#2 Xero
Xero is one of the most popular accounting software in Australia that’s used by both big and small businesses. Known for its simplicity, Xero has a simple and clean interface that makes it a great pick for people who do not want to tackle complicated tools.It comes with some great features such as the ability to track and pay bills online, have a look at a detailed overview of your cash flow, etc.
Here’s a small list of some of Xero’s main features:
- Pay Bills
- Claim Expenses
- Accept Payments
- Bank Connections
- Track Projects
- Bank Reconciliation
- Contacts
- Data Capture
- Reporting
- Inventory
- Invoice Management
- Multi-currency Support
- Quotes
- Sales Tax
- Purchase Orders
It offers excellent integration and can be linked to a number of popular names like GoCardless and Stripe.
Let’s have a look at some of the main pros and cons of this best accounting software in Australia:
Pros
- It can be accessed from anywhere as it’s cloud-based
- Comes with a mobile app
- The company offers special plans for small businesses
- Makes it easy to manage payroll thanks to Gusto integration
- Offers a third-party app marketplace
Cons
- Reporting features are limited
- Customer service could’ve been better
- You will have to pay additional charges for ACH payments
Founded in 2006, Xero is now one of the most well-known accounting software in Australia with more than two million users around the world.
While the company offers a free trial, you will need to give a month’s notice to cancel their paid plans.
The cheapest plan starts as low as $27; however, it comes with limited features. We suggest that you go for the Standard plan that starts as low as $52 per month. Those who want all the features can choose the Premium plan for $67 per month.
Right now, the company is offering a 50 percent discount on the first three months.
Features such as multiple currency support only come with the most expensive plan. Moreover, some features such as Claim Expenses and Tracking only come as add-ons starting as low as $4 per month.
#3 QuickBooks
QuickBooks accounting software for small businesses, is not only known for being feature-rich but also for offering excellent online resources.
Here’s what you will get with this accounting tool:
- Income and Expense Tracking
- Invoice Management
- Payment Acceptance
- Taxation
- Receipt Management
- Mile Tracking
- Estimates
- Bill Management
- Inventory Tracking
If you look at it, you will realize that QuickBooks is more than just an accounting software, it’s a complete tool with features that cover several aspects of starting and managing a business.
Here are some of the main pros and cons of this accounting software:
Pros
- Easy to scale
- Excellent integration options
- Can be used anywhere as it is cloud-based
- Comes with an excellent mobile app
- Reports are detailed and easy to comprehend
Cons
- Is known to have syncing issues
- Add-ons are expensive
Like most small business accounting software, Quickbook comes with a 30-day free trial to help you know how it works.
Paid plans start as low as $22 a month and the most expensive plan costs $52 per month.
All these plans come with the option to cancel anytime. Moreover, the company is presently offering a 50 percent discount on the first two months. You can easily move from one plan to another as your requirements change.
#4 Freshbooks
Freshbooks is another top accounting software that offers more than basic accounting features. The main aim of this tool is to make it easy to manage accounts by automating tasks.
Here are some of its main features:
- Bank Reconciliation
- Tracking Credits
- Accounts Payable
- Cost of Goods Sold
- Time Tracking
- Mileage Tracking
- Estimates
- Expenses
- Reports
- Projects
Freshbooks is easy to use and is made for the everyday entrepreneur. With this one, you will even be able to extract balance sheets and trial balances.
Here are some of its main pros and cons:
Pros
- Works on mobile devices thanks to a mobile app
- Excellent integration options
- Among the easiest account software to use
- Comes with additional features
Cons
- Doesn’t offer payroll service
- The mobile app doesn’t come with all features
- Some features are missing
Despite being an accounting software, it can even handle invoices. However, it isn’t as smart as Billdu, our other pick on this list. In fact, FreshBooks originally started as an invoicing tool in 2003.
The company introduced new features over time and it now is called a complete solution.
You can get your hands on this one for as low as $15 per month but the cheapest package only handles five clients. Small businesses should consider the Plus or Premium Plan for $25 and $50 each with the latter handling up to 500 clients.
The company doesn’t currently have a plan between Plus and Premium in Australia; however, you can contact the company for a custom quote.
#5 MYOB
MYOB is among the most popular accounting software in Australia for small businesses. It’s affiliated with some top names like Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, and National Australia Bank.
Here are some of its main features:
- GST Calculating and Tracking
- Invoices
- Accept Payments
- Sell Services and Items
- Pay and Track Expenses
- Manage Contacts
- Bank Sync
- Payroll
- Leave Calculation
- ATO SuperStream Compliance
The company has a special plan for small businesses that has been designed for growing companies.
MYOB is a true accounting software that lets you keep an eye on your progress by providing you real-time data.
Here are some of its main pros and cons:
Pros
- Excellent integration with apps like HR Central and Tanda
- Can calculate taxes and gains
- Excellent reporting features
- Makes tax management easier and is recognized by the ATO
- Can calculate GST, PAYG, and run reports for BAS
Cons
- Costlier than similar programs
MYOB can be a great pick for businesses that cater to an international audience as it supports multiple currencies and can be used from anywhere due to cloud support.
You can get your hands on the program for free thanks to a 30-day trial. Paid plans start as low as $10 per month; however, the cheapest plan only comes with basic features. Essentials can be a good pick for small businesses. It costs $29 per month. The most expensive plan costs $120 per month and comes with all the features.
#6 Sage
Sage Business Cloud Accounting has created a niche in no time. The cloud-based system can be accessed on the go, which makes it one of the easiest accounting tools to use.
Here are some of its main features:
- Accounting and Payroll
- Accounts Payable
- AutoEntry
- Billing
- Connect my Bank
- Intelligence Reporting
- Invoicing
- Mobile App
- Self-assessment
- Stock Management
- Tax including VAT
Sage is easy to use and can handle some difficult tasks such as bank reconciliation. You will have no difficulty using third-party tools with this one as it comes with some clever add-ons such as Profix, Altec, Commercebuild, SPS Commerce, Datalinx Warehouse Management, and iVend Retail.
Pros
- Perfect for online businesses as it offers multi-currency support
- Detailed reports with charts are easy to comprehend
- Uses bank-level, reliable security
- Can help streamline workflow and save time
Cons
- Has a single plan
- Some add-ons can be very expensive
- The cloud system is known to glitch
With Sage, you will enjoy great ease as it offers intuitive user access that lets you work on different things simultaneously Plus, the payroll module can be accessed directly within the accounting area.
The system can report payroll information to the ATO to reduce the risk of compliance issues. You can start with a 35-day free trial to know how it works before you buy any of the paid plans.
The cheapest plan starts as low as $20 per month. It comes with most major features but with some limitations including available space and supported users.
The company currently isn’t offering any other package in Australia. Those who have specific requirements may be able to get a custom quote by contacting the company. You can, however, choose add-ons such as time tracking and additional users by paying separately starting as low as $3 per month.
#7 Zoho
Zoho Books is one of the most popular accounting software for small businesses. It can take care of most mundane accounting tasks so you can focus on other aspects of your business.
Here are some of Zoho’s main features:
- Invoice
- Expenses
- Estimates
- Client Portal
- Inventory
- Banking
- Bills
- Projects
- Tax
- Online Payments
- Purchase Orders
- Sales Orders
- Reporting
- Documents
- Vendor Portal
The software is suitable for Aussie small businesses as it takes care of compliance and works for all kinds of businesses including online stores.
It makes it easy to manage finances and workflow while taking care of taxes such as GST. With this tool, you will even be able to report numbers to the ATO.
The biggest strength of Zoho’s is its smart feature that analyses numbers in over 40 ways so you can have a detailed report on your profit and loss, cash flow, etc.
Here are some of the main pros and cons of Zoho:
Pros
- Allows you to collaborate with your colleagues, teammates, partners, and accountants
- Comes with an intuitive dashboard with detailed and easy to comprehend reports
- A complete accounting tool that can automatically track transactions and integrate them into accounts
- Lets you work remotely
- Gives you the option to attach receipts to expenses
Cons
- Payment plans can be a little confusing to understand
- Some features are not very reliable
- Not suitable for new users due to complicated processes
One of Zoho’s biggest strengths is its ability to integrate with known names like Zapier, Stripe, PayPal, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, Slack, and Office 365.
It’s a complete tool that lets you take care of billing and customize invoices. Moreover, it can be linked to your bank account so you can easily import and classify information.
It is one of the few tools that work for free; however, the free plan has limitations. Paid plans start as low as $16.50 per month. You can move to yearly plans to save money.
Conclusion
In conclusion, small businesses in Australia have numerous accounting software options available to them, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. When selecting the most suitable accounting software, it is important to consider factors such as pricing, features, ease of use, and customer support. While there are several solid options to choose from, the best accounting software for small businesses in Australia should provide a user-friendly interface, robust features, and excellent customer support at an affordable price.
Additionally, seamless integration with third-party applications is also an important consideration. Small businesses in Australia should evaluate their individual needs and budget to make the best decision for their accounting software. Ultimately, investing in the right accounting software can significantly streamline business operations, increase efficiency, and ultimately lead to better financial outcomes.
If we had to pick one, we’ll go with Billdu, which isn’t a dedicated accounting tool but can be a great pick if you are new to automation. It is easy to use and will make things simpler for your accountant.
