Best 3 Accounting Software for Plumbing Business: What you need to know. (2024)

In today’s world, business can be fast-paced. It is also no doubt that the industry is highly competitive whether you are residential or commercial contractor.

To streamline your book-keeping and maintain a competitive edge, I have laid out my top 3 accounting software picks to help keep you doing what you do best – running your business!

In this blog post, I am going to dive into the features, pros, cons, and pricing for:

1. Quick Books Online

2. Xero Accounting Software

3. Fresh Books

Each software has its own virtues and today I am going to discuss what you need to know about each so you can make an informed decision on which software may be best for you.

Top 3 Accounting Software picks for a Plumbing Business.

1. Quick Books Online

QuickBooks Online is probably the most widely known cloud-based accounting software systems used by small and medium sized businesses.

The company continuously improves its capabilities over the years and has an intuitive interface with automation to make book-keeping more efficient.

QuickBooks Online offers a suite of features that have been refined to streamline your accounting processes. Additionally, you will find that the software helps to semi-automate your bookkeeping. While the software is user-friendly, familiarizing yourself with basic accounting principles may be beneficial to help understand why the system works the way it does.

What different plans does Quick Books Online have?

There are four tiers of plans each with added on and more complex features.

Simple Start - most basic plan and may have everything you need.
Essentials
Plus
Advanced

What are the pros and cons for Quick Books Online?

Pros	Cons
Semi-Automated Process cuts time.	Learning curve to understand the system.
Competitively priced when considering its ease of use and features.	Number of users are limited based on plan with a maximum of 25.
Sharing Information with your Accountant is easy to do.	Upsell to unlock additonal features.
Hundress of additional apps to intregate with.
Live support is available.
Ability to pull many different reports.
Supports inventory management.

What do I need to know about Quick Books Online?

What does Quick Books say are their key features?	Income and Expenses, Receipt Capture, Semi-Automation, Invoice and Payments, Comprehensive List of Reports, Milage Tracking, Sales Tax, Estimates, Connect Online Sales Channels, Up to 25 Users, Bill Management, Enter Time, Inventory, and More.
How much does Quick Books online cost?	Simple Start Plan at $30/month. Essentials Plan at $60/month. Plus Plan at $90/month. Advanced Plan at $200/month.
Can I scale my business while using Quick Books Online?	Quick Books Online is a great tool for accounting from start-up companies to medium sized; however, Quick Books Online only allows up to 25 users.
How easy is it to share information with my accountant on Quick Books Online?	Many CPAs are familiar with Quick Books Online which makes sharing your information with them easier and more seamless. They also can see the full audit trail which is important.
Can I intregate outside applications needed specific to my business?	Quick Books Online allows you to integrate with hundreds of different applications that are specific to your business needs.
Is Quick Books Online easy to use?	QuickBooks Online has a learning curve associated with understanding how the system works. Once you have an understanding and set up the semi-automated processes, it can be easy and efficient to use.
What are some advanced feautures with Quick Books Online?	employee expenses, batch invoices and expenses, exclusive premium apps, workflow automation, data restoration, 24/7 support and training, revenue recognition

2. Xero Accounting Software

Xero cloud-based, accounting software is geared towards small business owners. They are a competitive option with a most notable feature of unlimited users may be assigned to each account.

According to their website, they have been in operation since 2006 and currently serve over 3.7 million customers. They are a leader in cloud accounting across New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom, and the United States.

What different plans does Xero accounting software have?

There are three tiers of plans. Each with added-on and more complex features.

1. Early

2. Growing

3. Established

What are the pros and cons for Xero?

Pros	Cons
Semi-automated processes cuts time on record-keeping.	Limits to only 5 bills with the Early plan and need to upgrade to unlock unlimited bills.
Competitive pricing with competitors.	Your accountant must be a Xero Certified Advisor
User friendly layout for ease of use.	Customer support may be limited.
Unlimited users can be assigned to an account.
Mobile App available to make your accounting easier.

What do I need to know about Xero?

What does Xero say are their key features?	link bank account for semi-automation, applications are available to add on specific to your business, bank reconciliation, short term cash flow and business snapshot.
How much does Xero cost?	Early plan at $15 Growing plan at $42 Established plan at $78
Can I scale mu business while using Xero?	The features provided and the unlimited user access will give you the ability to scale your business. As you need additional services, you can upgrade to unlock them at your pace.
How easy is it to share information with my accountant on Xero?	Yes, as long as your accountant is a Xero certified advisor.
Can I integrate outside applications needed specifc to my busienss?	Xero allows you to integrate with some applications that are available and specific to your business needs.
Is Xero easy to yse?	Xero is generally easy to use once you have an understanding of how the software works. It may be helpful to refresh yourself on basic accounting principles to understand why the software works the way it does.
What are some advanced features Xero?	Bulk reconciliation, Multiple currencies, Track projects, Analytics.

3. Fresh Books

Fresh Books is a widely known cloud-based, accounting software that is geared towards small business owners, freelances, and independent contractors.

The software is ideal for the very small business owner that does not intent to scale the business in the coming years.

According to their website, they have been in operation since 2003 and have served over 30 million customers to send, receive, and pay invoices. Since then, they have grown into an additional accounting software company with customers in over 160 countries. They pride themselves on helping the most fragile businesses and helping them grow into a successful service-based small business.

What different plans does Fresh Books Accounting Software have?

There are four tiers of plans. Each with added-on and more complex features.

1. Lite

2. Plus

3. Premium

4. Select

What are the pros and cons of Fresh Books?

Pros	Cons
Easy to use for the very small business owner	Built for a simple operation and may not be suited for more coplex businesses.
Ability to link bank account to semi-automate accounting process.	You must upgrade to be able to share information with your accountant. They will not be able to see the full audit trail and is something to consider (will have to share source documents and answer any question they may have manually).
Competitve pricing.	Limited number of users for each account.
Mobile app available to make your record keeping easier.
Prides themselves on customer service and will help you get started.

What do I need to know about Fresh Books?

What does Fresh Books say are their key features?	Prides themselves on their invoicing features, link bank account for semi-automation, applications are available to add on specific to your business, milage tracking, ability to invite an accountant if upgraded from the Lite plan.
How much does Fresh Books cost?	Lite plan at $17 Plus plan at $30 Preium plan at $55 Select plan - call for quote,
Can I scale my business while using Fresh Books?	The software is geared towards simple small business owners, free lances, and small contractors. At some point you will want to have more robust and comprehensive features if you plan to scale. Additionally, the system lacks the ability for your accountant to see the full audit trail which will be helpful when as you scale.
How easy is it to share information with my accountant on Fresh Books?	You can upgrade to have the ability to add your accountant; however, it is mentionable that they would not be able to see the full audit trail. You will have to help them with any questions on send them.
Can I integrate outside applications needed specific to my business?	Fresh Books allows you to integrate with some applications that are available and specific to your business needs.
Is Fresh Books easy to use?	Fresh Books is generally easy to use once you have an understanding of how the software works. It may be helpful to refresh yourself on basic accounting principles to understand why the software works the way it does. If you are lost, that is okay because they have a call center that will help you get set up and going.
What are some advanced features with Fresh Books?	Access to lower credit card transaction fees and capped bank transfer fees (ACH), Start with 2 team member accounts, Get a dedicated Fresh Books account manager, Will help migrate from other software, Customized onboarding services, Run financial accounting reports, and more.

Which accounting software should you choose for your Plumbing Business?

Each software has its own pros and cons, while all three of them are competitive to each other. By comparing the price points for each plan, you can then deterine what you need for your business and which option is best for you.