The verdict in three sentences
A London accounting practice in 2026 chooses between a metier SaaS at 30-70 EUR/user/month and a bespoke build at 40 000-100 000 EUR. SaaS wins on speed to launch; bespoke wins the moment you want to tightly connect your ledger production, time tracking and billing without double entry. The real lever is not the licence price but the billable hours recovered: on average +12 % once re-keying disappears.
SaaS or bespoke: the 2026 benchmark
Practice-management suites (client files, time capture, billing, document management) are priced per user. Bespoke pays off beyond 15-20 seats or when metier specifics (audit missions, client dashboards) fit no standard.
| Item | Metier SaaS | Kolonell bespoke |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | 30-70 EUR/user/month | 40 000-100 000 EUR one-off |
| Cost 12 staff / year | 4 320-10 080 EUR | Amortised over 3-4 years |
| Time to launch | 2-6 weeks | 3-5 months |
| Ledger-production integration | standard, sometimes limited | bespoke (API, FEC, EDI) |
| Workflow customisation | low to medium | total |
| Code ownership | no | yes |
| Annual maintenance | in the subscription | 15-20 % of build |
Where the real ROI is won
The licence cost is secondary to administrative time. In a 12-person practice billing on average 95 EUR/hour, every hour made billable is gold.
| Lever | Before | After | Estimated 2026 gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billable hours / staff / month | 118 | 132 | +12 % |
| FEC / EDI re-keying | 6 h/month | 1 h/month | -5 h/month |
| Invoice issuance delay | 18 days | 5 days | -13 days |
| Time-capture rate | 78 % | 96 % | +18 pts |
| Arrears chasing | manual | automated | DSO -15 d |
Mini case study
Patrick, a partner in a 12-person accounting practice in central London, was losing about 5 h/month/person to re-keying and billing follow-up. By making 12 % more hours billable (~14 h/month/staff at 95 EUR), he unlocks a potential 12 x 14 x 95 = 15 960 EUR of additional monthly revenue. Even converting only a third of that, a bespoke build at 60 000 EUR pays back in under 12 months.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Do I have to replace my ledger software?
No. The practice-management tool connects via API or FEC/EDI import to your existing production (Sage, Cegid). In 2026, budget 3 000-8 000 EUR for a robust connector.
Is SaaS cheaper than bespoke?
Short term yes, but beyond 15 seats over 4 years a 55 EUR/user/month subscription often exceeds 45 000 EUR, the price of a build you own.
How long to deploy?
SaaS is configured in 2 to 6 weeks. Bespoke needs 3 to 5 months, including training and data migration.
Is my client data secure?
Require EU/GDPR-compliant hosting, encryption at rest and access logging. Accountancy confidentiality demands full traceability.
Can I start small then migrate?
Yes: begin on SaaS to frame needs, then move to bespoke when specifics justify the investment.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your headcount, your current ledger software and your billing volumes, and we will price SaaS vs bespoke with an FEC/EDI integration plan. 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.
