What to look for in nonprofit accounting software and 8 top options

If the idea of punching numbers and running Excel formulas day in and day out gives you a headache, don't worry. There are plenty of reputable nonprofit accounting software platforms that make bookkeeping a breeze. 

In this article, we share eight popular accounting software that offer essential features like custom reporting, customer service, and integrations.

What to look for in nonprofit accounting software 

Not all accounting platforms are the same. When shopping around for your organization, consider a few key elements: 

• Financial reporting 📈 The software should offer customizable financial statements and custom report generation.
  
• Integrations ⚒️ Consider whether the accounting software integrates with other systems like a CRM or fundraising platform.
  
• Ease of use 💻 The software should be accessible to users with different skill levels so your entire team is able to contribute to the financial process.
  
• Compliance and regulation support ✅ Ensure that the software can generate the necessary reports for audits and regulatory filings.
  
• Security and data protection 🚫 Look for robust security features, including user access controls and regular data backups.
  
• Cost and affordability 💰 Check out subscription fees, implementation costs, and any additional fees for support or training.
  
• Nonprofit-specific features 💛 Some software is specifically designed for nonprofit organizations and offers tools like donation tracking and membership management.

8 of the best accounting software for nonprofits 

Just like a for-profit enterprise, nonprofit organizations need to keep track of their earnings, expenses, and taxes due. Using a nonprofit accounting software can make all of that financial management much more, well, manageable. 
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Here are eight accounting programs we love for organizations that are doing good in the world (and need to keep their financials organized). Bonus: some of these services can be integrated with Givebutter directly or through a Zapier connection.

1. QuickBooks: Simple and easy accounting solution  

QuickBooks by Intuit offers a complete accounting solution for nonprofits. A popular tool amongst small business owners, QuickBooks Online is known for its user-friendly interface—many times, users can get up and running in less than two hours.

💰 Price: $45-$171/month plus a 30-day free accounting software trial

📣 Standout features: 

• Multiple payment processing methods, including credit card, debit card, bank transfer, and check
• Easy expense sorting
• Budget tracking
• Up to 40 users with custom permissions
• Specialized reports for nonprofits 

✅ Best for: Nonprofits that need an intuitive and reasonably priced option for managing all of their finances

🔥 Our take: Whether you’re an established nonprofit or just starting out, QuickBooks offers an easy accounting solution. One of the biggest benefits, compared to other platforms, is Quickbooks’ nonprofit-specific features. 

2. Sage Intacct: Integration-friendly accounting software

With Sage Intacct, you can automate your accounts payable, keep tabs on your campaign efforts through various reporting dashboards, and create workflows for billing processes and approvals. Plus, Sage Intacct integrates with a number of third-party apps, including CRM, payroll, and fundraising platforms (like Givebutter).

💰 Price: Custom quote required

📣 Standout features: 

• Grant tracking and billing
• Reporting and dashboards
• AI-powered automation
• Revenue and spend management
• Integrations with other management tools and Salesforce

✅ Best for: Nonprofits looking to incorporate their financial process with the platforms they currently rely on 

🔥 Our take: Sage Intacct is a no-brainer for organizations that already utilize Salesforce tools. Users can easily sync up their data to avoid account errors or data mistakes. However, some customers note slow load times and that the platform isn’t suitable for beginners.

More to explore

Improve your financial stability with this handy guide to nonprofit accounting and bookkeeping →

3. Xero: Affordable payroll management

Like other platforms on this list, Xero makes it easy to sync with your bank and other third-party applications. Plus, automated invoicing and reporting enable you to spend more time fundraising and less time bookkeeping. If you're a scaling organization, Xero offers a number of team-friendly tools, allowing employees to leave comments, request time off, submit expenses, and send invoices.

💰 Price: $15-$78/month

📣 Standout features: 

• Mobile accounting app
• Automated invoices
• Custom financial reports
• Online payroll tools
• Discounted nonprofit pricing

✅ Best for: Small nonprofits that need basic accounting software to pay employees and manage expenses

🔥 Our take: If you're a grassroots organization searching for your first accounting platform, you may want to check out Xero. Xero offers incredibly affordable subscriptions that fit perfectly within your nonprofit budget. However, some users on G2 report a learning curve and limited customization options.

4. Fund EZ: Top-notch customer support

Fund EZ is an accounting platform built exclusively for nonprofits to handle their organization’s financials. And because it was designed with nonprofits in mind—rather than small businesses or startups—it has a number of features to suit your organization's unique needs, like tracking donor history, and matching gift functionality.

💰 Price: Custom quote required, free trial and demo offered upon request

📣 Standout features: 

• Bank account reconciliation 
• Budgeting
• Financial data reporting and dashboards
• Unlimited phone support
• Online and onsite training

✅ Best for: Medium to large nonprofits that require additional support and nonprofit-specific features

🔥 Our take: Fund EZ is a great choice for nonprofits that need a helping hand when it comes to understanding, setting up, and using the software. However, training costs extra, so nonprofits should be mindful of their budgets when signing up.

5. FastFund: Tax form generation 

Like Fund EZ, FastFund by Araize is an accounting software solution built exclusively for nonprofits. Advertised as a one-stop shop for nonprofit operations, FastFund's capabilities handle all of the accounting, fundraising, and payroll needs for your organization. Most notably, FastFund generates audit-ready, FASB-compliant financial statements like the statement of activities and the statement of financial position (balance sheet).  

💰 Price: Starting at $45/month per user

📣 Standout features: 

• Compliance 
• Generates IRS Form 990, FASB-compliant financial statements, and other tax forms 
• Cash flow management and reimbursements
• Expense tracking 
• Free customer support

✅ Best for: Mid-sized organizations that want to streamline their tax documents and compliance 

🔥 Our take FastFund makes it easy to stay legally compliant—for busy nonprofits, that’s a huge benefit. However, FastFund does not offer a Zapier integration, so you will not be able to integrate your accounting system with your fundraising platform.

6. AccountingSuite: E-commerce fundraising

AccountingSuite is a cloud-based accounting platform popular amongst small, scaling businesses—but it can also be used for your nonprofit needs.

💰 Price: Plans start at just $19/month per user, and increase as high as $129/month.

📣 Standout features: 

• Intuitive dashboard
• Project and time tracking
• Custom reports
• Purchases and sales tracking

✅ Best for: Small nonprofits that use e-commerce as a fundraising technique and need one central place to house all of their finances

🔥 Our take: AccountingSuite offers an affordable plan for nonprofits that don’t require many users, making it perfect for small organizations that need a simple, centralized location for all of their data. However, because the platform wasn’t built with nonprofits in mind, it lacks some crucial features and integrations.

7. Aplos: Niche software designed for religious institutions 

Aplos is a nonprofit and church-specific platform designed to help organizations streamline all of their activities—including those outside of financial management. Aplos offers fundraising and giving features in addition to standard accounting tools, and is a true one-stop shop for faith-based nonprofits.

💰 Price: $39.50-$189/month, comes with a 15-day free trial

📣 Standout features: 

• Giving reports
• Integrated payroll
• Church bookkeeping tools
• Ministry reporting

✅ Best for: Churches or organizations who need specific religious institution reports and tools

🔥 Our take: Aplos is a great fit for small to mid-sized churches that need to keep track of giving trends, payroll, and other bookkeeping necessities. However, some users on G2 note slow customer service response times, and lack of customization in reporting.

8. Denali: Maximum security  

Denali—part of Cougar Mount Software—is a nonprofit bookkeeping software that offers features to help keep any organization’s finances protected and safe. Unlike other platforms, Denali isn’t as robust feature-wise but offers great security measures to put nonprofits at ease.

💰 Price: Custom quote required 

📣 Standout features: 

• Fraud prevention
• Compliant accounting
• Custom reporting
• Access to other tools like donor management 

✅ Best for: Nonprofits in need of secure accounting software

🔥 Our take: Denali boasts fraud protection and security on its website and assures nonprofits that they’re in good hands. For organizations fearful of data breaches or the like, Denali is a great fit. However, some reviews note limited feature access and a steep learning curve, which might be a challenge for nonprofits without tech-savvy employees. 

Supercharge your nonprofit's financial management with Givebutter

Givebutter seamlessly integrates all your fundraising efforts with leading nonprofit accounting platforms like QuickBooks, Xero, Sage Intacct, and more. Our powerful accounting integrations and hassle-free payout reconciliation reports will not only save you headaches but also free up valuable time for your team.

But don't just take our word for it—listen to Andralyn Iwasa's experience after centralizing fundraising and donation management with Givebutter:

We had to build out a fundraising campaign on EXTREMELY short notice. A big concern was how we were going to manage the funds without overwhelming the accounting team. The sigh of relief was very large when we found Givebutter. It allows us to provide easy options for fund collection as well as simplifying the details for the administrative team. It is allowing us to focus more of our efforts into the production of the event and thus generating more funds for the cause. The whole process was seamless from start to finish.

Ready to sync all your fundraising efforts with your financial system? Unlock the potential for smoother operations and increased funds for your cause. Sign up for your free Givebutter account today and integrate your favorite accounting solution to get started.