Top 10 accountant-approved accounting software in 2025

FreshBooks is a cloud-based invoicing and time-tracking solution tailored for freelancers and small businesses. Wave Financial is a free financial management software solution that provides accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning tools. Zoho Books is a cloud-based accounting solution that offers advanced features such as automated invoicing, reconciliation, and real-time cash flow management. KashFlow is a cloud-based solution that helps small businesses manage invoicing, expenses, and basic payroll with automated workflows.

Bookkeeping Study Guide

It specializes in multi-entity financial management, reporting, and budgeting, providing a scalable option for organizations with expanding financial needs. Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a full-featured cloud ERP platform that brings together financial management, customer service, and operational workflows. Oracle NetSuite is a powerful cloud-based ERP system that combines finance, customer relationship management (CRM), and e-commerce in one suite. It is designed to be easy to use, making it a good fit for small business owners who prefer simplicity in their accounting software. Its intuitive interface makes it ideal for small businesses and freelancers who need powerful yet accessible bookkeeping capabilities. Explore Accounting software is essential for managing finances, tracking expenses, and ensuring compliance with regulations.

Organizations

Accounting has several subfields or subject areas, including financial accounting, management accounting, auditing, taxation and accounting information systems. Management accounting focuses on the measurement, analysis and reporting of information for internal use by management to enhance business operations. Accounting can be divided into several fields including financial accounting, management accounting, tax accounting limitations of activity based costing and cost accounting. It offers inventory management, order processing, and warehouse tracking in a single flexible package that can grow with your business.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Certification

Bill.com is a cloud-based invoicing and payment automation platform that helps businesses create, send, and track invoices, manage accounts payable, and automate workflows. It offers automated invoicing, expense tracking, and payment management, all integrated seamlessly with Xero’s other accounting functions. Zoho Invoice is a free invoicing tool offering customizable invoice templates, expense tracking, and time tracking. It is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses that need a robust, user-friendly financial management solution. Financial management software helps businesses of all sizes manage their financial operations, budgeting, and forecasting more effectively.

The financial statements of most companies are audited annually by an external CPA firm. For this reason, there are several broad groups that most accountants can be grouped into. The ARPL is a coalition of various advanced professional groups including engineers, accountants, and architects. This institute created many of the systems by which accountants practice today. By 1880, the modern profession of accounting was fully formed and recognized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

• Accelerated accounting degrees online cover taxation, accounting, and business fundamentals in under four years.
• Tax accounting in the United States concentrates on the preparation, analysis and presentation of tax payments and tax returns.
• Because their reports are regularly scrutinized by oversight agencies, accountants are required to adhere to a uniform set of accounting standards.

Whether you’re a small business owner, freelancer, or part of a larger organization, these tools simplify the process of tracking expenses and generating detailed financial reports. These tools allow businesses to automate expense reporting, ensure financial transparency, and provide insights into spending patterns, helping to reduce overspending and improve cost control. It integrates payment tracking, invoicing, and financial reporting in one platform, making it a complete financial management tool. FreeAgent is designed for freelancers and small businesses, offering time tracking, invoicing, and expense management in a single platform.

Zoho Invoice

• In England and Wales, chartered accountants of the ICAEW undergo annual training, and are bound by the ICAEW’s code of ethics and subject to its disciplinary procedures.
• Xero is a comprehensive cloud accounting solution with built-in financial reporting, budgeting tools, and real-time analytics for small to medium-sized businesses, making it a well-rounded accounting platform.
• Regulators also rely on accountants for critical functions such as providing auditors’ opinions on companies’ annual 10-K filings.
• Oracle NetSuite is a powerful cloud-based ERP system that combines finance, customer relationship management (CRM), and e-commerce in one suite.
• It supports customizable invoices, automated payment reminders, and integrates seamlessly with accounting features, making it a complete choice for small to mid-sized businesses.
• This A-to-Z list of accounting software for 2025 provides a comprehensive directory of top-rated tools across various categories, including bookkeeping, tax management, invoicing, payroll, and financial reporting.

Management accounting reports often include financial and non financial information, and may, for example, focus on specific products and departments. Management accounting produces past-oriented reports with time spans that vary widely, but it also encompasses future-oriented reports such as budgets. Financial accounting produces past-oriented reports—for what is depreciation expense example financial statements are often published six to ten months after the end of the accounting period—on an annual or quarterly basis, generally about the organization as a whole.

A degree in accounting may also be required for, or may be used to fulfill the requirements for, membership to professional accounting bodies. A bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in accounting or a related field is required for most accountant and auditor job positions, and some employers prefer applicants with advanced qualifications. Standards for international audit and assurance, ethics, education, and public sector accounting are all set by independent standard settings boards supported by IFAC. Accounting firms grew in the United States and Europe in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, and through several mergers there were large international accounting firms by the mid-twentieth century. Many of these professional bodies offer education and training including qualification and administration for various accounting designations, such as certified public accountant (AICPA) and chartered accountant. This branch of accounting was first formally introduced in the March 1976 issue of The Journal of Accountancy.

Its scalability and real-time data access make it ideal for rapidly growing businesses that need integrated and flexible solutions. ERP software integrates core business processes to manage and streamline a company’s financials, supply chain, operations, reporting, manufacturing, and human resources. Its automation features streamline bookkeeping tasks, saving business owners time and effort. It is an excellent choice for small businesses looking for an affordable and scalable bookkeeping tool. Its user-friendly design is ideal for small businesses and freelancers who need to manage projects, track time, and handle expenses seamlessly. It is well-suited for small businesses seeking a reliable and easy-to-use bookkeeping solution.

Cost Accounting

It offers real-time data insights, production planning tools, and supply chain management features to help optimize operations and drive growth. Acumatica is a cloud ERP solution designed to deliver robust financial management, project accounting, and distribution management. ERP tools are designed for complex organizations needing advanced financial management, inventory tracking, and resource planning. It is a great option for small businesses and freelancers who need essential features without the overhead costs of premium tools. SlickPie is a free and simple accounting software with multi-currency support, online invoicing, and expense tracking. Kashoo offers a straightforward single-entry bookkeeping platform with capabilities for expense tracking, invoicing, and reporting.

NetSuite ERP

Run Powered by ADP is a payroll platform offering automated payroll processing, tax filings, and HR support for businesses of all sizes. Patriot Payroll is a cost-effective solution for small businesses, providing easy-to-use tax filing and employee payments. Zenefits offers a comprehensive HR and payroll solution with features including automated payroll, benefits administration, and employee record management. Square Payroll is a simple payroll tool for small businesses that integrates seamlessly with Square’s point of sale (POS) system. Its seamless integration with HR systems makes it a strong choice for businesses seeking a comprehensive payroll solution. ADP Workforce Now is an enterprise-level payroll solution with capabilities for global payroll processing, tax compliance, and HR management.

This software is web-based, so there is no need to install anything. Catering to small businesses, this app provides basic stats and data that can be viewed from the dashboard. QuickBooks has made it easier to switch, no matter what accounting software users had before. That being said, all accounting software makes calculations easier, more streamlined, and less at risk of making fundamental mistakes.

Bookkeeping Certifications (CPB and CB)

Its features include support for deductions and built-in audit protection, making it a trusted choice for individuals and families. It features customizable invoices and automated payment reminders, helping users streamline billing and get paid faster. It supports managing complex financials, procurement, and supply chain operations, enabling enterprises to make faster, data-driven decisions. SAP S/4HANA is an advanced ERP suite built for large enterprises, featuring real-time data processing. Odoo is an open-source ERP platform with highly customizable modules covering accounting, sales, human resources, and inventory. Infor CloudSuite offers industry-specific ERP solutions tailored to manufacturing, healthcare, and retail sectors.

Expensify (Smart Features)

In addition to being relevant and reliable, accounting information should be comparable and consistent. While accountants recognize a tradeoff between relevance and reliability, information that lacks either of these characteristics is considered insufficient for decision making. The hallmark of neutrality is its demand that accounting information not be selected to benefit one class of users to the neglect of others. To accountants, the two most important characteristics of useful information are relevance and reliability. In the United States, for example, publicly traded companies are required to furnish a document commonly identified as “management’s discussion and analysis” as part of the annual report to shareholders.

In addition, quantitative data are now supplemented with precise verbal descriptions of business goals and activities. In addition, financial statements disclose details concerning economic resources and the claims to those resources. Ideally, accounting information provides company shareholders and other stakeholders (e.g., employees, communities, customers, and suppliers) with information that aids in the prediction of the amounts, timing, and uncertainty of future steps to complete irs form 5695 cash flows.

It is designed for businesses of all sizes seeking a robust, scalable solution backed by a trusted provider. TaxSlayer offers an affordable and easy-to-use tax software with automatic deductions, user-friendly e-filing, and customer support, ideal for individual tax filers who want a cost-effective filing solution. These tools provide automated tax filing, ensure compliance with tax laws, and help maximize deductions to minimize tax liabilities. PayPal Invoicing is a free solution integrated with PayPal, enabling businesses to create and send invoices and receive instant payments directly through PayPal.

It helps small to mid-sized businesses keep stock levels accurate while connecting seamlessly with their online sales channels. It is useful for individuals and small businesses looking for a simple way to monitor finances. Mint is a personal finance app that tracks daily expenses, categorizes transactions, and provides a comprehensive financial overview. Its intuitive interface makes it accessible for business owners without specialized payroll experience. Liberty Tax is a simple, personal tax filing software with free e-filing, audit support, and an easy-to-follow process for preparing and submitting returns.