Get engagement letters signed and new clients onboarded
Puffly is a free CRM for tracking prospects from the first discovery call to an active client, so good leads do not stall in your inbox during a busy season.
Where accounting firm leads come from
Attorneys, bankers and advisors
Lawyers, lenders and financial planners refer clients who need an accountant they trust. Keep those relationships warm.
Client referrals
A business owner who feels taken care of introduces you to a friend running a similar company. Thank them after each introduction.
Google search and your website
Owners search for a small business accountant or bookkeeping help when something breaks. Your contact form is often the first touch.
Chambers, networking and LinkedIn
Local chambers and business groups put you in front of owners who are ready to hand off their books.
What slow follow up costs a accounting firm
A prospect who reaches out with a messy set of books wants relief soon and will talk to more than one firm. Engagement letters that sit unsigned for weeks delay work you have already scoped. Leads that show up during busy season and get ignored rarely return in the spring.
A pipeline that fits a accounting firm
Puffly’s pipeline is yours to name. Here is one way a accounting firm could lay it out.
- InquirySomeone asked about bookkeeping, tax help or a change of accountant.
- Discovery callYou are scheduled or have spoken to learn about their business and needs.
- Engagement letter sentYou sent your scope and fees and are waiting for a signature.
- Onboarding documentsThey signed and now need to send prior returns, access and other paperwork.
- Active clientWork is underway and recurring deadlines like quarterly estimates are on your calendar.
Follow up moments worth a reminder
An engagement letter went out last week and has not been signed
"Hi, just checking that the engagement letter reached you. Happy to answer any questions about scope or timing so we can get started."
A prospect called in the fall wanting a bookkeeping cleanup before year end
"Hi, following up on our call about cleaning up your books. If we start this month, we can be ready before year end. Do you have time for a quick call?"
A client signed but has not sent the documents you asked for
"Hi, a friendly reminder that we still need your prior year return and bank statements to begin. Send whatever you have and we will take it from there."
Puff, your AI teammate, can draft these messages and line up who to call next. Outreach waits for your approval unless you choose otherwise.
The shape of the year
January through April is heads-down time, and extension deadlines keep some work going into the fall. Summer and early fall are the best times to onboard new clients, and year-end planning conversations start in the fall.
Questions from accountants
Can I store client tax returns or bank details in Puffly?
No. Do not store Social Security numbers, account numbers, returns or other sensitive financial details in Puffly. Keep those in your secure practice software and use Puffly for inquiries, proposals and follow up.
How do I track referral partners like attorneys?
Add each attorney or banker as a company and link the clients they send to it. That shows who is worth a lunch or a thank you note.
Can Puffly send an engagement letter?
Puffly has quotes, which you can use to outline the work and fees you propose. Keep your formal engagement letter and e-signature in whatever tool you already use.
Puffly for related trades
Start with the free CRM.
Leads, contacts, deals, tasks and your own branded lead form cost nothing. No card to start. Bring your leads in from a Google Sheet or add them by hand.
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