Like it or not, a law practice, at its core, is a business. And businesses of all shapes and sizes need to perform general bookkeeping functions and track their finances. The easiest way to do this is to use law firm accounting software. Although it may seem like an unnecessary expense to some practitioners, this is not typically something your office can afford to go without.
When choosing law firm accounting software, it can be challenging to know which specific features you need to keep your business running smoothly. We’ll try to make it easy.
1. Determine your law firm's accounting software needs
Some programs offer only accounting features, while others will allow you to accept credit card payments online, manage your payroll, and more.
2. Assess the available features
Read through our feature definitions list. Here, you will find the typical offerings of law firm accounting software, and be able to compare the features of each.
3. Research your options
Then, get more information about the software that most interests you by visiting the product page for each.
4. Try before your buy
Finally, sign up for a trial account with one or two likely software options, put them through their paces, and select the one that will work best for your firm.
Double-entry bookkeeping.
Link your bank accounts for up-to-date transaction information with little or no manual data entry.
This means the ability to accept credit card or echeck payments within your accounting software, either through its own payment portal or via a third-party integration like PayPal or Square. Most online payments involve a separate processing fee.
Keep track of miles traveled visiting clients or heading to the courthouse, making it easier to tally for taxes or billing purposes or add to your expense reports.
Pay your firm's bills without leaving your accounting software.
Helps with the complex task of balancing your business accounts. Does not necessarily include more advanced reconciliation features like three-way trust account reconciliation.
Payroll includes automatically calculating employee taxes, printing checks, and paying by direct deposit.
Some accounting software can also be used to prepare taxes for your firm so you can review, approve, and even pay your taxes all in one place.
Businesses need reports to help assess key business performance indicators like profit and accounts receivable. Some products have more robust reporting features than others.
Store contacts for invoicing or billing purposes.
Manage multiple users, including your accountant and tax preparer, or multiple billers or timekeepers at the firm.
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