Best ERP Accounting Software Providers Shortlist
Here are the ERP account software tools that made my top 12:
- Oracle ERP Cloud - Best for large remote workforce
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance - Best business intelligence tool
- Sage 50cloud Accounting - Best for inventory management
- Oracle NetSuite Cloud Accounting - Best for global firms
- Sage Intacct - Best for comprehensive financial management features
- Infor Financials & Supply Management - Best supply chain management features
- BlackLine - Best for integration with existing ERP systems
- Accounting Seed - Best for Salesforce users
- Multiview - Best business automation features
- SAP Business One - Best ERP for small businesses
- Workday Financial Management - Best for intelligent automation
- WinMan Cloud ERP - Best for manufacturers and distributors
In this guide, I’ll break down the best ERP accounting software tools to help you find the right ERP accounting solution for your team.
My picks are made based on each tool’s functionality, user-friendliness, standout features, and overall value, which I’ll get into more later.
What is ERP Accounting Software?
ERP stands for enterprise resource planning. ERP is a set of processes that firms use to manage key components of their business, covering everything from financial analytics to sales and marketing.
ERP tools generally include accounting features, including bookkeeping, accounts receivable and payable, and others. They may be relatively simple or fully-fledged, depending on the deployment. Accounting is typically a component of ERP tools, but it may not be the primary focus. In some cases, ERP systems focus on the analytical and forecasting side of things rather than the day-to-day accounting tasks that are often handled by tools like BlackLine, QuickBooks, or Sage 50cloud Accounting.
“ERP accounting software,” specifically, may refer to a fully-fledged ERP system that has ample accounting features. Or it may refer to an accounting platform that’s sold as part of an ERP software suite. Or it could even refer to accounting software that integrates seamlessly with external ERP systems.
In this guide, I focused on the best ERP and ERP-adjacent accounting software tools that bridge the gap between basic accounting tools and dedicated ERP systems. These tools are best suited for firms who need more than what QuickBooks or another accounting-specific software can offer but may not necessarily need a full on-premise ERP solution (which can be very costly).
For good measure, I have also included a few full-featured ERP solutions that also offer comprehensive accounting features. These picks are best for larger firms.
Overview of the Best ERP Accounting Software for 2023
I’ve narrowed the search down to the best based on my own experiences and the selection criteria I’ll detail further down this page.
1. Oracle ERP Cloud - Best for large firms and remote teams
Oracle Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Cloud is a versatile ERP platform for mid-market and enterprise-level firms. It’s one of the more popular ERP systems on the market. As a fully cloud-based solution, it works well for global teams and remote-friendly workplaces.
Why I picked Oracle ERP Cloud
I selected Oracle ERP Cloud because it’s one of the most full-featured ERP systems on the market. And more specifically, for the purpose of this guide, it offers the Accounting Hub, a comprehensive accounting solution built into Oracle’s Financial Management ERP suite.
Oracle ERP Cloud Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include the Accounting Hub, Oracle’s in-built accounting solution. Accounting Hub serves as a centralized accounting engine and provides a continuous, touchless solution that draws in data from external sources — and keeps teams informed in real time.
I also really appreciate the versatility and sheer scope of Oracle ERP Cloud. Accounting Hub is merely one module within one application (Financial Management) within the entire ERP suite. Alongside this genuinely useful accounting platform, teams will find tools for project management, procurement, risk management, and supply chain management (among others).
Integrations include all Oracle Cloud products plus ADP Payroll, PeopleSoft, Zoom, and WorkForce Software.
Pricing: Custom pricing upon request
Free Trial: Demo available
Pros
- Predictive analytics tools
- Advanced AI and machine learning capabilities
- Cloud-based
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Costly for smaller firms
2. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance - Best business intelligence tool
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance is part of a broader suite of software (Dynamics 365), but it’s available as a standalone product (you don’t have to bundle it with other 365 products). For this reason, it’s reasonably cost-effective — and the build-a-bundle options make it a pretty versatile choice for growing teams.
Why I picked Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance
I selected Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance for two main reasons. The first is its business intelligence insights, which enable accounting data to inform managerial decisions in real-time. The second is pure value: At $180 per month per user, it’s priced quite reasonably (particularly for small teams).
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include AI-driven business intelligence (BI) insights. These features provide important insights into financial performance and operations and update in real-time as accounting data comes in.
I also appreciate the automation features if you spring for Dynamics 365 Finance. Touchless vendor invoicing frees up valuable time for AR teams, while rules-based collections automation improves cash.
Integrations include other tools in the Microsoft Dynamics 365 suite, as well as third-party applications including HubSpot and LinkedIn Sales Navigator.
Pricing: $180 per user per month
Free Trial: Free 30-day trial
Pros
- Transparent pricing with a low cost of entry
- Solid business intelligence features
- Can be used independently or bundled with other Dynamics 365 products
Cons
- Steep learning curve
3. Sage 50cloud Accounting - Best for inventory management
Sage 50cloud Accounting is a feature-rich accounting platform for small businesses. It’s not truly an ERP solution, but it does integrate well with other Sage products to build out a custom software suite that works for your company.
Why I picked Sage 50cloud Accounting
Again, I selected Sage 50cloud Accounting for two reasons. The first is its inventory management features, which are directly integrated with the accounting workflow and a must-have for firms selling physical goods. The second is its affordability.
Sage 50cloud Accounting Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include advanced inventory management for both retailers and manufacturers. Products are simple to enter, and Sage automatically creates journal entries whenever inventory moves. This cuts down on manual entries and the disconnect between inventory and accounting workflows.
I also really like the extensive selection of add-ons that can be used to customize the feature set of Sage 50cloud. Teams can add on payroll management, time tracking, automatic data entry, and others.
Integrations include Stripe, Credit Hound, Paya, VeriClock, and Zynk Workflow.
Pricing: From $57.17 per month (1 user)
Free Trial: Demo available
Pros
- Plenty of add-ons and expandable feature set options
- Cost-effective for smaller companies
- Solid inventory management features
Cons
- Not a full-fledged ERP system
4. Oracle NetSuite Cloud Accounting - Best for global firms
Oracle NetSuite Cloud Accounting is a complete cloud-based accounting solution for firms of all shapes and sizes. Functionality includes a general ledger, accounts receivable (AR), accounts payable (AP), tax management, close management, and more.
Why I picked Oracle NetSuite Cloud Accounting
I selected Oracle NetSuite Cloud Accounting primarily for its excellent tax management features and global compatibility. It’s a great fit for global firms, as it helps firms manage local taxes across subsidiaries (and with support for multiple tax schedules).
Oracle NetSuite Cloud Accounting Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include automated AR and AP workflows to reduce manual errors and free up time for higher-value activities.
I also really like NetSuite’s ability to centralize accounting operations for diversified and global firms. The comprehensive tax scheduling functionality includes GST, VAT, general sales tax, and consumption tax, making for easier reporting and tax compliance.
Integrations include other NetSuite products and hundreds of third-party tools like Shopify, Amazon, ShipStation, Shopify POS, and WooCommerce via the NetSuite Connector.
Pricing: Custom pricing available upon request
Free Trial: Demo available
Pros
- Substantial automation features
- Industry-leading tax management
- Global reporting capabilities
Cons
- Expensive
- Overkill for small firms
5. Sage Intacct - Best for financial management features
Sage Intacct is a versatile software suite that blends accounting with financial management and performance analysis features. It offers a comprehensive bird’s-eye-view of operations to keep teams nimble and informed.
Why I picked Sage Intacct
I selected Sage Intacct because it does a good job of handling (and automating) day-to-day accounting workflows while also providing useful insights into broader trends with business intelligence features.
Sage Intacct Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include automated accounts receivable and accounts payable workflows, plus excellent dashboards and data visualization.
I like how these two standout features combine to free up time for teams while also delivering greater insight into operations to enable informed decision-making.
Integrations include over 350 applications like ADP payroll, Yooz, Solver, Emburse, and Expensify, along with other Sage software so you can customize the package you need.
Pricing: Custom pricing available upon request
Free Trial: Demo available
Pros
- Business intelligence features
- Relatively easy to use
- Optional Sage software and external integrations
Cons
- Not a full-fledged ERP system
- More costly than Sage 50cloud Accounting
6. Infor Financials & Supply Management - Best supply chain management features
Infor Financials & Supply Management is a financial analytics and resource management platform for mid-sized and large firms.
Why I picked Infor Financials & Supply Management
I selected Infor Financials & Supply Management mostly because of its substantial procurement, inventory management, and supply chain management features.
Infor Financials & Supply Management Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include source-to-settle supply chain management features that help to identify cost-cutting measures by uncovering consolidation and cost-saving opportunities. I also like that Infor’s offering blends supply chain management functionality with a general ledger and robust accounting features (which often require two separate softwares).
Integrations include other Infor software tools.
Pricing: Custom pricing available upon request
Free Trial: Demo available
Pros
- Full-featured accounting and supply chain management
- Cloud-based
- Industry-specific modules for manufacturing, distribution, and others
Cons
- Limited integrations
- Not the most user-friendly interface
7. BlackLine - Best for integration with existing ERP systems
BlackLine is a dedicated accounting solution for mid-market and enterprise firms. It blends AR and AP automation with solid financial close management features.
Why I picked BlackLine
I selected BlackLine because it’s relatively simple to integrate with existing ERP systems. Like some others on this list, it’s NOT an ERP on its own — BlackLine is 100% accounting-focused. Think of it like an upgraded QuickBooks, with more advanced automation and intercompany financial management.
BlackLine Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include advanced financial close management and analytics, which help teams automate tedious workflows and focus on analysis rather than busy work. I also like BlackLine’s “continuous accounting” model. The software is designed to help teams spread out workflow consistently throughout the month and year (while automating significant portions).
Integrations include SAP, Oracle, Oracle NetSuite, and Microsoft Dynamics.
Pricing: Custom pricing upon request
Free Trial: Demo available
Pros
- Substantial automation features
- Integrates with most popular ERP systems
- Tax-effective intercompany accounting
Cons
- Not a dedicated ERP solution itself
- Difficult onboarding for non-technical workers
8. Accounting Seed - Best for Salesforce users
Accounting Seed is a cloud-based accounting solution that’s built on Salesforce. It provides general ledger and accounting workflows along with a 360-degree view of business performance with data automatically synchronized from Salesforce.
Why I picked Accounting Seed
I selected Accounting Seed because it’s specifically designed for Salesforce users.
Accounting Seed Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include a fully Salesforce native design. This means that firms can run their entire business from one platform and eliminate information silos. I also like that Accounting Seed supports multi-entity and multi-currency bookkeeping.
Integrations include Salesforce, Stripe, Plaid, and Yodlee.
Pricing: Custom pricing upon request
Free Trial: Demo available
Pros
- Salesforce native
- Easy to use
- Good collaboration features
Cons
- Not a full-fledged ERP system
- Not a good fit for non-Salesforce users
9. Multiview - Best business automation features
Multiview is a cloud ERP platform with a simple UI and a solid feature set. It’s best for mid-sized firms.
Why I picked Multiview
I selected Multiview because it has a good set of automation features to speed up routine accounting and business workflows.
Multiview Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include automated task and assignment routing to help speed up workflows (and tag the correct team members). I also like that Multiview includes time management and timesheet features (not all ERPs/accounting systems do).
Integrations include Avalara, Paylocity, MDI Solutions, and Cerner.
Pricing: Custom pricing upon request
Free Trial: Demo available
Pros
- Automated accounting and managerial workflows
- Relatively easy to use
- Versatile feature set
Cons
- Lacking in integrations
- Simplistic UI
10. SAP Business One - Best ERP for small businesses
SAP Business One is an enterprise resource planning software solution that’s targeted toward smaller firms. It’s relatively affordable compared to SAP’s full-featured ERP platform.
Why I picked SAP Business One
I selected SAP Business One because it’s accessible to small businesses — in terms of both affordability and user-friendliness.
SAP Business One Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include quick deployment, solid user-friendliness ratings, and an affordable price point. I like that all these factors make SAP Business One so accessible to startups and smaller companies, who may not be able to afford the high upfront investment for a more traditional ERP system.
Integrations include other SAP products.
Pricing: Custom pricing upon request
Free Trial: Demo available
Pros
- Easy to use
- Affordable price point
- Dedicated ERP with accounting, financials, sales, CRM, and more
Cons
- Opaque pricing
- Limited features compared to similar products
11. Workday Financial Management - Best for intelligent automation
Workday Financial Management is part of the Workday software suite and focuses on business intelligence and financial management workflows.
Why I picked Workday Financial Management
I selected Workday Financial Management because of its intelligent automation features and solid business intelligence analytics.
Workday Financial Management Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include machine-learning-powered intelligent automation, which helps by continuously detecting anomalies and making recommendations for team members to look into.
I also like the “always-on” auditing feature that documents audit trails for every transaction automatically.
Integrations include more than 600 out-of-the-box integrations like Workiva, ADV, MuleSoft, Workato, WorkBoard, and other Workday products.
Pricing: Custom pricing upon request
Free Trial: Demo available
Pros
- Great financial analysis and business intelligence features
- Beautiful dashboards and good UI
- Strong automation features
Cons
- Limited base accounting functionality (more focused on BI)
- Not a full-fledged ERP
12. WinMan Cloud ERP - Best for manufacturers and distributors
WinMan Cloud ERP is an enterprise resource planning software that’s designed specifically for distributors and manufacturers.
Why I picked WinMan Cloud ERP
I selected WinMan Cloud ERP because it focuses on both supply chain and inventory management (not just one or the other), two vital components of successful operations for companies in manufacturing or distribution.
WinMan Cloud ERP Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include a centralized tool to operate a firm’s entire operations (across finance, manufacturing, sales, and more), with a focus on manufacturing and distribution firms.
I also like how WinMan also gives you supplier relationship management features.
Integrations include Avalara, Magento, and Zebra.
Pricing: Custom pricing upon request
Free Trial: Free virtual 3D product tour
Pros
- Strong features for manufacturing/distribution firms
- Centralized business management (full-fledged ERP)
- Diverse and versatile feature set
Cons
- Not the most intuitive
- Accounting functionality is relatively basic
Other ERP Accounting Options
Didn’t find the right fit for your firm? These alternative ERP accounting solutions might be worth considering:
- Ramco Finance & Accounting - Best for multi-currency support
- Aptean Industrial Manufacturing ERP - Best low-cost ERP for manufacturing firms
- Odoo - Best open-source software
- Certinia - Best for service businesses
- Exact - Best for customizable add-ons
Selection Criteria for ERP Accounting Software
These are the primary criteria I looked at when narrowing down this list of the best ERP accounting solutions.
Core Functionality
At its core, ERP accounting software should enable your firm to:
- Conduct routine financial management: ERP accounting tools should help firms manage cash flow, track fixed assets, automate bank reconciliations, customize financial reports, and conduct all daily, quarterly, and annual financial management tasks.
- Manage customer relationships and sales: ERP systems should also offer sales/marketing and customer relationship management features. Having sales data connected to ERP and accounting workflows can improve efficiency and accuracy, plus provide valuable data for projections and resource planning.
- View analytics and business intelligence: ERP accounting tools should also offer data analytics and business intelligence (BI) to help firms gain greater insights into the inner workings of their business.
And if you have physical inventory, two more must-haves:
- Manage purchasing and inventory: ERP systems should help firms manage physical inventory, handle purchasing and procurement workflows, and connect data to accounting and sales systems for greater visibility and resource management.
- Manage supply chains: ERP systems should also include functionality for at least the basics of supply chain management (SCM), although many firms will pair ERP systems with an external SCM tool.
Key Features
Key nice-to-haves in an ERP accounting solution include:
- Automation for bookkeeping and accounting processes: ERP accounting platforms should be able to automate certain bookkeeping, accounting, and AR/AP tasks. Automation doesn’t just save time — it can also reduce the risk of manual errors, plus provide real-time data to influence projections and BI dashboards to enable more nimble executive decision-making.
- Monitor budgets and forecasts: Beyond the basics of accounting, ERP accounting tools should help teams to build budgets, modify them to align with real-life data, and forecast sales, revenue, and expenses to create a more accurate picture of expected resource expenditures.
- Report customization and automation: ERP systems should be able to create detailed financial reports for internal teams and stakeholders alike. That said, tools that offer greater customization and automation features within reporting stand out as more useful. I also appreciate when tools include templating options as a starting point for report building.
- Financial management and planning: ERP systems should allow for efficient bi-directional comms and planning between accounting, finance, and executive teams. Real-world (and real-time) data should sync and update with projections, resource planning, and forecasting workflows for greater accuracy.
- Inventory and accounting integration: The value of an ERP system is that it provides a centralized source of truth across a firm’s entire operation, with everything syncing in real-time. For accounting teams, one of the most important integrations to consider is inventory and supply chain tools and how they interact with accounting workflows. This two-way connection helps teams align resources and plan ahead for seasonal shifts, promotions, and other variables that can influence supply and demand trends.
Usability
Legacy ERP systems are notorious for having steep learning curves, but modern cloud-based solutions are becoming more and more user-friendly. While functionality tops usability in the long run, software solutions should ideally be user-friendly enough for entire teams to use, not just for specialists or consultants.
On that note, keep in mind that the setup of these systems sometimes does require outside help in the form of onboarding teams (provided by the ERP vendor, sometimes for an additional fee) or external consultants (paid separately).
Integrations
Integrations can improve efficiency and accuracy by sharing data bidirectionally between diverse tools. A fully-featured ERP will already automatically integrate accounting functionality with tools for BI, sales, human resource planning, and others — but you’ll also want to consider other third-party tools that you may want to integrate into your tech stack.
People Also Ask
Below you can find answers to some frequently asked questions about ERP software.
Is QuickBooks an ERP software?
What is the difference between ERP software and accounting software?
How much does ERP accounting software cost?
Do accountants use ERP software?
Summary
ERP accounting software handles more functions than traditional accounting solutions and can help growing firms centralize operations and improve efficiencies. But it’s vital to choose the right ERP system for your company — one that covers the features you need without breaking the bank.
The options listed above are the best ERP systems with accounting features, or the best not-technically-ERP-systems that get you most of the way there for a lot less financial outlay.
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