It hasn’t been long since most construction accounting relied on pen, paper, and stamps. Heck, sometimes it’s still done that way. However, today, many subcontractors have implemented software to streamline construction accounting processes like job costing, expense tracking, invoices, payroll, and financial reporting.
If you manage the finances for a subcontractor who’s still using Microsoft Word to create invoices and Excel to track expenses, it’s time to think about switching to software. Or if you’re using a generic accounting tool that’s no longer cutting it, you should migrate to a system that’s purpose-built for construction. The right tool will save you time and money, reduce accounting-related risks, and help you monitor the business’s financial health.
Implementing a new software system requires a significant amount of time and effort, so it’s important to make the best choice for your company’s present and future strategic goals. But, with 90+ construction accounting software options available, how do you choose the right one? To help with this, we have compiled a list of the top construction accounting software options specifically designed for subcontractors.
14 Top Subcontractor Accounting Tools
All 14 tools on this list include basic accounting functionality. Some are robust all-in-one systems that have everything from CRMs to project management tools built in. Others are modular ERPs, where you choose the capabilities your firm needs.
Where possible, we’ve included pricing information. It’s important to note, though, that because ERPs are modular, pricing is customized based on your unique needs.
Please note that these solutions are provided for reference and are not ranked in any particular order.
1. Viewpoint Vista
Viewpoint Vista—a Trimble application—is a comprehensive construction accounting and ERP system that’s best for mid-sized to large companies. A platform solution, Vista is sold alongside supporting products in the Trimble Construction One suite. The specific products included depend on the type of license purchased, but they can encompass everything from HR management to service and project management. This connected suite of products provides users with enhanced data sharing and workflow capabilities.
Features
- Accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger
- Detailed tracking of contracts, change orders, labor, equipment, and materials
- Full accounting multi-company and inter-company capabilities
- ATO payroll and tax compliance
- Job costing, budgeting, forecasting, and tracking
- Project management workflows and automation
Pricing
Viewpoint doesn’t publish pricing for any of its software. They do have an interactive pricing tool to capture some basic information about your construction company, but you’ll still have to connect with a salesperson for a quote.
Learn more about Viewpoint Vista on their website.
2. Viewpoint Spectrum
Another ERP in the Trimble family is Spectrum, a web-based construction ERP designed for mid-sized to large companies. Like Vista, Spectrum seamlessly integrates with Trimble's other applications in the Trimble Construction One suite. However, Spectrum offers a wider range of applications, including contractor management, incident reporting, budget tracking, and job costing.
Features
- Automatic invoicing to reduce manual data entry and eliminate manual errors
- Order management, inventory management, and equipment management
- Workflow automation and collaboration tools
- Document imaging and sharing
- Real-time construction data analytics
- Integrated payroll and onboarding
Pricing
As with Vista, Viewpoint doesn’t publish pricing for Spectrum. However, we have it on good authority that prices start at $4,650 annually. Head over to their pricing page to ask a salesperson for a quote.
Learn more about Viewpoint Spectrum.
3. Sage 100 Contractor
Sage 100 Contractor is a construction accounting and management software designed for small to mid-sized businesses. It has been in operation for more than 30 years and is installed on-premise as a window-based application. Beyond accounting, the software also offers a suite of applications that provide additional business support, including estimating, equipment management, scheduling, service receivables, and inventory management. Each of these applications is available for an additional, one-time fee.
Features
- Customizable dashboard with built-in industry-specific reports
- Estimations and job costing
- General ledger, accounts payable, and accounts receivable
- Lower-tier lien waiver tracking
- Standard AIA billing documents and custom GC billing templates (though users can find these difficult to set up)
- Purchase orders and change orders
- Payroll management
- Inventory management and equipment tracking
- Project scheduling and project management
- GCPay integration
Pricing
Sage doesn’t publish pricing on its website, but we did some digging. Word has it that subscriptions start right around $115 per user per month. This base price does not include the add-ons listed above.
For an accurate quote, visit Sage 100 Contractor and connect with their sales team.
4. Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate (CRE)
Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate (CRE) is a comprehensive construction and property management software ideal for mid-market, large, and enterprise construction companies that have more features and enhanced insights into financial performance. Sage 300 CRE is also a Windows-based application that is installed on-premise.
It should be noted that while Sage has stated that it has no plans to discontinue support for this specific solution, current users have observed a decrease in new developments and enhancements. It is speculated that this is due to the company's focus on migrating its Sage 300 customers to Sage Intacct.
Features
- Includes all the capabilities of Sage 100 Contractor
- Document management, project management, service management, and business intelligence
- Complex inter-company billing and consolidated reporting
- Automatic due-to, due-from, and inter-company journal entries
- International accounting capabilities with multiple currencies and currency conversion
- Customized reporting plus 1,400 pre-built reports
- Alerts when projects drop below the profitability threshold
- Detailed configuration options for individual screens, fields, transactions, and tasks
- Change proposals that can be converted to change orders upon approval
- GCPay integration
Pricing
Like Sage 100 Contractor, Sage 300 CRE doesn’t publish pricing either. This is mainly because costs vary significantly based on the number of modules you want, how many users need access, and other factors. The Motley Fool says the most inexpensive version starts at a one-time fee of $14,000, with additional features available at an extra cost.
Head over to Sage’s website to discuss pricing for Sage 300 CRE with their team.
5. Sage Intacct
Sage Intacct is a standalone cloud-based financial management and accounting software for mid-market and large companies looking to increase efficiency to drive growth. Though not technically a construction-focused software, Sage Intacct does offer a construction-specific module that is currently being used by more than 800 contractors. Sage Intacct offers a variety of integrations that streamline accounting workflows (many of which are available for an additional cost), along with an extensive online university for ongoing product support and best practices.
Because Intacct is Sage’s only fully cloud-based solution, users don’t have to worry about lengthy interruptions for updates and server reboots.
Features
- Standard AIA billing documents and customizable invoice templates
- Accounts payable and accounts receivable (A/R)
- Robust financial reporting and custom dashboards
- Multi-dimensional general and A/R ledgers
- Automated billing and revenue recognition
- Cost reporting and variance analysis
- Comprehensive construction payroll
- Change order management (including pending change orders)
- Retainage invoices
- GCPay integration
Pricing
Like its Sage counterparts, Intacct does not publish its pricing on its website. According to Cargas—a third-party accounting software retailer—“Sage Intacct starts at an annual subscription price of $10,320 and includes a minimum of one business user license, one business entity, and the Core Financial Management functionality. However, on average, our customers spend $15,000 to $35,000 on their annual subscription costs.”
Submit a request for pricing on Sage Intacct’s website for a personalized quote.
6. QuickBooks Enterprise
QuickBooks Enterprise is a comprehensive business solution that includes accounting, payroll, integrated payments, reporting, and inventory management. It offers a contractor edition that users can select during the software’s download process.. Accountants in small to mid-market businesses have traditionally favored QuickBooks Enterprise for its powerful features and affordability.
QuickBooks Enterprise is a desktop application (installed on-premise) with cloud access available for an additional fee.
Features
- Accounts payable and accounts receivable
- Invoicing, job costing, and estimates
- Payment processing via credit, debit, and bank transfers
- Profitability tracking and reporting
- Per-project time and expense tracking
- Construction-specific reporting, including built-in reports for income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow
- Change order tracking
- Field service management
- Multi-level inventory management
- Payroll management (included in the Gold plan and up)
- Tax form organization and preparation
- Multiple integrations with other construction software
Pricing
QuickBooks Enterprise offers multiple separate tiers—Gold, Platinum, and Diamond—to accommodate various business sizes and needs. The Gold plan starts at $1,830 per year, the Platinum plan starts at $2,250 per year, and the Diamond plan starts at $4,400 per year.
Learn more about QuickBooks Enterprise for construction on their website.
7. FOUNDATION Software
FOUNDATION Software is a cloud-based construction accounting software designed specifically for the construction industry. It offers a wide range of customizable modules, making it suitable for construction businesses of all sizes. The software is built on Microsoft SQL and is installed on-premise.
One of the standout features of FOUNDATION is its exceptional customer service and comprehensive resource library. Additionally, Forbes Advisor has recognized FOUNDATION as the leading construction accounting software for mobile use, allowing project managers to easily collect and share data from the field.
Features
- Standard AIA billing software with automated recurring invoices, lien waivers, and credit memos
- Progress-billing, cost-plus, time and materials, unit price, and other accounts receivable modules
- Accounts payable module with conditional defaults and automatic error-checking to ensure accuracy
- General ledger with comparative trial balances, bank reconciliation, automated recurring journal entries, and audit trail management
- Budgeting software, job cost tracking, cost management and reporting, and change order management
- Timecard entry, processing, and calculations, prevailing wage management, and payroll reporting
- CPA Audit and Review dashboard to organize and share key reports and journal entries with CPAs
Pricing
FOUNDATION is another vendor that doesn’t publish pricing on its website. Most of the software review sites say that they offer a free trial, but their website doesn’t mention anything about that.
For pricing details, the first step is to head to FOUNDATION’s website and request a demo.
8. Premier Construction Software
Jonas Premier Construction Software is a feature-rich platform that offers an all-in-one solution for accounting, job costing, project management, and document management. It provides both cloud-based and on-premise options, making it a versatile choice for construction accounting teams. Rated by Forbes Advisor as the best overall construction accounting software in 2023, Jonas Premier makes it easy for teams to manage multiple projects simultaneously—from start to finish. The software is especially popular among enterprise organizations.
Features
- Cost-plus billing, progress-billing, and other accounts receivable modules
- 50 pre-built customizable reports with drill-down capabilities
- Automated invoicing creation and alerts
- Cost-to-completion tracking and job costing
- Document management and electronic signatures
- Change order management
- Payroll, audit trails, and year-end financial reporting
Pricing
Premier offers three different subscription levels.
- Starter: $299 per month when billed annually and a $15,000+ implementation fee.
- Premium: $249 per month when billed annually and a $25,000+ implementation fee.
- Enterprise: $199 per month when billed annually and a $50,000+ implementation fee.
Learn more about Premier Construction Software.
9. Procore
Procore is a cloud-based construction management software that includes financial management, preconstruction, workforce management, business intelligence, and more. Procore takes a customized approach to tailor your setup to your company’s needs. Additionally, Procore integrates with a number of third-party solutions—from drone technology to custom CRM solutions to pay app management software—to help users make the most of their existing investments.
Features
- Invoice creation, collection, review, and approval
- Automated billing workflows and alerts
- Prequalification, bid management, comprehensive estimating, and cost forecasting
- Custom workflows and collaboration features
- Project planning and task tracking
- Document management and digital photo storage
Pricing
Procore is another company that takes a custom quote approach. Pricing depends on the size of your company and the capabilities you need. The good news is that all Procore contracts include unlimited users and data, free training, and 24/7 support.
Learn more about Procore construction management software.
10. CMiC
CMiC is a construction ERP purpose-built to meet the needs of subcontractors. Its finance product helps construction firms manage accounting, HR and payroll, inventory, and equipment. CMiC customers appreciate the project management feature seamlessly integrating with the accounting component, enabling enhanced coordination and collaboration between project teams and accounting departments. This integration ensures that critical project information, including project drawings, is readily accessible and synchronized, promoting efficiency, accuracy, and effective decision-making throughout the construction process.
Features
- Accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, and the consolidated general ledger
- Revenue management features like contract management, invoicing, expense tracking, and financial forecasting
- Cost management capabilities like labor, equipment, and expense tracking
- Instant, month-end, and year-end reporting
- Unified dashboard for real-time data analysis and total portfolio visibility
- Opportunity management and resource planning
Pricing
If you want to find out the cost of CMiC, you'll need to contact their sales team. They have a fully customized pricing approach. It's worth noting (as mentioned by Forbes Advisor) that CMiC's annual support fees tend to increase each year. So, if that's an area of interest for you, be prepared to ask some questions about it.
Visit the CMiC website for more info.
11. Acumatica
Acumatica is a cloud-based ERP software for residential and commercial construction companies. It includes financial, project, and service management, plus an embedded CRM. More robust than Sage 100 yet nimbler than Sage 300, Acumatica is a great in-between option for subcontractors seeking comprehensive support with a healthy dose of flexibility.
Features
- General ledger, accounts receivable, and accounts payable
- Multi-company, multicurrency, intercompany accounting, fixed assets, recurring and deferred revenue, and cash management
- AIA reporting, payroll, and robust financial tools
- Labor, time, and cost tracking
- Materials and equipment management
- Enhanced business intelligence for forecasting and better accounting planning
- Compliance management for lien waivers, releases, and insurance certificates
Pricing
Acumatica also provides custom pricing. Fees depend on which products you want, the type of license you need, and the amount of resources and data you’ll use.
Learn more about Acumatica on their website.
12. COINS
COINS (short for Construction Industry Solutions) is a global, end-to-end construction management software for the construction, engineering, home building, and service industries. For construction specifically, COINS does a little bit of everything: project delivery, finance and operations, time management, supply chain management, and service management. COINS is best for mid-market to enterprise companies and can be implemented as either an on-premise or a cloud-based solution.
Features
- Time and materials billing
- Pre-construction, project management, and post-construction tools and services
- Payroll management and time tracking
- Robust reporting with the ability to drill down into each transaction
- Financial forecasting tools
- Multi-currency handling
- Extensive information security controls
Pricing
COINS does not list its pricing options online. To obtain current pricing, your best bet is to contact a COINS sales representative directly.
For more information about COINS, head on over to their website.
13. Deltek ComputerEase
Deltek ComputerEase is a construction accounting, job costing, project management, and payroll services software offering both on-premise and cloud-based solutions. ComputerEase stands apart from its competitors for its ability to manage multiple jobs simultaneously, providing real-time data on real costs vs. actual costs, the percentage of each job completed, cash flow, and profitability.
Features
- Flexible billing options, including progress billing, time and materials billing, and unit billing
- Custom reports, including Work in Progress (WIP), forecasting, and cash flow
- Pre-configured executive dashboards
- Labor, materials, and equipment cost tracking
- Retainage payable recording and tracking
- Compliance and lien waiver management
- Insurance, prevailing wage, and certified payroll management
Pricing
ComputerEase is not forthcoming about its pricing options. We recommend contacting them directly for pricing information.
To learn more about Deltek ComputerEase, you can visit their website here.
14. Construction Partner
Construction Partner is a Windows-based, on-premise software that integrates accounting, estimating, and job costing into a single platform designed specifically for the construction industry. This software is suitable for companies of all sizes, but its robust payroll and general ledger features are particularly beneficial for mid-sized to large construction companies. Additionally, Construction Partner offers various modules, such as equipment management and labor compliance, to enhance overall business management capabilities.
Features
- Accounts payable and receivable
- Job costing, purchase orders, and estimating
- Payroll and labor compliance
- Equipment and inventory management
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Reporting and analytics
Pricing
Construction Partner is $5,995 per year. There is no installation fee, and there is no limit to the number of networked users (a.k.a. no per-user fee). However, there is an annual $895 maintenance fee for regular updates to the system. You can check out all their pricing information on this webpage.
For more information about Construction Partner, visit their homepage here.
What to Look for in Your Construction Accounting Software
Finding the right construction accounting software that’s best for your subcontractor firm depends on a few factors, like:
- The size of your company and your accounting team
- If you have multiple companies under one umbrella
- The number of projects your company takes on each year
- The types of projects your company works on
- Your average contract value
- Your budget
Use these considerations to compile a list of must-haves for your company before your software search begins in earnest.
It’s worth investigating multiple solutions to assess their features, product usability, pricing, and reviews. We recommend going with industry-specific accounting software. Construction accounting is complicated, and general financial tools don’t really cut it. You also want to consider how easy it is to implement, learn, and use. Look for a provider that offers training and ongoing customer support. Or find a reputable partner to assist with implementation.
Last but not least, choose a tool that will integrate with your other systems—like your CRM, project management tool, or other systems that store important information. A fully integrated tech stack will save you time, reduce errors, and increase profitability.
Where construction accounting software falls short
Construction accounting software may not be the only tool you need to run your back office. Most accounting tools fall short in a couple of areas—specifically when it comes to managing lien waivers and compiling pay apps.
Many subcontractors augment their ERP instance or accounting software with a tool like Siteline (which integrates with most systems mentioned above) to streamline their monthly billing process and eliminate errors. Check out how the Baumgardner Groups uses Siteline integrated with their Sage 100 instance to get paid faster and save time for their PMs, accounting teams, and executives.
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