Best banks for CPAs in 2026

Finding the best banks for certified public accountants (CPAs) means looking at your firm's specific needs. This guide is for accounting services businesses seeking to streamline finances and support growth. The right accounting services banking partner can make a significant difference in your daily operations and long-term success. To help you choose, this breakdown covers essential decision-making factors, including checking account features, transaction limits, and associated fees, so you can find the best fit for your firm.

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Industry pain points

Accounting firms, despite their financial expertise, often grapple with unique banking challenges that can hinder efficiency and growth. These operational hurdles stem from the nature of client-based work and the need for seamless, cost-effective financial management. Here are some of the most common pain points that accounting services businesses face.

• Irregular cash flow: Seasonal client work and unpredictable payment cycles can make it difficult to maintain consistent cash reserves.
• High transaction fees: Processing numerous client payments and payroll runs can lead to substantial bank fees that cut into profit margins.
• Disconnected financial tools: Juggling separate platforms for banking, payments, and expense management creates administrative burdens and complicates reconciliation.
• Limited access to flexible credit: Securing a line of credit to manage cash flow gaps or fund growth initiatives can be a significant obstacle for many firms.

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Highlights

• Bluevine offers accounting service businesses an integrated platform designed to streamline cash flow, reduce complexity, and support firm growth.
• Other options include a range of traditional and digital banking solutions like Mercury, Relay, Chase Business, and Bank of America.
• Finding the best business bank account for an accounting services company depends on evaluating key features, integration capabilities, and overall value.

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Best small business bank

Bluevine

Bluevine is a financial technology company¹ that provides innovative banking solutions designed specifically to empower growing businesses. We offer accounting firms and bookkeepers a suite of secure tools to manage client accounts, including dedicated logins and an accountant directory to help grow your practice. Our all-in-one digital platform streamlines finances by integrating high-yield business checking² with automated accounts payable³ and seamless connections to software like QuickBooks⁴ and Xero. This integrated approach helps you save time, reduce administrative burdens, and provide superior value to your clients.

How Bluevine addresses the challenges of accounting services businesses

• Irregular cash flow: Bluevine helps you manage inconsistent revenue streams by allowing you to earn high-yield interest with a Bluevine Business Checking account, boosting your company's cash reserves. You can also use up to 20 sub-accounts⁵ to separate funds for taxes, payroll, and other expenses, giving you a clearer picture of your financial health.
• High transaction fees: You can reduce the impact of high transaction fees with a Bluevine Business Checking account, which features no monthly fees on its standard plan,⁶ no overdraft fees, and unlimited transactions.⁷ This allows your firm to process client payments and run payroll without worrying about fees cutting into your profits.
• Disconnected financial tools: Bluevine simplifies your firm's tech stack by offering an all-in-one platform that connects seamlessly with accounting tools like QuickBooks Online.⁴ This integration, combined with built-in accounts payable automation,³ reduces administrative work and makes reconciliation easier.
• Limited access to flexible credit: To help manage cash flow gaps or fund growth, Bluevine provides access to a flexible line of credit.⁸ Once approved, you can draw funds as needed, and with a Bluevine Business Checking account, those funds can be available instantly⁹ in your account, giving you the working capital to act on opportunities without delay.

Top features for accounting services businesses

• Debit cards: Issue physical and virtual cards¹⁰ with spending limits to team members, making it easy to track expenses and simplify reconciliation.
• Accounts payable: Automate bill management and streamline payments with custom approval workflows and a convenient two-way sync with QuickBooks Online,⁴ saving time and reducing manual entry.
• Sub-accounts: Organize finances for taxes, payroll, or specific projects with dedicated sub-accounts,⁵ each with its own unique account number for clear budgeting and tracking.
• Check deposits: Deposit checks conveniently from anywhere using the mobile app, which helps streamline the process of recording receivables.
• Accept payments: Accept multiple payment methods online and in person—including ACH, wires, and Tap to Pay¹¹—all managed from your Bluevine dashboard for simplified accounts receivable.
• Cash deposits: Deposit cash with your Bluevine debit card at 91,500+ locations nationwide.¹²
• Customer Satisfaction: With an A+ BBB rating and a 4.6-star “Excellent” rating on Trustpilot¹³, customers value how Bluevine simplifies banking and supports the unique needs of small businesses.

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Other options

Here are several additional small business banking providers commonly compared in this category.

Mercury

Mercury is a financial technology company, not a direct bank, that offers business banking services through its partners, Choice Financial Group and Column N.A. For accounting firms, it provides foundational tools like business checking and savings accounts, along with features for managing vendor payments and controlling team spending.

Mercury's platform is tailored for venture-backed tech startups, which can be a mismatch for the typical accounting firm. It does not offer interest on checking balances or checkbooks, and its high-yield Treasury account is only available to those with balances over $250,000. For firms seeking to maximize returns and flexibility, Bluevine offers high-yield APY (annual percentage yield) on checking, checkbooks, and a robust digital platform with more accessible and affordable options.

Relay

Relay is a financial technology company that provides online business banking for small businesses through its partner, Thread Bank. Its platform is built around financial organization, allowing firms to manage funds for different purposes, and it offers FDIC insurance up to $3M on deposits. While this focus on organization is helpful for budgeting, it may not address other key needs for accounting firms, such as earning interest on checking balances or accessing integrated credit and accounts payable automation.

For accounting firms that need invoicing tools, both Relay and Bluevine deliver. However, Relay’s platform only offers APY on savings accounts, which may not be ideal for firms wanting to maximize returns on their liquid capital. Bluevine provides a more advantageous alternative by letting you earn a high-yield APY on checking balances. It also includes free checkbooks and access to a flexible line of credit, directly addressing the cash flow and growth-funding needs of an accounting practice.

Chase Business

Chase Bank is a major national bank that provides a wide range of financial products for businesses of all sizes. As the largest bank in the U.S. by assets, it is supported by a vast network of branches and ATMs. For accounting firms that require frequent in-person banking services, this extensive physical presence can be a key consideration. However, this traditional structure often comes with account fees, minimum balance requirements, and less specialized digital tools compared to fintech alternatives. Accounting services businesses looking for integrated, low-cost digital platforms may find Chase's offerings less aligned with their need for streamlined, automated financial management.

For accounting firms that require frequent in-person service or handle large cash deposits, Chase's extensive network of physical branches is a significant advantage. This traditional banking structure, however, often comes with higher fees and lower yields. In contrast, Bluevine offers high-yield, low-fee online business accounts ideal for digital-first accounting practices that need powerful cash flow tools and want to maximize returns on their capital.

Bank of America

As a major U.S. financial institution, Bank of America offers a vast network of physical branches and a global presence. It provides a broad range of business banking products for various business structures, delivering services through both its digital platforms and in-person branches. While this model serves a wide audience, accounting firms may find its offerings less specialized for their needs compared to more integrated, digital-first platforms.

For accounting firms that value in-person service and need widespread branch access, Bank of America offers a traditional banking model. Bluevine, on the other hand, caters to firms seeking to maximize efficiency and returns through a digital-first platform, providing high-yield checking and flexible lending options without requiring branch visits.

Brex

Brex is a financial technology company that offers a unified platform for business finance, partnering with banks like Column N.A. and Emigrant Bank to provide banking services. The platform is known for its corporate card and expense management tools, which are designed for high-growth tech companies and large enterprises. For many accounting firms, this focus on venture-backed startups can mean the features are not tailored to the service-based workflows and cash flow patterns typical of an accounting practice.

While Brex focuses on corporate card spending and expense management for tech companies, Bluevine provides a more holistic banking solution for service-based businesses like accounting firms. Bluevine's high-yield business checking account allows firms to earn interest on their operating capital, and its integrated accounts payable automation and flexible line of credit directly address the core financial management and cash flow needs of an accounting practice.

Novo

Novo is a financial technology company that provides online business banking services through its partner bank, Middlesex Federal Savings. Its platform offers a business checking account with digital tools for invoicing, budgeting, and bookkeeping. While these financial management tools are designed to help various small businesses track expenses and manage cash flow, they may not be specialized enough for the complex needs of an accounting practice.

Novo’s single checking plan does not earn APY, a potential drawback for firms wanting to maximize returns on cash reserves. For accounting practices that need more robust financial tools, Bluevine provides checking plans that earn a competitive APY. It also includes features tailored for accountants, such as sub-accounts with dedicated debit cards, integrated accounts payable solutions, and free checkbooks to better manage client funds and firm expenses.

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How to choose a business bank account for accounting services

Choosing the right business bank account is a critical decision that directly impacts your firm's efficiency and profitability. To make an informed choice, it's essential to evaluate how different banking solutions address the specific financial challenges of an accounting practice. Consider these key factors to find a partner that supports your firm's growth and operational needs.

Fees and transaction limits

Accounting firms process a high volume of transactions, from client payments to payroll, which can lead to significant bank fees. Look for an account with no or low monthly fees, unlimited transactions, and no overdraft charges to protect your profit margins. Understanding these costs upfront ensures your banking partner contributes to your bottom line, rather than detracting from it.

Cash flow management tools

Due to seasonal client work and varied payment cycles, maintaining consistent cash flow is a common challenge for accounting firms. A bank that offers high-yield interest on checking balances can help you maximize returns on your operating capital. Features like sub-accounts also allow you to organize funds for taxes, payroll, and other expenses, providing a clearer view of your financial position.

Integration with existing software

Juggling disconnected platforms for banking, payments, and accounting creates administrative burdens and increases the risk of errors. A bank that integrates seamlessly with your existing accounting software can automate data entry and simplify reconciliation. This connectivity streamlines your workflow, saves valuable time, and allows you to focus on serving your clients.

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Why choose Bluevine

Bluevine empowers accounting firms with an all-in-one digital platform designed to streamline finances, reduce complexity, and enhance client services. Unlike competitors, Bluevine delivers a powerful combination of high-yield business checking, integrated accounts payable, and access to flexible credit, providing a complete solution to manage cash flow and drive growth.

Open a Bluevine Account Today