Have you been tasked with finding a bookkeeping software for nonprofits? Maybe you’re the bookkeeper, treasurer, or financial aid director of a nonprofit organization and need to take control of your organization’s financials.
Perhaps you want to be more efficient in your day-to-day tasks and streamline your accounting. Whatever the reason, I understand that selecting a software can be a daunting task both because there are an overwhelming number of options to choose from and because choosing a wrong one can take a toll on your organization. Here are the best softwares out there.
Intuit QuickBooks Non-Profit
QuickBooks is one of the best-known names in accounting and bookkeeping software, known for being efficient and ideal for customization. While not known for its non-profit capabilities, it is an option under “industries” for set-up and has some available features primarily used by NPOs.
Features include:
- General ledger
- Customized reporting
- Fixed asset management
- Bank reconciliation
- Billing and invoicing
- Accounts payable/receivable
- Grant management
- Donation management
- Payroll
Best for: Small organizations seeking customization and ease of use
Free Trial: Yes, a 30-Day trial
Demo: N/A
Bill.com
Bill.com is an end-to-end accounting platform created for SMEs and freelancers. Completely web-based, the app makes it easy for users to access their data wherever they may be. Nonprofits stand to benefit from the numerous features that accompany the tool.
Using Bill.com, you can accept donations, record them, and even track newly received contributions. It can be configured to schedule one-time or recurring donations on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. It even comes with bank account management tools that make it easy to keep tabs on all transactions with donors and sponsors.
All nonprofits generally face problems when it comes to recording expenses. Luckily, Bill.com automatically records cash inflow and outflow and syncs all data from other business systems you leverage for transactions. It also comes with ePayment processing tools that make it easy to facilitate transactions as securely as possible. Last but not least, the platform has a robust reporting module that lets users gain insight into their company data. Should you need to extend the functionalities of the platform, it comes with API capabilities and has native integrations with a number of third-party business systems.
Bill.com offers three monthly plans ranging from $39/user/month to $69/user/month as well as an Enterprise plan available by quote. All subscriptions are priced depending on the features that a user requires.
Detailed Bill.com Review
FUND E-Z
FUND E-Z is a fund accounting software option for nonprofits that is easy to use while providing a variety of core features and improves risk mitigation. FUND EZ allows users to create and track all types of budgets, segmenting them into projects, grants, and campaigns as needed, while automatic backups and crash protection prevent a loss of essential data.
Core features include:
- General ledger
- Bank reconciliation
- Budgeting
- Accounts payable/receivable
- Security
- Direct cost allocations
Optional features include:
- Fundraising management
- Donor management
- Custom reporting
- Indirect Cost allocation
- Purchasing and encumbrance
Best for: Large, complex, or multi-department nonprofit organizations
Free trial: 30-day trial
Demo: Contact for a demo
Yooz
Yooz is all about providing nonprofit organizations a state-of-the-art accounting solution to handle the complexity of grants and donations from the campaign activities generating them. A powerful AI Deep Learning algorithm churns any number of data generated by these campaigns quietly while a user-friendly interface ensures that users are not intimidated by the platform.
Nonprofits can generate more than their share of paper trail or digital forms, but Yooz is designed to handle all of them. It can work with any format of scanned images and files from any operating environment, from PDFs to JPGs.
Try out Yooz with their free trialVISIT WEBSITEFREE TRIAL
Yooz provides nonprofits the unmatched simplicity, mobility, and traceability that it is known for. It allows users to capture data seamlessly and automatically syncs with the master data, eliminating the need for manual updates that are also prone to human error.
For security, Yooz implements a FakeDetection module to detect forged documents and eliminate fraudulent transactions, a known hazard in today’s high-stakes world. Internal controls are overseen by powerful robotic process automation (RPA) technology for additional safety to nonprofit organizations.
Detailed Yooz Review
GMS Accounting and Financial Management/Reporting System
Designed for nonprofit and public organizations who rely on grants and contracts, GMS Accounting and Financial Management/Reporting System is a bit different than the fund accounting management software programs listed. It is designed for activity accounting and written specifically for grants, contracts, and activities tracking and reporting. While the basic accounting package is indeed basic, there are all types of add-ons to provide a custom experience.
Core features include:
- General ledger
- Cash receipts
- Budgeting for multiple grants and contracts
- Processing
- Cost allocation
- Compliance management
- Grant management and tracking
- Bank reconciliation
Additional features include:
- Purchase orders
- Accounts payable/receivable
- Billing and invoicing
- Payroll
- Time processing
- Direct deposits
- Security features
Best for: Nonprofit and public organizations of all sizes who rely on grants and contracts rather than needing fund accounting
Free trial: N/A
Demo: Register for a 60-minute, personalized demo.
DocuPhase
DocuPhase is a multi-application automations software. It can be a nonprofit organization’s valuable asset, as it is a robust platform that has numerous capabilities. Its main use is for accounts payable automation, which can assist nonprofit entities in keeping track of their dues. This can also assist them in sending payments to their vendors or suppliers on time to maintain profitable relationships.
The software enables nonprofits with tools and technologies such as Optical Character Recognition. With it, DocuPhase can read the contents of scanned documents and use the information it gathered to fill forms. As a result, there is no need to manually enter data on the end of the user. Because of this feature, nonprofit organizations can automate payments to their suppliers based on the information from invoices.
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Additionally, DocuPhase can make audits easy for the organization. Its enterprise document management system can store the necessary financial information that you can pull up when the auditors come knocking.
You can experience DocuPhase’s capabilities when you sign up with the vendor on their website. You can also request a quote so that you can begin considering whether it is what your organization needs.
Detailed DocuPhase ReviewREAD MORE
Zoho Books
Zoho Books also caters to nonprofits. It is a smart system that is easy-to-use and provides you with total control over your finances by helping you make sound business decisions. Key Zoho Books features include invoice creation and facilitating online payments so that you get to accelerate the payment process. The system is highly intuitive that you do not need to possess accounting experience to use it. It is easy to navigate as well with its simple but visually appealing dashboard, from which all needed accounting tools can be accessed.
Try out Zoho Books with their free trialVISIT WEBSITEFREE TRIAL
For nonprofits, Zoho Books’ capabilities have a lot to offer. It can manage contributions the way it does for businesses. It keeps a record of all your sponsors and the amount that they have contributed to your cause. In case you need to, you can also manage taxes associated with donations. All sponsors are automatically treated as contacts and are stored by the system and can be added to your account. You can likewise use the software’s invoicing capabilities, which can generate customized invoices according to your needs.
Zoho Books is being sold in three distinct pricing plans, starting at $9/organization per month.
Detailed Zoho Books Review
SignRequest
While not wholly an accounting suite, SignRequest can bolster your accounting process. It provides another layer of security to the movement of funds, for example. You can make secure your bank accounts and allow only authorized individuals access to those. Apart from that, you can bar the use of cash-on-hand or petty cash unless you have given authorization through a document signed via the application.
Try out SignRequest with their free trialVISIT WEBSITEFREE TRIAL
And while the tool itself provides security for various workflow processes, it also tightens the security measure around your signatures and documents. It has 256-bit SSL encryption that prevents unsanctioned access or editing of files.
SignRequest has a free plan, making it an attractive tool for charities. However, if your organization has more complex requirements than what the free package offers, the paid subscriptions are affordable still and would not break the bank.
Detailed SignRequest Review
Grant Administrator Dyna-Quest Technologies
For nonprofit organizations that rely on grants, such as universities, research institutes, and hospitals, Dyna-Quest Technologies has designed Grant Administrator, an effective grant management and accounting software. This software is easy to use for quick data entry and allows users to budget out a grant to include salaries, anticipated expenses, and other needs as well as track incoming and outgoing funds.
Core features include:
- General ledger
- Grant management
- Bank reconciliation
- Customized reporting
Best for: Universities and organizations who specifically rely on grants for funding
Free trial: Yes, 30-Day free trial
Contact for a demo
Zoho Expense
Expense monitoring and tracking app Zoho Expense brings the gift of automation to all processes relevant to expense management. It automatically records all transactions and even converts your receipts into expenses, which can be used in report generation. The system is capable of capturing transactions conducted via credit card and convert them into expenses as well. It supports mobile devices, from which all expenditures can be accessed and reports submitted. With Zoho Expense, you can be sure that you are spending according to organizational policies. All expense data can be monitored through the platform, with the system making data entry almost effortlessly with its drag-and-drop functionality.
Try out Zoho Expense with their free trialVISIT WEBSITEFREE TRIAL
To nonprofits, Zoho Expense offers numerous benefits that are sure to make expense management a bearable task. Expenses can be recorded automatically by simply uploading a photo of your receipt, wherever you are. Its project management features, meanwhile, enable you to properly plan program spendings, which can be reexamined as needed using the app’s analytics. Finally, nonprofits will surely appreciate the fact that the vendor offers them discounted plans. Very ideal indeed for organizations who are low on cash flow.
Zoho Books comes in two distinct pricing schemes starting at $2.5/user per month. A free version of the app can also be availed by those who need only its basic features.
Detailed Zoho Expense Review
FreeAgent
FreeAgent is a suitable tool for those who only need basic accounting functions, like invoice creation, cash flow monitoring and keeping track of receipts and employee time. It comes with a 30-day free trial, therefore allowing users to see how well the software fits their plans before committing to a paid subscription. After that, it costs $12 per month for the first six months and then $24 per month.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 30-day free trial | Exporting can be tricky |
| Easy to use | Missing some basic functions |
| Expense tracking | |
| Invoicing and contact management | |
| Easy invoicing | |
| Customizable templates | |
| Multiple app integrations |
Who it’s best for: Small businesses, freelancers
Zoho Invoice
Zoho Invoice is a robust accounting and invoicing software that can serve both businesses and nonprofit organizations. The product is used primarily in invoice creation and management but also sports very useful accounting features. Using the solution, you can manage and track invoices and even share the same–all from a single dashboard. It allows you to monitor all transactions while being able to generate and send out invoices in different currencies and languages. Its simple interface makes the platform easy to use, eliminating the steep learning curves that usually come with such systems.
The software enables nonprofits to send invoices in a moment’s notice and even automates the generation of recurring invoices. Donations can be accepted both offline and online so that organizations can better focus on their cause without having to worry about receivables.
Try out Zoho Invoice with their free trialVISIT WEBSITEFREE TRIAL
Mohid
Mohid is specifically designed as an all-in-one masjid (mosque) and Islamic organization management software. It blends fund accounting capability with all other aspects of Mosque administration management, including donations, class registration, Zakat disbursement, and membership.
Core features include:
- General ledger
- Financial statements
- Advanced reporting
- Balance sheets and bank reconciliation
- Donation management
- Membership and pledge management
- QuickBook integration
- Payment integration
Best for: Small to large masjids and Islamic organizations seeking a comprehensive management software option.
Free trial: Yes, a two-month free trial with subscription
Get a consultation here!
Conclusion
It is the nature of nonprofits and charitable organizations to be at risk for mismanagement and fraud. Nonprofit accounting software is essential in helping keep track of financial records and helping to reduce the chances of an audit finding or tax code violation. There are a lot of nonprofit budgeting and nonprofit accounting software options out there, provided as either as-a-service or as downloadable software, with different features and costs. We’ve compiled all those options together in one place so you can compare them more easily.