What's the best software for an advisory firm in 2026?

It depends on the size and type of firm. For large practices with heavy tax and accounting volume, A3 (Wolters Kluwer) and Sage Despachos dominate; for small, modern practices, Holded, Anfix or Quipu offer a nimbler cloud experience. If your firm has its own process or you want a client portal on your terms, custom software may fit better.

When is custom software a better fit than an off-the-shelf program for an advisory firm?

When no program properly covers how you work, when you're paying for a lot of per-user licences, when you need your own client portal or you need to integrate the tool with your website, your bank or the tax authority (VeriFactu), or when you want the data to be yours with no lock-in.

Do these advisory-firm programs comply with VeriFactu?

The main advisory-firm programs have been adapting to VeriFactu. It's worth confirming the version and timetable with each vendor. If you build custom software, VeriFactu compliance is designed in from the start, including IGIC for the Canary Islands.

The best software for accounting and advisory firms in 2026

Choosing your firm's software shapes how you work every day for years. There's a huge amount on offer and every vendor claims to be the best, so here's a neutral, practical view: the strongest options of 2026, which kind of firm each one suits, and — the part almost nobody tells you — when an off-the-shelf program stops making sense and a custom one is the answer.

The strongest options of 2026

1. A3 (Wolters Kluwer)

For: medium and large practices with high tax and accounting volume

The de facto standard in many Spanish firms. A very complete, robust suite (accounting, tax, payroll, practice management). In return it's dense, has a learning curve and a price to match its power.

2. Sage Despachos Connected

For: firms that want an integrated ecosystem and a connection with clients

Another well-established choice, with good integration between modules and a client portal. Solid for firms already living in the Sage ecosystem.

3. Holded

For: modern firms and SMEs that value the cloud and good design

A cloud ERP/accounting tool with a carefully designed user experience. Nimble for small and medium practices; less specialised in heavy tax edge cases than A3 or Sage.

4. Anfix

For: small firms and their relationship with freelance and SME clients

Focused on firm-to-client collaboration in the cloud, with simplified invoicing and accounting. Comfortable for nimble practices with small clients.

5. Quipu

For: managing invoices and expenses with automation (OCR)

Strong at automating invoice and expense capture with automatic reading. A good complement for cutting down typing, rather than a full practice suite.

6. MNprogram

For: firms looking for an affordable all-in-one management suite

Broad management software at a modest price, with modules for different professional profiles. A generalist rather than a specialist.

How to choose between them (without going round in circles)

Volume and tax complexity: high volume and heavy edge cases → A3 or Sage. A nimble practice → Holded, Anfix.
Client relationship: if the client portal is critical, favour the ones that do it well.
Capture automation: if invoices are drowning you, add something like Quipu (OCR).
Cost per user: remember the fee grows with every person in the firm.

When no off-the-shelf option fits: custom software

All the options above are standard SaaS: good if your firm fits the mould they propose. But there are clear signs you've outgrown a boxed program:

You keep your own processes in parallel spreadsheets because the program "doesn't do it that way".
You want a client portal on your own terms (document uploads, signatures, statuses, alerts) rather than the one imposed on you.
You need to integrate the tool with your website, your bank or the tax authority (VeriFactu) in a way the SaaS doesn't allow.
You're paying for a lot of per-user licences that grow every year, and you want the data to be yours.

At that point, custom software for advisory firms stops being a luxury and becomes the better value: no per-user cost, built on your real process and with the code in your hands. It doesn't replace your accounting if A3 works for you; it complements or replaces the part where the off-the-shelf tool holds you back. The full comparison is in custom software vs SaaS.

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