The verdict in three sentences
An accounting firm chooses in 2026 between vertical SaaS (Xero Practice, Cegid, IRIS) at 40-120 EUR/user/month and a custom brick (client portal, workflow) at 25,000-55,000 EUR one-off. The right answer is almost always hybrid: SaaS for regulated accounting production, custom for what differentiates the firm (client portal, engagement tracking). Budget 10 to 16 weeks to deliver a custom brick integrated with production.
Cost of vertical solutions in 2026
Vertical vendors cover regulated accounting production, but their client portal and workflows stay standard. Here are the ranges observed in 2026, as an order of magnitude.
| Solution | 2026 cost | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| IRIS / Xero Practice | 45 - 100 EUR/user/month | Production + review |
| Cegid Loop | 60 - 120 EUR/user/month | Production + payroll |
| Collaborative SaaS | 40 - 90 EUR/user/month | Collaborative production |
| Client portal (vendor module) | included to +15 EUR/user | Document exchange |
| Custom document management | 8,000 - 18,000 EUR | Filing + workflow |
| Custom client portal | 25,000 - 55,000 EUR | Dedicated client experience |
For a 12-person firm, vertical SaaS runs about 7,000 to 17,000 EUR/year; the custom portal is a one-off investment amortized over several years.
Vertical SaaS vs custom brick
Vertical SaaS handles compliance and regulatory updates; custom differentiates the firm and removes the specific friction the vendor does not address.
| Criterion | Vertical SaaS | Custom brick |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 40 - 120 EUR/user/month | 25,000 - 55,000 EUR one-off |
| Regulatory compliance | Handled by vendor | On you |
| Customization | Limited | Full |
| Client portal | Standard | Custom, your brand |
| Production integration | Native | To be built |
| Rollout time | Days to weeks | 10 - 16 weeks |
| Extensibility | Per vendor roadmap | Per your needs |
The classic mistake is to rebuild everything custom: regulated accounting production (filings, review, payroll) must stay on the vertical SaaS, continuously updated. Custom is justified on the client portal, engagement tracking and internal workflows that save time for every team member.
Mini case study
Ms Faye, partner at an accounting firm in Dakar also serving European clients (14 staff), keeps her vertical SaaS at 12,000 EUR/year but commissions a custom client portal at 38,000 EUR: document upload, e-signature, real-time engagement tracking. By removing about 6 hrs/week of chasing and re-keying per affected team member, the firm frees the equivalent of over 25,000 EUR/year of billable time and improves client satisfaction. The portal pays back in under 2 years.
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FAQ
How much does accounting practice management software cost in 2026?
Vertical SaaS (IRIS, Cegid, Xero Practice) costs 40 to 120 EUR/user/month. A custom client portal is a one-off investment of 25,000 to 55,000 EUR, amortized over several years.
Should I choose SaaS or custom?
Both: vertical SaaS for regulated production (filings, review, payroll) and custom for the client portal and differentiating workflows. Rebuilding everything custom would be costly and risky on compliance.
How much is a custom client portal?
Between 25,000 and 55,000 EUR depending on features: document upload, e-signature, engagement tracking, document management. Custom document management alone runs 8,000 to 18,000 EUR.
How long to build a custom brick?
From 10 to 16 weeks, integration with accounting production included. The timeline depends on the number of features and the complexity of exchanges with the existing vertical SaaS.
Can custom connect to my vertical SaaS?
Yes, via the SaaS APIs or exports. It is in fact recommended to avoid double entry between the client portal and the accounting production tool.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your headcount, your current SaaS and the friction to remove (portal, engagement tracking, document management), and we will price the custom brick. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
