Client Collaboration Software for Accountants

In short—yes! The Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (“UETA”) and the Electronic Signature in Global and National Commerce Act (“ESIGN”) provide legal guidelines for ensuring the validity of electronic records and documents signed online. 

These laws mean that electronic signatures are recognized as legally binding if the document meets the following requirements: 

• The signer’s identity can be confirmed or authenticated using a digital marker, like an IP address 
• The parameters of the transaction are communicated, and the signer undeniably intended to undergo the method of signing 
• The signature associated with the document is verifiable and has evidentiary documentation 

Digital signatures work by leveraging an encrypted system that is based on a standard technological framework called the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). To validate the signer’s identity and prevent tampering, Mango provides digital audit trails that comply with the following unique identifying information: 

• IP addresses 
• OS and browser information 
• Geographic coordinates 
• Time and date stamps 

These details ensure that eSignatures through our platform are legally binding. 

The Electronic Signature & Records Association (“ESRA”) defines an electronic signature as “An electronic sound, symbol or process that is attached to or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.”

In layman’s terms, an electronic signature is a string of virtual fingerprints that are used to verify the identity of a signer and their intent to sign the document.

Many of us are used to the old-fashioned way of requesting client signatures: Print. Sign. Scan. Repeat. With Mango’s eSignature module and secure file-sharing for accountants, you can get documents signed by your clients at any time and anywhere, even if they’re out of town. You just upload the document, and it is delivered to your client to sign instantly. They take care of the rest.

Yes. All documents are encrypted with the SHA-256 encryption algorithm used by the NSA to protect data transfers between your computer and the server. While your documents are in cloud storage, all information is encrypted and stored behind a certified firewall to prevent data breaches.

When using a private cloud service to send sensitive data, it’s important to use a platform that requires users to log in or verify their identity to ensure they have the correct permissions. Mango’s secure file-sharing and resource management platform allows you to encrypt your client’s PII while it’s being sent over the internet or stored securely so it can’t be accessed by hackers.

Mango’s cloud-based client portal provides a more secure way to transfer and host information than Google Drive or Dropbox—which were created for consumer use, not businesses. These programs aren’t a good fit for accounting firms.

Since Dropbox is downloaded on individual computers or mobile devices and synced across connected accounts, there are a lot of security flaws when dealing with business information. Dropbox has had multiple documented confidential data breaches where millions of accounts were compromised, so it’s not particularly safe for industries that deal with sensitive information and tough regulatory rules. In 2016, a Dropbox hack exposed 68 million user credentials.

There is no end-to-end encryption with Dropbox or Google Drive, and therefore neither is sufficient for businesses looking to share files securely. That’s why, when sharing files with sensitive client information, it’s recommended to use an encryption service like secure client portals exclusively built for accounting businesses. Otherwise, you risk data breaches in your shared folders and files.

Absolutely. Granular permissions create a secure collaboration tool with our project management software. Folder Permission Profiles allow you to control team member permissions at every folder level. Additionally, you have complete control over folders to share in the client portal for your clients to have Read and Download/Upload access.

Absolutely! The client portal offers great mobile support with bank-grade security and end-to-end encryption so that you and your clients can access the portal to manage tasks anytime, anywhere, from any device.

Whether it’s time tracking or resource management, even if you’re in a location without Wi-Fi, you can still pull up your portal to get what you need or add files. Instead of waiting days for a client to view and pay an invoice with a paper invoice, send digital invoices to get paid in minutes and increase cash flow.

And because of Mango’s unlimited storage, you can keep as much as you need in a client portal. Send a single file or 100 at once, and all of it can be stored in your secure client portal software. You’ll be able to select your own yearly retention period so that as long as your service is active, you’ll have access to your data.

Between easy accessibility and powerful collaboration features, Mango makes it easier to manage projects without missing a beat, no matter where life takes you.

When it comes to team collaboration tools, it’s important for every individual to buy into a shared vision for task management. Operating outside of a secure client portal can open up a project to numerous issues, from security breaches to lost documents to inefficient billing. Mango’s client portal is a collaboration platform designed to make your projects simpler, more streamlined, and more secure— a scenario everyone can get behind.

It may be that clients are used to other, clunkier portals with difficult interfaces for securely sharing. If so, they’ll probably appreciate the change. Mango’s Client Portal offers myriad benefits to the end user beyond an intuitive interface, including: [Text Wrapping Break]

• Unlimited cloud-based storage so that you can keep as much as you need in a client portal. You’ll be able to select your own yearly retention period so that as long as your service is active, you’ll have access to your data.[Text Wrapping Break]
• Mobile support so that you and your clients can access the portal anytime from any device. Even if you’re not on Wi-Fi, you can still pull up your portal to get what you need from client accounts or add files.[Text Wrapping Break]
• Self-service for clients. How many times have you been called or emailed by a client with a simple request that you wish they could have managed on their own?

It’s time to say goodbye to never-ending phone calls and endless email threads:

With Mango’s secure digital gateway, clients can check on invoices, service records, audit logs, tax forms, and other important details without getting you involved at all.

Our intuitive client collaboration tools ensure that there’s no learning curve—just an easy-to-use platform that gets them the information they need when they need it.

Still not convinced? Schedule a walkthrough with your client today. Just like you, they may need to experience the platform for themselves to understand just how beneficial it can be. After all, collaboration software is here to help your clients just as much as you.

Mango provides bank-level security for your client platform. As a cloud-based client collaboration tool, all documents are encrypted with the SHA-256 encryption algorithm to protect data transfers between your computer and the server. While your private documents are stored on the cloud server, all data is encrypted and guarded behind a certified firewall so you don’t have to worry about anything getting stolen.

Mango Practice’s data security allows for secure cloud storage and file transfers with end-to-end encryption. Furthermore, when it comes to electronic signatures, the software provides a digital audit trail that compiles unique identifying information so you can validate the identity of a signer and prevent tampering.

Mango’s robust suite of practice management tools also includes MangoShare, a secure file-sharing and eSignature solution designed specifically with accountants in mind.

If you’re building a professional accounting services firm, Mango Practice will provide you with NSA-level security for safeguarding client information, along with a suite of other services to run your firm securely.

Customer support for our client collaboration tools is available at no charge to Paid and Free Trial subscribers.

Getting started is quick and easy. We recommend reading our Help Articles which will guide you through your new account setup.

Mango offers live chat, video training, and assistance with data imports for our client collaboration tools.

Live Chat is available in the application for any questions you may have. Within the Live Chat, you can benefit from real-time communication, and help articles can be requested and viewed in the Chat widget. To access video tutorials, look for the video icon within the application to get instructions based on the section of the application you are in.

We assist with all areas of implementation, including importing data, setup, and training. Mango can import Clients, Open Invoices, Open Time, and Users.

Need a Mango technician to take a look at your computer? No problem. Schedule an online meeting or a remote support session with a Mango team member and join them for a screen-sharing session.

As a collaboration tool, we integrate with the software that matters to your business.

Some of our integrations include:

• Mailchimp
• Intuit Quickbooks Online
• Google Calendar
• Intuit Quickbooks Desktop
• Outlook
• Sendinblue
• UltraTax CS
• Lacerte
• DrakeSoftware
• ATX
• ProSeries

Looking for an integration that’s not on this list? Learn more here.

Yes! Mango Practice Management provides a wealth of feature-rich solutions besides the best client collaboration tools that can take your accounting processes to the next level. When you choose Mango, you benefit from key features like:

Project Management

Our project management tools can make things easier for project managers by providing a project management platform with solutions that:

• Streamline project planning and project management.
• Enhance team collaboration and team communication with a user-friendly platform and easy-to-use interface.
• Improve task management for both large and small projects.
• Easily create tasks and automated workflows for all your projects.
• Create recurring tasks for specific team members to reduce time spent on administrative task management work.
• Assign specific tasks to individual team members and easily communicate with them to provide real-time feedback as they progress.
• Easily track project progress to stay on top of task management with robust project tracking tools.
• Take the hassle out of organizing projects with a sleek and intuitive UI.
• Improve communication and keep team members on the same page while running multiple projects.
• Make it easy for remote teams to complete project tasks with a native mobile app.

Mango’s project management software will take the way you manage projects to the next level and make the process a breeze for project managers and team members alike.

Document Management

Mango’s comprehensive document management system is designed to optimize your efficiency by seamlessly integrating with MangoShare.

This cloud-based collaboration software provides collaboration features that allow you to access files securely, request and share documents, and obtain eSignatures through email.

Our platform provides fast document previews and customizable email notifications at the folder level. Granular permissions ensure secure collaboration, allowing control over team and client access.

Time and Billing

If you’re still working with handwritten documents and filing cabinets, it’s time to find a better way to handle time-tracking and billing.

Mango provides a robust time and billing solution designed to streamline your processes, increase efficiency, and allow you to invoice more accurately.

Our web-based time and billing software provides you with key features like:

• Invoicing and reporting
• Client portals
• Electronic payments
• Time and expense tracking
• Project budgeting
• Cloud-based access

Reporting & Analytics

Want to get a real picture of how your projects are doing? Mango’s reporting and analytics software provides your firm with the ideal platform for real-time insights into all your processes.

Our reporting features will help you quickly identify key trends at your firm so that you can make data-driven decisions to allocate your time and resources effectively.

Customized Websites

Every firm needs a professional website to attract customers, but web development work can be challenging for accounting professionals who don’t have much experience with web design.

Some web design agencies will charge an arm and a leg for their web development services, and while they may provide quality websites, they’re likely not familiar with the unique needs of accounting firms.

Mango’s web development solution can provide you with a website based on proven designs that will help your website get seen by the right people. Our team will get you up and running with stock photos, ten pages for your practice, and starter content pages that focus on your firm's specific services.

One of the best things about a Mango website is that you don’t have to wait months for web developers to finish the job before you go live. In most cases, your website will be ready for launch within weeks instead of months, allowing you to extend your firm’s reach quickly.

Solutions for Businesses of All Sizes

Whether you’re a small or medium-sized business or a larger enterprise, you and your entire team can benefit from what Mango has to offer.

From project management and task management to making sure all the tasks you assign get done before deadlines hit to client collaboration tools and communication tools to ensure you and your clients are always on the same page, Mango’s got you covered.

No matter your needs or budget, Mango has a plan for you. Our basic plan starts at $35 per user per month, with our full suite of services ranging up to $69 per user per month. Find the right plan with the best client collaboration tools you need here.

Learn more about the Mango advantage for yourself and schedule a demo today.