comprehensive project accounting solution designed for professional services, including accounting and AEC firms. It combines time tracking, billing, and financial management to help firms streamline operations and improve profitability. Still, its broad scope can make the platform feel complex, and some users note that mastering its advanced features requires a significant investment of time.
Key Features
- Time and Expense Tracking: Billable hours and expenses flow into invoices automatically.
- Project-Based Billing: Set billing rates and structures by client or project.
- Dashboards and Analytics: Gain financial visibility into project margins, utilization, and performance.
Summary
BQE CORE is powerful for firms with advanced billing needs, but it has a steeper learning curve compared to BigTime, especially for smaller teams.
Firm360
Overview
Firm360 is a practice management solution built specifically for small accounting firms. It provides tools for client management, document sharing, and workflow tracking in a single platform. However, its narrower feature set may feel limiting for larger firms, and it lacks some of the advanced customization options offered by broader project management solutions.
Key Features
- Client Portal and Document Storage: Securely share documents and communicate with clients.
- Time Tracking and Task Lists: Assign and track billable work across engagements.
- Staff Workload Tracking: Monitor team bandwidth and shift assignments.
Summary
Firm360 is tailored for accounting workflows but lacks advanced billing features and broader integrations, making it better for firms with simpler needs.
Discover How BigTime Helps Accounting Firms Manage Projects with Confidence
BigTime gives accounting firms the tools they need to track work, manage client deliverables, and invoice faster, all in one connected platform. With robust integrations, task tracking, and workflow automation, it’s the smarter way to manage your practice without drowning in spreadsheets or toggling between disconnected tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is project management software for accountants?
Project management software for accountants helps firms track client deliverables, manage tasks, meet deadlines, and improve productivity across tax, audit, and advisory services.
What’s the best project management software for small accounting firms?
BigTime is ideal for small and mid-sized firms due to its integrated time tracking, billing, and resource planning tools built specifically for accounting workflows.
Does BigTime support recurring tasks like monthly closes or audits?
Yes. BigTime allows project managers to create project templates and automate recurring tasks to save time, streamline processes, and improve consistency.
Can I track billable hours for different clients and services?
Absolutely. BigTime supports granular time tracking by client, project, task, or staff member, enabling accurate billing and profitability reporting.
How does BigTime compare to general tools like Asana or ClickUp?
While Asana and ClickUp are flexible, BigTime is purpose-built for accounting firms, with native billing, utilization tracking, and integrations with accounting software.
Does BigTime integrate with my accounting system?
Yes. BigTime offers native integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, Sage Intacct, and more to ensure seamless financial data flow.
How can BigTime improve client communication?
Attach documents, track progress, and share updates directly through project dashboards, improving visibility and better client management.
Is there a way to manage staff workload in BigTime?
Yes. BigTime’s resource allocation and utilization tracking help you assign the right work to the right people and prevent burnout.
Does BigTime help track project profitability?
Yes. BigTime tracks costs, time, billable revenue, and margins, giving you insights into which projects or services are most profitable.
Is BigTime easy to learn and implement?
Yes. With its QuickBooks-style interface and accounting-focused workflows, BigTime is easy for accountants and firm admins to adopt quickly.
