FAQ: How Does a CRM Software Fit into My Bookkeeping (i.e. Dubsado, Honeybook, 17Hats)

Answer: Think of Quickbooks Online as the back-end accounting department that keeps everything in one place, while your CRM software is more client facing.

Here are some things to know:

If your CRM has an accounting feature:

Some CRMs have an accounting feature. If that works for you, great. You may not need to use a program like Quickbooks.

If the accounting feature of your CRM feels limited:

You can use a program like Quickbooks in conjunction. This means that you can invoice and receive payment in your CRM, but you will track all receipts and expenses in Quickbooks.

If a sync feature is available from your CRM:

You can integrate your CRM with Quickbooks (Honeybook, Dubsado and 17Hats all have a sync feature). It is a one way sync and the program will push invoices and payments to Quickbooks. Those invoices and payments then sit in Quickbooks and wait to be matched to the transactions that come through your bank feed. They all work pretty well with Quickbooks. In our experience, Honeybook tends to have the least amount of integration issues.

If you sync your software with Quickbooks, you do not need to track your expenses and income in the CRM. You will do all of that within Quickbooks. You will still, however, use your CRM for invoicing and recording payments.

If you use something like Tave, Studio Ninja, etc. that doesn’t integrate with QBO:

No worries! You can still track all accounting in QBO, but manage all client facing invoicing, payments, etc within your software.

If you don’t have a CRM:

Don’t feel pressure to use one! They are meant to support your business, not add stress. You can invoice within Quickbooks (which I recommend!) or whatever works for you.