Nonprofits have specific fund-tracking needs that ensure they’re fulfilling their mission. Conduct thorough research on every software solution available in your market. It’s important, however, to always look for reputable vendors with a track record of serving nonprofits and other organizations in the industry. A user can access real-time reporting, input their own if-then statements, and customize reports via a drag-and-drop interface. You can also input other formulas to compare and calculate various nonprofit scenarios, share reports, and set specific key performance indicators (KPIs).

Top 10 Best Accounting Software for Nonprofits (Free & Paid)

We appreciate that QuickBooks provides businesses the flexibility to either access Enterprise remotely via cloud hosting or stick with the traditional desktop setup. Custom software solutions save time for nonprofits by performing the exact tasks necessary to run your NPO. Automation tools from these solutions fill out tax forms, track donations, or simply check your bank account all from one source. Xero also excels at accounting basics that can keep your nonprofit’s budget on track, including thorough financial reporting and expense tracking.

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As the plan levels increase, you’ll have access to greater features such as multiple users, time tracking, bill pay, budget tracking by program or fund, and advanced custom reports. Regardless of the plan, however, you’ll also be able to integrate QuickBooks Online with nonprofit apps like NeonCRM, DonorPath, Kindful, etc. And, because choosing the nonprofit accounting software can be a complicated decision, we’ve compiled this guide to help you normal balance find the right solution for your organization. We’ll explore five of the best accounting systems for nonprofits—discussing both features and pricing—so you have all of the information you need to determine which option will meet your needs and budget. The size of your organization will likely come into play when you’re choosing between nonprofit accounting software options. Donor management is also an important tool to look for in nonprofit accounting software.

Do I need accounting software that is designed specifically for nonprofits?

Aplos offers a 30-day free trial and tiered pricing based on the size and needs of the nonprofit, ensuring affordable options for various budgets. They also provide educational discounts and periodic promotions to help nonprofits get started with their platform. If your nonprofit sells goods or services or buys things from accounting services for nonprofit organizations suppliers, invoicing tools and accounts payable tracking are also key. Also, be sure that the tool you select has reporting tools and an easy-to-read dashboard.

Financial Edge also integrates with Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge, the gold-standard program for donor management and fundraising, so you can make sure your organization’s efforts are cohesive. These ratings are meant to provide clarity in the decision-making process, but what’s best for your business will depend on its size, growth trajectory and which features you need most. We encourage you to research and compare multiple accounting software products before choosing one. NerdWallet’s accounting software ratings favor products that are easy to use, reasonably priced, have a robust feature set and can grow with your business. The best accounting https://www.bookstime.com/ software received top marks when evaluated across 10 categories and more than 30 subcategories. Fund accounting features for tracking how gifts, grants and donations are used.

Another key advantage of nonprofit accounting solutions is the ability to generate insightful and comprehensive reports. These reports add valuable insights into a company’s financial health, allowing stakeholders to make more informed decisions, and demonstrate more transparency to donors. The system also offers tools for grant management, reporting and analytics, and integration with other Microsoft tools.

Is Microsoft Excel a Good Option for Accounting Software?

Serenic Navigator is an integrated cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution designed for nonprofit organizations and government agencies. Standout features include the ability to build custom reports to track the exact financial data that you need or to generate forecasts. Xero offers key financial services like payment acceptance and the ability to connect to external banks. You can also use it for payroll services and file storage if you want more functionality. Software4Nonprofits offers true fund accounting and enables a business to track income, assets, expenses, liabilities, and funds in a single spot.

• The system primarily caters to small and medium-sized nonprofits with a simple setup process that offers helpful resources and tutorials to assist users.
• Companies can track the time spent on various activities, manage deadlines, and generate reports for more accurate billing.
• Nonprofits must establish internal controls to safeguard assets, prevent fraud, and ensure the accuracy of financial controls.
• Once everything is consolidated, a business can track inter-entity transactions which will improve reporting and donor-dollar traceability.
• Additionally, we found Blackbaud more complex to use, which led us to deduct points for ease of use.
• For example, many nonprofit organizations rely on donations from people in their communities.

• Aplos is an accounting software specifically designed for nonprofit organizations, offering comprehensive financial management tools to help nonprofits track donations, manage grants, and maintain compliance.
• Xero is a cloud-based accounting platform that is widely used by nonprofits.
• For instance, tracking donations in QuickBooks is possible through workarounds, but not as straightforward as with a product built for nonprofits.
• It’s a fantastic tool if you’re looking for a solution that combines ease of use, affordability, and a generous set of features.
• The need for services is diminished, for example, when the city establishes a program to house the homeless in subsidized or no-cost housing.

If you have a payroll system you like, Sage will likely integrate well with it, particularly if you use Gusto. We included user reviews in our evaluation to incorporate actual user feedback. We look at user review websites and assess all the positive and negative comments about the software. We weigh in user comments and ensure that we agree or disagree with what other users have to say based on our understanding of the software. Fund accounting software provides NPOs visibility into exactly how each dollar is spent.