The Top 10 Accounting Software Vendors
Issue
Accounting software is an indispensable productivity-boosting and costing-saving tool for SMBs (small to medium-size businesses). The technology automates functionsthat many businesses once formerly performed painstakingly by hand, and it makes keeping accurate books significantly easier.
But with so many accounting software vendors, how can a company choose? Here's a rundown of the top 10 vendors providing all-purpose accounting programs as well as more specialized offerings such as budgeting, forecasting and business intelligence tools.
Top Vendors
1. Aplicor: For Aplicor, accounting software is but one element in a software environment that spans more than a dozen business and financial tasks, including customer support, human resources and partner relationship management.
Customer Focus: Midsize businesses to global enterprises
Main Product: Aplicor Online Accounting
Delivery Model: SaaS (Software as a Service)
Pricing: $89 per use per month
2. Epicor: For global businesses, Epicor provides accounting software that supports international transactions, multiple currencies and multiple company support.
Customer Focus: SMBs with a global orientation
Main Product: Epicor Financial Management Suite
Delivery Model: SaaS
Pricing: $20,000 to $500,000
3. Intacct: A player in the hosted accounting software market for more than a decade, Intacct offers core accounting and financials capabilities as well as a variety of support functions, including business intelligence and financial visibility.
Customer Focus: Small to midsize businesses
Main Products: Intacct, Intacct Plus, Intacct for Salesforce Users
Delivery Model: SaaS
Pricing: N/A
4. Intuit: Best-known for its low-end QuickBooks offerings, Intuit has expanded its product line in the past few years to include sophisticated accounting products designed to meet the needs of a wide range of businesses. Excellent online support is available for Intuit customers.
Customer Focus: From sole-proprietor to midsize businesses
Main Products: QuickBooks Pro, QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions
Delivery Model: On-premises
Pricing: From $200 for an entry-level single user to $3,000 for a five-user enterprise-class license
5. Microsoft: Leveraging its acquisition of Great Plains Software several years ago, Microsoft now offers an array of accounting applications that are designed to meet the needs of almost any business while providing seamless compatibility with other Microsoft products. The company's offerings, while generally solid, are on the pricey side for what they offer.
Customer Focus: Small businesses to major enterprises
Main Products: Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft Small Business Financials, Microsoft Small Business Accounting 2007
Delivery Model: On-premises
Pricing: $50,000 to $250,000
6. NetBooks: A complete financial software environment for small companies, the NetBooks Business Management System includes accounting software along with additional modules targeted at managing sales and marketing, inventory, purchasing, shipping and manufacturing operations.
Customer Focus: Small businesses with 2 to 50 employees
Main Product: NetBooks
Delivery Model: SaaS
Pricing: $200 per month (for as many as five users)
7. NetSuite: The hosted software pioneer provides accounting and integrated accounting/ERP (enterprise resource planning) solutions that can be easily adjusted to meet users' specific needs.
Customer Focus: Small to midsize companies in the general business market
Main Products: NetSuite Small Business, NetSuite ERP
Delivery Model: SaaS
Pricing: Starts at $99 per user per month
8. Sage: Offering perhaps the business software industry's most diverse line of accounting applications, Sage prides itself on providing solutions that address businesses in specific industries. The extensive lineup can be somewhat intimidating and confusing, however.
Customer Focus: Small to midsize businesses
Main Products: Sage Accpac, Sage BusinessWorks Accounting, Sage BusinessVision, Sage MAS 90/Sage MAS 200
Delivery Model: On-premises and SaaS
Pricing: $2,000 to $100,000 (on-premises)
9. SAP: With its integrated Business One line, software giant SAP strives to give small businesses the ability to manage critical business functions across sales, distribution and financials.
Customer Focus: Small businesses
Main Product: SAP Business One
Delivery Model: On-premises
Pricing: N/A
10. Workday: A relatively new entrant into the accounting software market, Workday's products are designed to not only track a business' financial transactions, but also to give users the ability to measure performance and reach goals.
Customer Focus: Midsize businesses
Main Products: Workday Financial Management, Workday Resource Management, Workday Revenue Management
Delivery Model: SaaS
Pricing: N/A
Next Steps
Now that you've reviewed the top accounting software vendors, you're ready to determine which solution will best address your company's specific needs. Focus' Buyer's Guide: SMB Finance & Accounting Systems and Comparison Guide: SMB Finance and Accounting Systems will help you become informed on the options available to you.
