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10 Best accounting software for Salesforce businesses

Susan Honea

Susan Honea – 8 years experience helping businesses with bookkeeping, tax preparation and auditing

Last updated: October 8, 2020

Looking for accounting software that can integrate with Salesforce? We reveal the best 10 accounting software for Salesforce to help you make the right choice for your business.

10 Best accounting software for Salesforce businesses

Client relationship management (CRM) is an important part of the sales process. Effective CRM practices improve productivity and interdepartmental collaboration, which, in turn, improves the bottom line because a company is better able to support and upsell its clients. Over the past few decades, many companies have migrated to technology-based CRM, which consolidates the CRM workflow and eliminates the need for disparate client data tracking throughout a company. Salesforce is the world’s largest CRM provider, but Salesforce can’t do everything.

Companies that use Salesforce also have to implement accounting systems to monitor income and expenses, profitability, and cash flow. To make the most of Salesforce CRM and further improve productivity and decrease errors in the sales process (quote, estimate, invoice, payment), companies should look for accounting products that integrate directly with Salesforce. Additional important criteria to consider include core accounting, automation, collaboration, audit trail, and reporting features within the accounting software itself.

The software you choose should be well-matched to your overall business needs (e.g., whether you need payroll, inventory management, project management, time tracking, and similar functionality built-in). It also needs to be easy to use and cost-effective. With that in mind, read on to see a snapshot of ten accounting software products we recommend for Salesforce users, along with longer reviews to provide a bigger picture.

Best accounting software for Salesforce businesses: the snapshot

We found these to be the best accounting options for Salesforce users:

  1. FinancialForce. Best overall accounting software for Salesforce businesses. Built on the Salesforce platform, FinancialForce is a strong contender for existing Salesforce users or those looking into adopting Salesforce. FinancialForce is a powerful enterprise resource planning (ERP) system ideal for customer-centered businesses.
  2. Sage Intacct. Most flexible and scalable accounting software for Salesforce businesses. A medium-sized or growing business with fixed assets to manage will want to look into this flexible, scalable option for integration with Salesforce. Sage Intacct provides its own integration method based on the Salesforce platform.
  3. Accounting Seed. Best accounting software for medium-sized Salesforce businesses that need ERP functionality. Accounting Seed is a CPA-designed accounting software ideal for SMBs. Native to Salesforce, Accounting Seed is a full ERP favored by entities such as construction businesses.
  4. QuickBooks Online. Best accounting software for small Salesforce businesses. QuickBooks Online products inevitably turn up on “best of” lists for accounting software. QuickBooks Online works well with Salesforce, too. Although the integration isn’t native, it does seem to work well here.
  5. NetSuite. Best accounting software for Salesforce businesses that need complex automation features. NetSuite is a robust ERP that brings together on its own many of the capabilities Salesforce offers. However, Salesforce doesn’t have NetSuite’s accounting functionality. Salesforce users can benefit from NetSuite’s automation, too.
  6. Xero. Xero provides strong accounting functionality with an impressive array of app integrations available (more than 700). Integration with Salesforce requires a third-party app, but bringing the two together creates unlimited options for scalability and customization.
  7. FreshBooks. FreshBooks is an ever-popular accounting software option. It can work well with Salesforce, too, and several options for connecting the two are available. Businesses using Salesforce that have only one person in charge of the books will want to consider FreshBooks.
  8. Acumatica ERP. Acumatica ERP is a flexible ERP option that provides specialized editions for a range of business types with a range of needs.  It connects to Salesforce with a third party app providing two-way integration. Users will appreciate the robust automation and workflows that cross Salesforce and Acumatica.
  9. VersAccounts. Versa Cloud ERP is a full ERP system providing strong multi-entity and multi-currency support. Salesforce users working on the international stage will want to consider joining these two powerhouses.
  10. Wave. Wave is a free option, which might appeal to budget-conscious Salesforce users. Although Wave is free, it provides surprisingly robust accounting functionality. It integrates easily with Salesforce via third-party apps.

Best accounting software for Salesforce businesses

1. FinancialForce

Best overall accounting software for Salesforce businesses.

Best for:
Customer-oriented and sales-focused businesses with 100+ employees who want seamless integration with Salesforce are good candidates for FinancialForce, which was the first accounting software built on the Salesforce platform. FinancialForce and Salesforce can easily share workflows and customer data across departments. With its strong multi-entity, multi-currency, and multi-language support, it’s a good option for global businesses.

Key features
Although it’s not a Salesforce product, FinancialForce is built on the Salesforce platform and, therefore, integrates smoothly with it to bring together accounting, CRM, and ERP capabilities in a powerhouse solution. Salesforce uses FinancialForce Professional Services Automation to manage its professional services.

The list of features FinancialForce brings to the table is long. Financial features include a general ledger, multiple charts of accounts capability, accounts receivable, billing and invoicing, accounts payable, purchase orders, expense tracking, tax management, bank reconciliation, fixed asset management, tax management, and payroll. FinancialForce also includes fund accounting capability and project management.

The automation features in FinancialForce are powered by FinancialForce Professional Services Automation, and they help users not only speed up their day-to-day financial processing tasks but also do so with fewer errors. For example, FinancialForce offers a one-click sales order and invoicing process and provides a built-in workflow that automates both invoice and expense approval processes. Additional automation features include calculation of payments and due dates, reminders and recurring transactions, batch processing, and bank reconciliations.

FinancialForce connects CRM and ERP accounting for a 360-degree view of the company. Role-based access allows users within the company access to what they need to fulfill their roles in their specific area, but not information from other departments. A “Chatter” tool allows users to add information and workflows and collaborate on projects, which can bring together employees from different sites and departments for efficiency.

Data security is protected in FinancialForce with comprehensive audit trail functionality. Role-level access helps companies protect their data, and built-in approval processes ensure that sensitive transactions are handled appropriately. The audit trail tracks information for individual transactions, allowing administrators to see who has modified what and when. In addition, any global or security setup change is tracked to the specific user.

Reporting in FinancialForce is robust. FinancialForce provides real-time financial information, which is also viewable on mobile devices. Users can drill down for in-depth data analysis. Report templates are customizable, and lots of templates are available to help you build financial statements that show the data you want. FinancialForce also includes tax support reports (VAT and others) and language packs for businesses that operate in multiple countries or have the need for multi-language support. Multi-currency and multi-entity support are included, along with an inter-company journal that eliminates the need for additional data entry.

Ease of use:
FinancialForce is a highly customizable option, just like Salesforce. Users already familiar with Salesforce will have an advantage in learning to implement FinancialForce. FinancialForce is powerful and complex, but it comes with good training in the form of webinars, videos, and a community platform. FinancialForce also offers two levels of “Success Plans,” an add-on subscription designed to help users succeed with the software, just as the name suggests.

Cost:
FinancialForce requires potential users to contact the company for pricing information. FinancialForce offerings range from apps that can stand alone, can be partnered, or can be bundled as a suite. With this kind of flexibility and extensive customization options, pricing can vary quite a bit. It’s not going to be the cheapest option, but users may be able to find a good match between functionality and price.

Things we liked:

  • Built on the Salesforce platform
  • Strong automation features
  • Comprehensive data security
  • Multi-entity, currency, and language support
  • Fully customizable

Things we didn’t like:

  • Can be expensive
  • Users need to be trained
  • Not as intuitive as other products

2. Sage Intacct

Most flexible and scalable accounting software for Salesforce businesses.

Best for:
For growing businesses or those already in the midsized range using Salesforce, Sage Intacct is another option because of its scalability. Businesses on the Salesforce platform that need strong fixed asset management will certainly want to consider Sage Intacct.

Key features:
Sage Intacct integrates directly with Salesforce, connecting the two products using an integration developed by Sage on the Salesforce platform itself. That means it requires no coding, connects seamlessly, and requires only a few clicks to get started. It’s a tried and tested option, too, having been around since 2006. This strong integration allows organizations to have a clean, simple method for managing the quote-to-invoice-to-payment process since information flows from Salesforce into Sage Intacct automatically.

Sage Intacct includes all core accounting functionality: a powerful general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, quick and easy access to bank and credit card accounts, order management, and purchasing. Users also have access to 1099 support, fixed asset management features, strong inventory management tools, and a wide variety of additional integrations—for pretty much any additional functionality that’s required. With multi-entity and multi-currency options, as well, Sage Intacct offers comprehensive accounting functionality for businesses in all sectors. The only real drawback of Sage Intacct’s core accounting functionality is that its chart of accounts isn’t really customizable.

Sage Intacct offers accounts payable automation, automated client invoicing, and payment receipt, and the Salesforce integration includes workflow triggers that automate all the finance actions around typical sales transactions (both one-off and subscriptions). Revenue recognition is also automatic, thanks to the way the information transfers from Salesforce to Sage Intacct. Companies that need project-level accounting will appreciate not only Sage Intacct’s robustness in this area, but also the way that the Salesforce integration eliminates the need for manual data entry in two platforms.

Sage Intacct Collaborate provides workflows across finance, services, and sales, and embeds Salesforce Chatter to integrate the front and back office. This collaboration allows users to view a complete picture of each customer and work together across departments to resolve issues quickly and remain productive.

Mid-sized to large organizations, which are Sage Intacct’s target market, need to know that their accounting platform is secure and helps them with compliance, including GAAP. User-level permissions ensure that employees only have access to what they need. One of Sage Intacct’s best features is its audit trail functionality, which tracks every action taken on every transaction in the database. Not only does it show who made the change, but also what was changed—and what it was before the change. Sage Intacct Collaborate also helps with creating strong audit trails because the messages sent back and forth are stored permanently and can be retrieved if there’s ever a question about why something was done a particular way.

All the standard reports any company would need are available in Sage Intacct. Cash flow can be tracked easily from the dashboard, which is user-defined, and reports are flexible and customizable. Sage Intacct’s dimensions allow users to slice data in various ways, and reports can be set to run automatically at certain points in time.

Ease of use:
Sage Intacct is not the easiest accounting software to learn and use, but it’s manageable. Accountants will be more comfortable with it than other users. However, Sage is strong on training (not only webinars but onsite training, as well). An interesting feature associated with Sage Intacct is its annual conference.

Cost:
Sage Intacct provides quotes to individual clients. It is a subscription-based service, and add-ons such as budgeting, interactive billing cost extra. Sage claims their support eliminates the need for additional in-house IT support.

Things we liked:

  • Comprehensive accounting features
  • Integration is built on the Salesforce platform
  • Automated sales process workflow
  • Multi-entity and multi-currency options
  • Strong fixed asset management

Things we didn’t like:

  • Expensive for smaller companies
  • Requires a learning curve
  • Chart of accounts not customizable

3. Accounting Seed

Price from $3960/year

Best for medium-sized Salesforce businesses that need ERP functionality.

Best for:
Designed by a CPA, Accounting Seed is best for small to medium-sized businesses. It’s cloud-based, flexible, and comprehensive, and it includes full ERP functionality, making it the best choice for companies looking to have an all-in-one accounting and ERP system that integrates easily with Salesforce. Accounting Seed is also a top choice for construction companies; its job costing and project accounting features make tracking labor and materials costs a breeze.

Key features:
Accounting Seed’s is native to Salesforce with an app on the AppExchange, linking accounting, ERP, and sales functions for a complete view of the business. Companies that are considering migrating to Salesforce in the future may want to consider Accounting Seed; even though it’s built on the Salesforce platform, it can be used as a standalone product, as well.

A double-entry accounting solution, Accounting Seed includes a customizable general ledger that is easy to configure, and order transactions are automatically posted to it. Accounting Seed provides an invoicing workflow that covers billing, cash receipts, and payment collection. The invoicing feature—also customizable—allows billing by subscription and setting billing to recur. Integration with Avalara enables tax rate functionality, and Stripe is built into Accounting Seed to accept payments via ACH or credit cards easily. The software can manage accounts payable, credit cards, purchase orders, and inventory, along with cash disbursements. Integration with Salesforce allows the user to take advantage of ERP. Accounting Seed also allows fund and project accounting for those organizations that need these specialized functions.

Because Accounting Seed is built on the Salesforce platform, it is rich with automation features. Not only does sales data flow seamlessly from Salesforce into Accounting Seed, but the software also allows automatic billing by subscription or recurring, payment collection, and revenue recognition. Completed orders automatically transfer to the general ledger and are displayed on the dashboard in real-time. Plus, if users need additional functionality, Accounting Seed integrates with a huge variety of apps on the Salesforce AppExchange, expanding the automation possibilities significantly.

Accounting Seed integration with Salesforce enables Chatter (the Salesforce IM) for collaboration. Tasks can be assigned to oneself or others and email notifications sent to keep everyone on target. The approvals process facilitates a workflow designed to decrease errors. Other workflow rules include a fully customizable “if this, then that” (meaning when this happens, that is the result) type of setup, prompting the next event in the workflow to occur automatically.

Touting itself as the most secure API on the market, Accounting Seed does deliver in terms of audit trail functionality. The audit trail tracks a variety of data for each transaction, including the time and date the change was made, the user who made the change, and, if it’s set up, even the user’s location. This robust type of audit trail functionality is required for a variety of compliance regulations, including GAAP, DCAA, and ISO.

Reports in Accounting Seed can be created and accessed quickly from the dashboard. The dashboards show real-time financial information, which allows users to click through to underlying information. Accounting Seed’s reports are also customizable, but this process can be a bit cumbersome at first.

Ease of use:
Accounting Seed’s General Ledger is configured easily with a few simple clicks. The financial dashboards allow drag and drop for customization. Users transitioning from other accounting software may find that they have to get used to how Accounting Seed is laid out, but those who are familiar with the Salesforce platform will have no trouble getting up and running quickly.

Cost:
Pricing varies based on several factors, but Accounting Seed is one of the more expensive options on our list; however, its comprehensive ERP functionality and automation features may make the price tag worth it to growing, sales-oriented organizations. There is a free trial available, as well.

Things we liked:

  • Native Salesforce integration
  • Flexible, customizable general ledger
  • Customizable reporting
  • User-focused collaboration tools
  • Security features

Things we didn’t like:

  • Expensive for smaller companies
  • Limited standard reports
  • The learning curve for non-Salesforce users

4. QuickBooks Online

Price from $25.00/mo
Free Trial 30 Days

Best accounting software for small Salesforce businesses.

Best for:
Best for small businesses—up to 50 employees—that are considering or already using Salesforce. A cost-effective overall solution, although limited to a single company, QuickBooks Online is a flexible, versatile, and scalable option that is a snap to set up and use. It’s terrific for inventory-based businesses and service-based entities alike.

Key features:
Prebuilt integration apps on Salesforce AppExchange (but none for QuickBooks Online Simple Start or Essentials) can integrate QuickBooks Online and Salesforce; however, to date, no apps have been developed by Intuit or on the Salesforce platform. However, the lack of a native integration doesn’t appear to be a problem.

QuickBooks Online meets core accounting requirements as a double-entry accounting option. Along with a customizable chart of accounts, It includes accounts receivable functionality, quick bank reconciliation with strong machine learning capabilities, billing, and invoicing. The software also includes payroll management and tax management, both of which most Salesforce users will need.

In addition, QuickBooks Online provides expense tracking functionality, e-commerce platform integrations, project tracking and job costing, and excellent inventory management features, including Cost of Goods Sold tracking. Larger companies will also appreciate QuickBooks Online’s fixed asset manager, multi-currency support, and budgeting features, as well as the ability to have multiple users in a single account. One key limitation of QuickBooks Online, however, is its inability to handle multiple companies for consolidated reporting.

QuickBooks Online can handle digital receipts and limits the need to enter bank transactions. In addition, it can assign deposit accounts, and recognize expense categories and expense withdrawal accounts. Integrated with Salesforce, QuickBooks Online provides many automation features, such as recurring invoices and payment reminders, bill payments, and journal entries. Machine learning means that QuickBooks Online remembers and applies transaction categories. Rules can be set up easily, and QuickBooks Online provides lots of customizable workflows.

Collaboration features are limited, really only allowing collaboration between bookkeepers and accountants. QuickBooks Online can email reports directly to recipients. Salesforce Chatter doesn’t appear to be available, but given that it’s not a native integration, that’s not surprising. The most important feature here is the info sharing from Salesforce to QuickBooks Online and from QuickBooks Online to Salesforce, cutting down on errors and time spent on data entry and providing a more comprehensive view of the customer relationship.

Called an audit log, the audit trail tracks all changes by the user, along with showing all transaction changes occurring automatically (e.g., recurring transactions, downloads from payment processors, or bank feeds, and so on). These can be filtered, sorted, and printed.

The Plus and Advanced versions of QuickBooks Online enable 100+ standard reports, including inventory, sales, and profitability reports. Most reports are customizable, and many are available via mobile app. The Advanced version provides business analytics and insights. The comprehensive dashboard also features real-time data in an easy-to-use format.

Ease of use:
QuickBooks Online is a user-friendly software that is also easy to set up. Because of its widespread popularity, it’s easy to find someone familiar with it. In addition, an active online community is available to help those in need of guidance. Training materials such as classes, videos, and even webinars provide even more opportunities to learn to use QBO effectively. Those still not entirely comfortable with keeping their own books should know that Intuit offers a program, QuickBooks Live, that provides a QuickBooks Online Bookkeeper to work with clients. QuickBooks Online also features an opportunity to test drive the product with a sample company on its website. Finally, a free trial can help potential users make a judgment call about whether or not to adopt the product.

Cost:
The biggest disadvantage of using QuickBooks Online with Salesforce is that the integration is only available for Plus and Advanced, which ups the monthly subscription cost somewhat. While both are still affordable for most companies, the increased cost is definitely a consideration. Intuit frequently offers discounts, and there is a 30-day free trial available.

Things we liked:

  • Excellent automation features
  • Clean, easy-to-navigate user interface
  • Affordable for most small businesses
  • Excellent reporting functionality
  • Flexible, scalable, comprehensive accounting functionality

Things we didn’t like:

  • Integration not built on Salesforce platform
  • No multi-entity support
  • Limited collaboration features

5. NetSuite

Best accounting software for Salesforce businesses that need complex automation features. 

Best for:
NetSuite is a highly flexible and customizable accounting software option. Its scalability allows it to grow with a business. NetSuite itself is an ERP, and it can integrate with Salesforce, too. The NetSuite platform alone brings together CRM, SCM, PSA, and HCM applications. Businesses with complex inventory requirements and those that need multi-departmental collaboration features will appreciate NetSuite’s functionality.

Key features:
NetSuite and Salesforce can be integrated through software such as Breadwinner or Celigo’s NetSuite Salesforce Connector (iPaaS), which both provide seamless integration between the two. Integration with Breadwinner allows for user permissions and two-way synchronization. Breadwinner is built on the Salesforce platform. Celigo also offers two-way synchronization, but it is expensive, and it requires substantial customization upfront.

NetSuite includes the core accounting functions a Salesforce user would expect, from accounts receivable, accounts payable, a general ledger, billing and invoicing, reporting, bank synchronization, payroll, to multi-user and multi-currency capabilities. It’s a scalable and customizable accounting software option that growing businesses will appreciate. NetSuite provides a financial planning module that contains features such as budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow, and project features. The flexible budgeting functionality allows Salesforce users to budget by location, department, team, or project and construct best/worst case scenario budgets and what-if models.

Expense reporting capability includes a self-service interface for employees to record expenses. Tracking jobs and projects by time, materials, fixed price, and cost is easy through NetSuite, and each can be attached to a specific client. Plus, NetSuite offers comprehensive supply chain and order management functionality as part of the ERP platform. Salesforce users needing additional client relationship management or enterprise resource planning can take advantage of that functionality in NetSuite. NetSuite is a full ERP platform with integrated CRM, point of sale, project management, e-commerce, and human resources capabilities.

NetSuite allows automation of the billing workflow. Billing can be scheduled, set to recur, or project-based. NetSuite can send an invoice automatically once an order is completed, which helps to prevent billing and invoicing errors. Billing can be further customized for individual transactions, subscriptions, usage-based, or some combination. Custom billing options are available for headquarters and subsidiaries, NetSuite can consolidate billing from the subsidiaries into a single invoice to be paid from the central location. Online bill payment is available, including electronic funds transfer (EFT).

One of NetSuite’s most unique features is its Suite Social functionality, which combines the best features of online social media interaction and collaboration with the sensibility of an ERP system. SuiteSocial improves communication between and among teams, and it promotes multi-departmental collaboration even in complex organizations. In combination with the collaboration features already in Salesforce, SuiteSocial makes NetSuite a strong contender for companies in which strong interdepartmental support is necessary.

Oracle NetSuite helps ensure compliance with regulations, procedures, and taxes. Each dashboard features this information, the information also flows seamlessly to reports and other analytical tools. GAAP, SOX, ASC 606, and other protocols are supported by NetSuite software, so companies can worry less about their ability to meet compliance requirements.

NetSuite makes reporting and analytics simple. The dashboard can be customized by user role and provides real-time information about key business features. NetSuite also provides more than 100 standard reports and customizable options, as well as a report building function for informal reports. Users across departments can access information specific to their roles with ease. Reports can also be exported to Microsoft Excel if needed.

Ease of use:
NetSuite can take a little effort to learn, but users often point to the free NetSuite course at the CloudFoundation for learning to use the software effectively. NetSuite is a powerhouse, so users should expect to put in some effort; however, the payoff can be big once everyone has adjusted. Once mastered, NetSuite makes many everyday processes easier, and provides excellent reporting and analytical functionality. Pulling information about operations, HR, and marketing into a central platform eases the overall management burden and promotes efficiency, as well. Most users recommend finding a good Value Added Reseller (VAR) to work with when implementing NetSuite. As a cloud-based solution, NetSuite is easy to access and use from anywhere.

Cost:
NetSuite is configured for the unique needs of each client, so pricing is not readily available. Oracle does offer a free demo, though. Connecting to Salesforce is going to cost a bit more, too. Integrating additional modules will increase the cost of NetSuite, along with other variables like the number of users, whether a business subscribes on a monthly or annual basis, training needs, level of customer support (which comes in three tiers—Silver, Gold, or Platinum), and so on.

Things we liked:

  • Complete ERP solution
  • Customizable and scalable
  • Excellent collaboration features
  • Excellent compliance support
  • Comprehensive reporting functionality

Things we didn’t like:

  • More expensive than other options
  • Requires significant training to use
  • Customer support isn’t the best

6. Xero

Website www.xero.com
Price from $12/mo
Free Trial 30 days

Best for:
Xero is known as an accounting solution for freelancers, startups, and small to medium-sized businesses in the market for a comprehensive accounting option, but it’s also a good choice for businesses that are using Salesforce. In addition, businesses needing access for multiple users along with user-level permissions could benefit from Xero.

Key features:
Integration between Xero with Salesforce requires third-party apps, such as Breadwinner, PieSync by Hubspot, SFX (a free option), TwoCanConnect, and more. Breadwinner seems to get the most love on the Salesforce AppExchange, and they provide a significant knowledge base for Xero (and NetSuite and QuickBooks) on their website. PieSync by Hubspot is a relatively inexpensive option and boasts “real-time, two-way sync.”

Xero’s core accounting features are based on double-entry accounting and include a standard chart of accounts that can be customized. Xero ticks all the boxes for rich accounting capability: accounts receivable, bank reconciliation, billing and invoicing, expense tracking, accounting by project, purchase orders, and tax management. Some of these features do require a subscription to the more advanced plans, though. For example, projects can be tracked by time and money spent via the most advanced plan.

Xero’s top plan enables billable expense tracking and time tracking. Xero can also integrate with Harvest for time tracking. Mileage tracking requires a third-party app. Xero also includes inventory management, purchase order functions, fixed asset management, and contact management, all useful time-saving features Salesforce users will appreciate. Any functionality a user might need that isn’t included in the core software can be added through one of the app integrations. Payroll, for example, isn’t built-in but can be added through app integration, such as Gusto, which works well to route payroll transactions to the right place in Xero.

Xero provides a strong sales process flow, and quotes and estimates can be converted easily to invoices. Invoicing can be automated through Xero, which allows the user to set the software up to create and send invoices automatically to frequent customers as well as to create invoices automatically based on Salesforce triggers. Reminders can be automated, as well. Xero can save invoices as templates that can be modified and edited over time. Invoicing templates can be customized, too. Customers can also pay directly through the invoice. Xero can also be set up to pay bills automatically, and bill payments can be scheduled ahead of time, too.

Xero can import bank transactions automatically and then provide suggestions for matching up transactions and invoices, payments, or purchases. Suggestions—including multiple transactions—can be accepted or rejected quickly with a click. Machine learning helps Xero remember transaction information to help users save time. Xero will also alert the user when new transactions are ready to reconcile.

In addition to the Salesforce integration options, Xero is known for its wealth of add-on capabilities. With more than 700 third-party apps on the menu, Xero can be modified to do everything from multi-currency transactions to inventory management, job costing, quoting, pricing, and fixed asset management, and more. These integrations create a comprehensive business management ecosystem allowing multi-departmental collaboration, easy communication with clients, and real-time visibility to company data.

By default, Xero maintains a history list for each transaction. This creates a comprehensive audit trail, allowing users to see who changed what and when the change was made. Xero even provides a history report to view an audit trail for a defined period of time, further increasing data security. Xero also facilitates sales tax compliance, and Xero’s leaders are working with The Data Coalition to ensure that Xero makes it easy for companies to comply with federal requirements.

Xero’s reporting functionality is robust yet easy to use. Real-time reports are available on the Business Performance dashboard. In addition, Xero includes a variety of reports—really, all the reports a business would need—that are customizable and include a handy drag-and-drop feature. Users can “favorite” reports to make them accessible easily and quickly. Xero users appreciate the ability to click through data in the reports to see underlying information.

Ease of use:
Xero is widely considered easy to learn and use, even for those with no accounting experience. Xero’s interface is organized clearly to make navigation easy. The dashboard is customizable, so it can be adjusted to suit the style of individual users. Automations, such as bank feeds and reconciliations, contribute to easy use.

For those in need of support to get up and running with Xero or continue to develop skill with the software, Xero provides excellent training and guides. Xero Central on Xero’s website offers a wealth of support and learning materials to help users succeed with the software. The discussion boards for users provide even more insight. Users who need to complete accounting tasks on the go will appreciate the official customizable mobile app, which enables most of the major bookkeeping functions, including invoicing and billing management and bank reconciliation. The mobile app dashboard features real-time cash flow and profit and loss information. In addition, Xero is one of the few software options that provide Apple Watch access.

Cost:
Xero is an affordable option, with even the most expensive plan coming in below competing products in terms of cost. This is good news for Salesforce users, who will probably need that top tier plan. The bottom-tier plan limits the number of bills and bank transactions per month, for example. The middle plan is aimed at growing businesses, removing the cap on the number of invoices, quotes, bills, and bank transactions allowed per month. The top tier is required for project tracking, multi-currency support, and expense management. Xero offers a 30-day free trial to allow potential users to test the waters, however.

Things we liked:

  • Robust audit trail feature and reporting
  • Virtually unlimited app integrations
  • Cost-effective
  • Excellent automation features
  • Good customer training options

Things we didn’t like:

  • Customer support isn’t that great
  • Lack of multi-currency options
  • Limited feature set compared to other products

7. FreshBooks

Price from $15/mo
Free Trial 30 days

Best for:
FreshBooks has long been a darling of the self-employed, but the ability to connect with Salesforce makes it valuable to larger entities, as well. It’s a good choice for small to medium-sized businesses that don’t need user-level permissions or only have one person managing the books.

Key features:
Several FreshBooks to Salesforce integration methods exist, including one from OneSaas, which FreshBooks recommends on its website; there are even handy setup instructions, which suggests that this may be FreshBooks users’ best option. There are connector apps on the Salesforce AppExchange, too, such as FreshBooks Easyconnect, which is a native Salesforce integration app, along with Zapier and PieSync from Hubspot.

The FreshBooks menu includes double-entry accounting, strong invoicing features, payment collection options, and expense tracking. Although payment collection is available through FreshBooks’ software, it can also be completed via Stripe. Trial balance and balance sheets are also FreshBooks features. International Salesforce users will find its multi-currency support useful. Salesforce users may also appreciate FreshBooks’s strong contact management tools and team features. Project management includes the ability to manage multiple projects. Although expense tracking is strong in FreshBooks, the software doesn’t provide built-in accounts payable functionality. Payroll requires integration with a third-party app.

FreshBooks can effortlessly convert estimates and proposals to invoices, allowing customization and recurring settings, too. Advanced plans can also send automatic payment reminders and late fee additions. The retainer function enables FreshBooks to accept an advance deposit and then invoice against the retainer first before moving on to additional costs. Freshbooks also provides automatic expense tracking that can categorize expenses and feed them directly into a bank account automatically. FreshBooks learns to categorize expenses for the user, too.

Bank, credit card, and PayPal feeds are enabled through Yodlee. FreshBooks also enables tracking of billable expenses, time, and mileage. Receipts can be captured by a phone camera. The time tracker can track by client or project automatically, triggering FreshBooks to generate an automated invoice, as well. Mileage tracking is available in the FreshBooks software or can be tracked and then imported using MileIQ.

The team collaboration functionality includes the ability to assign tasks, assign due dates, create budgets, share files, and even set rates as hourly or flat. Not only employees but contractors and clients as well can be invited to access the team workflow and collaborate through comments, files, and links.

Though FreshBooks does offer PCI compliance and other data security measures, including regular vulnerability scans, it currently does not have an audit trail. As with other products on this list that don’t offer a formal audit trail, it may not be a deal-breaker, but larger companies that are subject to certain transparency requirements will want to take this limitation into consideration before purchasing.

FreshBooks’s dashboard offers real-time tracking of spending and other activities. The dashboard also enables access to profit and loss, sales tax summary, accounts aging, expense, payments collected, and invoice details reports, along with accounting reports like general ledger, trial balance, and chart of accounts. Reports can be processed by date, team member, and client.

Ease of use:
Yet another cloud-based option available practically anywhere, FreshBooks has long been celebrated for its ease of use, simplicity, and automation. Initially, it was designed to meet the needs of business owners rather than accountants intuitively. It’s easy to set up and navigate. FreshBooks is also famous for its friendly customer service, who are quick to respond and provide help. Additional support comes from the effective training materials on the website.

Cost:
Like many of its competitors, FreshBooks offers monthly subscription plans in tiers. In terms of cost, FreshBooks falls somewhere in the middle among its competitors. It’s not the most expensive, and it’s not exactly cheap. The standard plans serve one user, with the option to add more users for additional fees. Each plan also limits the number of billable clients, and again, adding more costs more. A larger business entity with 500 or more clients will require custom pricing, but this custom option does come with some nice perks, like a personal account manager and customized training. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Things we liked:

  • Multi-currency functionality
  • Easy setup and navigation
  • Excellent customer support
  • Strong mobile apps
  • Native Salesforce connection available

Things we didn’t like:

  • No audit trail
  • Bank reconciliation is lacking
  • Most plans limited to a single user

8. Acumatica ERP

Best for:
Businesses of all types, especially those that are growing, should consider Acumatica ERP. It is available in specialized editions for business, distribution, manufacturing, construction, commerce, and field service companies, and its reliable, third-party integration between Salesforce and Acumatica CRM helps streamline the sales process significantly.

Key features:
Acumatica ERP and Salesforce are connected by a third-party integration that was developed by Commercient SYNC, which is a certified Acumatica partner. The integration was initially released about four years ago, so there has been plenty of time to work out any bugs that may have initially existed. The integration is a seamless, two-way connection, allowing information to flow from Salesforce to Acumatica and from Acumatica to Salesforce, but it does incur an extra monthly cost (starting at about $100/month).

Boasting comprehensive general ledger (double-entry) accounting (AP, AR, cash flow management) and ERP functionality, Acumatica is a serious contender for companies that are growing quickly or find that they need better overall collaboration and automation features that only an ERP can provide. Acumatica’s financial management module features a chart of accounts that is account code-driven and allows limited subsegments, and it allows data for multiple companies to be kept in one platform and then viewed individually and in a consolidated fashion.

Acumatica ERP has excellent inventory management features and a strong Bill of Materials (BOM) and routing capabilities, which are necessary in manufacturing. It also includes Time and Expense management features in the Financials module, along with a Product Management module for companies that require project and task management. Like other products on this list, Acumatica is dashboard focused, but role-based dashboards include very different information, and some users may find the lack of consistency a bit frustrating.

Acumatica ERP is scalable, and companies can use additional features as they grow. It is cloud-based, and it can be hosted by Acumatica, a third party, or onsite at a company; because of the server requirements, external hosting is a popular option. It’s also usable in mobile browsers (tablet, phone, and iPad), and there are Android and iOS apps, but their functionality is limited.

Acumatica is a fully-integrated ERP, meaning that specific actions in one module trigger actions in other modules, decreasing error rates and increasing productivity. In addition, information that flows from Salesforce into the Acumatica CRM will trigger additional actions to take place. For example, when a sales order is entered in Salesforce, Acumatica ERP’s Purchase Order feature receives a trigger from Salesforce to acquire specific materials (as necessary), and Acumatica ERP’s Sales Order feature begins the invoicing workflow. Custom automation workflows can be created, as well.

Information flows seamlessly across all Acumatica ERP elements and back and forth from Salesforce, so all teams have a full view of their part of the business at all times. Acumatica ERP includes approval workflows that not only automate the process but also update the team at the same time. Available integrations with lots of third party products, including Adobe Sign and DocuSign, facilitate customer collaboration, as well. Some editions include additional team collaboration tools, including integrated calendars.

User-defined roles and permissions in Acumatica ERP limit access to data and increase security. Plus, sensitive data can be encrypted, and site security policies can be set up and enforced. By default, Acumatica ERP is HIPAA and PCI compliant, and it is built to ensure compliance with many other protocols, as well. For example, Acumatica ERP integrates with Avalara Sales Tax software for sales tax compliance, which is essential for many Salesforce companies.

Acumatica ERP has an excellent reporting module, including inventory reports and lots of filters available for customization. All standard accounting reports are available, and users can develop custom reports as necessary. And, data can be exported to other apps for additional or deeper analysis.

Ease of use:
Acumatica ERP has a tabbed user interface for the major ERP elements with menu options on each tab, making it easy to navigate once it’s set up. User training will likely be required for most organizations, but customer support is very good, especially for companies that have chosen to work with a certified Acumatica partner for installation. The platform is very flexible, and it’s highly customizable; however, customization can be challenging and may require partner support to accomplish. There is lots of helpful information available on the Acumatica Wiki, via Acumatica Open University, and in a variety of online user communities.

Cost:
While it can be challenging to get an estimate of costs without talking to a sales rep, Acumatica ERP appears to be on the pricey side. Prospective companies should be aware that if the software is hosted on Acumatica’s servers or a certified partner’s servers, additional users don’t require additional licenses; instead, billing is based on the actual platform elements that the company uses. As a result, billing could be different each month if different modules are used. On the flip side, if Acumatica ERP is hosted on a company’s own servers, the company must factor in the costs of server setup (or outsourcing) and the monthly licensing costs. Companies also need to consider costs of installation, customization, configuration, and training, especially if purchased from a partner organization (value-added reseller).

Things we liked:

  • Robust reporting features
  • Flexible and highly customizable
  • Unified ERP platform
  • Strong compliance capabilities
  • Unlimited users for no additional fee

Things we didn’t like:

  • Requires a learning curve
  • More expensive than other options
  • Limited mobile app functionality

9. Versa Cloud ERP

Price from $1,800/year
Free Trial 14 Days

Best for:
Versa Cloud ERP is a multi-module ERP system designed for businesses that need integrated multi-entity and multi-currency accounting functionality. Businesses that are growing quickly, have multiple locations, or serve clients around the world will appreciate Versa Cloud ERP’s all-in-one approach to business management and its integration with Salesforce.

Key features:
Versa Cloud ERP doesn’t directly integrate with Salesforce; however, its accounting module, VersAccounts, does. VersAccounts’ API integration is a standard two-way connection with Salesforce, allowing information to flow back and forth between the two products. Then, information within VersAccounts can flow out to the other modules in Versa Cloud ERP.

VersAccounts features double-entry accounting via a general ledger with comprehensive accounts payable and receivable functionality, cash flow management, fixed asset management, and inventory management. Though most of the heavy invoicing lift is handled with the Salesforce integration, VersAccounts can easily manage more complex invoicing, as well as batch invoices, and VersAccounts automates payment processing through PayPal, ACH, and other methods.

The reconciliation process at the month-end is quick and easy because all the information that’s required is already in VersAccounts. And, VersAccounts helps users manage income and expenses in multiple currencies, as well as managing multiple locations in both subsidiary and consolidated views. In Versa Cloud ERP, users also have access to project management features, including time tracking and billable expenses, plus purchasing and order management for manufacturing organizations, and secure document storage.

All of the modules in Versa Cloud ERP share information, allowing the creation of automatic workflows on the platform. In addition, when order information flows from Salesforce into VersAccounts, invoices are created automatically, and the other modules in the ERP platform are updated automatically, as well. Workflow approvals are also built-in, improving productivity and decreasing error rates for common, repetitive transactions. Plus, at various points in the process and finally, on order fulfillment, data flows back into Salesforce, updating the sales team in real-time.

As with other ERP platforms on this list, collaboration is easy with Versa Cloud ERP. Interdepartmental updates occur in real-time as information flows from one module to the others, and each module’s dashboard always provides a current view of the organization. Salesforce users also benefit from the information flow from VersAccounts back into Salesforce.

In addition to strong sales tax tracking features, Versa Cloud ERP meets a variety of federal compliance requirements, including the Drug Supply Chain Security Act. Individual user permissions are used to control access to specific information, and Versa Cloud ERP has an “always-on audit trail” function, which ensures that every transaction that’s entered is permanently documented. Each can be modified, but the original data and any changes are tracked to ensure a high level of data security.

VersAccounts allows users to create some standard reports, such as profit and loss, income statements, balance sheets, receivables aging, and others. A nifty widget feature allows users to add custom reporting information to dashboards, and users can drill down within reports and dashboard displays to see more granular information. Plus, customizable dimensions and variables are available to help build more comprehensive reports; this feature is particularly helpful in multi-entity organizations because transactions can be allocated across the entities using the dimension functionality. All report information can be exported to external spreadsheet tools, as well.

Ease of use:
VersAccounts has a fairly short learning curve, and the friendly customer support staff will help new users get up and running in no time. In fact, they’re well known for helping new clients set up their Versa Cloud ERP implementation. Software customization is available for companies that need it, and there are tons of videos and a Knowledgebase available on the Versa Cloud ERP website.

Cost:
Versa Cloud ERP’s pricing is based on the number of users or the total revenue volume of the subscribing organization. It’s not the most expensive of the products on this list, and its full-featured ERP approach may make the price tag more palatable, even for small businesses. Pricing is available on the VersaCloud ERP website, and if you have questions, the sales staff is available to help.

Things we liked:

  • Salesforce integration built by Versa Cloud ERP
  • Strong ERP capabilities
  • Friendly customer support and good training videos
  • Multi-entity and multi-currency functionality
  • Very good inventory management features

Things we didn’t like:

  • Expensive for smaller companies
  • Not have enough standard reports
  • Navigation is sometimes clunky

10. Wave

Price from FREE/mo

Best for:
Wave is a fantastic option for smaller companies and companies on tight budgets that also use Salesforce. It’s not designed for fast-growing companies, but Wave provides stable, robust double-entry accounting features for companies in lots of different sectors, including retailers, service businesses, and consultancies.

Key features:
As of this writing, only third party connections are available for Salesforce and Wave. The two main methods are Zapier and PieSync from Hubspot. Both rely on the user to establish connections between two apps (in this case, Wave and Salesforce), and then certain actions (typically if this, then that) trigger the two apps to share information.

Wave features double-entry accounting with comprehensive income and expense management features (including billable expense tracking), as well as custom and recurring invoice functionality. Mobile apps are available for receipt capture and on-the-go invoicing. Sales tax can be calculated automatically, and payments are accepted in multiple currencies. Though payroll costs extra, given the overall cost-effectiveness of Wave, the lift isn’t that significant.

Plus, features aren’t limited in Wave, so even those using the fully free version have access to all functionality, all the time. And, Wave customers can manage the accounting functions of multiple businesses in one account. Currently, there is no project management feature in Wave, and its inventory management platform is limited compared to other products on this list; however, it’s still a strong competitor for smaller companies using Salesforce as their CRM.

Automation features that are triggered in Wave with the Salesforce integrations include new customer records and invoice creation. In the opposite direction, Wave can trigger record updates in Salesforce when specific actions have been taken. In addition, Wave includes automatic bank feeds and a streamlined reconciliation process. Wave also handles bulk transaction uploads easily and provides automatic reminders for bills and invoices.

Currently, Wave’s collaboration features are limited. Users can collaborate on records to which they have access, and the account owner can share the information in Wave with an accountant or bookkeeper. Additional collaboration features can be added via a variety of app integrations that are available, and Salesforce users can also collaborate within Salesforce, as required.

Wave does not have an audit trail functionality. While this isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, larger companies that are required to adhere to specific compliance protocols will want to evaluate whether another solution would be better.

Overall, Wave’s reporting features are somewhat limited, but it does include the basics: trial balance, profit and loss, cash flow, sales tax reports, and so on. The good news is that both cash and accrual basis accounting are supported, and the reports are also available in both formats.

Ease of use:
Users with a bit of bookkeeping or accounting experience will find that Wave’s setup process is simple and straightforward, and the dashboard-focused approach makes it easy to navigate and understand the business’s current financial situation once setup is complete. Tutorials and a Help Center are available to help orient new users, and the Wave Community can help answer most questions that arise, and while customer support may be slow to respond, it is available for any bigger or more difficult challenges.

Cost:
Wave is clearly the most cost-effective solution on this list. After all, its basic version is free. There may be one-time or monthly costs associated with whichever integration method you choose. Zapier ranges anywhere from free to $600 a month, so it’s still cost-effective for most companies, and PieSync from HubSpot starts at $9 per month and currently caps at $49 per month.

Things we liked:

  • Very cost-effective
  • Multiple companies in one account
  • Easy to set up and use
  • Lots of additional integrations
  • Unlimited use of feature set

Things we didn’t like:

  • No native Salesforce integration
  • Limited collaboration and reporting features
  • No audit trail

FAQs

Why do I need to integrate accounting software with Salesforce?

Salesforce is a super powerful customer relationship management (CRM) platform. Salesforce can do a lot, supporting marketing, sales, ecommerce, customer service, analytics, employee management, and so on. One essential thing it can’t do for your business is accounting. By integrating accounting software with Salesforce, you connect front and back office functions to allow members of those sections of your business to work together and develop a complete overview of business operations.

What does it mean that accounting software is “native” to Salesforce, and why does that matter?

“Native” Salesforce software is built on the Salesforce platform. This means that your accounting software is built to integrate seamlessly with Salesforce on a single platform. Accounting software that isn’t native will need a third party application to connect with Salesforce, which brings an additional expense. Potential problems with integration include the possibility that the integration is suboptimal and undermines the system to create issues with performance. You could end up with a lot of software to manage and a lot of bloat to go with it. This is not to say all integration apps are problematic; some work quite well and users seem pleased with them. Whichever option you choose, continue doing your homework to make sure it’s right for you.

Can’t you tell me which accounting software is best for Salesforce?

We can present you with some good options to consider, as we have done in this article. However, it will be up to you to examine your needs and make the best choice to meet those unique needs. There are so many variables at play here (software options, integration methods, your needs, cost, etc.) that you will not only need to start with this article but use it as a basis for continuing your own research.

What are the most important features to consider when choosing software to work with Salesforce?

Companies need to consider how they will use the data from Salesforce in their accounting software. Most companies will want the sales order process in Salesforce to trigger the quote or invoice process in the accounting software, so be sure that the invoicing workflow meets your company’s needs, especially for things like automatic sales tax calculations and similar. Larger companies will also want to evaluate whether the software meets compliance rules, such as Sarbanes-Oxley and GAAP, among others. For the most part, however, as long as there is an integration available (native or otherwise), the main consideration is whether the accounting software meets a company’s needs overall.

Some of your accounting software options seem geared towards small businesses. Isn’t Salesforce focused on big businesses?

Salesforce’s earliest customers were small businesses! Small businesses do continue to use Salesforce, and it can be a good option for those that want to grow. Salesforce can help with record keeping, customer service, sales, marketing, analytics, etc.—all features a small business needs to keep an eye on.

Conclusion

Salesforce users are looking for a competitive edge in marketing, sales, ecommerce, customer service, employee management, and more. Finding good accounting software to integrate with Salesforce can help businesses achieve the success they seek. Connecting front office and back office helps provide that bird’s eye view that business management needs to make decisions and keep things running smoothly.

See also: