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Recommendations Report

Construction Accounting Software

Get the best construction accounting software for your business. Compare product reviews, pricing below. Read our buyer’s guide for more help.

  • Editor’s Picks
  • All Products
  • Buyer’s Guide
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Best
Overall
ProContractor by Viewpoint® Screenshot
ProContractor by Viewpoint®
Integrated accounting and construction management
Easy-to-use modern interface
Learn More
Best for
Small Business
Sage 100 Contractor Screenshot
Sage 100 Contractor
Simple interface
Strong job costing
Large network of resellers and knowledge experts
Learn More
Best
Free
ZipBooks Screenshot
ZipBooks
Unlimited vendors, customers, and invoices
Easy to create reports
Credit card and bank integrations
Learn More
Best
Online
ComputerEase Cloud Screenshot
ComputerEase Cloud
Vast selection of reports
Automatic updates
Learn More
Best for
Job Costing
Jonas Premier Screenshot
Jonas Premier
Strong dill down capabilities
Real-time costs
Automated forecasting
Learn More
Best for
Progress Billing
Knowify Screenshot
Knowify
Owner contract billing with filters
Drill down deliverables to line items
Branded invoicing
Learn More

Construction accounting software packages provide financial accounting designed specifically with contractors in mind. Features included usually include project accounting, job costing, and specialized progress billing. Whether your construction project entails residential, commercial, or industrial work, a construction accounting software will help track real-time expenses such as materials and labor, track revenue, and pay your employees effectively.

With the varying software bundles that exist (such as fully-integrated construction software), it can be confusing to decide which option is right for you. A busy construction manager or engineer needs to spend time managing project activities rather than worry about finances.

To help you find the best solution, we’ve conducted research and put together a collection of our 2019 best picks for construction accounting software.

Best Overall
ProContractor by Viewpoint®
★★★★★
★★★★★
(5)

ProContractor Purchase Order
ProContractor Fiscal Period
ProContractor Bids
What We Like
Integrated accounting and construction management
Easy-to-use modern interface
What We Don’t Like
Difficult to edit closed-month entries
Newer software with growing pains
Overview
Price Range: $$$
Client OS:

ProContractor by Viewpoint is a fully integrated construction software with a strong accounting tool. Included accounting features include construction-specific payroll such as union and certified reports, a general ledger, and accounts payable and accounts receivable. The cloud-based approach provides a worry-free IT experience, and the scalable approach lets you purchase the project accounting applications on it’s own, and add on additional features such as project management and estimating (if needed).

This construction ERP solution is scalable, highly configurable, and fully integrated to manage your operations, improve your productivity, and enable better decision making. The solution can help reduce the accounting burden on your staff, meaning they can become more efficient in other areas of your business. Since the solution seamlessly integrates project management, accounting, and operations, ViewpointOne is one of the most complete construction accounting solutions available.

Best for Small Business
Sage 100 Contractor
★★★★★
★★★★★
(16)

Dispatch Board
Contract Summary
Projects Overview
What We Like
Simple interface
Strong job costing
Large network of resellers and knowledge experts
What We Don’t Like
Setup can be lengthy
Customizing reports is difficult
No time-tracking for employee time sheets
Overview
Price Range: $$$
Starting Price: $115/month/user
Client OS: Windows

Sage 100 Contractor is a popular choice for small to mid-size contractors. The integrated solution offers management and accounting tools to meet your estimating, scheduling, project management, equipment management, and payroll needs.

Many users of Peachtree or Sage 50c have switched to Sage 100 Contractor due to it’s industry focus and ability to provide improved job costing and estimating. Sage 100 Contractor also has a large network of dedicated providers who specialize in implementing the software into specific facets of contracting, such as plumbing, electrical work, and more.

Best Free
ZipBooks

Accounting
Billing
Intelligence
Expenses
What We Like
Unlimited vendors, customers, and invoices
Easy to create reports
Credit card and bank integrations
What We Don’t Like
Time tracking part of paid version
Difficult to connect non-US banks
Mobile app is limited
Overview
Price Range: $
Starting Price: $15/month
Client OS: Web

ZipBooks is a forever free accounting software that can be used in any industry. For the construction industry, the solution stands out over other free accounting solutions (such as Wave) due to the ability to handle project accounting. The ease-of-use includes drag-and-drop expenses into cost categories, invoicing, transaction views, balance sheets, and reports.

ZipBooks can be accessed anywhere you have a web-browser. If you’re on the job site, you can pull up the needed details from your phone or mobile device. The free version of ZipBooks includes unlimited customized invoicing, advanced financial reporting, and can accept digital payments via Sqaure or PayPal. The paid version of ZipBooks adds-on recurring invoicing, time tracking, multiple bank account connections, and up to 5 users.

Best Online
ComputerEase Cloud
★★★★★
★★★★★
(1)

Schedule
Sales Center
JobCenter
Field Manager
Correspondence
What We Like
Vast selection of reports
Automatic updates
What We Don’t Like
Limited search function
Character limits in scheduling module
Overview
Price Range: $$$
Client OS: Windows, Web

ComputerEase Cloud is the web-based version of ComputerEase Construction Software. Companies can access ComputerEase from any computer with an internet connection, including mobile devices such as phones and iPads. The cloud software aims to lower IT costs, lower up-front costs, and provide greater mobility for companies with multiple offices and job sites.

The cloud version of ComputerEase offers all the same functionality as it’s on-premise version, including job cost accounting, project management, subcontracts, dispatching, and cost control.

Best for Job Costing
Jonas Premier
★★★★★
★★★★★
(1)

Dashboard
Job Cost Report
Job Management
Item Master
Journal Entry
Document Management
What We Like
Strong dill down capabilities
Real-time costs
Automated forecasting
What We Don’t Like
Geared more towards subcontractors
Job costing module cannot be purchased stand-alone
Overview
Price Range: $$$
Starting Price: $169/month/user
Client OS: Web

Jonas Premier is a cloud construction software for general contractors, design builders, home builders, and real estate developers. The job costing feature helps find unprofitable jobs, match payments to invoices, drill down to the documents of each job, create accurate reports with real-time costs, and automate the calculation of any expenses on payroll.

Job costing capabilities in Jonas Premier will aid in dividing costs into main categories such as labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, and any other custom fields needed. Their job costing will also let you record costs on jobs worked and compare estimated vs actual costs. The job costing capability within Jonas Premier will overall increase customer service and billing cycle times through the use of real-time data.

Want more options? Check out our list of best job costing software.

Best for Progress Billing
Knowify

Dashboard
Multiple Subs
Crew Tracking
Time and Location
Progress Invoicing
What We Like
Owner contract billing with filters
Drill down deliverables to line items
Branded invoicing
What We Don’t Like
No autofill feature
Difficult to stray from Knowify’s intended process flow
Overview
Price Range: $$
Starting Price: $54/month
Client OS: iOS, Android, Web

Knowify is a construction management software used by a variety of contracting industries, such as remodeling, plumbing, and HVAC. It’s progress billing feature lets you bill projects on a percent-completion basis and break them down into phases individually billed by these percents. This includes one-click invoicing with change orders, custom invoice templates, and customized reporting.

Knowify also handles AIA g701/g702 forms and tracks data on job performance such as purchase orders and timecards. The solution works best for companies that are currently using manual methods or QuickBooks for accounting. Knowify ensures your accounting is kept up to date as you invoice your jobs.

What more options? Check out our list of best progress billing software.

All Products

No products found
Vista by Viewpoint Screenshot
Vista by Viewpoint
★★★★★
★★★★★
(2)
Viewpoint Construction Software provides construction professionals with integrated, configurable software applications for all aspects of construction management. Our contemporary software product, Vista® by Viewpoint…
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Client OS
Windows
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
Jonas Enterprise Screenshot
Jonas Enterprise
★★★★★
★★★★★
(3)
The Jonas Enterprise solution is a fully integrated, highly flexible, industry specific software package designed for mid-sized construction and service management companies. Jonas Construction Software specializes in…
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$8,000 (perpetual license)
Client OS
Web, Windows
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
CoConstruct Screenshot
CoConstruct
★★★★★
★★★★★
(2)
CoConstruct is a cloud-based construction management software designed with the needs of builders in mind as well as their clients and trade partners. CoConstruct works to help eliminate the chaos in your day while creating…
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$99/month
Client OS
Web, iOS, Android
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
JOBPOWER Screenshot
JOBPOWER
★★★★★
★★★★★
(2)
JOBPOWER is an easy to use, fully integrated accounting / job management system designed specifically for contractors and subcontractors. JOBPOWER includes: Job Cost; G/L; A/P; Job budgets; Payroll; Change orders; A/R…
Starting Price
$3,000 (perpetual license)
Client OS
Windows
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
ComputerEase Construction Software Screenshot
ComputerEase Construction Software
★★★★★
★★★★★
(1)
With ComputerEase you can control costs during the job, produce more accurate estimates; improve job profitability, control vendor and subcontractor costs, manage cash flow, and better know your business from a financial…
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Client OS
Web, Windows
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
QuickBooks Online Screenshot
QuickBooks Online
★★★★★
★★★★★
(28)
QuickBooks Online is the most flexible way to link multiple users and locations to their business finances-anytime, anywhere. It has the accounting functionality of QuickBooks desktop software, but instead of installing it on…
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$15/month
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
PENTA Screenshot
PENTA
★★★★★
★★★★★
(1)
Built with state-of-the-art technology and an open ORACLE database, PENTA delivers with Project Management, Financial Management, Equipment Cost Control and Labor Management. PENTA’s Project Management Module is a…
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Client OS
Windows, Web
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
Sage 100 Contractor Screenshot
Sage 100 Contractor
★★★★★
★★★★★
(16)
Sage 100 Contractor is an integrated business management and accounting system for general and engineering contractors and subcontractors of all trades. The software includes estimating, scheduling, project management…
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$115/month/user
Client OS
Windows
Deployment
On-Premises
Xero Screenshot
Xero
★★★★★
★★★★★
(3)
Xero is an online accounting solution for small businesses that is known for its ease of use. See your cashflow in real-time with online billing, banking and accounting. Just login anytime, anywhere. Free trial, pay nothing…
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$9/month
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
AccuBuild Screenshot
AccuBuild
★★★★★
★★★★★
(1)
AccuBuild is a fully integrated construction business management software. Since 1987, AccuBuild has provided contractors with full-featured, user-friendly software, at very competitive prices. The open database design and…
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$200/month/user
Client OS
Web, Windows
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
Spectrum Screenshot
Spectrum
★★★★★
★★★★★
(2)
Spectrum Construction Management Software from Viewpoint is an easy to use ERP system providing anywhere access via the web-based interface. The solution includes robust tools intended to improve your construction process…
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$10,000 (perpetual license)
Client OS
Web, Windows
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
ProContractor by Viewpoint® Screenshot
ProContractor by Viewpoint®
★★★★★
★★★★★
(5)
ProContractor by Viewpoint is an all-in-one cloud software solution that helps small to mid-sized contractors handle the complexities of the entire project lifecycle. With an all-in-one solution, you have end-to-end control…
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
Custom Homebuilder's Solutions Screenshot
Custom Homebuilder's Solutions
★★★★★
★★★★★
(2)
Custom Homebuilders’ Solutions (CHS) is a powerful tool that combines a full range of accounting features with comprehensive job costing, management, and tracking features needed by builders. CHS will make life simpler for…
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$50/month/user
Client OS
Windows
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
Contractors Software Group Products Screenshot
Contractors Software Group Products
★★★★★
★★★★★
(1)
Contractors Software Group (CSG) offers three series of integrated but modular CRM, estimating, scheduling and job cost accounting applications that can be installed on premise or be hosted in the cloud on a monthly basis…
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$100/month
Client OS
Web, Windows
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
TimeSuite ToolBox Screenshot
TimeSuite ToolBox
★★★★★
★★★★★
(3)
Toolbox is a solid project, estimating and accounting application that is intuitive and customizable. Toolbox has a relational database architecture, and utilizes a relational SQL database tool. The relational architecture…
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Client OS
Windows
INTERAC Construction Accounting System Screenshot
INTERAC Construction Accounting System
★★★★★
★★★★★
(1)
Whether you are a General Contractor, a Heavy/Highway/Civil Contractor, or a Specialty Contractor, Intersoft has an integrated construction job cost and project management solution for you. Job Cost is the core of the system…
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Client OS
Windows
Deployment
On-Premises
Twenty20 Construction Cloud Screenshot
Twenty20 Construction Cloud
★★★★★
★★★★★
(2)
Twenty20 is a complete construction solution designed with five (5) main objectives. Easy enough for the most unsophisticated user; Affordable for contractors of all sizes; Complete, fully integrated solution to eliminate a…
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$350/month
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
ECi MarkSystems Screenshot
ECi MarkSystems
MarkSystems® is the home building industry’s only single-database, ERP information management application, industry-specific construction software products available for homebuilders and property developers. As a cloud-based…
Client OS
Windows
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
Buildertrend Screenshot
Buildertrend
★★★★★
★★★★★
(2)
Buildertren is a cloud based home builder and remodeler software. This construction management software brings your whole building world together in one powerful cloud system, designed especially for custom builders …
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$299/month
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
Jonas Premier Screenshot
Jonas Premier
★★★★★
★★★★★
(1)
Jonas Premier is a new construction ERP system running in the Microsoft cloud. It is a complete offering for contractors including: Job Costing; Subcontract Management; T & M Billing; Progress (AIA Style) Billing; GL; AP; AR…
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$169/month/user
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted

We searched and searched, but we couldn’t find any products in our database that match your criteria. Perhaps our team of software experts can help? They’d be happy to provide a list of free construction accounting software recommendations that meet your exact requirements.

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David Budiac
Last updated on December 2nd, 2019
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Construction Accounting Software Buyer’s Guide

  • What is Construction Accounting Software?
  • Key Features
  • Primary Benefits
  • Does All Construction Software Have Accounting?
  • What Does Your Business Need?
  • What About QuickBooks?
  • Alternatives to QuickBooks

What is Construction Accounting Software?

Construction accounting software performs a type of project accounting that has been developed for construction projects. These systems will track the financial data of every construction project you complete in real-time, while also monitoring your expenses (like the cost of materials and labor), revenue, as well as invoicing and payroll.

Unique functionality included in construction accounting software includes:

  • Job costing: Track and report transactions specific to each job.
  • Contract Revenue Recognition: Determine when to officially record income and expenses on a project.
  • Retainage: A set amount of payment withheld until project completion.
  • Specialized billing: Includes fixed price, time and material, unit price, and progress billing.

The construction field uses many terms not used in other fields of accounting, such as progress billing, which involves invoicing the customer based on the percentage of work completed for that billing period. Construction companies also need to account for vehicles and equipment which may or may not be owned by the company as a fixed asset.

Construction accounting is more complex when it comes to sales, cost of goods sold, expenses, and your breakeven. Construction companies usually have a variety of products and services being sold. This leads to a variety of direct and indirect job costs, leading to extremly complex expenses that can be difficult to calculate. This is because most of your projects will be custom jobs and will be harder to predict in your books.

Sage 100 Contractor Projects Overview Construction Accounting Software
The project overview in Sage 100 Contractor shows you cash position, job cash flow to date, and income from operations.

Features of Construction Accounting Software

When shopping for construction accounting software, your business should focus on the features that make a construction accounting software unique. Some of these features include:

Feature Description
Job Costing Assign costs to labor, equipment, materials, and subcontractors associated with each project.
General Ledger (GL) Tracks all information related to income and expenses of the company. Creates balance sheets and income statements. Maintains all details to track profitability and help make financial decisions.
Accounts Payable (AP) Manage expenses from labor, equipment rentals, and materials. Maintains cash flow to ensure your bills are paid on time.
Accounts Receivable (AR) Stores details on customers and integrates into the general ledger. Includes construction billing and invoicing such as AIA, time and material, and progress billing.
Financial Reporting Create custom reports to visualize where your time and money is being spent for each project. Analyze expenses and net profit to see where improvements can be made to increase ROI.
Payroll Manage wage calculation, direct deposit, and tax management for subcontractors and employees assigned to the project. Manage all types of construction payroll including Certified, Union, and Non-Union.
AccuBuild Payroll Construction Accounting Software
Handle certified payroll with customized deductions in AccuBuild.

Benefits of Construction Accounting Software

Construction businesses that use manual methods to handle their accounting are at a huge competitive disadvantage to their competitors. Alternatively, construction businesses that use the wrong construction accounting software, or use multiple systems that all handle unique features, may struggle with integration issues or waste time on double-entry tasks.

Whatever your pain points may be, you’ll want to explore these benefits of construction accounting software to find out if an upgrade is for you.

Better Job Costing

The biggest benefit of job cost accounting software is comparing estimated vs actual costs. This will let you monitor your financial performance in a job in real-time. Only a software developed with the construction industry in mind will be able to handle both small and large jobs for your construction business.

In our September 2017 Construction Technology Trends report, we found that job costing was the 2nd most desired feature in a construction software, with 72% of buyers saying it was a necessary to be included in their ideal solution.

Construction software buyers preferred functionality
72% of construction companies searching for software desired job costing.

More Profitable Projects

Detailed records of every financial movement your company makes is the first step to increasing revenue. Quality construction accounting software will be able to monitor every piece of income or expense accumulated during a construction project.

Common factors improved include time tracking, material costs, change orders, and details on work a subcontractor has performed. With better insight into these pieces of information, you’ll have a more complete view of not only your financials, but also your operational plans and expectations. If a project is not performing up to standards, you can find out before you affect profits or incur a loss.

ComputerEase Job Center Construction Accounting Software
Monitor profitability in the Job Center in ComputerEase.

Improved Reporting

Construction accounting software can provide financial reporting that give you better insight into your operations. These reports can help facilitate better managerial decision making and let you monitor the performance of your business on a continuous basis.

Some of the most requested reporting options within construction accounting software includes consolidated financial statements, budget vs actual margins on jobs, cash and working capital status, and profitability by customer.

CoConstruct Estimating Construction Accounting Software
CoConstruct estimates can be more accurate with better control of your job costs, leading to more profitable projects.

Does All Construction Software Have Accounting?

What is the difference between regular construction software and construction accounting software?

  • A construction management software will have more of a focus on non-accounting features such as estimating, scheduling, and project management.
  • A construction accounting solution will focus more on reporting, financial statements, and job costing.

A construction management software may sometimes lack a traditional accounting setup of accounts payable, accounts receivable, and a general ledger. This will require you to use a secondary solution for accounting.

A construction accounting solution can sometimes be defined as an accounting solution designed to be used by a construction company. This will include the AP, AR, and GL features, along with job costing and progress billing capabilities.

Rather than having two standalone solutions that work together, all-in-one tools will provide the benefits of both. In fact, a large percentage of construction software options will include accounting as either a core, or optional feature. Likewise, a solution may be marketed as a construction accounting software, but will include non-accounting features such as estimating, scheduling, and project management.

What Software Does Your Construction Business Need?

  • Small Contractors: Job costing will be the most important feature to help you manage your basic construction accounting. Most entry-level accounting solutions should offer some sort of costing functionality. A small contractor may be able to survive using an industry-neutral software such as QuickBooks or Xero, but may find themselves limited. It’s important to weigh the benefits of cost-savings in software to not having the ability to categorize costs and analyze what jobs are profitable.
  • Mid-Sized Construction Business: Growing construction businesses should desire a more in-depth estimating tool and some level of bid management. They will also need to have an industry-specific tool and won’t be able to survive using manual methods or a generic option like QuickBooks or Peachtree. These specialized options will also have vendors who specialize in implementing their software into construction environments.
  • Large Construction Business: Larger construction enterprises may specialize in a specific field and need specialized software to meet their needs (such as a large commercial real-estate developer, or a civil contractor). They may also have multiple entities with a need for many end-users. These enterprise level organizations should look into a fully-integrated construction ERP solution that provides every accounting and management tool necessary to run their day-to-day operations.

Is QuickBooks a Construction Accounting Software?

QuickBooks can be used as a construction accounting software given the availability of invoicing, job costing, and reporting features. You can monitor spend and make for each job, upload photos of receipts, and tag hours and expenses to jobs. Optional payroll features let you manage your contractors and save time on 1099s, W-9s, and tax ID inputs.

Construction companies looking to use QuickBooks for construction accounting will need to choose a version that includes QuickBooks Projects, which includes the job costing feature. This feature is only available to QuickBooks Online Plus and Online Advanced customers.

A few users of QuickBooks explained why they use QuickBooks in a construction environment:

I use it for client invoices, change orders etc… keeping track of subs costs on each job, overages on jobs for materials. It is a powerful tool that used properly will help your business with paper trails. kevjob, ContractorTalk.com

You are pretty much breaking things down into categories and then into sub categories. So if you want to know how much you spent on subcontractors… … [or] want to know how much you spent on subcontractors for job A, Job B, and Job C, you can. fast fred, ContractorTalk.com

Pricing for QuickBooks Online Plus will start at $35/month for the first 3-months. After the introductory rate, the software continues at $70/month. This includes up to 5 users. If needed, payroll will cost an additional $18/month + $4/employee/month.

QuickBooks Online Project Management Construction Accounting Software
Manage the income, costs, and profit margin for your construction projects in QuickBooks Online.

Best QuickBooks Alternatives For Construction Accounting

While QuickBooks may work for some businesses, others will want to review alternatives, or explore options that offer features QuickBooks doesn’t. Our 2015 QuickBooks Alternatives study surveyed over 4,000 cases of QuickBooks users searching for replacements.

Common functionality requirements for contractors replacing QuickBooks included better job costing, project management, equipment management, bid management, and field service management.

QuickBooks Alternatives Construction Companies
Sage 100 Contractor was the most reviewed software among construction firms looking to replace QuickBooks.

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