Let’s face it—accounting is no longer just about the numbers. Modern firms are evolving beyond compliance tasks to provide strategic guidance, personalized insights, and high-touch client support. This is where Client Advisory Services (CAS) comes in.
But here's the kicker: while demand for CAS is rising, managing its workflows is often... a nightmare. Multiple tools. Scattered emails. Missed follow-ups. Disconnected systems.
That’s where Basil steps in.
In this blog, we’ll break down what CAS means in today’s accounting landscape, how CAS workflows are traditionally managed, and how Basil simplifies them—keeping your firm client-focused and AI-proof.
Client Advisory Services (CAS) refers to high-value, strategic services that accounting firms provide in addition to traditional bookkeeping and compliance. These services are designed to help clients make smarter business decisions and grow their operations.
CAS includes:
What sets CAS apart is its proactive nature. Instead of just reporting past performance, CAS helps clients plan for the future. This builds stronger relationships, recurring revenue, and longer-term engagements for your firm.
The shift toward CAS is crucial, especially as compliance work gets increasingly automated. Firms that embrace advisory roles stand out—not only by future-proofing their value but by positioning themselves as strategic partners to their clients.
CAS workflow management is the operational backbone of delivering client advisory services consistently and efficiently. It refers to how your firm organizes tasks, collaborates internally, engages with clients, and tracks progress on advisory deliverables.
Common elements of CAS workflows include:
The challenge? CAS workflows are more dynamic than traditional accounting work. They require constant collaboration, flexible scheduling, and detailed visibility across multiple team members and departments.
Most firms try to manage these using a patchwork of tools—emails, spreadsheets, CRMs, and task apps—which leads to delays, duplicate work, and poor client experiences.
You need a smarter solution. Sign up for Basil.
Basil was designed from the ground up to support the evolving needs of modern accounting firms, especially those leaning into CAS. Here's how it transforms how you manage advisory workflows:
With Basil, you can assign tasks, set deadlines, and monitor recurring services across all clients from a single dashboard. No more disconnected systems or missed follow-ups.
Why it matters: CAS often involves multiple deliverables per client—like monthly forecasts, biweekly check-ins, and quarterly reviews. Basil lets you automate the scheduling and tracking of these touchpoints.
Pro tip: Use Basil's “repeatable workflow” templates to streamline client onboarding and monthly reporting cycles.
Say goodbye to scattered email threads. Basil offers a secure, user-friendly portal where you and your clients can communicate, share documents, and request clarifications.
Why it matters: CAS relies on clear, timely communication. If clients can't reach you easily or lose track of your emails, it weakens the advisory relationship.
Use case: Share a monthly dashboard summary and open a direct thread for feedback or questions. Clients get one place to check in—and you get peace of mind.
Client advisory often involves approvals, service agreements, and strategic documentation. Basil makes getting signatures fast and painless.
Why it matters: Waiting days (or weeks) for signed documents kills momentum. Basil’s built-in e-signatures eliminate bottlenecks.
Great for: Engagement letters, budget approval forms, planning documents, and advisory agreements.
Many CAS services are billed hourly, or as value-based packages. Basil helps you keep billing accurate and aligned with the value you provide.
Why it matters: The better you track time and services, the easier it is to justify (and optimize) your advisory pricing.
Bonus: You’ll also see which clients are taking up more time than expected—and can adjust accordingly.
CAS often includes working documents that go through multiple versions—forecasts, strategy plans, dashboards. Basil’s document sharing feature keeps things organized.
Why it matters: No more confusion about which “v2_final_FINAL” document is the right one.
This ensures every stakeholder—internal and external—is always looking at the latest file.
Basil gives you a bird’s eye view of all CAS engagements across your firm, including:
Why it matters: Staying on top of CAS deliverables builds trust and increases perceived value. Clients feel guided. You feel in control.
Accounting firms aren’t just competing on speed or cost anymore—they’re competing on insight and client experience. With compliance work being commoditized and automated, advisory is how firms differentiate and grow.
CAS is:
But it’s also more human. More nuanced. And it needs systems that support people, not replace them.
That’s where Basil shines.
Many firms still serve clients on QuickBooks Desktop—and that’s where Qbox plays a critical role.
Qbox is the industry-standard collaboration software for QuickBooks Desktop file sharing and collaboration. It offers:
Pair Qbox with Basil, and your CAS tech stack becomes unstoppable:
Together, they create a future-ready firm: secure, scalable, collaborative, and client-focused.
Both tools are built by CoralTree, a team committed to supporting small and mid-sized firms with innovative, accountant-friendly technology that keeps you ahead of the AI curve.
If your firm is ready to: Offer premium advisory services, Stay relevant in the age of AI and run your workflows with confidence
Then it’s time to bring Basil into your CAS toolkit. And if you’re still serving clients on QuickBooks Desktop, Qbox ensures you’re not leaving anyone behind.
Advisory is the future—and Basil + Qbox are how you deliver it.
Ready to future-proof your firm?
Start your free Basil trial today
Learn more about Qbox for QuickBooks Desktop