SmartRequestAI automatically generates tailored client questionnaires and document request lists, saving firms hours per return, reducing client confusion, and keeping everything secure inside SmartVault’s platform. We’ve compiled the most common questions about SmartRequestAI to help you understand why this is the solution that finally makes tax prep intake as smooth as it should be for […]
Resource Category: Blogs & Articles
8 Must-Have Features for Your Tax Client Intake Tool
Personalized Document Requests You’ve seen it before: a client gets a generic organizer, stares at a page of irrelevant requests, fills some of it with “N/A,” then calls you to painstakingly go through the remaining questions — “What about this one? Do I need to answer this one too? I don’t even understand what this […]
How SmartVault Solves the Biggest Document Challenges for ProConnect Users
When tax season rolls around, any roadblocks to your firm’s accounting process can mean a loss of precious opportunities and profits. From inefficient workflows to outdated technology, accounting firms face a number of challenges that can slow down business and impact their bottom line. This can even be the case for teams that use top […]
Why Your Tax Clients Aren’t Responding to Your Document Requests
It’s not that clients don’t want to get you what you need. It’s not like they woke up one morning thinking, “How can I make my accountant miserable today?” (Unless they did, and if that’s the case, fire that client. Now.) The more realistic answer? Life gets in the way. They’re juggling work, kids, errands, […]
UltraTax CS Users: Why Your FileCabinet CS Replacement Needs SmartRouting
The UltraTax CS Workflow Challenge Most UltraTax CS users have developed a familiar routine: prepare the return, print to a temporary folder, manually organize files, then upload and sort each document into the correct client folder. It works, but it’s time-consuming and prone to human error. When Kristie Agar of O’Connor and Agar CPA was […]
Death by a Thousand Logins: The Productivity Killer You’re Ignoring
Let’s play out a scene you probably know too well: You open your laptop, ready to take on the day. Three tax returns need to be finalized. Six clients are waiting on follow-ups. One team member needs help finding a W-2. So, you open your document management system. Then your e-sign tool. Then the client […]
Beyond Document Storage: How To Consolidate Your Tax Tech Stack with SmartVault
For 15 years, SmartVault has been synonymous with document management in the accounting and tax industry. And yes, we do that. But calling SmartVault “just document management” undersells what it’s become for modern tax and accounting firms: a secure, integrated platform that makes your work easier and quicker (for yourself, your teams, and your clients). […]
Why Onvio Isn’t Your Best FileCabinet CS Replacement: What Tax Pros Need to Know
Thomson Reuters announced FileCabinet CS will reach end-of-life in 2027, giving accounting and tax pros a pending deadline to find a suitable replacement. For many UltraTax CS users, the natural instinct is to stay within the Thomson Reuters ecosystem and migrate to Onvio. We get it. Onvio, a cloud-native software that includes document management and […]
FileCabinet CS Is Sunsetting — What Should You Do Now?
If you’ve been in the accounting world for a while, you’ve likely heard the rumors for years: “There’s no way they’ll keep FileCabinet CS running much longer.” Whether it came from a colleague, a sales rep pushing Onvio, or the threads lighting up on r/taxpros, everyone could sense it coming. And honestly? That alone says […]
Top 5 Alternatives to FileCabinet CS for Accounting Firms
Why It’s Time to Move on from FileCabinet CS FileCabinet CS may have been a staple in the accounting world, but its limitations are now too significant to ignore: No cloud or mobile access 100GB storage cap No client portal Manual document routing End-of-life in 2027 Waiting to make a change could mean rushing into […]
How to Set Prices for Client Accounting Services in 2025
If you’re a small firm owner offering Client Accounting Services (CAS), you’re sitting on a goldmine. But let’s be honest, quoting CAS fees can feel like fumbling in the dark. You’re probably asking: “Will clients actually pay for this?” “How do I stop undercharging without losing them?” “Am I giving too much away for free?” […]
The AI That Doesn’t Learn From Your Data — Why That’s Better
This caution is justified when you’re handling personally identifiable information (PII). You can’t afford to let that PII get into the wrong hands — not just because you’ll feel terrible if your client’s life is upended by identity theft, but because it’s against the law and can cost you thousands of dollars in penalties (if […]
Why Tax Client Intake Is Broken (And What to Do About It)
Ask any accountant or tax pro why they got into this profession, and you’ll hear things like: Helping families plan for their futures Guiding businesses to stay compliant and profitable Turning uncertainty into strategy and moving clients closer to their goals But, what if you ask them about their day-to-day? The answer is often: “A […]
The Real ROI of Better Document Management for ProConnect Users
Time is a tax professional’s most valuable resource, but too often, it’s spent on work that adds little value. Accountants report losing up to an hour a day just checking client data for errors. Add in time spent collecting documents, sorting through outdated versions, and tracking down missing files, and the inefficiencies start to compound. […]
Building a Stronger Foundation for UltraTax CS: Why Document Management Should Be Your Tech Stack’s Core
Your accounting firm’s tech stack is growing. You’ve invested in tax preparation software, maybe some practice management tools, e-signature solutions, and various other applications to run your practice efficiently. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: if your document management system isn’t serving as the foundation of that tech stack, everything else is built on shifting sand. […]
Intuit Users: Why Document Management Should Be the Foundation of Your Tech Stack
As an Intuit tax professional using Lacerte, ProSeries, or ProConnect, you’ve invested in powerful software to prepare returns efficiently. But if your document management system isn’t at the core of your tech stack, you’re likely still dealing with scattered files, security vulnerabilities, and inefficient processes that cost you time and money. How much time exactly? […]
Why UltraTax CS Users Are Adding SmartVault to Their Tech Stack
This blog summarizes key insights from our recent webinar, “Building a Stronger Foundation: How SmartVault Bolsters Your UltraTax CS Experience.” Want to see the full demonstration of SmartVault’s integration with UltraTax CS? Watch the on-demand webinar here. The problem isn’t the tax preparation tool (UltraTax CS). It’s the other pieces in the Thomson Reuters ecosystem […]
The Ultimate Guide to Pricing for CPAs in 2025: How to Confidently Set Your Fees for Tax Prep, CAS, and Advisory Services
Table of Contents Introduction Why Pricing Matters for CPAs CPA Pricing Models How Top CPA Firms Are Transforming Pricing CPA Pricing Benchmarks How to Price Specific Services Communicating Price with Confidence Conclusion Bonus: FAQs As Will Hamilton, CEO of SmartPath, puts it: “Your pricing is the most significant difference between firms that will survive—and thrive—in […]
The Top 8 Proposal Software Solutions for CPAs in 2025
Looking to Automate Proposals and Pricing? Start Here. Most small CPA firms struggle with inconsistent pricing, outdated onboarding methods, and proposal processes cobbled together with PDFs and email. It’s inefficient, error-prone, and leaves money on the table. Proposal software for CPAs helps you quote fees with confidence, eliminate scope creep, and streamline client onboarding. But […]
The Thorough Software Switch Checklist for Firms Moving to Intuit ProConnect Tax
Most firms know their current software isn’t perfect, but the idea of switching always gets kicked down the road. After all, there are plenty of risks: downtime, lost data, confused staff, and a learning curve nobody asked for. That said, the longer the delay, the more time — and revenue — gets lost to inefficiencies, […]