Choosing the best bookkeeping software can be a difficult task as it is not always obvious which software will provide the right features to fit your business’s needs. There are many software programs out there that may or may not fit with the nature or scale of your business operations or may not address industry specific needs.
To find the software that best suits your business there are some important questions that you will need to consider:
- Do you send out Invoices and Estimates to customers?
- Do you need to process payroll?
- Do you want to use apps that provide time saving features such as automatic receipt entry or mileage?
- Does more than one person need access to the software?
- Does your business need to track inventory?
Each bookkeeping software available has unique features and not all address each of the above considerations equally. Below are three bookkeeping software solutions that we regularly recommend to our clients.
Quickbooks
Offers a myriad of features that vary with each plan level. It is user friendly and an ideal solution for small to medium sized businesses such as those companies involved with retail, self-employed individuals, legal, accounting, or medical services. It is an affordable, flexible solution for those business owners who are first starting out in their business venture. The following two software platforms are available:
Quickbooks Online – Features include:
- Provides accountant has real time access to data
- View business details and send invoices on your mobile device
- Ability to connect with third party integrated apps
Quickbooks Desktop – Features include:
- Software is located directly on purchaser’s computer with no internet connection required
- Multiple company files can be on the same software license
- Ability to export data to Quickbooks Online
For more details on Quickbook’s bookkeeping solutions and pricing visit their website at: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ca/
Sage Accounting
Offers both 100% cloud accounting and desktop solutions. Sage is more suited for larger companies who need industry specific functionality such as wholesale distributors, construction industry, not-for-profits, and companies involved in the manufacturing industry. Sage is a more rigid accounting system which is not as user friendly and more difficult to set up. The following two software platforms are available:
Sage Accounting & Sage 50 Cloud Accounting – Features include:
- Desktop accounting software which has the flexibility of the cloud
- 100% cloud accounting accessible via any platform
- Snap and capture receipts using Auto Entry, a data entry automation software
- Highly customizable system
- Over 150 reports available
For more details on Sage’s bookkeeping products and pricing visit their website at: www.sage.com/en-ca/
AgExpert
Offers industry specific software designed for Canadian Agricultural Producers involved in a variety of farming ventures. Grains and oilseeds, cattle, poultry, dairy, organics, vegetables, and fruit are just a few examples of the industries that use AgExpert’s software products. The following two software platforms are available:
AgExpert Accounting – Features include:
- Web based platform – accessible any time from any device
- Ability to import a bank statement in CSV file format
- Inventory and capital asset tracking features tailored to farming
- Can facilitate up to five sets of books
AgExpert Analyst – Features include:
- Desktop platform
- Inventory and capital asset tracking features tailored to farming
- Over 35 reports available including AgriStability
- AgExpert mobile allows you to sync information with AgExpert Analyst recording transactions as they happen
For more details on AgExpert’s bookkeeping solutions and pricing visit their website at: www.agexpert.ca
For questions on how to find the right bookkeeping software for your business, contact Gregory Harriman & Associates LLP by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at (403)934-3176.
Disclaimer
The information in this publication is current as of May 19, 2022.
This publication has been carefully prepared, but it has been written in general terms and should be seen as broad guidance only. The publication cannot be relied upon to cover specific situations and you should not act, or refrain from acting, upon the information contained therein without obtaining specific professional advice. Please contact Gregory, Harriman & Associates LLP to discuss these matters in the context of your particular circumstances. Gregory, Harriman & Associates LLP, its partners, employees and agents do not accept or assume any liability or duty of care for any loss arising from any action taken or not taken by anyone in reliance on the information in this publication or for any decision based on it.