Top 10 Accounting Software for Engineers

Running an engineering firm means balancing technical work with the demands of running a business.

Bookkeeping, billing, budgeting, cash flow, and profit can quickly pile up.

But with the right accounting software for engineers, you can streamline these processes and focus more on your projects.

But how do you decide which accounting software is right for your firm?

The best tools are designed to meet the unique needs of engineering firms and adapt to their size.

By simplifying financial management and improving visibility, you can make smarter decisions.

Even if you are:

• A small firm with 5–100 employees,
• A large firm growing past 100 employees, or
• Just starting out with 1-4 employees

...there’s an accounting solution tailored to your workflow and goals.

In this article, we’ve identified the top 10 accounting software options for engineers to help you manage your finances.

What Is Engineering Accounting Software?

Accounting is just one part of running a successful engineering firm, but it’s tightly linked to your finances and operations. The right software brings these functions together seamlessly, helping you manage projects profitably while cutting down on administrative tasks.

Whether you’re a structural engineer, a civil engineering firm, an MEP engineer, or specialize in geotechnical, building envelope, facade, acoustical, or environmental consulting, your accounting software needs are unique because your work is project-based.

Accounting—What do engineers need?

• Tools for tracking income, expenses, and compliance
• Reconciliation to ensure accurate financial records
• Automated bookkeeping to save time and reduce mistakes

Finance—What do engineers need?

• Budgeting tailored for multi-phase projects
• Invoicing flexibility for different billing methods
• Insights into profitability and cash flow

Operations—What do engineers need?

• Time tracking with phase details and notes
• Scheduling aligned with budget progress
• Forecasting for utilization and capacity management

When your software is intuitive and built for engineers, you can spend less time on admin tasks and more on what truly matters—your projects and clients.

How to Choose the Best Accounting Software for Engineers

First, engineers need to consider these two factors when choosing engineering accounting tools:

1. Finance and operations needs: Accounting is only one piece of the puzzle for running your firm. To keep your business healthy, it’s important to connect bookkeeping with tools for finance and operations, such as time tracking, billing, forecasting, cash flow, and profit analysis.
2. Phase-based project accounting: Engineering firms face specific challenges with project accounting. Managing multi-year projects and tracking profitability at each phase require specialized tools for phase-based budgeting and financial oversight.

Your choice of software should align with the size and complexity of your firm:

• Small Firms (5–100 Employees): Use tools that combine accounting, finance, and operations into a seamless experience. Examples: QuickBooks Online + Monograph
• Larger Firms (100+ Employees): Use ERP systems that support complex workflows and larger accounting teams. Examples: Deltek Ajera, Deltek Vantagepoint, Unanet
• Solo Practitioners (0–4 Employees): Stick to simple, easy-to-use tools for accounting, invoicing, and time tracking. Examples: QuickBooks Online + Monograph, Wave, FreshBooks

With these factors in mind, here’s our list of the 10 best accounting software solutions for engineers.

1 - QuickBooks Online (QBO) + Monograph

QuickBooks Online (QBO) is a trusted and versatile accounting platform, offering essential features like general ledger management, a chart of accounts, and comprehensive bookkeeping tools. Its widespread use means you’ll easily find skilled professionals, such as bookkeepers and accountants, who are well-versed in the platform, making financial management more straightforward for your firm.

For many small engineering firms (5–100 employees), QBO is often paired with Monograph. While QBO excels at core accounting, by itself it lacks the specialized features engineers need. Monograph complements QBO by providing phase-based time tracking, profitability insights, and flexible client invoicing—project accounting tools tailored to the financial and operational demands of engineering projects. Together, they enable seamless management of your firm’s project finances and operations.

Features

• Manage the general ledger, chart of accounts, and tax preparation
• Automatically reconcile bank transactions for audit-ready records
• Generate traditional financial reports like Profit & Loss and Balance Sheets
• Track time, expenses and receipts on the go on the web or in AI-enabled mobile app
• Assign staffing plans to projects and auto-sync to timesheets
• Streamline phase-based invoicing synced directly to QBO
• View profitability reports by phase, project, or firm to guide decisions
• Balance workloads to prevent burnout and improve team utilization
• Automatically sync payments and mark invoices as paid across systems
• Forecast staffing needs and hiring months in advance

Pricing

QuickBooks Online starts at $35/month for the Simple Start plan, scaling with features for larger firms. Reviews*:** 4.3 ⭐ (7761 Reviews on Capterra)*

Monograph starts at $25/month per user for the Track plan, offering tools tailored to engineering workflows. Reviews*:** 4.5 ⭐ (234 Reviews on Capterra)*

Related Reads:

• How Monograph + QuickBooks Online work together to simplify accounting for engineers
• How to get started with Monograph + QuickBooks

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2 - QuickBooks Desktop (QBD)

QuickBooks Desktop (QBD) has long been a go-to choice for businesses of all kinds, offering local accounting and payroll solutions. Its advanced functionality once made it a better alternative to QuickBooks Online (QBO) for some engineering firms seeking offline reliability and detailed financial tools.

However, QBD is now considered legacy software. Intuit, its creator, has decided to sunset the platform and is no longer making it available for new sales. Instead, they are encouraging users to migrate to QuickBooks Online (QBO), which provides a more modern, cloud-based solution with greater flexibility, scalability, and accessibility. When paired with Monograph, QBO offers engineering firms a more complete and intuitive solution tailored to their unique project accounting and management needs than was ever possible with QBD.

Features

• Comprehensive accounting tools
• Built-in payroll services
• Inventory tracking
• Customizable reporting
• Local installation and offline functionality

Pricing

QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise was previously sold via annual subscription. Prices varying by version, with the Gold Edition starting at $1,922/year**.**

Also Read: Compare QuickBooks Online to Desktop

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3 - XERO

Xero is a cloud-based accounting software company founded in 2006 based in Wellington, New Zealand. It has grown to serve customers worldwide, particularly in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It’s especially popular among Australian and New Zealand engineering firms for its regional tax compliance and market presence.

Though Xero offers time tracking, invoicing, and basic project tracking, it doesn’t support phase-based workflows. This makes it challenging for engineering firms to manage the complexity of typical phase-based project tracking and billing, limiting its effectiveness as a comprehensive solution.

Features

• Basic time tracking, invoicing, and project tracking
• Cloud-based accounting software
• Payroll integration with Gusto (U.S. market)
• Automated invoicing, reporting, and expense tracking
• Bank feeds for real-time financial insights

Pricing

A Xero subscription starts at $20 per month, with 2 higher plans with more features, such as  tracking projects and claiming expenses.

4 - Deltek Ajera

Deltek Ajera is a software solution designed to combine accounting and project management for engineering firms. It offers a range of tools for financial tracking, invoicing, and payroll, with additional features for project budgeting and forecasting. While it’s a comprehensive platform, users often note a steep learning curve and the need for significant setup and training to unlock its full potential.

The platform’s specialized nature makes it less widely known among accountants compared to tools like QuickBooks. Some firms also use Ajera alongside QuickBooks to cover gaps, which can lead to duplicated efforts. Limitations in customization and challenges in extracting historical data are other factors firms should consider when evaluating its fit. Check out Monograph vs Deltek Ajera

Features

• Dashboards for financial tracking
• Comprehensive tools for accounts payable and receivable management
• Payroll management integrated with employee timesheets.
• Support for multiple billing types like fixed-fee and time-and-materials
• Budget-to-actuals tracking for project-specific financials
• Financial forecasting tools for project planning
• Tracks sales and use tax with compliance reports
• Workflow automation for approvals and notifications

Pricing

Pricing for Deltek Ajera is not publicly available and requires contacting their sales team for a quote. Costs can vary based on customization, data migration, and training needs, which may add up for firms with complex requirements. Annual maintenance fees for support and updates are also part of the overall investment.

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Related Read: Deltek Ajera Alternatives for A&E Firms

5 - BQE Core

BQE Core is an all-in-one tool for accounting, invoicing, HR, and project management, built for professional services firms. Its strength is in customizable features and detailed reporting.

However, the platform’s complexity makes routine tasks like invoicing or reporting time-consuming, often requiring extensive training and external support. Fewer accountants and bookkeepers are familiar with BQE Core compared to widely-used tools like QuickBooks, leading some firms to use both systems and adding inefficiencies. Checkout Monograph vs BQE Core

Features

• Time and expense entry
• Manage accounts receivable with invoices, payments, and statements.
• Process accounts payable for vendor bills, payments, and credit card charges.
• Organize transactions using a chart of accounts.
• Record manual transaction entries in the general journal.
• Reconcile accounts to ensure accurate financial records.
• Generate financial statements such as profit and loss, trial balance, and balance sheet.
• View financial data summaries through dashboards.
• Track account balances and activities in registers.

Pricing

If you want exact pricing, reach out to their sales team. According to Capterra, plans start at $29/user/month, but costs can climb with add-ons, more users, or training.

Read Also: BQE Core Alternatives For A&E Firms

6 - Wave

Wave is a worth considering for solo engineering firms who don’t plan to hire, offering entirely free cloud-based accounting software. It provides basic financial tools that cater to simple bookkeeping needs, making it an appealing option for smaller firms with simple financial management requirements.

However, Wave lacks the advanced features and integrations that growing firms might need. While its free nature is a huge draw, users should be mindful of its limitations in scalability and support.

Features

• Basic invoicing and payment tracking
• Expense management
• Automated bookkeeping tools
• Cloud-based storage

Pricing

Wave is free to use, but there are transaction fees for payments: 2.9% + $0.30 per credit card transaction and 1% for bank payments. They also offer a Pro plan for $16/mo for more features, such as removing the Wave branding on invoices.

7 - Deltek VantagePoint

Deltek Vantagepoint is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution designed for engineering firms with 100+ employees. It provides tools for managing project financials, company-wide performance, and accounting workflows. The platform integrates time and expense tracking, invoicing, and cash flow management to streamline financial processes and support operational efficiency.

Vantagepoint offers features like project cost tracking, budgeting, and profitability analysis. Its AI-enabled automation and reporting tools aim to reduce manual effort and assist with tasks like month-end reporting and financial oversight. For larger firms needing a centralized accounting and project management system, Vantagepoint provides a range of features tailored to complex organizational needs.

Features

• General ledger for managing and recording financial transactions.
• Chart of accounts to organize and categorize financial data.
• Accounts receivable tools for tracking client payments and outstanding invoices.
• Accounts payable tools for managing vendor payments and processing invoices.
• Automated bank reconciliation to match transactions and streamline workflows.
• Project-specific cost tracking for budgets, expenses, and profitability analysis.
• Billing tools with draft invoice approvals and batch processing options.
• Month-end reporting with recurring journal entries and customizable dashboards.

Pricing

Pricing for Deltek Vantagepoint is customized based on firm size, features, and implementation needs. Firms must contact Deltek’s sales team for a quote. Additional costs can include setup, data migration, and ongoing maintenance, making this a significant investment for firms with complex financial and operational demands.

8 - Unanet

Unanet AE is designed for larger engineering firms seeking a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution. It integrates accounting, project management, resource planning, and CRM into a unified platform, offering firms centralized workflows and operational oversight.

While Unanet provides robust tools for financial and project management, its extensive feature set can require additional training for full adoption. The platform is well-suited for firms prioritizing industry-specific ERP tools, though its complexity may require a careful evaluation of usability and fit.

Features

• Offers AR, AP, and GL processes with invoicing, payment reminders, and journal postings.
• Provides GL budgeting and forecasting tools with pre-built dashboards.
• Handles bank and credit card reconciliations with dedicated evaluation tools.
• Offers revenue recognition and labor distribution through automated workflows.
• Includes role-based permissions and audit trails for accounting controls.
• Produces financial statements using pre-built reports or a customizable designer.
• Manages multi-company and multi-currency with flexible organizational structures.
• Supports project-based accounting with integrated metrics and lifecycle reports.

Pricing

Unanet AE ERP does not publicly disclose pricing. Firms must contact the sales team for a customized quote. Pricing reflects its extensive features and scalability, with costs varying based on the firm’s size, requirements, and selected add-ons.

9 - Sage Intacct

Sage Intacct is a cloud-based financial management platform designed for scalability, making it well-suited for larger firms prioritizing advanced accounting and financial reporting. While it’s not tailored specifically for engineering firms, its robust financial capabilities, including cash management, invoicing, and multi-dimensional reporting, can complement project management tools used by A&E firms.

Unlike platforms that integrate project management and accounting, Sage Intacct focuses on delivering powerful accounting tools. This makes it ideal for firms seeking precise financial oversight while potentially pairing it with other software for operations like resource planning or project tracking.

Features

• Multi-dimensional general ledger for detailed financial organization and reporting.
• Real-time dashboards and customizable reports for monitoring financial metrics.
• Cash management tools to oversee and reconcile financial transactions.
• Multi-entity and multi-currency capabilities for organizations with complex structures.
• Automated invoicing and billing processes, including revenue recognition.
• Integrated purchasing tools for managing procure-to-pay workflows.
• Collaboration tools for internal communication and financial task management.

Pricing

Sage Intacct uses a modular pricing structure based on the specific features and functionalities your business requires. Firms can customize their package to include only the necessary tools, which helps control costs. To get a personalized quote, you’ll need to contact the Sage Intacct sales team directly.

10 - FreshBooks

FreshBooks is explicitly marketed toward small businesses, offering affordable and streamlined bookkeeping solutions. It’s designed to be intuitive, simple, and easy to adopt, making it an attractive option for start-up firms or small service-based businesses.

However, FreshBooks has limitations for engineering firms. While it’s great for basic accounting and invoicing, it lacks advanced customization and can struggle with larger data sets, making it less suitable for firms handling complex projects or scaling operations.

Features

• Time tracking and invoicing
• Automated expense tracking and reporting
• Payment processing
• Client management tools
• Integration with select apps

Pricing

FreshBooks starts at $4.50 per month for up to 5 clients, with the premium plan priced at $15 per month for unlimited clients. A 30-day free trial is available for new users to explore its features.

3 Reasons Why Engineers Should Use Accounting Software

There are a lot of benefits for engineers to start adopting accounting software.

1 - Organize Your Books and Stay Compliant

Bookkeeping can often feel overwhelming.

How many spreadsheets can you manage at once?

Accounting software streamlines the process.

For instance, QuickBooks Online (QBO) automatically organizes your financial data into a ledger and chart of accounts, tracking income, expenses, and taxes to keep your firm compliant with less effort.

Monograph enhances this further by linking invoices, payments, expenses, and consultant bills directly to individual projects. It even syncs seamlessly with QBO, ensuring your project finances are organized and up to date.

You can track time with precision, down to specific phases and activities, and seamlessly attach time logs to invoices. This ensures your team stays aligned with project costs, making invoicing faster and easier.

In fact, Monograph users report +67% faster business processes because everything is integrated and streamlined.

2 - Save Time with Automation

Accounting tasks can quickly eat into your time.

How much time do you lose reviewing timesheets and chasing down unpaid invoices?

With accounting software, these processes become more efficient.

For example, QuickBooks Online (QBO) automates essential tasks like maintaining your chart of accounts, updating the general ledger, categorizing transactions, and syncing with your bank accounts. This keeps your financial data accurate and up-to-date while reducing manual effort.

Monograph goes a step further by syncing seamlessly with QBO to eliminate double entry. It enables engineers to create flexible invoices, whether for progressive fixed fees, hourly rates, or consultants. By pulling directly from timesheets and project phase budgets, Monograph makes invoicing faster and more precise.

Plus, you can include time logs on invoices to ensure every billable hour is tracked and accounted for.

Monograph automates payment reminders, taking the hassle out of following up on overdue invoices. Clients can also view their full invoice history, enhancing transparency and minimizing the need for back-and-forth communication.

In fact, Monograph users report +2.3x faster invoicing and billing processes because everything is integrated and streamlined.

3 - Access Financial Reports and Insights Instantly

Financial reports shouldn’t be hard to find or understand.

How often do you struggle to get a clear picture of your firm’s financial health?

Your balance sheets, income statements, and transaction histories should always be at your fingertips.

For example, QuickBooks Online (QBO) simplifies this by offering ready-made reports, including balance sheets, cash flow statements, and profit and loss summaries, allowing you to track income and expenses effortlessly.

Monograph takes it a step further by turning financial data into actionable insights for engineers. It tracks budgets, revenue forecasts, and profitability at the phase level, integrating costs from QBO to provide the most accurate view of your bottom line.

Additionally, Monograph streamlines operations like staffing and resource scheduling, helping you keep projects on track and within budget.

These efficiencies lead to results, which is why firms using Monograph average an extra $25,480 increase in revenue per employee in their first year.

What Accounting Software is Best for Your Firm?

Setting up your firm with the best accounting software will:

• Simplify bookkeeping and ensure compliance
• Save time with flexible invoicing while improving cash flow
• Stay on budget with precise phase-based tracking
• Boost staff efficiency and enhance project profitability

Have you used any of the software we recommended? Which one is your favorite? How has it helped streamline your accounting processes?