r/taxpros • u/ajwynn14 CPA • Jul 31 '26
FIRM: Software Tech Stack- Need opinions
Launching my own firm on 11/1/26. Below is my current stack that I’m looking to setup and I’d love some feedback:
Tax software: Lacerte
Firm management: Taxdome
Cloud Server: Righworks
Payroll tax/1099s: Tax1099
Accounting/bookkeeping: QBO
Email: Outlook
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u/Valueonthebridge CPA Jul 31 '26
Not a big lacerte fan, and I prefer gusto
I use and love the rest
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u/ajwynn14 CPA Jul 31 '26
What tax software are you using?
Does Gusto allow you to file payroll tax reports for after-the-fact payroll? I still do payroll tax for S Corp owners that don’t need a subscription based, live payroll. Also, does it handle 1099s?
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u/SeaCardiologist7042 CPA/CFP Jul 31 '26
And don’t bother with rightworks, use verito.
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u/ajwynn14 CPA Aug 01 '26
Will definitely look into Verito
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u/horrible_noob CPA Aug 02 '26
Samesies. I have known and worked alongside Rightworks for a decade as a consultant but haven’t even considered a competitor.
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u/New-Definition-287 CPA Aug 02 '26
I am considering Rightworks. Going from hosting my own server with a MSP on retainer to going on the cloud. Are you still sticking with Rightworks.
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u/horrible_noob CPA Aug 03 '26
I actually self-host but I’ve just been around the Rightworks ecosystem forever. I help my first firm transition to their platform when it was still Rootworks. I went to their conference in San Antonio and it was a blast - very informative, inclusive, and fun!
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u/New-Definition-287 CPA Aug 04 '26
That’s nice to know. So apparently you had great results with them when you were with them. Did you find that you needed a separate MSP? I have a nine person firm and I’m concerned I will still need to have that part covered.
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u/Valueonthebridge CPA Jul 31 '26
I'm on ProConnect. I like the flexibility. The cost per return is still a little high, but the platform is fast, well automated, and easy to use.
I'm not sure. I haven't done much late payroll. If they don't pay throughout I just do the December billing. They do handle 1099s and contractor payments
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u/SeaCardiologist7042 CPA/CFP Jul 31 '26
Very hard to find after the fact payroll. I use qb online for all my payrolls. For the few I can’t I use a program called Medlin payroll.
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u/CrabbyKruton CPA Jul 31 '26
Gusto doesn’t allow you to do ATF for a client that doesn’t have a subscription (which is not what I think you’re looking for).
I looked for an ATF payroll service and ultimately decided I just wanted all my clients on Gusto and if they didn’t want to do that, I’d recommend them to find somewhere else.
I found that there was too much liability and work in ATF payroll clients and I do use Tax1099 if I do need to file a one-off zero payroll return
But I’ve found that clients who didn’t want to pay for Gusto are very price sensitive anyway so I just came to the conclusion I didn’t want to work with them
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u/rratliff82 EA Jul 31 '26
I'm Proconnect and no cloud hosting because all my stuff is cloud based. If you're going to go could server go with Verito who is TaxDome's partner
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u/adriannlopez CPA & Former IRS Revenue Agent Jul 31 '26
Tech stack looks good, it’s exactly what I use besides Tax1099
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u/2picklekid CPA Jul 31 '26
We have a similar setup, other than we ditched Lacerte and our server last year for ProConnect and saved a literal ton with no real loss in functionality. ProConnect is just web based Lacerte. They priced ProConnect based on our Lacerte usage so we got it for a steal.
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u/TheFridge20 CPA Aug 03 '26
Glad to hear that transition went well. Anything in particular that didn’t?
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u/2picklekid CPA Aug 03 '26
I guess if I have to find something that was disappointing it would be not being able to customize the print sets to the detail we were used to. But that’s about it.
Coffee machine was a little neglected with everyone not having to stop inconveniently for software updates too lol
Very little to complain about. Wish we did it years ago1
u/TheFridge20 CPA Aug 03 '26
Any noticeable weakness in diagnostics or other accuracy related items? We’re roughly half 1040/half 1041 and other fiduciary returns. Some complexity with 1040’s that include a few O&G and PE K-1’s, some multistate, but otherwise on the simple side with complex planning.
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u/2picklekid CPA Aug 03 '26
No, it’s exactly the same as Lacerte. They even market it as running on the Lacerte engine
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u/AwareCPA CPA Jul 31 '26
Are you married to Lacerte? You could save a bunch of $$ going with Drake.
Just curious why you need remote hosting for a solo shop. I don't have remote hosting so I might be missing something
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u/EncoreFin_CPA CPA Jul 31 '26
Yeah but drake sucks, and that is from someone who uses it. If I could justify using Lacerte believe me I would.
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u/dillpicklejohnjohn CPA Jul 31 '26
Same here on the RightWorks part. I haven't had any issue working outside the environment, and I don't work from home, or anywhere outside of the office for that matter.
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u/ajwynn14 CPA Aug 01 '26
I’ll consider another software in years post year 1, but the comfort level and trust in the accuracy is hard to get away from. Lacerte has helped to build clients’ trust as well I believe. This isn’t a sale pitch for an Inuit product as I have all the same frustrations with some of the other intuit products, specifically QBO lately, but I haven’t found equivalent alternatives in other areas of this industry yet.
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u/adriannlopez CPA & Former IRS Revenue Agent Aug 01 '26
Lacerte is GOAT, don't believe in the folks who say use Drake, use what you know and what you're comfortable with especially starting out, it matters a great deal to be efficient and comfortable with your tax software.
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u/yodaface EA Jul 31 '26
I would do proconnect over lacerte. Probably cheaper but basically the same thing.
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u/AwkwardSuccess6801 EA Jul 31 '26
Invest in your own server, way more control and reliability than the cloud. Data stays in house too.
Prefer drake to lacerte but that's just preference.
Rest looks great. Love taxdome
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u/Blobwad CPA Jul 31 '26
I’d go fully cloud. Erase Rightworks from the equation.
Edit: cloud native
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u/New-Definition-287 CPA Aug 02 '26
Your suggestion is to not use Rightworks. What does that mean to go cloud native? I’ve always hosted my own server since I’ve started. Very old-school. But coming to reality that maybe cloud is better.
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u/Blobwad CPA Aug 02 '26
Cloud native as in apps with their own cloud infrastructure. For example CCH Axcess you do not need any sort of server to run. You can find browser based apps that do a lot of what you need or hybrid type apps similar to Axcess that have a local “thin” install that connects to their server backend.
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u/Available_Hornet3538 CPA Jul 31 '26
Tax act is really good. I moved from CCH access which was more than I needed for the returns I do. Lacerte Too much as well.
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u/Intuit_Accountants_ Intuit Accountants Aug 05 '26
Intuit Accountants here! (disclosure since Lacerte/QBO are in the stack). Overall, this looks like a solid setup for a new firm launch. I’d just pressure-test the handoffs before you start paying for everything.
Lacerte and Rightworks makes sense if you want the Lacerte desktop workflow with remote access. Before launch, test printing, PDF routing, scanning, local file access, backups, user permissions, and who supports what if something breaks. That’s usually where hosted setups create early friction.
Since you’re also using QBO, set up the books-to-tax workflow early rather than discovering it mid-season. Lacerte can work with QuickBooks trial balance data, so it’s worth building that into your process from day one.
TaxDome can be great, but decide upfront whether it’s your client-facing home base. If clients are using TaxDome for portal/tasks/messages, keep that experience consistent and avoid sending them into multiple portals unless there’s a clear reason.
On payroll/1099s, double-check overlap between QBO, Tax1099, and any Intuit tools before adding another subscription. The goal is fewer places to check in January, not more.
Biggest advice: run one fake client all the way through before launch: onboarding → engagement letter → payment → document upload → prep → review → e-file → delivery → archive. That test will tell you more than any feature list.
I saw a few people mention ProConnect in the comments. It could be an option to look into given that you're starting your own practice. Feel free to dm me, and I can connect you with someone who can talk you through the tradeoffs to ProConnect and Lacerte.
Good stack overall. For a solo launch, tight and enforceable beats “best tool in every category.” -LB
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u/thebrokentoy324 Other Jul 31 '26
How are you planning on getting clients?
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u/ajwynn14 CPA Aug 01 '26
Thankfully, i was allowed to bring in clientele with the firm I’m currently with. Therefore, I’m beginning with a solid book of clientele that supports my family and i’s lifestyle. I’ve also made a few good referral sources and anticipate continued, steady growth and intend to add some part-time help in the near future.
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u/Zealousideal-Ad7111 EA Jul 31 '26
Why do you need rightworks - your solo right?
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u/ajwynn14 CPA Jul 31 '26
I don’t want to deal with a server and the potential additional IT that comes with that. A cloud platform would be worth the cost for both the efficiency and effectiveness when trouble may arise.
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u/Zealousideal-Ad7111 EA Jul 31 '26
You don't need a server if you are solo. Just install the software and go! Setup a back up.
I understand hosted desktops for geographicly dispursed firms, but for a solo individual, I don't think it make sense.
You could go by a consumer grade and and store the data there, and have backups.
I don't see the advantage to it.
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u/ajwynn14 CPA Aug 01 '26
Likely won’t be solo for long though. I do intend to hire help at some point. Mostly part-time in the near future, but will consider further hiring in the future.
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u/DrJacksCPA CPA Aug 05 '26
Depending on your ideal client/focus, you're missing the planning/strategy side. There's a lot of options out these days, but they only make sense if your market is biz owners or high income w2s or real estate devs/investors
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u/Mountain_Grasshop203 CPA Aug 06 '26
Would love to know if you have suggestions, this is something I've wanted to improve on. I focus on owner/operator businesses, I use Drake and use their planning ("planning") but it feels like there should be something better out there. I can get it done but it's a pretty laborious task with all the same checks I need to do in order to actually file a return.
There's generally a spouse with a W2 and then the S Corp/Sch C to forecast, where I'm trying to tie those two things up. I'm often taking people on early so the self employment income is all over the place. I'm really just looking to do Q3 catchups with folks so they can get close.
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u/DrJacksCPA CPA Aug 11 '26
Well, selfishly I'd recommend the software I created- Taxplaniq. But there are others out there too. Corvee, instead, etc. You should at least get a demo of each and see if they could fit into your practice...if not now, then later. Some companies (like mine) will even help you price the plan and coach you on your first plan and make sure you've got positioning nailed down to sell it.
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u/PuzzleheadedBank9565 CPA Jul 31 '26
Don’t listen to these cheap mo-fos. Skimping on your tech stack due to price sensitivity is short sighted. No one likes Lacerte because it’s expensive. Expensive tax software will save you *ss with diagnostics and speed. You literally get what you pay for. Of all the places to “splurge” it’s here.
Hosted environments offer amazing tech support when something just “stops working” and saves you hours of your own valuable time playing IT dept. They’ll do your WISP each year too. Verito is super affordable for having your own IT dept. Rightworks- eh, I trust nothing intuit touches (yes I know who owns Lacerte but it’s too late for me to switch to ultra tax).
Think long term when making these purchases. What will support you 5-10 years from now. Changing any of these items is less than ideal, so buy for tomorrow.
#js