Canopy Reviews

Pros
Cool features, outstanding customer service, constantly updating to make it better. I love that I can upload files easily to a secure client portal and we don't have to email files anymore. Clients love that they have 24/7 access to their files. We have saved on paper and toner costs. Having all our client information in one place is incredibly valuable. Engagements keep you focused on what you need to do and makes things less likely to fall through the cracks. The integration with gmail makes tracking/finding email conversations easy! Absolutely can't imagine not having this software.

Cons
There are only a few minor issues that I know Canopy will fix as they learn from their customers. I can make suggestions and I know that they will address these requests in future versions of the software: 1. Mobile Access is not perfect. An app would be great. Some screens just don't show up on my iPhone. 2. Tasks take way too long to create. I think it could be easier to create tasks. 3. Inability to print notes 4. Search engine is limited. It would be better to be able to search for partial names. Currently you need to really know the name of the person you are looking for. I have a business client who I can't search for the name of his business or DBA.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
It's safe and secure. Clients are able to upload documents and the documents are saved their portal which as a result, keeps us better organized. The visible and not visible feature for files is a great feature because they are certain documents that the client doesn't need to see but are important for internal use. The task feature keeps us organized and we know exactly the status of each client. We are still learning Canopy capabilities and features.

Cons
Be able to move files from one client portal to another. We numerous clients whom keep uploading to the wrong portal because they have access to their individual and entity. I spend a lot of time downloading each file, saving it to me desktop and then dragging it over to the proper client portal. Not being able to delete a task from the client portal. If two people are in the same client portal and someone deletes and uploads a document we noticed that the client portal gets all discombobulated. Being able to print from the engagement feature conversations or files that were either uploaded from the client.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
Helping me organize the data and correspondence of 200+ tax clients. I got hooked by the fact that it keeps copies of all my email correspondence. But the biggest surprise was all the positive feedback I received from my clients about how easy it was to use, especially the file uploading. I had a previous product that was a complete nightmare. Around 40% of the clients who tried using it were unable to. Working on taxes brings up a lot of anxiety in people so anything I can do to make the experience smoother goes a long way. Having a reliable, user-friendly product to offer my clients feels GREAT!

Cons
Annual subscription fee that will likely increase as the product is continually enhanced. It's also a little hard to organize the accounts of married couples. They file a joint return so in many respects only need one account. But I like to correspond with both spouses and I haven't figured out a way to do that within one account. If I made one spouse's account inactive, it also deactivates their email address so I'm unable to correspond with them.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 9/10

Pros
I like the ability to produce documents that are ready to deliver to clients or the IRS once I have completed the required forms. Additionally, I like the ability to make changes without having to reproduce documents. The link that can be sent directly to clients for data input has been very helpful. Having tax transcripts that are readily accessible on my desktop is a very important feature.

Cons
I think that the software should include a feature that will allow you download transcripts overnight. I think the software would be enhanced if some of the additional features that follow are included in the software: Case Diagnostics, Fee Calculator, Searchable IRS Manual and IRS Contact List. It would be very helpful if other users within the same office could utilize Canopy at some add on rate or multiple user environment. Some of the tax resolution practitioners are part of small office environments. It would be good to have a product that could better fit the needs of the smaller office environments. T

Rating breakdown

Pros
The three areas that I use the most are the 433A, OIC and quick access to transcripts. The combination of these three functions allows me to quickly evaluate a clients resolution options. This also creates for me an overview allowing me to better focus on what I need to so that I can more quickly get a handle on the problem and address it with both the IRS and the client.

Cons
When I first learned about Canopy my understanding was that they were specializing in "tax resolution" and concentrating on that area. It appears that they are now broadening their market. I understand why they would want to do this but often newer businesses start to expand or move away from what they did best and water down or slow developing their original product. I fear that Canopy is doing just that and there original product will suffer.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 9/10

Pros
Does many things very well. Love the e-sign option. Love the enhanced search by phone and email, billing has been very helpful, wonderful team, love this is cloud based.

Cons
Canopy undertakes a huge responsibility in providing so much for its users. However, there is some room for improvement. The transcripts are not reliable; the email feature doens't always stay connected and isn't reliable,mobile usage is hard for practitioner and client. Many things have been greatly improved upon. I would love to be able to brand my invoices with color and logo. How can we get clien'ts to sign in sometimes they never sign in and that a shame.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 8/10

Pros
That all client info, files, communication, notes, and tasks are in one application. It has helped eliminate the need to jump around from application to application to find the info I need to manage all my clients accounts.

Cons
The task feature can use some updates in simplification and added features. I still prefer Jetpack Workflow to help manage my tasks until Canopy improves this feature. I also get frustrated that there isn't a way to simply email a file stored in Canopy to a client that maybe isn't using the portal feature, rather than downloading and adding to an email as an atachment,

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 9/10

Pros
Pulling IRS transcripts using this software is a dream. When you get transcripts through the IRS website you have to pull them one at a time, and if they aren't ready yet you have to repeat this process everyday. With Canopy, you enter the taxpayer's information and then all you have to do to refresh the information is click the refresh button. So much easier to use! Plus you can setup multiple client at one time and let the software run in the background until it has checked them all with the IRS, meanwhile you can move on to other work.

Cons
It would be easier if you didn't have to reestablish the link to the IRS everyday, and wait for the IRS code to come through. However, for security reason I understand why this is necessary.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
I love the communication feature that connects everyone's correspondence with all clients. That has deemed to be more useful than I originally thought. Also, being able to store information on all of our clients in one easy to use place has been great. The client portal is amazing and easy to use.

Cons
When trying to complete things it will often have apologetic issues, like "sorry we are having trouble at the moment". Tasks should work more like engagements. Also, the alphabetic order of things is not exactly alphabetic and no one can seem to make sense of that for me but as our cient list grew the search tool is now the go-to for finding clients so it doesn't cause much of a hassle it is just a little odd.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
I love that is product is a one stop area for many of my daily management duties. I can see what tasks my team members have been assigned and how far along they are in the processes.

Cons
I would like a couple of reports to have more customization. The ability to place signature fields and check boxes on PDFs would be great.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 9/10

Pros
It is project oriented, easy to learn,and meets many relevant needs as a tax professional. It is also constantly evolving.

Cons
I can't find a fault. It is great and I highly recommend its use as a tax professional. Initially phone support was limited but that has since changed. I have been able to get live assistance every time I have called in the past 6 months or so and they are very helpful and professional.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
Overall functionality and ease of navigation. Bonus points for cool GUI and branding. The Customer Support staff is absolutely outstanding.

Cons
The billing section needs a lot of work. Need to be able to automatically run batches of clients on a monthly basis. I know this is being addressed but it's still an issue for us.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 9/10

Pros
It has contact info on all people we do business with (clients, vendors, employees, etc). It allows us to store and org files in an easy to use format.

Cons
Setting up engagements, tasks and calendar/communications has been unusable for me; too disjointed from the hectic reality I deal with; though if it could be streamlined and integrated with the rest of my digital life, I would use these features! Specifically, we use a specific app for billings; would prefer to keep to that, but have Canopy pull the info from our billing app.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
The creators and tech support of this program are responsive to the end users requests and the site is updated, the tech support amazing, and until they get a feature installed, will help you with a work around to use in the mean time.

Cons
That I cannot print lists easily, that clients cannot fill out their own portal information, and most importantly, that I cannot due my clients regular income taxes here thereby having all the important information saved in place.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 8/10

Pros
Very efficient, and for the most part, easy to use. I really like that the company is very responsive to issues, and seem to be in a constant state of improvement. There are new features that I haven't had time to use, but just knowing their there helps me plan for future use of those functions.

Cons
The font is very dim. I'd like more contrast between the different fonts to make navigation and other functions a little easier. I consider this fairly minor, as the other aspects of the software lend themselves to ease of use.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
I have a great deal of clientele that cannot come to my office, because of their location or timing. So Ihae use the e-signature and i has helped me considerably to get the signatures that I need.

Cons
When I set up Canopy on my side, I set folders. I think that it would be great that the client gets it as a folder as well so that they do not have to scroll through all the forms that are sent. I find that I have to label each form by date. It would be better If I can send them a file labeled by year.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
We appreciate the ability to communicate with our clientele virtual through a multitude of platforms on Canopy, all precisely engineered to accommodate our desires.

Cons
The only opposition to Canopy would be that because of its many unique features it may seem complicated at face value, but it is nothing more complicated than an email.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
Integrated Form population - detailed client survey - transcript reports - assistant for innocent spouse and penalty abatement

Cons
no chronological record per client to record calls and history of actions taken - no integrated calendar per user per client integrated to a record showing actions taken - email is not very functional or user-friendly at this point.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
The CRM component lets you take notes, update client work papers. The software also make it easy for clients to upload documents and files. Pulling clients transcripts is also a plus. This cuts out a lot of phone time waiting for the IRS to respond. Overall, it is a very good product.

Cons
I really don't have a con. This software is exceptional. I would like for some of the subject matter expect be a better t more knowledgeable in IRS procedures.

Rating breakdown

Pros
Ability to have a real database of clients. Ability to collect fees through Stripe integration with Canopy. Great to send out single email communications. Most importantly is the client portal, that was incredible and saved a huge amount of time for document transfer.

Cons
Mass mail feature did not work well. I chose to integrate with Google and most of my messages were instantly rejected by Google. I had to go to Mail Chimp. Integration with that platform might be nice.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
This makes workflow for tax resolution manageable. This business is a bunch of hurry up and wait. This system helps to refresh my memory while transitioning to different clients.

Cons
Not so much a con, as much as anticipation for all the new options that are coming. They promised state forms when I bought and they delivered. I know when they say new options will be available, they will be delivered. Great upstart!

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
I like that I have the ability to not only keep all my tax clients separate, but I can invoice and open up the application and work anywhere there's an internet connection!

Cons
One of the biggest cons I have is the inability to send out and have engagement letters digitally signed. The only thing would be to the interface, allow the user to hide some of the details when using the interface.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 8/10

Pros
I love the intuitiveness of the product and the user interface on both my end and my client's. I use the product on a continuous basis and it has turned out to be a precious timesaver for my firm.

Cons
I wish the ability to update clients was a little smoother. The initial bulk import was smooth, but now there are several more needing to be added. The process does not seem as smooth to update the list.

Rating breakdown

Pros
I love the guides that walk the user through the steps needed to solve a tax problem. I consider myself experienced in this field of work, but as a solo practicioner, the added "review" by the program boosts my confidence. I always want to make sure that I've done everything I can for my client.

Cons
Price and UI. The price is a lot more than I'm willing to pay. I have chosen a comparable solution for half the price. Although I would have justified the price if the UI worked for me. I don't like how navigation works. Navigation is not logical to me. I know plenty of my peers who use Canopy and LOVE it. It just comes down to personal preference...which is why I love that they have a hands on free demo. I personally think that everyone who specializes in tax resolution should try this software out. It's a great solution. Just not for me.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 5/10

Pros
The fact that even some of my least tech saavy clients can use this software. Also, the transcript feature is worth its weight in gold! I almost never have to use the very frustrating and non-user friendly IRS site, which is a real time saver for my staff and I.

Cons
I would say the cost; it is a bit prohibitive, but it does save me quite a bit of time so that might be a good tradeoff.

Rating breakdown

Pros
Like how I can do everything in one software - all the forms, poas, etc in one engagement. Love the software.

Cons
The task system is still clunky. I understand the update, but I really like the simplicity in the orignal task system.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
The ability to securely share documents with clients as well as complete POAs from client contact data already in Canopy. The ability to route workflow between team members with color coded statuses allows us to work efficiently.

Cons
Cannot identify a spouse as an interested party - which is helpful with kids' portal when the entire family has to file separate returns.

Rating breakdown

Pros
I love that it's so user friendly and the customer service is great! I love that they are always contacting us about new ideas to integrate into the program and they have implemented them.

Cons
The software is kind of pricey. As a small office, the cost is pricey, but we love the software so we pay it.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
I like being able to assign tasks and monitor them. I like how easy it is to use for our clients. They have very little trouble navigating the site.

Cons
There are not a lot of things that I don't like about the software. Sometimes, this is not a frequent event, it doesn't allow me to edit an existing invoice, but once I refresh, the issue is taken care of.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
I use this product to communicate with clients, organize files, manage time. Great for client to go to their portal and access files without having to communicate with my company

Cons
The mobile compatibility not efficient. No app. Mobile and iPod web is not ease to use. Needs to be more convenient for my clients and myself on the go.

Rating breakdown

Pros
I love that this software is so easy to use and intuitive. It pulls information from the client survey into all the necessary forms, drastically cutting down the time it takes to work resolution cases. The clients can even be invited to fill out parts of the survey themselves!

Cons
The state functionality is still somewhat limited. I would also really love the addition of engagement letter formatting in the program as well.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 9/10

Pros
The ability to have so much information in one place. The client's ability to access Canopy has been very helpful, especially during tax season.

Cons
I believe the search function could be set up to allow a more refined search with more options to search from.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
Client portals (wonderful). Help with Tax Resolution!!!! I love being able to send client request. Completing forms within the system is very helpful.

Cons
I would like to be able to make customized surveys (like for tax prep, etc). Other payment methods (like Square) would be good too.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 8/10

Pros
Clients and I can exchange data securely and without size limits.

Cons
The price increase, minimal customer service as to work flow integration.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 9/10

Pros
My clients are finding it easy to login and transfer files to me, my staff is able to find phone numbers all in one place, and I can find transcripts quickly.

Cons
Removing things is not always intuitive, especially from the to-do list; I occasionally have had problems getting transcripts and not sure if that is on the e-service side or Canopy's

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
I can practice nationwide because I can share documents and info safely! My clients love that they can log in and have access to all their documents.

Cons
Nothing! Customer service is wonderful and takes care of all my issues! I wish they would offer volume discounts if I could add all the features.

Rating breakdown

Pros
Organizing clients and keeping their data in one place, getting transcripts. Having a spouse as a new client yet could be within one client.

Cons
No alerts or ways to ensure we can create a calendar to keep track of deadlines. This would help us to make sure we will not miss any deadlines.

Rating breakdown

Pros
Convenience for both my clients and my practice. Saves time! We serve clients living far away and I would like to make sure they have an easy and especially secure way to upload their information to us.

Cons
Not everyone was able to open their invite right away and then it was expired.... I would also love to have an appointment and review link to my website/google my business link added to make it even easier to set up appointments.

Rating breakdown

Pros
I like to ease of use, new features come quickly/consistently, always customer support, the free education credits and (my favorite) analytics tool.

Cons
Back and forth sequence of clicks between viewing transcripts and engagement. It seems to be almost a minute or so.

Rating breakdown

Pros
It speeds up the exchange of information with my clients and makes it easy to review the information with my clients and update the information as needed. It also keeps things well organized.

Cons
It has no capacity to deal with the State of Minnesota, beyond preparing a REV184 (POA). I realize there may not be enough use in Minnesota to justify the investment of developing that capacity, but it would be nice.

Rating breakdown

Pros
Definitely the ease of adding and tracking clients, prospects, and COIs. Converting a prospect to a client is so simple too!

Cons
Creating my own custom workflow has been tedious since I don't really do tax controversy work. Creating calendar items for client reminders isn't my favorite.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
The tax representation features have drastically reduced our time required to analyze and respond to IRS issues on behalf of our clients.

Cons
I would like to have more features that allow me to make mass edits or additions to contacts. We have a small practice but over 500 contacts in the software and making changes can be a chore that requires a large time commitment from admin staff.

Rating breakdown

Pros
Pro: 1- Task for tracking returns 2- Mass emails to email clients or client by their tag 3- Tags for clients so I can group them

Cons
Con 1- Wish there was an option to extend in tasks instead of changing the date and then having to rechange the date when it is rolled to the next year 2- More editing options when you mass email. You can not add photos or change font.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 8/10

Pros
The ability to organize my contact information and data, as well as share documents with my clients.

Cons
I wish that the document sharing worked more like a dropbox where you could edit the documents and not have to download and then reload. I would also love to see an app on the apple and android platforms.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 9/10

Pros
Avoid emails. Security. Ease of use and user friendly. Helps so much in sending the documents to clients. Avoids repeated requests for the same documents.

Cons
As a first time user, it took some time to get used to the system. Client's invitation expire and keep asking for the invitation again and again.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 8/10

Pros
I like the ease of integration between things, especially with the Firm Management and client management modules.

Cons
They are not quite working with iPads or other iOS yet. That would be very helpful to me and my clients.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 9/10

Pros
I like the syncing of email communications which makes keeping track of information in same area even better.

Cons
The main contact screen where clients and prospects are listed is limited. When scrolling toward bottom of the list (i.e., after R's, I have to click "more clients" to reveal remaining clients). When returning to the upper part of list (i.e. A's) it returns back to limited view.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 9/10

Pros
Convenience of extracting info from IRS website in a concise manner and the ability to see a lot of information as once

Cons
very expensive for the value received and seems limited in its functionality for the price. It appears that it is designed to offer more practice management functionality but it seems once I paid for it, the support to train how to use it disappeared. No phone calls, just pop up messages. Very lazy marketing strategy.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 6/10

Pros
The fact that my clients can access their tax returns and other tax forms as often as they like without me having to email to them over and over again.

Cons
Nothing at this time, I have found nothing about the software that I don't really love. My client seem to like the ideal that they can access their document any time the want

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
HELPED ME STREAMLINE PROCESSES AND ENHANCE COMMUNICATION WITH CLIENTS. I AM NO ABLE TO ONBOARD NEW CLIENTS IN UNDER AN HOUR AND SET UP NEW LEGAL ENTITIES IN LESS THAN A WEEK.

Cons
WOULD LIKE FOR CLIENTS TO BE ABLE TO SEE WORKFLOWS TO UNDERSTAND PROJECT STATUSES AND SUPPORT REQUEST CHANNEL FOR CLIENTS TO LOG SUPPORT REQUESTS.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
The ease of sending/receiving data from clients and the transcript retrieval process makes gathering multiple transcripts a breeze. Also, when clients get the surveys to fill in the forms, it's a beautiful thing.

Cons
The screen font and I still can't find how to resend an invitation to a client for the portal. I have told customer support multiple times about the screen font, but no one seems to care. Honestly, customer support is the lowest on my list with this software. It's difficult to get answers and then when I get someone, they tell me no one has every reported that before. Even though I have reported it before.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 7/10

Pros
The ability to have all of the client communications and documents stored in one place. Prior to using Canopy, we had a separate email system, document transfer system, and CRM. Now, they are all integrated and all team members can quickly access them.

Cons
We would really like it to work more from a project planning perspective. It is a little difficult to enter tasks and then use the entries to estimate the amount of time required to complete them.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 9/10

Pros
Ability to pull entire reports from IRS for clients. Client surveys are easily able to put into documents to send out

Cons
Sometimes hard to navigate without watching the instructional videos to get you to the right spot

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 8/10

Pros
The program has improved over time to get the information of clients tax issues as quickly and accurately as possible.

Cons
The con is more to do with the IRS and the security issues. There is a learning curve with the program.

Rating breakdown

Pros
Canopy has helped our office become much more organized. We are absolutely loving the portal for our clients too.

Cons
I wish there were a way to track updates on tasks and a way for us to do our billing through canopy.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 8/10

Pros
What I liked most about using Canopy was how easy it was to navigate. It aliviated a lot of the busy work when communicating with our tax agent. We could upload a document immediately or in return revived a document waiting for us.

Cons
There wasn't anything I didn't like or appreciate about using Canopy.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 9/10

Pros
MODERN DESIGN, EASY-TO-USE, CLOUD-BASED SOFTWARE, BRANDING, TEMPLATE LETTERS FOR GENERIC IRS RESPONSE LETTERS, GREAT WEBSITE AND LAYOUT

Cons
THERE WERE A FEW TOO MANY SALESMAN PUSHING THE PRODUCT TOO AGGRESSIVELY BEFORE I HAD TIME TO DECIDE IF IT WAS SOMETHING I WANT. I PURCHASED, BUT REALIZED I ULTIMATELY PREFERRED THE "SUGGESTED PRICING OF SERVICES" FEATURE FROM PITBULL TAX OVER CANOPY.

Rating breakdown

Pros
I like the ease of pulling transcripts and the penalty abatement letters templates. The OIC is a very good tool as well. It allows me to input and change items with great ease.

Cons
I wish that there was a way to hide clients name and to search for names without all being listed. Sometimes I might have a client with me that I need Canopy and when I open it there is the list of names! I try to have it open and ready before they come in my office but sometimes that is not always possible.

Rating breakdown

Pros
The ease of the usage of the program. The appearance of the program. The eagerness of the staff to help you learn.

Cons
Paying for it...lol...I have no cons about the program. I truly love it. I would love to be on the board to make recommendations to the program...since I am a user

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
Like how the software does everything needed to file OICs; like that the surveys get sent easily to clients and get notified that the survey is done

Cons
I've had trouble using the transcripts feature - possibly user error. Found it somewhat easier to call IRS and get the transcripts

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
Ease of use. Everything just works. It is simple and intuitive. The navigation leads you to where you need to go to get each task completed.

Cons
Lack of charts showing all clients and the status of their case. This may be because I don't pay for all the bells and whistles.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
I am using the free service to obtain IRS Transcripts and run reports, and as everything is web-based there is nothing to install.

Cons
For the free service, there is apparently no support. So if there is a problem that you can't resolve, you have to do something else.

Rating breakdown

Likelihood to recommend: 10/10

Pros
The software is simple, user friendly, and cloud-based. It combines both practice and process management.

Cons
It would be great if there was a single case offering. That is a cost to use on a case by case basis. Hopefully the developers are considering an App.

Rating breakdown