Accounting Client Collaboration Software

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 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. Mango makes it easier to manage projects without missing a beat, no matter where life takes you.  

When it comes to team collaboration, 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 is built 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? 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. 

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 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 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, 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. 

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 client collaboration features you need here.  

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