Online Form Builder: Simplify Data Collection for CPAs and Bookkeepers

Find out how using online fillable forms can totally change how CPAs and bookkeepers collect info from clients.

Wave goodbye to the old days of slow data gathering, mistakes from doing it by hand, and messy information. Let’s dive into the ups and downs of 7 different online fillable forms to help you pick the best one for what you need.

Feeling swamped with work and no time to make your own forms? Don’t sweat it! We’ve got your back. Here to see how we can make things a lot easier for CPAs and bookkeepers.

Table Of Contents

1. 7 Online Form Builder
2. Using online forms can be a game-changer for CPAs and bookkeepers

7 Online Form Builder

1. Microsoft Forms

Pros:

• Super-simple to use and intuitive interface.
• Integration with other Microsoft products.

Cons:

• Lack of advanced features that would enhance its usefulness.
• Limited functionality for complex logic and workflow.
• Not available for personal subscription holders.

2. Google Forms

Pros:

• Super user-friendly and straightforward to use.
• Comes with 17 templates you can tweak for different needs.
• You can jazz up your forms with pictures, videos, some cool logic functions, and even quizzes.
• There’s plenty of help and guides if you get stuck.
• Works great with other Google stuff and lots of other apps too.
• Totally free if you’ve got a Google account.

Cons:

• The design choices for your forms are a bit on the limited side.
• Not a lot of room to make them your own with custom tweaks.

3. Jot Forms

Pros:

• Super user-friendly, great for beginners.
• Has more than 10,000 templates you can change up however you like.
• Packed with cool features: lots of form fields, options for payment forms, unlimited fields even if you’re not paying, and extra widgets for forms.
• You can start receiving payments without spending a dime.
• There’s round-the-clock support. You can send them a message anytime and even attach pictures to explain things better.
• Connects with 80 different apps, including favorites like PayPal, Slack, Google Calendar, and Mailchimp, making it really versatile.
• Fits smoothly with CRM systems like Salesforce and HubSpot, keeping everything organized.
• Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans, so it’s risk-free to try.

Cons:

• There are some limits, even if you’re paying.
• You’re capped on how many forms you can get back each month and how many you can make.

4. Typeform

Pros:

• Really simple to use and friendly for anyone.
• Tons of templates you can tweak to fit your needs.
• Packed with cool features like making as many forms and surveys as you want, jumping over questions based on previous answers, exporting your data easily, hiding certain fields, and sprucing up your forms with themes.
• The interactive forms make sure more people fill them out completely and give better answers.
• You can get help through email, live chat, a bunch of FAQs, and forums.
• Connects with a whopping 500+ apps via Zapier, so you can link up with Google Sheets, Slack, HubSpot, Salesforce, Mailchimp, and loads more.
• Starts you off with a free trial that includes over 3,000 templates to play around with.
• Lets you download your survey results in easy-to-read formats like Excel.

Cons:

• Tweaking the design of your form to get it just right can be tough.
• Might be a bit pricey for smaller businesses looking to keep costs low.
• Lacks the option for phone support if you’re the type to prefer talking issues out directly.

5. Paper Form

Pros:

• Super easy and friendly for anyone just starting out.
• Tons of templates (over 650!) sorted into categories to help you find what you need fast.
• You can make as many forms as you want, no matter what plan you’re on.
• With over 28 types of questions, you’ve got lots of ways to ask what you want.
• If you need help, just shoot them an email or chat message.
• Works well with other apps through Webhooks and Zapier, making your work smoother.
• Try it out first with a 14-day trial that doesn’t cost anything.

Cons:

• There’s no option to use it free, which might be a bummer if you’re watching your spending.
• It’s missing some of the fancier options you might find on other sites like SurveyMonkey.
• Not every template is up for grabs with the cheaper plans.

6. Cognito Form

Pros:

• It’s super easy to use, even if you’re not a tech whiz.
• You can pick from more than 100 templates to get started quickly.
• Comes with lots of cool features like keeping your info safe (encryption), asking different questions based on previous answers (logic), taking payments, letting people fill out a bit of a form and come back later (save-and-resume), and helping you understand your form responses better (reporting tools).
• If you need help, you can talk to someone via email or chat.
• Works well with Microsoft Flow and Zapier, so you can make it work with other apps you use or set up some automatic tasks.
• There’s a free version that lets you make as many forms as you want and use over 100 templates.
• Even the free plan has fancy options for making more complex forms.

Cons:

• If you’re using the free plan, your forms will have a Cognito Forms logo on them.
• To accept PayPal payments, you’ll need to be on one of the pricier plans.

7. QuestionScout

Pros:

• Super easy to get going with it.
• Comes with ready-to-use templates for forms, surveys, quizzes, and calculators.
• Lets you tweak and personalize those templates however you like.
• Has a help section full of FAQs and guides if you get stuck.
• Works well with other apps you might already use, like Mailchimp, Slack, and Google Sheets.
• You can try it out for free for 14 days, and you don’t even need to give them your credit card details.

Cons:

• Doesn’t have a forever-free option.

Using online forms can be a game-changer for CPAs and bookkeepers

Here’s why it’s such a great idea:

1. Saves Time: Forget about back-and-forth emails or chasing papers. Online forms let clients input their information directly, cutting down on the time you spend collecting data.
2. Reduces Mistakes: When clients enter their details directly into an online form, there’s less chance of errors from misreading handwriting or mistyping information.
3. Keeps Things Organized: All the information collected through online forms is stored in one place. This means no more lost documents and easy access whenever you need it.
4. Improves Client Experience: Clients will appreciate the convenience of filling out forms at their own pace, anywhere, and anytime, making the whole process smoother for them.
5. Enhances Security: Online forms can be encrypted, making them much safer for sensitive financial information than email or paper.

In short, online forms streamline the process, from data collection to storage, making life easier for both CPAs, bookkeepers, and their clients.