It should allow allocation of donations to projects for proper tracking and transparency. Denali is ideal for small to mid-sized nonprofits looking for a comprehensive core accounting solution that can grow with them. Standout features include easy-to-use budgeting tools that allow nonprofits to track expenses and allocate funds effectively. Its multi-account tracking feature enables organizations to manage multiple financial accounts in best accounting software for nonprofits one place, simplifying overall financial oversight. Furthermore, Quicken provides mobile app access, allowing nonprofit leaders to monitor finances and updates on-the-go for added convenience and flexibility.
QuickBooks Online: Best Customizable Accounting Software for Form 990 Reporting
In contrast, nonprofit accounting centers on tracking funds, including responsible oversight of fund management. Fund accounting software’s primary goal is to show you and your shareholders, namely board members and donors, exactly where their money is going. Seamless integration between your accounting software and other systems is crucial. The best accounting software for nonprofits not only simplify financial management, but they’re also equipped with specific features for donation, volunteers, and grant management. Aplos is a comprehensive solution for nonprofits, but it’s not cheap — especially if you need features like recurring transactions, which requires an upgrade. Smaller nonprofits with limited budgets might opt for more universal accounting software with less expensive plans, like Xero or QuickBooks, and then integrate with a nonprofit-focused app if needed.
Wave’s free invoicing tools offer the ability to send customized and branded invoices and automated payment reminders. You can also accept credit cards, bank payments and Apple Pay from invoices. Its free accounting tools offer income and expense tracking, reports (such as overdue invoice reports) and a reporting dashboard. Finally, its banking tools allow you to automate bookkeeping, receive instant payments and deposit checks via a mobile app.
Consider the options.
Many of the most popular accounting software providers offer a free option or at least a free trial and all of the software we reviewed had a basic package for less than $20 per month. You’ll be able to get its free option up and running quickly and we found that it had all of the tools that a small organization would likely need. If you want to send and track invoices for people’s annual dues or gifts, we found its invoicing system to be easy to use and it integrates well with credit card processing software. Accounting is a critical but underappreciated part of a nonprofit’s operations.
Robust feature set includes thorough record-keeping, comprehensive reporting, excellent invoicing and inventory management, plus a capable mobile app. Aplos tops our list because it’s built specifically with nonprofit businesses and churches in mind. That means you don’t have to spend extra money on nonprofit integrations to get the tools you need. Plus, unlike some of its industry-specific competitors, Aplos is transparent about its pricing — making it easy to estimate and compare subscription costs.
- QuickBooks Enterprise is a robust desktop accounting software that is the sole remaining QuickBooks Desktop product following the recent retirement of QuickBooks Desktop Premier.
- Integrations include third-party banks, Gusto Payroll, Shopify, Microsoft Outlook, Stripe, Mailchimp, and more.
- QuickBooks gives nonprofits the ability to perform basic nonprofit accounting functions.
- To cite one example, QuickBooks offers extensive templates for reports and it’s simple to designate the ones you use repeatedly so they pop up with a few clicks.
- At Business.org, our research is meant to offer general product and service recommendations.
However, comparing the several available nonprofit software on the market consumes time and energy, and sometimes even money. Healthcare organizations, religious ministries, educational institutions, and NGOs benefit from Sage Intacct’s flexible bookkeeping services. Do you just need new software or do you need to hire a certified public accountant? Do you have adequate accounting staff or do you want to pick a software company that also offers staffing? Before you can compare software, talk to your finance team, analyze your existing capacity and get a clear picture of what you need. However, these basic packages generally allow a limited number of users and don’t include all of the functionality.
OneNFP Financials: Microsoft-based financial management
The checks and balances that nonprofits need to ensure that every donation is recorded accurately and consistently. Here are some solutions that could be a great fit whether you’re a small, big, or growing nonprofit. Watching out for the scalability of your chosen solution is even more critical if you’re a small to medium nonprofit organization aiming for growth.
If none of the purpose-built accounting systems on the market fit the bill, expand your search into more general accounting SaaS products. These are top-notch accounting systems that are built for general for-profit use, but many nonprofits find them to be useful. And clean, clear financial records are key to making a doable, workable strategic plan.
Each subscription includes a 24/7 online Help Center, phone support, online webinars, personalized training, local user groups and an annual client conference. Put simply, whatever support format is easiest for your church is available with Realm. All Xero plans offer reporting, payment acceptance, file storage, contact management, tax calculations and the ability to connect Xero to a bank account.
Like Premier, it includes industry-specific editions, but now with both cloud-hosted and desktop versions available. We appreciate that QuickBooks provides businesses the flexibility to either access Enterprise remotely via cloud hosting or stick with the traditional desktop setup. In our evaluation, Aplos performed well in both accounting and nonprofit features. We did dock a few points in the accounting category because of the added cost for payroll, the lack of inventory features, and no mobile app. That said, these missing features aren’t major drawbacks, and Aplos is still a strong choice. Its ease of use really stands out, with multiple customer service channels that make it simple for users to get help when they need it.
Best Nonprofit Accounting Software Shortlist
While it performed well in accounting, we deducted points for the added cost of payroll, the lack of inventory features, and the absence of receipt scanning. We found the software to be somewhat complex and lacking in assisted bookkeeping features, which could be a drawback for some users. We are driven by the Fit Small Business mission to provide you with the best answers to your small business questions—allowing you to choose the right accounting solution for your needs. Our meticulous evaluation process makes us a trustworthy source for accounting software insights. We don’t just scratch the surface; we immerse ourselves in every platform we review by exploring the features down to the finest nuances.