TLDR
Match the software to your project volume and how you bill. Contractors running fixed-fee jobs with retainage and AIA billing need deep job costing and progress billing, while smaller shops may be fine layering a construction add-on on top of QuickBooks. Weigh certified payroll needs, WIP reporting, and how well the field app syncs before committing.
General and specialty contractors who need job costing tied to progress billing, WIP reporting, and certified payroll rather than generic small-business accounting.
Construction accounting is not standard bookkeeping. You track costs by job and cost code, bill by percentage of completion or against an AIA schedule of values, hold retainage, and produce work-in-progress reports your bonding company and lender actually read. Generic tools force awkward workarounds for all of this.
The right fit depends on scale and specialty. A residential remodeler with three crews has different needs than a self-performing GC juggling 40 projects, union payroll, and multiple legal entities. Some buyers want a full ERP; others want a construction layer on top of accounting they already run.
When comparing, focus on job costing depth, how billing and retainage are handled, certified and union payroll, field-to-office sync, and whether reporting supports WIP and over/under billing out of the box.
best construction accounting software Tools compared
Filter by what you care about. Every tool stays on the page.
| Tool | Price | Job Costing | Progress & AIA Billing | Certified Payroll | Field Mobile App | Integrations & API | Multi-Entity Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Online | From $38/mo | Limited | Limited | Limited | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate | Custom | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Foundation Software | Custom | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Procore | Custom | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Buildertrend | From $199/mo | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| CoConstruct | Custom | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Knowify | From $186/mo | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Jonas Construction Software | Custom | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Viewpoint Vista | Custom | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CMiC | Custom | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Acumatica Construction Edition | Custom | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deltek ComputerEase | Custom | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Premier Construction Software | Custom | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BuildBook | From $99/mo | Limited | Limited | No | Yes | Limited | No |
| Xero | From $20/mo | Limited | Limited | Limited | Yes | Yes | Limited |
Highlighted rows are featured placements. Competitor details are set by each platform, so confirm on their site before buying.
The 15 best best construction accounting software tools
QuickBooks Online
From $38/moQuickBooks Online is the default choice for small contractors who want familiar bookkeeping without a specialized system. Higher tiers add project profitability tracking, and payroll is available as a paid add-on. It handles core job costing at a basic level but leans on integrations like Knowify or Buildertrend for construction-specific workflows such as AIA billing.
Pros
- Widely supported by accountants and integrations
- Affordable entry point for small builders
- Project tracking on Plus and Advanced plans
Cons
- Job costing is basic without add-ons
- No native AIA or progress billing
- Payroll costs extra
Best for: Small contractors who want familiar books plus construction add-ons.
Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate
CustomSage 300 CRE, formerly Timberline, is a deep back-office system built for construction and real estate firms. It covers job costing, payroll with certified reports, progress and AIA billing, and property management. The tradeoff is a dated interface and an implementation that usually needs a Sage partner.
Pros
- Deep, construction-specific job costing
- Certified payroll and prevailing wage support
- Strong for real estate and property management
Cons
- Dated interface and steep learning curve
- Requires partner-led implementation
- Pricing is quote-only
Best for: Established midsize contractors and real estate firms needing depth.
Foundation Software
CustomFOUNDATION is built specifically for contractors and centers on real-time job costing with automated budget alerts. It includes construction payroll with certified and union reporting, AR, purchase orders, and subcontracts as standard, with add-ons for mobile time tracking, service dispatch, and project management. Pricing is customized around the modules you choose.
Pros
- Purpose-built construction job costing
- Handles complex and certified payroll
- Modular so you pay for what you use
Cons
- Add-ons raise the total cost
- Quote-based pricing only
- More back-office than field focused
Best for: Contractors wanting a dedicated construction accounting core.
Procore
CustomProcore is best known for project management, but its financial management tools cover budgets, commitments, change orders, and progress billing. It does not replace a general ledger, so most firms integrate it with an accounting system like Sage or QuickBooks. Pricing is quote-based with unlimited users on annual contracts.
Pros
- Strong project financials and budget tracking
- Unlimited users on every plan
- Wide integration and app marketplace
Cons
- Not a full accounting ledger
- Enterprise-level pricing
- Overkill for very small firms
Best for: General contractors linking field operations to accounting.
Buildertrend
From $199/moBuildertrend targets residential builders and remodelers with scheduling, client communication, and financial tools including budgets, change orders, and bill management. It handles job costing at a project level and integrates with QuickBooks and Xero for the accounting ledger. Payroll is not native, so it relies on connected systems.
Pros
- Built for residential builders and remodelers
- Client portal and communication tools
- Integrates with QuickBooks and Xero
Cons
- Not a standalone accounting system
- No native payroll
- Can be pricey for small crews
Best for: Home builders and remodelers managing client-facing projects.
CoConstruct
CustomCoConstruct served custom home builders and remodelers with estimating, budgeting, and client communication. Its parent company is moving customers to Buildertrend, and the transition is in its final phase. New buyers are directed to Buildertrend instead.
Pros
- Designed for custom builders
- Estimating and budgeting tools
- Client and subcontractor communication
Cons
- Being retired in favor of Buildertrend
- No longer sold as new
- No native payroll or full ledger
Best for: Existing users transitioning to Buildertrend.
Knowify
From $186/moKnowify is aimed at trade and specialty contractors who use QuickBooks and want stronger construction workflows. It adds estimating, contracts, AIA and progress billing, job costing, prevailing wage, and time tracking, syncing data both ways with QuickBooks. It publishes transparent tiered pricing rather than quote-only sales.
Pros
- Deep QuickBooks two-way sync
- AIA and progress billing built in
- Transparent published pricing
Cons
- Relies on QuickBooks for the ledger
- No native full payroll run
- Best fit is trade contractors
Best for: Trade contractors extending QuickBooks with real job costing.
Jonas Construction Software
CustomJonas is a full ERP built for contractors that run both projects and service operations. It covers general ledger, AR, AP, payroll, multi-company, job costing, work order and dispatch management, and equipment tracking in one system. It suits mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC firms that need office and field tied together.
Pros
- Combines accounting with service management
- Multi-company and payroll built in
- Strong fit for MEP contractors
Cons
- Quote-based enterprise pricing
- Longer implementation
- More than small firms need
Best for: Mechanical and specialty contractors running service and construction.
Viewpoint Vista
CustomViewpoint Vista is an ERP suite purpose-built for modern contractors, covering back-office accounting, HR and payroll, and in-field mobile tools. It targets larger, more complex firms that need real-time financial visibility across many jobs and entities. Implementation is substantial and pricing is quote-based.
Pros
- Deep construction financials and reporting
- Integrated HR and payroll
- Scales to large, complex contractors
Cons
- Heavy implementation effort
- Enterprise pricing only
- Too complex for small firms
Best for: Large contractors needing a full construction ERP.
CMiC
CustomCMiC offers a unified construction ERP with financials, project management, workflow, and analytics on one database. It serves general contractors, subcontractors, and heavy-highway firms that want forecasting, change order control, and document management together. Pricing is quote-based and aimed at midsize to large firms.
Pros
- Single database for finance and projects
- Strong forecasting and change order control
- Fits general and heavy-highway contractors
Cons
- Enterprise implementation and cost
- Quote-only pricing
- Steeper learning curve
Best for: Midsize to large contractors wanting one unified ERP.
Acumatica Construction Edition
CustomAcumatica Construction Edition brings cloud ERP to contractors with project accounting, job costing, payroll, and multi-entity and intercompany accounting. Its consumption-based licensing means you are not charged per user, which appeals to growing firms. It integrates with tools like Procore and offers field mobile access.
Pros
- Cloud ERP with no per-user fees
- Strong multi-entity accounting
- Project accounting and payroll included
Cons
- Requires a partner to implement
- Quote-based pricing
- Broader ERP than pure construction tools
Best for: Growing contractors wanting cloud ERP without per-user pricing.
Deltek ComputerEase
CustomDeltek ComputerEase is built for contractors and covers job costing, construction payroll with certified and prevailing wage reporting, AP, and work-in-progress reporting. It suits small to midsize firms that want construction-specific accounting rather than a generic ledger. It offers field and mobile tools alongside the office system.
Pros
- Construction-specific job costing and WIP
- Certified and prevailing wage payroll
- Fits small to midsize contractors
Cons
- Quote-based pricing
- Interface feels dated
- Setup benefits from vendor help
Best for: Small to midsize contractors needing certified payroll.
Premier Construction Software
CustomPremier is a cloud-based system combining construction accounting, job costing, and project management for general contractors, developers, and homebuilders. It handles AIA and progress billing, AP automation, and multi-entity reporting. Pricing is quote-based and typically scales with users and modules.
Pros
- Cloud accounting with job costing
- AIA and progress billing included
- Multi-entity reporting
Cons
- Quote-based pricing
- Aimed at midmarket budgets
- Smaller partner ecosystem
Best for: GCs and developers wanting cloud accounting with AIA billing.
BuildBook
From $99/moBuildBook focuses on residential builders and remodelers who want easy client communication, project tracking, and basic financials like estimates and change orders. It is not a full accounting system and leans on QuickBooks for the ledger and payroll. Its appeal is a low price and a friendly, mobile-first interface.
Pros
- Affordable and easy to adopt
- Strong client communication tools
- Mobile-first for the field
Cons
- Not a full accounting system
- No native payroll
- Limited job costing depth
Best for: Small residential builders wanting simple project tools.
Xero
From $20/moXero is a general small-business accounting platform with a project tracking feature that covers basic job costing and time. Contractors extend it with construction apps like Buildertrend or WorkflowMax for estimating and progress billing. Payroll is available through Gusto or regional add-ons rather than a native US run on most plans.
Pros
- Clean cloud interface
- Unlimited users on all plans
- Large app marketplace for construction
Cons
- Job costing is basic without add-ons
- No native full US payroll
- No AIA billing built in
Best for: Small contractors wanting cloud books plus app integrations.
Key features to look for
Job costing is the core. You should be able to code every labor hour, material invoice, and subcontractor payment to a job and a cost code, then compare actuals against your estimate in real time. Watch for how the system handles committed costs from purchase orders and subcontracts, since those drive accurate cost-to-complete figures.
Billing matters just as much. If you work with architects and owners, native AIA G702/G703 progress billing and retainage tracking are non-negotiable. Service contractors and residential builders may care more about time-and-materials billing and change order workflows. Confirm the software produces WIP and over/under billing reports without a spreadsheet export.
How to choose
Start with your billing method and payroll complexity, because those eliminate the most options fast. Certified payroll for public jobs and union fringe calculations rule out most generic tools. Multi-entity or multi-state operations push you toward Sage Intacct, Acumatica, or a dedicated ERP.
Then weigh field integration. If crews already use Procore or Buildertrend for project management, an accounting tool that syncs cleanly saves double entry. Ask each vendor exactly what data flows both directions and whether it is native or through a third-party connector like a middleware sync.
Implementation tips
Budget real time for setup. Migrating open jobs, retainage balances, and a construction chart of accounts mid-year is painful, so plan the switch around your fiscal year or a natural project break. Have your prior-period WIP reconciled before go-live.
Train the field and the office separately. Superintendents entering time and daily logs need a stripped-down mobile workflow, while your controller needs the full reporting suite. Run parallel for at least one billing cycle so you can catch mapping errors before they hit an owner invoice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just use QuickBooks for construction accounting?
QuickBooks Online with classes and items can handle basic job costing for small contractors, and many subs run it successfully. But it lacks native AIA billing, retainage tracking, certified payroll, and WIP reporting. Most growing contractors add a layer like Knowify or Contractor Foreman, or move to a construction-specific platform once they exceed roughly 10 to 15 active jobs.
What is WIP reporting and why does it matter?
Work-in-progress reporting compares how much of each job is complete against how much you have billed, revealing over-billings and under-billings. Sureties and lenders require it for bonding and credit. Purpose-built construction accounting software generates WIP schedules automatically, while generic tools force manual spreadsheet calculations that are error-prone.
Do these tools handle certified and union payroll?
Full construction ERPs like Foundation, Sage 300 CRE, and Deltek ComputerEase handle certified payroll reporting, prevailing wage, and union fringe calculations natively. QuickBooks and Xero do not without add-ons. If you bid public work or run union crews, treat payroll capability as a hard requirement.
What is the difference between Procore and accounting software?
Procore is primarily project management (drawings, RFIs, submittals, daily logs) with financial tools layered on. It is not a general ledger. Many contractors run Procore for the field and connect it to a dedicated accounting system like Sage Intacct or QuickBooks so costs flow into the books.
How long does implementation typically take?
A small contractor moving to a costing layer on QuickBooks can be live in a few weeks. A mid-size firm implementing a full ERP like Sage 300 CRE or Viewpoint Vista should expect three to six months including data migration, chart of accounts setup, and training. Timing the switch to your fiscal year end reduces cleanup.
Is cloud or on-premise better for construction accounting?
Cloud platforms like Sage Intacct, Acumatica, and Premier offer easier field access, automatic updates, and multi-location support without server maintenance. Some established products such as Sage 300 CRE and Foundation still have on-premise options that appeal to firms with strict data control needs. For distributed field teams, cloud is usually the better default.
What does construction accounting software cost?
Pricing ranges widely. Entry-level costing add-ons run a few hundred dollars a month, mid-market tools land in the four-figure monthly range, and full ERPs are quoted per user with implementation fees that can reach five or six figures. Get written quotes that include setup, training, and support, since those often exceed the first-year subscription.
The bottom line
If you run more than a handful of concurrent jobs with retainage and AIA billing, pick a purpose-built ERP like Sage 300 CRE or Foundation. Solo operators and small subs should start with QuickBooks plus a costing layer such as Knowify. Book demos with two finalists and run your own chart of accounts and a real change order through each before you sign.