2017 Review of SmartVault

From the 2017 reviews of Accounting Firm Portals.

Best suited for firms using QuickBooks or Xero, SmartVault offers bi-directional portal capability that can be easily branded as desired. SmartVault offers easy integration with QuickBooks and QuickBooks Online products, Xero, and Intuit ProSeries and Lacerte. The product also contains excellent document storage and file sharing capability.

SmartVault is available in three versions, with all versions offering document management, custom branding, automatic file check in and check out, full text search capability, and an activity log. Email notification is also available, with users receiving an email when a file has been uploaded or downloaded from the portal. The product recently added apps for both iPhone and iPad products, so users can access the product from anywhere. Also added was the ability to view any file in a browser setting, with users able to download the file at their leisure, or print the document directly from the browser.

Users can choose to utilize the SmartVault interface, or use the SmartVault Toolbar which was designed for QuickBooks, making navigation within QuickBooks easy. The Advanced View in SmartVault offers quick access to the navigation pane, where users can view all clients and employees. The center pane offers detail on all of the files and folders that have been created for each portal user. Folder tasks are located on the right side of the screen, offering quick access to any related tasks such as Create New Folder, Upload Files, or View Properties. Desktop tools such as the SmartVault Inbox, Scan to Cloud, and SmartVault Drive offers firm users the ability to quickly scan and store documents from any location, as well as manage files to a particular drive if desired.

SmartVault supports Microsoft Office files including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Outlook emails, PDF’s, and numerous graphic formats. There is no limit on individual file size, though the plan itself places limits on storage capability, with the Accounting Pro plan offering 500GB in storage, and the Enterprise Plan offering unlimited storage capability.

SmartVault offers bi-direction portal capability, so clients can easily share documents with their accountants as needed.

SmartVault allows users to create custom folders, with file access permissions assigned at a group level of an individual level. Users can also assign specific security levels for each client, with firms determining which folders each client will have access to. All clients must be activated by a firm user prior to attempting access to a portal.

The document storage capability offered in SmartVault allows users and authorized clients to have access to any documents or files around the clock. Document search capability is enhanced in SmartVault, with users able to enter a keyword or phrase to search for a specific document.

SmartVault ensures 99.9% uptime, so documents are accessible at any time. All data is hosted at a data center in Houston, TX, with at least two copies of all documents stored offline. The product uses SSL for all shared documents, with all stored documents encrypted for extra security.

Along with a secure client portal, SmartVault offers excellent document storage, file sharing, and integration with RightSignature, an optional e-signature program for all documents. SmartVault offers integration with a variety of third-party applications, including QuickBooks and QuickBooks Online, Intuit ProSeries and Lacerte, FreshBooks, Xero, Microsoft Outlook, Tallie, Acctivate, SpringAhead, Method CRM, Results, and FileThisPro, along with several others.

SmartVault offers a variety of tools and resources for users, including the ability to access a library of on-demand webinars on a variety of topics. The SmartVault Customer Center offers users access to common help topics and self-help guides, as well as short videos with instructions on everything from product setup to performing day to day tasks in the application. A live training hub is available for users that wish to access live training options, and toll-free telephone support as well as chat support is available during regular business hours.

A free 30-day trial is available from the SmartVault website, so those interested can try out the product prior to purchasing. SmartVault currently offers three plans; Tax Prep, designed for tax user only, Accounting Pro, which is the most popular plan offered, as well as an Enterprise level plan, which is designed for firms with a high number of users. Tax Prep currently runs $30.00 per month, paid annually, or $37.50 per month billed monthly. Accounting Pro is $40.00 a month when billed annually, or $50.00 per month billed monthly. Those interested in the Enterprise plan can contact SmartVault directly for pricing information.

2017 Rating 5 Stars