The Best Construction Accounting Software for Project-Based Success

Every construction project is a moving target. Between shifting schedules, changing scopes, and dispersed teams, staying on top of project tasks and financials is a full-time job. That’s why construction companies need more than a basic accounting system. You need a solution that’s flexible enough to handle the complexity of job-based work—and strong enough to keep everything from labor to materials on track.

Construction accounting is deeply tied to operations. You’re managing costs by project, allocating inventory across job sites, and making sure every dollar spent maps back to a contract or estimate. That’s where the right software makes all the difference.

Construction accounting software should help you:

• Track project budgets and actuals by cost code with variance reporting
• Monitor labor costs by job using timecards and payroll data with labor burden allocation
• Manage inventory, purchasing, and subcontractor costs for each site
• Automate AR/AP workflows with progress billing, retainage tracking, and percentage-of-completion revenue recognition
• Manage change order with approval workflows that tie to project budgets
• Give stakeholders real-time visibility into project health with WIP reporting, cost-to complete forecasting, and over/under billing calculations

The best solutions also support mobile access for field teams, streamline communication between departments, and scale with your business as new projects come in. Whether you’re building homes, hospitals, or highways, having a financial system designed for construction means fewer delays, fewer surprises, and better results.

To help simplify your search, we’ve rounded up a list of leading construction accounting solutions—each offering a unique set of tools to support the way your business tracks costs, manages projects, and drives profitability.

Whether you’re looking for a cloud-based ERP, a QuickBooks alternative, or software tailored to field teams, these solutions represent some of the top options on the market today. And for construction firms already using Salesforce, Accounting Seed stands out as the only solution built natively on the platform, offering unified visibility from bid to billing.

General accounting software adapted for construction

These solutions are not construction-native but are used by smaller contractors who layer in construction-specific functionality through integrations or manual workflows.

QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise

QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise can work as a construction accounting solution with features including advanced job costing, contractor-specific reporting, payroll integration, and customizable workflows. It supports up to 40 users and can be hosted in the cloud for remote access.

Best for: Mid-sized to large contractors needing deep job cost tracking, certified payroll support, and industry-specific reporting, especially firms managing multiple entities or complex operations.

Limitations: Not cloud-native—requires third-party hosting for remote access. Features like AIA billing and retainage require workarounds or third-party add-ons.

QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online offers accessible, cloud-based accounting software with core features suited for small contractors, including estimating, invoicing, job costing, time tracking, and customizable reporting. It integrates with leading construction apps like Knowify, Buildertrend, and Procore to expand its capabilities.

Best for: Small contractors or subcontractors that prioritize mobility, use cloud-based project management tools, and need basic job costing without extensive customization.

Limitations: Reviews say it lacks native AIA billing, retainage tracking, and WIP reporting. Requires third-party integrations or manual workarounds for key construction workflows like certified payroll or complex project accounting.

Xero

Xero is a cloud-native accounting solution geared toward small businesses and independent contractors, including those in construction and trades. It offers tools for project costing, invoicing, quoting, time tracking, and payroll, with seamless access via web or mobile. Its clean interface, automation features, and app integrations (e.g., Tradify, ServiceM8, simPRO) help construction teams manage financials on the go.

Best for: Small construction and trade businesses looking for a low-cost, user-friendly accounting solution with mobile access, unlimited users, and integration options for estimating, time tracking, and payroll.

Limitations: Not a full ERP—lacks native tools for subcontracts, change orders, or complex job costing found in larger solutions. Reporting and visual dashboards are basic; inventory management and project visibility may feel limited for growing firms.

Running your business on Salesforce? Accounting Seed offers a solution with the flexibility to configure workflows for your specific billing and project management needs.

Construction-specific accounting and ERP solutions

These tools are built for construction firms, offering job costing, certified payroll, AIA billing, project management, and field tools.

Cloud-Native or cloud-first solutions

Cloud-native and cloud-first construction accounting platforms are built specifically for the web, offering full SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) capabilities out-of-the-box. These solutions are accessible from anywhere, automatically updated, and designed to scale with your business. With no need for local servers or manual upgrades, they reduce IT overhead while improving collaboration between office and field teams.

For construction firms prioritizing mobility, remote access, and seamless integration with other cloud tools, the following platforms deliver modern functionality with real-time data visibility across devices.

Acumatica (Construction Edition)

Acumatica Construction Edition is a cloud-native ERP built for general contractors and specialty subcontractors. It centralizes financials, job costing, subcontracts, project management, CRM, and change orders in a single, customizable solution. Designed for flexibility, it integrates easily with Procore, DocuSign, and other key tools, while offering real-time access via web and mobile.

Best for: Small to midsize contractors looking for a fully cloud-based, scalable ERP with modern UI, strong integration options, and tailored workflows. Especially beneficial for firms managing complex change orders, multi-entity financials, and remote teams needing mobility.

Limitations: Users in the construction field cite a steep learning curve and heavy reliance on third-party consultants for setup and reporting. Reporting lacks depth out-of-the-box, often requiring custom development. Some reviewers report dissatisfaction with the payroll module and limitations in sales or preconstruction visibility. Support responsiveness and usability can vary by partner.

CMiC

CMiC is a construction ERP designed to manage both financials and field operations from a single database. Built specifically for the construction industry, it offers core functionality across accounting, job costing, payroll, project management, and document control—backed by customizable reporting and built-in workflow automation.

Best for: Mid-size to large general contractors, subcontractors, and civil construction firms looking for a centralized ERP to replace multiple siloed systems. Well-suited for businesses seeking strong financial management tools with tightly integrated field operations and support for high project volume.

Limitations: Steep learning curve, especially during implementation, due to the solution’s modular complexity. Users report an outdated interface, sluggish performance, and challenges with ease of navigation. Custom report development and initial configuration often require heavy administrative overhead or partner support.

Premier Construction Software

Premier is a cloud-based ERP for construction that unifies accounting, job costing, project management, and field collaboration in a single solution. It offers centralized financial control, AI-powered AP automation, forecasting tools, and dashboards tailored for construction workflows.

Best for: General contractors, owners, and developers managing construction projects of any size—from small-scale builds to large, multi-project operations across regions.

Limitations: Some users cite a challenging learning curve during implementation and setup, as well as a desire for more robust mobile functionality. A few also note limited phone-based support and higher upfront costs compared to SMB-targeted solutions.

Procore

Procore is a cloud-based construction management solution designed to unify project stakeholders across the lifecycle—from preconstruction and financials to field coordination and closeout. It includes tools for project management, job costing, bidding, RFIs, submittals, drawings, change events, and invoicing accessible via web and mobile.

Best for: General contractors, specialty contractors, and owners seeking a collaborative, mobile-first solution to centralize workflows and improve communication between the office and field. Particularly valuable for teams managing complex or high-volume projects who need detailed documentation, audit trails, and real-time visibility across function

Limitations: Some users cite limited out-of-the-box reports, complex permissions setup, and gaps in field-to-office parity on mobile. Integrations and advanced configuration may require Procore-certified support or higher-tier plans.

Salesforce users: Many construction accounting solutions integrate with Salesforce—but only one is built on it. If you’re already on Salesforce, skip ahead to Accounting Seed for a fully native solution.

On-premise or hybrid (non-cloud-native) solutions

While many firms are shifting to cloud-based platforms, some construction companies still prefer on-premise or hybrid software. These systems are installed locally on your company’s servers (rather than hosted in the cloud) and often offer more control over data, customization, and security—though they may require more IT resources to manage and update. Hybrid options may include optional cloud hosting or partial online access.

If your business prioritizes local control, industry-specific workflows, or has existing infrastructure in place, the following on-premise and hybrid solutions may work for you.

Deltek ComputerEase

Deltek ComputerEase is a construction accounting and project management solution built for contractors. It offers real-time job costing, certified payroll, equipment tracking, field apps, and WIP reporting in a modular system. With built-in integrations, mobile accessibility, and field-to-office connectivity, the system supports financial visibility and operational efficiency across job roles. While not built as a cloud-native tool, it now offers a vendor-managed cloud deployment that gives users secure, remote access, automatic backups, and flexible scalability.

Best for: Small to midsize construction firms and specialty contractors seeking a solution for job costing, payroll, project management, and compliance. May be a fit for companies managing multiple projects and needing union payroll support, mobile field tools, and integration with solutions like ProEst and Microsoft Excel.

Limitations: Not fully cloud-native and can feel clunky or dated to some users. Users mention limited audit trails (e.g., no visibility into who edited records), occasional reporting limitations, and a desire for more modern dashboards and broader third-party integrations.

FOUNDATION Software

FOUNDATION is a construction-specific accounting solution offering job costing, certified payroll, project management, and document imaging. It’s built for contractors and subcontractors needing detailed financial tracking and compliance tools in a single, modular system. FOUNDATION is installed locally with optional cloud-hosting and strong customer support.

Best for: Union contractors, specialty contractors, and self-performing GCs that require advanced payroll handling (including multi-state/multi-union), job cost visibility, and integrated service dispatch and project management—particularly those prioritizing strong audit trails and construction-specific workflows.

Limitations: Not cloud-native; accessibility is limited without third-party hosting. Users report outdated UI, underpowered reporting tools, occasional connectivity issues, and disappointing mobile tools (ProjectHQ, CrewHQ). Some also note high training costs and onboarding that requires expert guidance to configure properly.

Jonas Construction Software

Jonas Construction is a long-standing construction ERP solution designed for specialty contractors across trades like mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. The software brings accounting, payroll, project management, and field service management into one system with real-time data, mobile access, and over 50 functional modules. It offers automated workflows, back-office integration, and flexible reporting for mid-size firms. While originally built as an on-premise ERP, Jonas now offers a vendor-managed, cloud-hosted deployment through Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop. This hosted model—branded as Jonas Cloud—allows firms to remotely access their software in a virtual desktop environment.

Best for: Specialty contractors and self-performing construction firms looking for integrated field-to-office functionality, real-time project visibility, and service management tools. Especially suited for firms with both construction and service divisions needing payroll, job costing, and mobile dispatching in one system.

Limitations: Users report a dated user interface and complex initial setup. While the software is rich in features, navigating the system can feel unintuitive without training. Some customers also mention poor customer support responsiveness and lack of promised functionality during onboarding. Hosted versions may experience performance issues depending on the provider.

Sage 100 Contractor

Sage 100 Contractor is an out-of-the-box construction management solution that combines accounting, project management, and estimating tools to help users gain real-time access to job costs, streamline operations, and simplify workflows. The system provides integrated dashboards, industry-specific reports, and modules for managing budgets, subcontracts, and proposals.

Best for: Small to midsize general and specialty contractors looking for a construction-focused alternative to QuickBooks or Sage 50. Ideal for companies that need deeper job costing, estimating, and construction-specific financial oversight in a desktop-first environment.

Limitations: Users frequently cite a dated user interface, lack of true cloud access, and limited native mobile capabilities. Customer support is often handled by third-party resellers, with some users reporting inconsistent quality and high costs. Others mention a steep learning curve and outdated estimating tools.

Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate (CRE)

Sage 300 CRE is a mature, on-premise construction and property management ERP solution designed to centralize accounting, project management, real estate operations, and service management. It supports complex job costing, payroll, billing, and multi-entity management, with over 1,400 built-in report templates and robust customization tools. Integration with tools like Procore and third-party project management solutions is also available.

Best for: Mid-sized to large construction firms and property managers handling high project volumes, union payroll, or real estate portfolios. Particularly effective for companies needing advanced accounting controls and deep integration with field operations or legacy systems.

Limitations: The interface is dated and lacks native cloud functionality. Users report steep learning curves, limited out-of-the-box report flexibility (especially for Excel exports), and frequent reliance on paid consultants for updates or troubleshooting. Customer support and update cadence are often cited as below expectations, and modern alternatives may offer a better user experience.

Salesforce-native solutions

Accounting Seed is a cloud-based accounting and project financial management solution built natively on Salesforce. It offers construction-ready capabilities when paired with Salesforce’s Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, and Field Service Lightning (FSL). Together, these tools provide a connected solution for managing bids, tracking project execution, and monitoring job financials in real time.

For example, once a deal is closed in Sales Cloud, a project or order can be auto-created in Accounting Seed. Expenses, billings, and budgets for that project are then tracked seamlessly across Field Service (for scheduling and dispatch), Service Cloud (for post-sale workflows), and Accounting Seed (for financials)—all within a unified Salesforce environment. This architecture enables construction firms to monitor job progress, field activity, and financial performance from a single dashboard.

Best for: Construction firms using or committed to Salesforce that want a unified solution combining CRM, operations, and accounting. Ideal for companies managing field teams, project-based billing, and complex revenue tracking that benefit from end-to-end visibility.

Limitations: Requires use of Salesforce CRM, which may not suit companies without a Salesforce footprint. However, for firms leveraging Salesforce—the industry’s leading CRM—the native integration offers unmatched operational ease and eliminates the friction common with bolt-on accounting tools.

What’s the best construction accounting software for you?

The best construction accounting software helps you control costs, improve visibility, and keep projects profitable from bid to closeout. Look for tools that support real-time job costing, labor tracking, AR/AP automation, and mobile field access—while fitting your firm’s size, tech stack, and workflows. For contractors running on Salesforce, Accounting Seed offers a seamless, connected solution that unites your CRM, operations, and financials on one platform, no integrations required.

Ready to streamline your construction accounting? Learn more about Accounting Seed.