The Forest Difference: Technology, Partnership, and the Green Standard

Forest Systems isn’t just a platform – it’s a long-standing, trusted partner that makes complex accounting manageable. Across decades and different types of firms, clients say the same thing in different ways:

This is the essence of the Green Standard at Forest Systems: the belief that the best technology must be built on integrity, flexibility, and a people-first approach.

Powerful Technology for Complex Needs

For firms managing high volumes of transactions, multiple entities, or complex ownership structures, Forest’s technology delivers clarity and efficiency. VantEdge Partners captured this perfectly:

"Forest Enter makes it possible for us to efficiently record and consolidate large volumes of transactions across entities, banking, and investments, while generating organized financial reports. The ability to sync with banks and investment accounts, paired with Forest’s quick support, provides great benefit to our financial reporting process.”

Others highlight Forest’s ability to handle nuanced accounting needs. A financial services company on the East Coast explained:

“We started with their first software, Financial Navigator, and were pleased to experience the more robust Forest Systems because it can handle three very specific needs that are critical to our accounting: tax basis, cost basis, and fair market basis.”

This ability to manage multiple bases of accounting, alongside securities data and aggregation, demonstrates Forest’s strength as an enterprise-grade solution tailored for private equity firms, family offices, and CPA firms.

Partnership That Goes Beyond Software

Technology is only as valuable as the people behind it—and here, Forest consistently earns praise. Clients describe the Forest team as responsive, approachable, and deeply invested in their success.

One West Coast CPA firm summed it up:

“The key reason we use Forest is the way it can handle the volume of marketable securities and data aggregation we deal with daily. Without Forest, there would be no way we could enter all the transactions. On top of that, I appreciate that the Forest team is constantly looking at ways to improve the platform for their clients. They’re never reading from a customer service script – they’re a true partner in our process.”

This idea of partnership shows up again and again in client stories: easy conversions, smooth transitions, and a team that treats client feedback as a roadmap for improvement. A family office client who has been with Forest for over 20 years noted:

“The Forest team is exceptional – they truly listen to their clients’ needs and suggestions, and, more often than not, implement our suggestions to enhance the product for all users.”

That level of responsiveness is rare in enterprise software. It reflects Forest’s philosophy that the best systems are built in collaboration with the people who use them.

The Green Standard in Action

At the heart of Forest Systems is what we call the Green Standard. It’s our way of describing the values that guide us:

This philosophy explains why firms have trusted Forest for decades – from the days of Financial Navigator and now the Forest platform. It also explains why industry partners like Summitas point to Forest as part of a best-in-class ecosystem for high-net-worth families:

“By combining Forest’s cutting-edge accounting solutions with our secure platform, we're able to offer high-net-worth families and their trusted firms an unmatched blend of protection, simplicity, and sophistication.” —Dan Gregerson, Chairman and CEO of Summitas

Why Clients Stay with Forest

When you put it all together – robust technology, responsive support, and a guiding philosophy rooted in trust – you get a platform that clients stay with for decades. That kind of loyalty can’t be manufactured; it’s earned through consistency, reliability, and the ability to grow alongside client needs.

For some, Forest means seamless bank syncs and consolidated reporting. For others, it’s about handling the complexity of tax, cost, and fair market bases. For all, it’s about knowing there’s a partner who listens and evolves with them.

That’s what makes Forest Systems different. That’s what makes it trusted. And that’s what makes the Green Standard real.