As a self-employed architect, you undoubtedly have a lot on your plate. From managing projects, clients, and employees to worrying about your finances, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed at times. But what if there was a way to streamline your accounting processes, reduce errors, and save time? Enter accounting software for self-employed architects—the solution you didn’t know you needed.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the significance of using accounting software in the architecture industry, and how it can make a significant impact on your business. Whether you’re looking to gain better visibility into your finances, stay on top of tax deadlines, or simply free up some time, keep reading to learn how accounting software can revolutionize your workflow.
Top 8 Accounting Software for Self-Employed Architect
BQE CORE Suite – An innovative accounting software for Architects
BQE Core is an innovative software developed for architects to help them manage their practice more efficiently. The software provides an all-in-one solution for professionals to manage their projects, clients, and finances from one platform. With over 20 years of experience in the market, BQE Core has been trusted by over 500,000 professionals globally.
Overview
BQE Core provides an integrated solution for managing client relationships, project management, time and expense tracking, billing and invoicing, accounting, and business intelligence. The software focuses on maximizing efficiency and productivity with its smooth and easy-to-use interface.
Features
BQE Core offers features as follow,
- Project Management – The project management feature allows users to manage all aspects of their projects and task assignments from the same platform.
- Time and Expense tracking – It helps to keep track of working hours, expenses, and budgets.
- Billing and Invoicing – BQE Core’s billing and invoicing feature is flexible, allowing users to invoice clients with ease using pre-built templates.
- Accounting – The accounting module provides users with financial insights, enabling them to manage their finances as efficiently as possible.
- Business Intelligence – Business intelligence is a unique feature, allowing users to make data-driven decisions and improve their business processes.
Awards and Recognition
BQE Core has been recognized by various organizations, such as
FinancesOnline – FinancesOnline rewarded BQE Core with the Great User Experience Award and the Rising Star Award.
TrustRadius – TrustRadius awarded BQE Core its Top Rated Awards in both project management and accounting categories.
FeaturedCustomers – FeaturedCustomers recognized BQE Core with the Market Leader Award in the Project Management Software category.
Pricing
BQE Core offers various pricing plans to suit different business sizes and needs.
| Plans | Pricing | Feature Overview |
| Core Express Plan | $7.95 per user per month | time and expense tracking and billing and invoicing |
| Core Plan | $9.95 per user per month | Core Express Feature + Project Management |
| Professional Plan | $15 per user per month | All features of both Core plans |
| Enterprise Plan | $25 per user per month | All above + Business Intelligence and Advanced Automation |
A free trial is available for prospective users to test the software before signing up for a paid plan.
Patriot Accounting – A cloud-based accounting software for Architects
Patriot Software is an Online Accounting Software created to help small business owners manage their finances with ease. It provides a user-friendly interface that simplifies accounting tasks such as invoicing, payroll, and reporting. It is cloud-based, which means it can be accessed from anywhere, anytime, and on any device with an internet connection.
Features
Some of the features offered by Patriot Software include invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, payroll, and reports. With the invoicing feature, users can create and send professional invoices to clients, while the expense tracking helps users to manage their expenses easily. The payroll feature allows users to handle all aspects of payroll processing, including tax filing.
Pricing & Plans
Pricing for Patriot Software starts at $15/month for basic accounting features and increases depending on user needs. The software provides a 30-day free trial for users to test the platform and its features.
Architects can benefit from Patriot Software’s accounting features, streamlining their accounting operations and saving them precious time for their core work.
Trulysmall – Specifically for Architecture business
Trulysmall Accounting is a cloud-based financial management software designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It offers a range of features to help businesses manage their finances, including bookkeeping, invoicing, and financial reporting. This software is designed specifically for architects.
Trulysmall Accounting offers the following features:
- Automated bookkeeping
- Invoicing and receipts
- Expense tracking
- Financial reporting and analysis
- Tax preparation and support
- Customizable chart of accounts
- Client and vendor management
Plans and Pricing
You can get a full year of accounting for just $1. This is a limited time offer without any hidden charges. In fact, you don’t need to provide credit card information for a 14-day-free trial.
So overall, Trulysmall Accounting is an affordable and feature-rich accounting software created for architects. It offers automation and customization that will help architects streamline their finances and focus on their core business operations for business growth.
MultiLedger – Versatile Accounting Software for Architects
CheckMark MultiLedger is a versatile accounting software designed to help architects manage their finances with ease.
Features
- The software offers a range of features that allow users to handle everything from basic bookkeeping to managing complex financial structures.
- One of the key features of CheckMark MultiLedger is its ability to handle multiple companies within a single database, making it ideal for architect firms with multiple entities.
- The software supports a range of financial transactions including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, job costing, and more.
- Users can easily generate financial reports, invoices, and purchase orders, and enjoy the convenience of automatic backups.
Pricing
With CheckMark MultiLedger software, you will get everything you need at one low price. There are no hidden fees or surprises.
| Plan | Pricing | Features |
| CheckMark MultiLedger Pro | $579.00 | All software features included plus online access |
| CheckMark MultiLedger Pro+ | $649.00 | All software features included plus full support |
There are also free trial offers available on their website for those who want to test out the software before making a purchase.
AccountEdge – Flexible Accounting Software for Architect
AccountEdge is a powerful and flexible accounting software platform that is designed and developed for small and medium-sized businesses. The software is available in both desktop and cloud-based versions, and it offers a wide range of features that are designed to streamline financial management tasks and improve workflow efficiency.
It includes a comprehensive suite of accounting tools that cover everything from bookkeeping and billing to payroll and inventory management. Other key features of the software include time tracking, credit card processing, job costing, and account reconciliation.
Plans and Pricing
The pricing for AccountEdge varies depending on the version that you choose.
The desktop version of the software for Mac and Windows starts at $499 for a single-user license. There are also options to purchase additional licenses and add-on features for an additional cost.
Overall, AccountEdge is a powerful and versatile accounting software platform that is well-suited for small and medium-sized businesses.
NolaPro – Designed for All size Architects
NolaPro is a cloud-based accounting software that offers a comprehensive suite of tools for managing financial tasks such as invoicing, billing, payroll, inventory, and accounting. The software is designed for businesses of all sizes, including architects, and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.
Features
Some of the features offered by NolaPro include,
- Asset management
- Budgeting
- Cash management
- Expense tracking
- Job costing
- Purchase order management
- Financial reporting.
Apart from this, the software also allows users to customize their dashboard and reports to fit their specific needs.
Pricing & Plans
For architects, NolaPro offers flexible pricing plans depending on the number of users and the required features.
| Plans | Pricing |
| Single-User | FREE |
| Starter | $5 per month |
| Enterprise | $10 per month |
| Corporate | Contact them for pricing |
Overall, NolaPro is a reliable software solution for architects looking to streamline their financial processes and increase their efficiency.
Elorus – An user-friendly accounting software for Architect
Elorus is an invoicing and project management software that helps businesses manage their financial and operational tasks in one place. The platform is suitable for freelancers, small businesses, and midsize enterprises. To begin with, the software overview is straightforward and user-friendly, making it easy to navigate for users who aren’t tech-savvy.
Features
The list of features offered by Elorus is comprehensive, and the software includes time tracking, invoicing, project management, expense tracking, and reporting.
The time tracking feature allows users to monitor their billable hours, while the invoicing feature enables users to create and send invoices to their clients. Additionally, the project management feature allows users to manage their multiple projects efficiently.
Pricing and Plans
| Plan | Pricing | Additional things |
| FREE | $0 per month | Upto 5 active users |
| Starter | $7 per month | Upto 25 active users |
| Standard | $15 per month | Upto 500 active users |
| Premium | $30 per month | Unlimited Clients |
For architects and other professionals, Elorus is affordable and could streamline their workflows, allowing them to provide their clients with an efficient service.
Access Financials – UK based Access Group company
Access Financials is a cloud-based financial management system provided by The Access Group, a leading provider of software solutions for businesses across various industries. This software is designed to streamline the financial operations of mid-sized and large organizations by providing a comprehensive suite of tools for managing financial resources.
Features
Access Financials offers a range of accounting and finance features such as,
- Financial reporting and analysis
- Budgeting
- Forecasting
- Cash management
The platform integrates seamlessly with other business systems, enabling users to manage their financial data holistically, and allows for easy customization to meet the unique needs of each organization.
Awards and Recognition
Access Financials has won Payroll World Awards for the Best Payroll Software in 2016, and in 2017, Access Group was also a finalist for the Payroll World Awards, under the category: Specialist Payroll Provider.
Pricing
| Plan | Pricing |
| Scaling businesses | £97 per user per month |
| Advanced accounting businesses | £142 per user per month |
| Project-based accounting businesses | Tailored to the specific needs |
Overall, Access Financials provides a comprehensive suite of tools for financial management, with its flexible pricing model and customizable features making it an ideal solution for large businesses and organizations.
Things to consider when choosing accounting software as an architect
Integration with project management software
Architects often use project management software for tracking project progress, managing timelines, and collaborating with clients and team members. It is important to choose accounting software that can seamlessly integrate with your project management tools, allowing you to avoid duplicate data entry and ensuring accurate financial reporting.
Budget tracking and forecasting
Architects typically work on a project-by-project basis, and it’s important to have an accounting software that allows you to easily track project budgets and forecast future project costs. Look for a software that allows you to track time spent on each project, calculate expenses, and create custom reports.
Invoicing and payments
A key feature of accounting software is its ability to manage invoices and payments. Look for software that allows you to create professional-looking invoices, set up automatic recurring invoices, and accept online payments.
Tax compliance
Architects face unique tax requirements that vary depending on their location and business structure. Make sure the accounting software you choose is designed to handle taxes for architects and can generate the necessary tax reports.
Cost
While cost is always an important consideration when choosing software, it’s important to balance cost with functionality. Make sure you choose a software that has all the features you need to efficiently manage your finances, even if it means paying a little more.
Support
Research the support and customer service options offered by the software provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, accounting software can simplify financial management for self-employed architects. With features such as invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting, it can help you keep track of your business’s cash flow and financial health.
Yes, most accounting software options are designed to be user-friendly, even for individuals with no accounting background. Many offer the option to link to your bank and credit card accounts to automatically import transactions, and they typically have tutorials and customer support resources to assist with any questions.
While it may not be necessary to invest in accounting software right away, it can be beneficial in the long run. By establishing good accounting practices early on, you can help avoid common financial pitfalls and ensure accurate bookkeeping. Ultimately, the decision to invest in accounting software will depend on your individual business needs and goals.
Yes, accounting software can help you prepare for tax season by tracking expenses, generating reports, and organizing financial information. Some software options even offer tax preparation features or integrate with tax preparation software to streamline the process.
The cost of accounting software can vary depending on the software and pricing plan you choose. Some may offer a free version with limited features, while others can cost several hundred dollars per year. It is essential to consider your budget and business needs when selecting a software option.
Conclusion
These tools aren’t the right fit for every architect, but they can save you tremendous time, money, and stress. I’m confident that once you check them out, you’ll be hooked. And if you have any questions about accounting tools OR recommend any software, feel free to email us on contact@loyalwebmedia.com. I’d love to help!