Best Accounting Software for Consultants

Many industry-leading software platforms offer a range of customer service options to ensure they can meet the needs of consulting firms and individual consultants. Over 20% of buyers said they need more software that handles payroll, inventory management, and invoicing. A growing business also has bookkeeping for consultants more users in the system, which means needing extended vendor support if your staff isn’t trained properly.

Are there professional services accounting software specifically designed for consultants?

• Bonsai’s main feature is its intuitive interface, which makes it easy to use.
• The pricing plans vary according to the accounting toolsets that your company needs.
• Zoho Books supports businesses operating in different countries, offering extensive multi-currency and multi-language capabilities.
• These features allow users to efficiently manage their finances, ensure accurate billing, and maintain compliance with financial regulations.
• The software features customer portals, advanced analytics and advanced report customization that aren’t present in QuickBooks.
• Overall, FreshBooks is a solid choice for small business owners who need an easy-to-use accounting solution.

The wide variety of Bonsai templates is also a useful feature for consultants. You can use the templates to create contracts for new clients in a short time. Hiring agreements can also be made using the different templates Bonsai offers.

QuickBooks Online – Best Time Tracking Tools

This automation allows consultants to focus their time and energy on their core business activities, such as developing strategies, providing expert advice, and growing their client base. Also known as software-as-a-service (SaaS), cloud-based software adoption rates have increased over the past decade. In 2015, 76% of the buyers indicated receptiveness to hosting their software externally, off-premise. The magic happens when our intuitive software and real, human support come together. This characteristic makes it more mobile and allows for your accountant to access your data securely or for your team to work on the go.

Best Small Business Accounting Software 2025

• It stands out due to its extensive suite of features that cover all aspects of accounting, from invoicing to inventory management.
• No matter the nature or size of your business, you’ll need software you feel comfortable using.
• The assigned categories make expense reports and tax time a much more efficient process.
• Consultants require accounting software that can enhance productivity and simplify financial management tasks.

Below is a list of additional accounting software for consultants that I shortlisted, but did not make it to the top list. Creating and maintaining an organized accounting system is crucial for the success of every start-up. Without it, it will get pretty difficult to stay on top of tax returns, pay off your debts, and even find the QuickBooks documents you need to follow up on late payments.

Zoho Books – Best for Growing Companies

• Its intuitive, easy-to-use design has garnered positive reviews from users.
• These platforms may not provide all the advanced features offered by their paid counterparts, but they can be suitable for consultants with a limited budget or those starting their businesses.
• Small businesses that are growing and/or evolving, including partnerships, S corps, and C corps.
• For consultants, the best plan is QuickBooks Online Advanced because it is good for 25 users and has all the features QuickBooks Online offers.
• The vendor is the one in charge of maintenance, updates and ensures customer support, which means IT costs are greatly reduced.
• For consultants, having access to reliable and prompt support is an essential component when choosing an accounting software.
• Last, Xero also has a large customer service network and an online “checkup tool” that lets support run system checks to identify and handle issues via chat.

A crucial aspect of a consultant’s work is invoicing clients for the services provided. With cloud-based software, products are leased rather than licensed, a more attractive option for smaller businesses with limited funds or short-term needs. The industry has responded by making software more available on a cloud basis. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is an integrated ERP solution combining finance with operations, sales, and customer service, all under a familiar Microsoft ecosystem. It’s a solid choice for companies needing deep integration with other Microsoft products like Office 365, Power BI, and Azure.

Zoho Books: Best software ecosystem for consulting firms

• Its user interface was completely revamped recently, making it one of the easiest platforms to navigate.
• It includes features such as invoicing, inventory management, and financial reporting, along with various other accounting features.
• Kashoo’s automation capabilities eliminate the need for manual data entry, allowing users to focus on more important tasks.
• We chose QuickBooks Online as our best overall pick because it has all the features consulting firms would need for accounting.
• Project accounting and time tracking features help consultants track billable time and expense.
• With FreshBooks, professional invoices can be created and customized by adding a company’s logo.
• Accounting software for consultants is a system that aims to automate bookkeeping tasks such as general ledger, billing, invoicing, and time tracking from independent consultants to large firms.

While a product such as Intuit QuickBooks Online can serve many needs, it’s also the most commonly replaced accounting software on the market since it lacks more advanced accounting features. New buyers will likely desire a basic solution that can easily and automatically manage their finances and help them pay bills. 37% of the companies we surveyed were buying accounting software for the first time.

Investing in accounting software can provide consultants with the tools they need to manage their finances more efficiently and effectively. By leveraging these benefits, consultants can enhance their productivity, accuracy, and overall business performance. Sage Business Cloud Accounting is a scalable accounting solution designed to grow with your business needs. It stands out due to its ability to support businesses as they expand, offering features that cater to both small and medium-sized enterprises. Xero provides consultants cloud-based accounting with strong reporting, invoicing, and multi-currency support for global clients.

NetSuite

Use of the Site and reliance on any information provided on the Site is solely at your own risk. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on the Site, including the order in which they appear. The reporting features fall a little short compared to the other competitors because Kashoo doesn’t offer sales reports or many customization features. Not all features are free, Wave does offer some services for a fee such as Wave Payroll, Insurance Accounting Wave Payments, and Wave Advisors. Tracked time and expenses can easily be added to invoices with the FreshBooks invoice generator. With the open API, software developers can create unique and customized integrations designed especially for consultants.