Selecting the right accounting software for your organization’s needs can be daunting. This is especially true for rapidly growing small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs).  

Understanding key features and capabilities can help you choose the solution that best supports your organization’s needs. In this article, we’ll compare two of the most popular choices: Sage Intacct vs. QuickBooks. Both cater to SMBs and offer the ability to streamline your accounting processes. The choice between the two depends on your organization’s size, complexity and needs. 

Sage Intacct overview 

Sage Intacct is a true cloud-based accounting and ERP system. Launched in 1999 by Intacct Corporation and later acquired by Sage Group PLC, Sage Intacct is now a leading ERP software. It is the only ERP recommended by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). 

Sage Intacct is a good choice for SMBs, especially those with multiple entities. Its advanced financial reporting gives users insights into their financial performance. The ability to track key metrics helps business owners make data-driven decisions.  

Sage Intacct automates a wide range of financial processes, including invoice management, expense tracking and revenue recognition. It also provides multi-entity support. This allows companies with multiple locations, subsidiaries or divisions to manage their finances seamlessly within a single platform. 

QuickBooks overview 

QuickBooks, developed by Intuit, is an affordable option for entrepreneurs, freelancers and small business owners.  

QuickBooks integrates payment processing within the platform. This allows businesses to accept payments directly and manage cash flow more efficiently. It also syncs automatically with bank accounts, credit cards and other financial institutions, keeping financial data current. 

QuickBooks is a good option for small businesses with simple accounting needs. However, it lacks detailed financial reporting capabilities. Organizations may need to upgrade to a more robust system as they grow. 

Sage Intacct vs. QuickBooks 

Sage Intacct and QuickBooks offer reliable accounting software for the mid-sized market and are relatively easy to use, even for non-accountants. 

However, they differ in several important areas.   

Key features 

Both Sage Intacct and QuickBooks offer a range of features, but each excels in different areas. 

 Key points of comparison: 

• Financial reporting: Sage Intacct’s reporting capabilities are significantly more advanced than QuickBooks, allowing for multi-dimensional reporting across various business entities, locations and departments. 
• Multi-entity support: Sage Intacct excels at managing multiple entities, making it ideal for businesses with complex structures. QuickBooks does not offer multi-entity support, limiting its use to businesses with multiple locations or subsidiaries. 
• Basic accounting: Sage Intacct and QuickBooks both offer basic accounting capabilities. These include general ledger management, accounts payable/receivable and bank reconciliation. However, Sage Intacct provides more advanced and comprehensive financial management capabilities that are better suited for larger, growing or complex organizations. 
• Automation: Sage Intacct provides extensive automation options, reducing manual tasks and improving efficiency. QuickBooks offers basic automation features but does not match the level of automation available in Sage Intacct. 
• Ease of use: QuickBooks has a user-friendly interface and is easy to learn. Sage Intacct has a slightly steeper learning curve. However, it provides greater control over financial management. 
• Revenue recognition: Sage Intacct offers advanced revenue recognition features. These support complex, multi-element arrangements and compliance with ASC 606 and IFRS 15. QuickBooks provides basic revenue recognition with its Online Advanced version only. 
• Customization: Though QuickBooks offers basic solution customizations, Sage Intacct is the more customizable platform. With advanced customization options, Sage Intacct gives you the capabilities to implement and utilize a platform that fits your unique needs. 

Ability to scale 

Sage Intacct’s cloud-based architecture enables organizations to easily add more users, entities and functionalities as their requirements evolve. Sage Intacct also provides advanced features and modules that cater to the specific needs of larger enterprises. These features are essential for organizations operating across multiple locations, managing complex projects or adhering to stringent accounting standards.  

QuickBooks offers some scalability. However, the number of users, transactions and advanced features it can support is limited. It may quickly become limiting as an organization expands and requires more robust financial management capabilities.  

Customization 

Customization allows businesses to tailor a solution to their specific needs and workflows. Both Sage Intacct and QuickBooks offer customization options. However, the extent and flexibility of these customizations differ significantly. 

Sage Intacct’s extensive customization capabilities make it an ideal choice for organizations with unique or complex requirements. Users can create custom fields, modify existing ones and design custom reports and dashboards. This allows them to gain insights tailored to their specific business metrics. 

QuickBooks offers more limited customization options. Users can customize invoices, forms and reports to a certain extent. However, its customization capabilities are not as extensive as those offered by Sage Intacct. This may be especially problematic for businesses with complex or industry-specific requirements – the manufacturing, construction or professional services sectors, for example.   

Integrations 

Both Sage Intacct and QuickBooks offer integration capabilities with third-party applications and software platforms. This allows businesses to streamline their operations and leverage additional functionalities.  

Sage Intacct’s open API architecture enables seamless integration with a wide range of business applications. These include Salesforce, ADP, Expensify and various e-commerce platforms. This keeps data synchronized and enables process automation across multiple systems.  

QuickBooks integrates with over 750 popular business applications and offers an API for custom integrations. However, compared to Sage Intacct’s open architecture, the process can be more complex and may require additional development resources. 

User experience 

QuickBooks is well-known for its user-friendly interface. This makes it an attractive choice for small businesses and entrepreneurs who prioritize ease of use. QuickBooks’ intuitive navigation makes it accessible for those new to accounting software, reducing the learning curve. 

On the other hand, Sage Intacct requires somewhat more training to use effectively, although it is more straightforward than many other advanced ERPs. While the learning curve may be somewhat steeper, Sage Intacct’s interface provides a high degree of customization. This allows users to tailor the layout and dashboards according to their preferences and workflows. 

When to use Sage Intacct vs. QuickBooks 

QuickBooks provides an affordable, user-friendly solution for startups and small businesses with basic accounting requirements. However, as your organization grows in size, complexity and ambition, Sage Intacct may be the better option. This is especially the case for organizations with complex accounting needs, such as nonprofits. 

In our experience, organizations tend to switch from QuickBooks to Sage Intacct when they have too many manual processes and QuickBooks’ reporting becomes too limited. If your organization is experiencing rapid growth or has expansion plans, Sage Intacct offers superior scalability and customization options. 

Modernize your operations with BPM and Sage Intacct 

For over 30 years, BPM has been a trusted advisor to businesses. Our seasoned professionals have a proven track record of successfully deploying Sage Intacct for businesses across a wide range of industries. We work closely with every client to tailor a Sage Intacct implementation that aligns with their existing systems and supports their plans. 

Leverage BPM’s knowledge and experience, coupled with the robust capabilities of Sage Intacct, to transform your financial operations. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how Sage Intacct can transform your organization.