8 Best Accounting Software for Nonprofits

QuickBooks also includes features for fund accounting including the ability to monitor grants, funds, and budgets. It enables nonprofits to assign income and expenses to specific projects and programs, while facilitating accurate reporting and total transparency. The system provides basic donor management functionalities that allow nonprofits to generate donor reports, track donations, and issue personalized acknowledgment letters and receipts.

Best Fund Accounting Software for Small to Medium Nonprofit Organizations.

The platform streamlines financial workflows by enabling finance teams to automate manual processes, providing real-time data consolidation and dashboard navigation. Track designated funds, such as your missions fund, building fund, or grants. Keep your finances accurate and transparent to show your members, supporters, and board that you are stewarding your gifts well. Slice and dice your financial reporting to see the exact data you need across your organization. For small nonprofits that don’t require detailed accounting, Wave is a great option with its free plan, making it ideal for simple invoicing accounting services for nonprofit organizations and bookkeeping.

Costs and Pricing of Nonprofit Accounting Software

It focuses on enhancing financial reporting and accounting processes, making it a suitable choice for organizations needing detailed financial oversight. ZipBooks is an accounting software tailored to meet the unique needs of nonprofits, providing robust financial management tools to help organizations track donations, grants, and expenses effectively. Features include precise tracking and management of multiple funds to cash flow ensure financial transparency.

• Although Aplos performs well in accounting, QuickBooks Enterprise edges ahead with its dedicated nonprofit edition, offering more tailored features for nonprofit organizations.
• With built-in support for multi-currency transactions and tax filing across different jurisdictions, it simplifies financial management for organizations with an international reach.
• IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of technology and suppliers in a given market.
• Automatic bank transfer uploads keep financial data current and reduce errors.
• Choose the software solution that best meets your nonprofit’s budget, needs, and long-term goals.
• Regardless of the location or size, a nonprofit will always push itself out of the comfort zone, most of us are familiar with and seek solutions for social issues.
• With a nonprofit chart of accounts, QuickBooks Enterprise automates much of the work for you, providing a clear overview of your organization’s assets, costs, and revenue.

Best for Managing Large, Global Nonprofit Financials

Blackbaud Financial Edge is the heavyweight champion of nonprofit accounting software, designed for large organizations with complex needs. Its strengths include robust nonprofit fund accounting, budget tracking, and seamless integration with other Blackbaud products like Raiser’s Edge. This integration is so smooth, it’s like peanut butter and jelly decided to become accounting software.

• Cube is a cloud-based, spreadsheet-native financial planning and analysis (FP&A) platform that empowers nonprofits to streamline financial management while maintaining their focus on impact.
• Additional users can be added for a discounted price compared with the initial user.
• Depending on the size and approach of your organization, the software you need might differ.
• The Free plan comes with basic features, while the Pro plan unlocks more advanced features like volunteer management and bookkeeping tools.
• Word of mouth is always one of the most powerful forms of marketing and if everyone around you is using a system that works for them, there’s a strong possibility it will work for you as well.

Integrations include PayPal, Gusto, and Church Community Builder, allowing you to manage donations, payroll, and church operations more efficiently. We know the pressure of choosing the right tool—one that actually fits your ministry, your team, and your budget. That’s why we dig deep into each option, so you can make a clear, confident decision without wasting time or money. Relies on donors, grantors, and volunteers and requires high financial transparency and accountability levels.

Level Up Your Small Business Accounting Game

When you’re busy getting organized and searching out funding, you don’t have a lot of time to process the contributions you’ve received. When you send an invoice to a donor for the amount they have pledged, you don’t need to manually enter transaction data. ZipBooks is easy to navigate with its intuitive user-interface and straightforward layout—and it still packs the punch of big name software alternatives. Quickly surface insights, drive strategic decisions, and help the business stay on track. Connect and map data from your tech stack, including your ERP, CRM, HRIS, business intelligence, and more. Leverage your dynamic donor database to view the details you need to know about your people, including communication activity, notes, relationships, and giving history all in one place.

Benefits of data security measures:

• Look for software that has fund accounting features to categorize income and expenses by fund and donation tracking for handling contributions.
• With the right bookkeeping software on your side, you’ll be able to make the most of your donations and reach people who support your cause.
• Take advantage of free trials/demos to test the software before you commit to a subscription or make a purchase.
• We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence.

Unfortunately, while Aplos’s nonprofit features stand out, its accounting features are more limited. Only the customized plan includes in-depth income and expense tracking, budgeting by project or fund, asset tracking, and Bakery Accounting recurring transactions. But even with its extensive accounting features, QuickBooks’s nonprofit software still doesn’t have as many nonprofit-specific features as Sage Intacct and Aplos. It’s also on the pricier end of accounting software that wasn’t built for nonprofits.

• Fund accounting software is designed to enable improved allocation and management of resources designated for specific uses.
• Rick simplifies complex financial concepts into actionable plans, fostering collaboration between finance and other departments.
• Fund accounting software can create detailed reports designed for this purpose.
• Key focus areas include tracking diverse revenue streams, managing program-specific expenses, and preparing Form 990s.
• FreshBooks is the charming overachiever of the nonprofit accounting world.
• Expenses may include consulting services if the software is complex or needs significant customization.

QuickBooks Online: Best Customizable Accounting Software for Form 990 Reporting

The software is particularly well-suited for midsize to large nonprofits with intricate financial structures requiring robust reporting and compliance capabilities. With its modular design, this not-for-profit accounting software allows organizations to customize the software based on their requirement as they grow. Yes, many nonprofit accounting software solutions offer integration capabilities with donor management systems. This integration allows you to sync donor data and financial transactions across platforms, providing a comprehensive view of your organization’s finances. By integrating these systems, you can streamline your financial processes and maintain accurate records without manual data entry. Nonprofit accounting requires specialized tools for fund accounting, restricted funds management, and compliance with unique financial reporting standards mandated by the government.