How to Choose the Right Accounting Software for Your Startup
As a startup, choosing the right accounting software is a big decision. It’s about finding a tool that fits your current needs, budget, and growth potential. In this guide, we’ll dive into three popular accounting software options—QuickBooks Online, NetSuite, and Intacct—so you can decide which one might be the best fit for your business. We’ll also look at the newly launched Intuit Enterprise, designed for startups growing into more complex accounting needs.
QuickBooks Online: The Go-To for Most Early-Stage Startups
QuickBooks Online (QBO) is a staple in small business accounting, and for good reason. This software is typically aimed at small to medium-sized businesses looking for an affordable, user-friendly tool that covers the essentials. With QBO, you get features like invoicing, expense tracking, payroll, and basic reporting—all at a price point that fits most startup budgets.
Business Size: QBO is ideal for businesses in the early stages, typically those with up to 100 employees and under $10 million in annual revenue.
Key Features:
- Easy setup and cloud-based access from anywhere
- Invoicing, expense tracking, and payroll
- Integration with a wide range of other business apps
- Basic financial reports to help monitor cash flow and profitability
Price Point: QuickBooks Online is the most affordable of the three options, with plans ranging from around $40 to $285 per month, depending on your desired features. This flexibility makes it a great entry point for startups with limited budgets.
NetSuite: A Comprehensive Solution for Growing Businesses
If your business is expanding rapidly or requires more robust features, NetSuite might be worth considering. This software is often chosen by mid-sized businesses and larger startups that need advanced capabilities, especially in terms of customization, reporting, and scalability.
Business Size: NetSuite is best suited for larger startups or small to mid-sized businesses, often with over 50 employees and revenue exceeding $10 million. It’s ideal for companies that anticipate complex financial needs as they scale.
Key Features:
- Extensive customization options and advanced reporting
- Support for multi-entity accounting and consolidation
- Integrated ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) features, including inventory management, CRM, and e-commerce
- Real-time data insights and dashboards
Price Point: NetSuite is a premium solution, with pricing that generally starts at around $1,000 per month. There are additional costs for implementation, which are usually required to tailor the software to your specific needs. This upfront investment is higher, but the software offers a significant range of features that can support rapid growth.
Intacct: A Powerful Option for Startups with Complex Accounting Needs
Sage Intacct is another robust option for startups ready for more advanced financial management. It’s particularly strong in its financial reporting and automation capabilities, making it a favorite for companies that need in-depth insights and streamlined processes.
Business Size: Intacct is suitable for startups experiencing rapid growth and complexity, often in industries like SaaS, healthcare, or non-profits, where detailed financial reporting is critical.
Key Features:
- Advanced financial reporting with customizable dashboards
- Automation for core accounting processes
- Support for multi-entity and multi-currency accounting
- Strong integration capabilities with other enterprise systems
Price Point: Intacct typically costs around $15,000 per year, with additional implementation fees. Like NetSuite, it’s more expensive and requires professional setup, but it’s worth the investment for startups that need powerful reporting and accounting automation.
QuickBooks Online Is Often the Best Fit for Early-Stage Startups
For most startups, QuickBooks Online offers all the features you need at a fraction of the cost of NetSuite or Intacct. It’s easy to set up, fits comfortably within most startup budgets, and covers the basics without overwhelming you with features you might not yet need. It generally makes sense to stick with QBO until your financial needs become more complex and you require the advanced features found in the other tools.
New for 2025: Intuit Enterprise
If you’re a QuickBooks Online user but need a bit more power, the new Intuit Enterprise might be the perfect middle ground. Launched in the fall of 2024, this product is designed for startups looking to grow beyond the basics of QBO without jumping straight into NetSuite or Intacct.
What It Offers:
- Enhanced multi-entity support for businesses managing multiple locations or subsidiaries
- More advanced reporting and analytics, giving you deeper insights into financial performance
- A smooth transition from QuickBooks Online, minimizing the learning curve
- Ideal for startups that need greater reporting power without the full cost or complexity of NetSuite or Intacct
Price Point: Intuit Enterprise is more affordable than NetSuite and Intacct, making it an attractive stepping stone for growing startups. With features that bridge the gap between basic and advanced accounting software, it provides a solid pathway for businesses not yet ready to make the jump to more complex systems.
Choosing the right accounting software is all about finding the tool that fits your needs today and can grow with you tomorrow. Whether you stick with QuickBooks Online for now or explore Intuit Enterprise, NetSuite, or Intacct, the key is to choose a tool that supports your current operations and aligns with your future goals.
About Resolve Works
Resolve Works specializes in providing outsourced accounting to serve the unique needs of early to mid-stage startups, and companies running on the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS®).
We work with fast-growth companies that are committed to the quest for clarity, information, efficiency, and focus. We are energized by visionary organizations that are growing quickly, moving fast, and need a team that can seamlessly step into the accounting seat, making an immediate impact.
