Client Portal: Clearly Identify Transactions That Still Need the Client's Attention
M
Monastery Bookkeeping , LLC
One of our clients recently pointed out a usability issue that I think would benefit every firm using Financial Cents.
From the bookkeeper's view, we can immediately identify:
Transactions waiting on the client
Transactions that are ready for review
Which items have already been answered
However, from the client portal, clients only see a list of transaction questions and a red notification badge (for example, "6"), but they have no way of knowing which six transactions the badge is referring to.
After a client responds to a transaction question, that transaction continues to appear in the list looking essentially the same as one that still needs a response. As more questions accumulate, clients become unsure which items still require action and which are simply waiting for their bookkeeper to review.
Some possible improvements:
Add a status indicator such as:
Awaiting Your Response
Response Submitted
Reviewed / Complete
Add a "Needs Your Attention" filter.
Visually highlight unanswered transaction questions.
Remove answered items from the client's default view until additional information is requested.
This small enhancement would make the client portal much more intuitive, reduce client confusion, and likely reduce support questions for firms.
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M
Monastery Bookkeeping , LLC
Below is a message another client left us today.
"On the transactions, is it possible to clear them out somehow after commenting what they are? It's a little confusing to scroll through them and not know which ones have been answered, and which are waiting for my attention."
This is something that would help clients immensely!
R
Rochelle C.
I agree with the above suggestion. It would also be nice if the completed tasks went to an archived location so the client could only see OPEN items that need their direction. Instead of trying to look through each request for the ones not checked off.
A
Amie MacNeil
A couple more specifics from a recent call: clients aren't sure where they're supposed to respond, some type their answer directly in the response box while others leave a comment instead, and there's no clear guidance on which is expected. Replying in the box also doesn't keep a visible record of what was said, unlike a comment thread. On the other hand, replying via comments notifies the client immediately every time, and when a firm follows up on several items that way in a short span, clients have described it as feeling spammed in their inbox.
G
Gabrielle
Yes, please!
S
Steven Libhart
This is a great suggestion!