Ignition for Accounting Firms: Automate Proposals, Letters, and Billing
The leading proposal and billing automation platform for accounting firms. Create proposals, generate engagement letters, and collect payments automatically — all integrated with Xero and QuickBooks.
Ignition offers a free trial. Set up one proposal template and send it to a real client to see the impact before committing.
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At a Glance
Best For
Accounting and bookkeeping firms (5-100+ clients) that want to eliminate manual proposal creation, engagement letter drafting, and invoice chasing.
Not Ideal For
Solo bookkeepers with fewer than 10 clients (the cost may not justify the time savings) or firms needing full workflow management (pair with Karbon for that).
CPA Verified Review
"Ignition transformed how we handle client onboarding. Before Ignition, creating a proposal, drafting an engagement letter, getting it signed, and setting up billing took 45-60 minutes per client. Now it takes under 10 minutes, and payment collection is automatic."
— Seb Prost, CPA
Founder, LedgerLogic
March 2026
Reviewed from a CPA perspective after evaluating proposal-to-payment workflows for accounting firms of various sizes. Integration with Xero and QBO tested on live client data.
Why We Choose It
- Proposals are created in minutes with drag-and-drop service items, pricing options, and embedded terms — clients accept and e-sign in one step.
- Engagement letters are auto-generated from accepted proposals, ensuring your firm is always covered with proper documentation.
- Automatic payment collection via credit card or direct debit — accounts receivable drops to near zero for most firms.
- Deep Xero integration syncs accepted proposals to invoices automatically, eliminating double data entry.
- Revenue forecasting dashboard shows projected recurring revenue based on active proposals and billing schedules.
What to Watch For
- Starting at $99 USD/month, the cost is significant for solo practitioners or micro-firms with limited client volume.
- The proposal builder requires initial setup time — importing existing templates and configuring service items takes 2-4 hours.
- Limited workflow management capabilities — you still need Karbon or a similar tool for managing actual client work and deadlines.
| Feature | Ignition | TaxDome |
|---|---|---|
| Proposal Builder | Excellent (drag-and-drop) | Good (basic) |
| Engagement Letters | Auto-generated from proposals | Template-based |
| Auto Payment Collection | Yes (credit card + direct debit) | Yes (credit card) |
| Xero Integration | Deep (auto-invoice creation) | Basic |
| Workflow Management | Basic | Good |
| Client Portal | No | Excellent |
Ignition Pricing for Accounting Firms
Tiered plans based on firm size and feature needs
Core
Starter$99/ month USD
For smaller firms starting to automate proposals and billing.
Pro
Most Popular$199/ month USD
For growing firms with multiple staff and complex pricing.
Pro+
Enterprise$399/ month USD
For established firms needing enterprise-level automation.
Most Canadian accounting firms start on the Core plan at $99 USD/month. The Pro plan at $199/month is worth it once you have multiple staff sending proposals or need custom branding. The Pro+ plan is typically for firms with 20+ staff or complex pricing structures.
All plans include unlimited proposals and automatic payment collection. Pricing verified on ignitionapp.com in March 2026.
How We Implement It
Here is the setup process for getting Ignition running alongside your Xero or QBO practice.
Connect Xero or QBO
Link your accounting software so proposals auto-create invoices. Takes 5 minutes.
Build Service Templates
Create your standard services (Monthly Bookkeeping, T2 Prep, HST Filing, etc.) with pricing. This is the biggest time investment — budget 2-3 hours.
Configure Engagement Letter Templates
Import or create your engagement letter templates with your firm branding, standard terms, and scope of work language.
Set Up Payment Collection
Connect Stripe or GoCardless for automatic payment processing. Decide between credit card, direct debit, or offering both.
Send Your First Proposal
Pick a real incoming client enquiry and send your first Ignition proposal. Most firms find clients accept within 24 hours.
Stack Setup Sprint
We'll configure Ignition and connect your entire tech stack in one focused sprint.
What's Included
- Full Account Configuration
- Bank & App Integrations
- Opening Balances Import
Deliverables
- QA & Test Transaction
- SOP Checklist for Team
- 1-Hour Handover Call
Typical completion: 3-5 business days
How We Tested
Seb Prost, CPA
10+ years CRA experience
We evaluated Ignition from the perspective of a CPA running a cloud accounting firm in Canada. We tested proposal creation speed, engagement letter customisation for Canadian standards, Xero integration accuracy, payment collection rates, and overall time savings compared to manual processes. We also assessed the onboarding experience and template library quality. Pricing verified on ignitionapp.com in March 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ignition worth it for a small Canadian accounting firm?
How does Ignition integrate with Xero for Canadian firms?
Can Ignition handle engagement letters for Canadian accounting standards?
What is the difference between Ignition and TaxDome?
How does Ignition help reduce accounts receivable?
Can I use Ignition with Karbon for full practice management?
How long does it take to set up Ignition for an accounting firm?
Does Ignition support multi-currency billing for Canadian firms?
The Bottom Line
Ignition transformed how we handle client onboarding. Before Ignition, creating a proposal, drafting an engagement letter, getting it signed, and setting up billing took 45-60 minutes per client. Now it takes under 10 minutes, and payment collection is automatic.