Happy New Year! As we kick off 2025, it’s a great time to think about fresh starts and new goals. For those of us in the accounting industry, now’s the time to think of ways to grow our businesses and do even better than last year—from upgrading your accounting workflow software to going niche in your market share.  

Whether you run an accounting firm, work as a CPA, or are a bookkeeper, the start of a new year is the perfect time to develop growth strategies.  

In this guide, we’ll share tips on how you can attract more clients and grow your firm exponentially. From trying out the latest accounting tools to building stronger relationships with the people in your community, we have a lot of ideas to share. Let’s dive in and explore how you can expand your reach in 2025 and beyond. 

1. Upgrade your accounting workflow software 

Are you still working with pencil and paper or cobbling together a mishmash of software to run your accounting business?  

It’s a new year, and there’s no better time to give your business the upgrade it deserves. Gone are the days when traditional methods were sufficient to keep up with the complex demands of accounting.  

In 2025, the landscape has evolved, and so should your tools. The right software can revolutionize the way you work and make your workflow faster, more accurate, and incredibly client-friendly. 

Updating to an all-in-one, accounting project management software like Mango will benefit your firm in many ways. Here are just a few benefits to making this move: 

• Streamlined operations: Mango integrates various functions such as project management, time tracking, billing, and accounting into a single platform. This integration reduces the need to switch between different software for different tasks. It’s a time and sanity saver. 
• Improved efficiency and productivity: With built-in features like invoicing, due date management, and scheduling, Mango simplifies and speeds up routine tasks. This automation allows accountants to focus more on analysis and advisory roles, rather than spending time on repetitive administrative tasks. 
• Better client management: Mango’s client portals can provide clients with real-time access to their financial data, reports, and project status. Plus, with Mango, clients can securely submit documents without ever logging into the client portal. This provides a friction-free way to work with your clients. 
• Scalability: As a firm grows, the software used needs to adapt. Mango is scalable and it can handle an increasing number of clients and projects without compromising performance. 

Updating to Mango’s all-in-one solution can transform your accounting firm’s operations, making 2025 your year to be more efficient and client-focused—the not-so-secret ingredients to attracting more clients.  

2. Use capacity planning to manage your team’s workload and avoid burnout 

If you’re taking on new clients, you need to be able to manage the work if you want to maintain quality without overloading your team. Capacity planning software helps accounting firms solve this by giving them insight into schedules, work volume, and timelines.    

The many benefits of capacity planning include:  

• Smarter task assignments and project planning: Assign projects, budgets, and deadlines based on who has time and the right skills, so no one ends up overbooked or overstressed.  
• Clear task tracking: See what’s due, how much time has been budgeted, and where everything stands with dashboards that keep projects on schedule and let you shift tasks around when needed. 
• Flexibility when things change: A flexible dashboard lets you quickly reassign tasks and move deadlines if client demands shift or priorities change. 

When you make capacity planning part of your process, your firm can confidently take on more work, keeping both clients and staff happy and setting your firm up for steady, sustainable growth. 

3. Streamline onboarding with digital engagement letters 

Engagement letters help set clear expectations with new clients, but creating and managing them can be one of the most time-consuming parts of onboarding. However when you digitize them, you can save time on admin tasks, keep everything organized, and impress your new clients. 

Here are a few ways you can improve your engagement letter game: 

• Use customizable templates to create consistent engagement letters for every client rather than starting from scratch each time. 
• Reduce the back-and-forth and get work started sooner by letting clients sign engagement letters with secure eSignature.   
• Automate reminders to get engagement letters signed without chasing down each and every client.    

The efficiency created by an upgraded engagement letter approach lets your team focus on high-value work and ultimately helps your practice grow. 

4. Upsell to existing clients with client advisory services (CAS) 

When you finally hook a client to your services, don’t hesitate to upsell them on your client advisory services (CAS).  

Why? CAS shifts the perception of your firm from being solely a “compliance” function to a crucial partner in business and financial strategy. By offering CAS, you move beyond traditional accounting roles to become a trusted advisor who plays a key part in your client’s business growth and financial health. 

Start by reviewing the services you currently offer and look for opportunities to introduce CAS as a complementary offering.  

For example, if you’re handling tax preparation for a client, expand your services to include strategic business planning, financial forecasting, and personalized financial management advice. These services go beyond the numbers to provide insightful, strategic guidance that can help your clients make more informed business decisions. 

Effective upselling, especially with CAS, requires a deep understanding of your client’s needs and goals. This means you should:  

• Treat CAS offerings as consultative solutions rather than just additional services.  
• Educate your clients on the benefits of CAS and how they can help them achieve their objectives and manage business challenges. 
• Fully train your team about client advisory services so they can articulate the benefits clearly and effectively.
   

5. Develop a high-quality website 

In 2025, your website will often serve as the first point of contact with potential clients. Your website is not just a digital brochure. It’s a platform to establish your firm’s credibility, expertise, and approachability.  

A high-quality website should be clean, professional, and easy to navigate. Start with a compelling homepage that clearly states who you are, what you do, and how you can help your clients. Your website should also include clear calls to action throughout, guiding visitors toward scheduling a consultation or learning more about your services. 

Key components of your website should include: 

• Clearly outlined services that focus on the benefits and value they provide to clients. 
• Client testimonials that build trust by showcasing positive reviews and success stories from your clients. 
• Contact information so potential clients can reach you with visible contact details or a contact form. 
• Educational content that positions your firm as an expert with insights, tips, and updates in the accounting world. 

Don’t forget about search engine optimization (SEO). SEO strategies like keyword research and local search optimization can increase your website’s visibility. You should also make sure to update your website regularly; regular updates keep your content fresh and remind search engines that you’re out there! 

6. Network and build partnerships 

Networking is about more than just collecting business cards. It’s also about building relationships that can lead to new client referrals.  

Attend industry events, join local business groups, and actively participate on social platforms like LinkedIn. By increasing your visibility in the industry, you can increase your profile among potential referral sources, like lawyers, insurance agents, mortgage brokers, and business coaches. 

Maintaining partner relationships can be challenging, though, when you’re up to your neck in client work. Investing in tools like a client relationship management (CRM) software can help you keep track of your contacts and make communication more efficient with automated messaging, newsletters, and drip campaigns.