How Accounts Action simplified e-signing as part of a wider modernisation journey
When Philip Redhead took over Accounts Action in 2022, he knew the firm needed to change. The business was doing strong work, but many of its systems and processes needed updating.
His goal was not just to improve one task or tool. It was to modernise the practice, connect the tech stack, and create a more efficient way of working across the firm.
That journey led Philip and his team to review core workflows across the practice, including how documents were sent, signed, and returned. Signing was not a standalone issue. It was one part of a broader move towards a more connected, automated firm.
"When I took over the firm in 2022, I thought it was a bit old school. We needed to modernise... I'm trying to automate the whole firm."
For Accounts Action, FuseSign became part of that shift. By fitting into the firm’s wider workflow and removing friction for both staff and clients, it helped move another key process into a more modern way of working.
The move to FuseSign did not happen in isolation. It sat within a broader shift towards a more connected, cloud-based workflow, with FYI at the centre.
For Philip, integration was not a nice-to-have. It was the deciding factor.
Having already moved document management into FYI, the firm needed a signing solution that worked within that workflow. FuseSign allowed documents to be sent from FYI and returned automatically once signed.
Instead of downloading, renaming, and manually filing signed documents, the team could keep everything in one connected process.
“Everything was driven by the integrations. When we moved over to FYI that was our main driver behind changing.”
"Once it's signed, it just comes straight back into FYI."
As Accounts Action modernised internally, client experience was another priority. The firm works with small businesses in the arts and entertainment sector, and not every client is comfortable with technology. That made simplicity especially important.
Previously, one of the biggest sticking points was passwords and account setup.
“It needed to be straightforward for a client to use. A lot of clients aren’t that tech-savvy and didn’t like having to set up passwords to log in with – it was just an extra layer of tedium.”
That friction slowed things down and created unnecessary back-and-forth. With FuseSign, the experience became simpler without losing the level of security the firm wanted.
“Now it’s just a text! It’s an easier option for the client that keeps that security we want.”
The result is a process that works better for a wide client base, from those who are comfortable with digital tools to those who want something as simple and intuitive as possible.
For Accounts Action, the impact is not about one big transformation. It is about removing small inefficiencies that happen every day.
The firm sends documents for signature constantly across tax returns, accounts, and other compliance work.
Emma estimates the process saves around 5 minutes per bundle. Across roughly 600 documents a year, that adds up to around 50 hours of admin time saved.
By reducing manual handling and connecting signing into FYI, Accounts Action has created a process that is easier to manage and quicker to complete.
“We’re sending documents out every day. FuseSign’s just straightforward and easy.”
With documents going out for signature every day, visibility matters. The team needs to know what has been sent, what has been signed, and what still needs chasing.
“The audit trail is great; you use it and see when the client has last looked at the document. There’s a summary of the history in there too, it’s been very useful in making sure we never miss a follow-up.”
For Accounts Action, that has made follow-up easier and given the team more control over the signing process.
Ready to see how FuseSign can support your firm’s next step? Book a demo or start your free trial today.
