In the ever-evolving world of accounting, efficiency is everything. Firms and individual accountants alike strive to manage their workload, meet deadlines, and deliver accurate results — all while staying profitable. That's where technology steps in, offering solutions like Time Tracking Software and Productivity Monitoring Software.

But which one is better for the accounting industry? Let's explore both tools and find out which is the right fit for your accounting workflow.

What is Time Tracking Software?

Time Tracking Software helps you record how much time is spent on specific tasks, clients, or projects. It's particularly useful in billing by the hour, managing workloads, and identifying time leaks.

Key Features:

  • Task-based time logs

  • Automatic or manual time entries

  • Integration with invoicing tools

  • Project-level tracking

  • Real-time dashboards

Benefits for Accountants:

  • Accurately bill clients based on hours worked

  • Improve project budgeting and planning

  • Track employee efficiency across projects

  • Identify and reduce unproductive hours

Example Use:

An accountant can track the time spent on tax filing for multiple clients during the tax season, ensuring accurate billing and time allocation.

Read More: How to Track the Daily Work of Your Employees?

What is Productivity Monitoring Software?

Productivity Monitoring Software goes a step further by tracking the quality of the time spent. It provides insights into how effectively employees or users are utilizing their working hours.

Key Features:

  • App and URL usage tracking

  • Screenshots for accountability

  • Idle time and break tracking

  • Productivity scores and analytics

  • Real-time activity tracking

Benefits for Accounting Teams:

  • Understand which tools and sites consume the most time

  • Detect distractions and non-billable activity

  • Ensure data security by monitoring access

  • Provide evidence-based performance reviews

Example Use:

A CPA firm uses productivity monitoring to find out which team members are spending too much time on non-work-related websites during peak filing periods.

Which One is Better for Accounting?

The right answer depends on your specific needs.

Choose Time Tracking Software if:

  • Your accounting firm charges by the hour

  • You want clear timesheets for payroll and client billing

  • You're managing a team of remote accountants with flexible schedules

Choose Productivity Monitoring Software if:

  • You want to improve team focus and eliminate distractions

  • Your goal is to enhance internal efficiency and output

  • You handle confidential data and want to ensure secure access

Why Not Both?

Modern tools like DeskTrack offer the best of both worlds — integrating time tracking and productivity monitoring into a single platform.

DeskTrack Features Include:

  • Automated time tracking

  • Application and URL tracking

  • Screenshot monitoring

  • Timesheet and attendance management

  • Detailed productivity reports

With DeskTrack, accounting teams can track hours spent on client projects and ensure those hours are being used productively.

Real-World Use Case: Accountancy Firm Boosts Efficiency

A mid-sized accounting firm adopted DeskTrack to manage its 15-member team during the busy tax season. With the DeskTrack Demo, they realized how much time was lost switching between unrelated apps.

By enabling both time tracking and productivity monitoring:

  • They increased billable hours by 25%

  • Reduced idle time by 30%

  • Improved client satisfaction due to faster turnaround

Read More: Top 15 Attendance Apps for Employees in 2025

Getting Started: Book a DeskTrack Demo

If you're unsure whether time tracking or productivity monitoring fits your accounting practice, try the DeskTrack Demo to see it in action. Experience firsthand how it:

  • Tracks project hours

  • Monitors productivity

  • Generates real-time performance insights

  • Supports billing and compliance

Conclusion

Both Time Tracking Software and Productivity Monitoring Software offer valuable features for accountants — but they serve different purposes. Where one ensures accurate billing, the other ensures optimal use of time.

For maximum results, consider using a solution like DeskTrack, which offers both functionalities in one platform. Whether you're managing freelancers, an internal team, or outsourced work, combining these tools can help you improve efficiency, transparency, and profitability in your accounting processes.