Overview
With more than 50 years in business, CRS CPAs has become a trusted presence in West Tennessee, serving clients through five offices and a team of over 50 professionals. Known for its full-service approach, including audit, tax, and advisory services, the firm had outgrown its fragmented technology stack. Disconnected systems created inefficiencies, limited visibility, and increased administrative burden. In search of a more unified accounting workflow management software platform, CRS CPAs turned to Firm360 to centralize operations, simplify workflows, and scale more effectively.
Challenge
Before implementing Firm360, CRS CPAs relied on a patchwork of tools: Practice CS for time and billing, GoFileRoom for document management, ShareFile for client portals, FirmFlow for project tracking, and various spreadsheets for everything else. This disjointed setup made it difficult to manage client data, track projects, and ensure accountability across teams.
“We didn’t even realize how disjointed it all was until we tried to clean up our data,” said Managing Partner Fancher Sargent. “Onboarding a new client meant setting them up in five different places.”
The firm struggled with:
- Lack of visibility into workload distribution
- Missed deadlines and duplicated efforts
- Inefficient client onboarding and follow-up
- Burnout risks from trying to manage multiple systems
“It was becoming unmanageable,” Sargent admitted. “Frankly, I don’t know if I’d still be in this role if we hadn’t made a change.”
Solution
CRS CPAs evaluated several platforms, including Karbon and Canopy, before selecting Firm360 for its configurability and ability to serve multiple service lines. Implementation began in August 2024 and wrapped up by November. The firm ran a one-month parallel system before switching fully and saw complete user adoption within three months.
“It was probably the most seamless software transition we’ve experienced in a long, long time,” said Sargent. “Support was phenomenal.”
Results
Since adopting Firm360, CRS CPAs has realized dramatic improvements in operational efficiency, client satisfaction, and internal alignment:
- Centralized Workflows: 100% of client management is now handled within Firm360.
- Increased Efficiency: Employees save an estimated 2 to 4 hours per week by eliminating the need to track down project statuses and documents.
- Firm-Wide Time Savings: With over 50 employees, the firm is saving approximately 200 hours per week.
- Improved Client Experience: Clients now access billing, document uploads, and tax returns in one place, reducing the need for staff intervention.
- Streamlined Onboarding: No more missed client follow-ups due to fragmented systems.
- Leadership Relief: Sargent reports significantly less stress and greater confidence in managing the firm.
“We’ve been experiencing double-digit growth for several years,” said Sargent, “and Firm360 has helped us support that growth more strategically.”
