Insights

What to consider before upgrading payments technology

Written by Aiwyn Team | Wed, Apr 2, '25

Upgrading your firm’s payments solution is a high-impact decision that affects more than just how quickly you get paid. The right technology can simplify internal processes, improve your client experience, and strengthen your cash flow. But selecting the wrong tool - or choosing one based on features alone - can introduce complexity, frustrate clients, and cost your team valuable time.


If your firm is evaluating new payments technology, here are the most important factors to consider before you move forward.


Payments technology should improve the client experience


Speed and efficiency are important, but the best payment platforms also elevate the way clients interact with your firm.


Before you choose a solution, ask yourself:
  • Will it make it easier for clients to view and understand what they owe?
  • Can clients pay multiple invoices at once, even across multiple entities?
  • Are the payment options secure, intuitive, and mobile-friendly?
  • Does the payment experience reflect the professionalism of your firm?


Leading firms aren’t just modernizing for speed, they’re delivering a smoother, more thoughtful client experience at every touchpoint.


Integration is critical to firm operations


Most firms are not planning to rip out and replace their practice management systems. That’s why your payments solution should integrate seamlessly into your current ecosystem whether it’s legacy software or a more modern stack.


Look for platforms that integrate with:
  • Practice management and time & billing systems
  • General ledger and reconciliation tools
  • Document management and reporting systems


The goal is to enhance your existing workflows without creating new manual work. Bidirectional integrations that sync payments data in real time can help reduce errors, minimize reconciliation time, and give your team better visibility.


Avoid the limitations of point solutions


Many payments tools solve one piece of the process like invoicing or collecting credit card payments, but still require separate tools or spreadsheets to manage the rest.


Instead, look for a unified platform that combines:
  • Branded client portals with flexible payment options
  • Invoice bundling and intelligent reminders
  • Automated late fee enforcement
  • Seamless reconciliation across systems


A single solution with built-in automation reduces complexity and minimizes the risk of missed payments or manual errors.


Security, scalability, and compliance must be built in


As firms grow and evolve, especially those moving toward an alternative practice structure, security and compliance requirements become more complex.


Make sure your payment provider supports:
  • SOC 2 compliance and strict data protection protocols
  • Multi-entity fund flow and reconciliation support
  • Configurable surcharging for credit card fees and payment preferences


The right partner should support your current needs while preparing your firm for future growth.


The payment experience sets the tone for the client relationship


Clients expect convenience. They’re used to seamless online transactions in every other part of their lives and they bring those expectations to your firm.


The payment process is one of the final interactions a client has with you. If that experience feels disconnected, outdated, or difficult to use, it can undercut all the value you’ve delivered. On the other hand, a clean, intuitive payment experience builds trust and reinforces the professionalism of your firm.


Upgrading your payments technology is about more than feature


Upgrading your payments technology is about selecting a partner that understands the complexity of accounting firms and builds with your needs in mind. 


That’s why forward-thinking accounting firms choose Aiwyn. With a dedicated focus on serving accounting firms, a team of former CPAs, experts from the profession, and SaaS leaders, we’ve built our solution alongside firms to provide a modern alternative that streamlines payment operations while providing an exceptional client experience.