Best Accounting Software For Construction Companies

Last Updated on January 4, 2026

Construction companies juggle multiple projects, crews, suppliers, and client payments, all while managing strict budgets and deadlines.

Unlike small businesses or freelancers, construction firms need job-cost tracking, project-based accounting, and accurate reporting to stay profitable and compliant.

Manual spreadsheets and disconnected tools make it easy to lose track of expenses, invoices, and payroll.

The right accounting software changes that by streamlining invoicing, tracking project costs, monitoring cash flow, and providing real-time insights, so your construction business runs smoothly from the office to the job site.

Whether you manage residential builds, commercial projects, or subcontractor teams, having the right accounting system ensures you can focus on completing projects on time and within budget.

In this guide, we evaluated the best accounting software for construction companies, looking at project tracking, job costing, invoicing, payroll, mobile usability, and reporting features tailored to construction workflows.

By the end, you’ll know which platforms fit your business size, complexity, and growth plans.

1. How We Chose the Best Accounting Software for Construction Companies

Construction companies face unique accounting challenges.

Managing multiple projects, tracking labor and materials, handling subcontractors, and staying compliant with tax and reporting requirements requires specialized tools.

We focused on software that simplifies these complexities while remaining practical for teams of any size.

A. Evaluation Criteria

Ease of Use

Construction accounting can be complicated.

We prioritized platforms with intuitive dashboards and workflows that reduce the learning curve for office staff and project managers alike.

Project & Job Cost Tracking

Tracking costs per project is critical.

We evaluated software on its ability to:

• Assign labor, materials, and overhead to specific projects

• Track profitability by job

• Manage change orders and retainage

Invoicing & Payments

Getting paid promptly is essential.

Key factors included:

• Progress billing and milestone invoicing

• Integration with online payment systems

• Automated invoice reminders

Expense & Payroll Management

Construction projects involve multiple expense types and employees.

We tested:

• Payroll integration

• Employee time tracking

• Automated expense categorization

Reporting & Compliance

Accurate reporting ensures informed decisions and compliance.

We assessed:

• Real-time job cost reports

• Financial statements and dashboards

• Tax-ready reporting

Mobile & Remote Access

Construction teams operate on job sites.

Mobile access allows managers to track costs, approve invoices, and capture receipts from the field.

Pricing & Value

We considered:

• Entry-level affordability

• Scalability for larger projects

• Value relative to construction-specific features

B. Real-World Testing Approach

Each platform was tested using construction scenarios such as:

• Creating project-based invoices

• Assigning labor and material costs

• Uploading receipts from mobile devices

• Running job profitability reports

• Simulating payroll and subcontractor payments

We focused on accuracy, time savings, and clarity, not just feature lists.

C. What Matters Most for Construction Companies

While all features were reviewed, three factors carry the most weight:

• Accurate Job Cost Tracking: Know which projects are profitable.

• Reliable Invoicing & Payment Management: Ensure timely cash flow.

• Clear, Actionable Reporting: Make decisions with up-to-date financial data.

Next, we’ll dive into the top accounting software options for construction companies, highlighting their strengths, limitations, and ideal use cases.

2. Our Top Picks: Best Accounting Software for Construction Companies

Construction companies have different needs depending on project size, number of employees, and complexity of contracts.

Some need robust job costing and payroll, while others prioritize ease of use and mobile access.

Instead of ranking tools purely by popularity, we highlight the best options for specific construction workflows, so you can quickly identify the software that fits your company size, project complexity, and growth plans.

Each review includes:

• A concise overview of the software

• Why it’s a top pick for construction companies

• Key features for managing projects, labor, and expenses

• Pricing information

• Honest pros and cons

• Expert recommendations for which companies should choose it

This guide helps construction firms choose the right accounting software to manage projects efficiently, track costs accurately, and ensure profitability.

Next, we’ll start with the first software review.

A. QuickBooks Online: Best All-Round Accounting Software for Construction Companies

Overview

QuickBooks Online is a versatile accounting platform widely used by construction companies of all sizes.

It combines powerful job costing, payroll management, and invoicing with robust reporting tools, making it suitable for managing multiple projects and crews.

It works well for contractors, subcontractors, and construction firms that need to track both project-level finances and overall company performance.

Why It’s a Top Pick for Construction Companies

QuickBooks Online excels at job-based accounting, giving construction companies a clear view of project profitability, cash flow, and expenses.

Its flexibility and integrations allow it to scale with growing operations.

Key Features for Construction Companies

• Job and project-based income and expense tracking

• Customizable invoices and progress billing

• Payroll integration and employee time tracking

• Automatic expense categorization

• Real-time reporting on profitability by project

• Integration with payment platforms and contractor tools

Pricing

• Entry-level plan available

• Higher tiers unlock advanced project tracking, payroll, and automation

• Excellent job-cost tracking and reporting

• Scales well for growing construction businesses

• Strong tax and payroll features

• Higher pricing compared to basic tools

• Learning curve for complex construction workflows

B. Sage 100 Contractor: Best for Large Construction Companies and Complex Projects

Overview

Sage 100 Contractor is designed specifically for construction companies handling large-scale projects, multiple job sites, and complex accounting requirements.

It provides integrated accounting, project management, payroll, and reporting tailored to the construction industry.

This platform is ideal for firms that need deep project tracking and compliance features across multiple crews and locations.

Why It’s a Top Pick for Construction Companies

Sage 100 Contractor excels at detailed job costing, contract management, and payroll for construction teams.

It gives managers full visibility into project performance and financial health, helping companies control budgets and timelines.

Key Features for Construction Companies

• Job and project cost tracking with labor, materials, and overhead

• Change order and retention tracking

• Payroll and union compliance

• Progress billing and invoicing

• Financial reporting and dashboards tailored to construction

• Integration with subcontractor and supplier management

Pricing

• Pricing varies by company size and features, typically higher than small business software

• Offers modular add-ons for payroll, reporting, and project management

• Designed specifically for construction companies

• Excellent job and project cost tracking

• Strong payroll and compliance tools

• Higher learning curve

• Higher cost, suited for medium to large companies

C. Procore: Best Accounting Software for Construction Project Management Integration

Overview

Procore is a construction management platform with robust accounting capabilities built for project-centric workflows.

It’s ideal for construction companies that need to connect accounting with project management, bidding, and field operations.

Procore helps companies maintain visibility over costs, schedules, and budgets, ensuring projects stay profitable from start to finish.

Why It’s a Top Pick for Construction Companies

Procore stands out for its integration between accounting and field operations, allowing managers to track labor, materials, and subcontractor costs alongside project schedules.

Key Features for Construction Companies

• Project-based financial tracking

• Integration with accounting platforms like QuickBooks and Sage

• Budget and cost management per project

• Subcontractor and change order tracking

• Real-time reporting and dashboards

• Mobile access for on-site teams

Pricing

• Pricing is customized based on company size and project needs

• Offers scalable plans for small to large construction firms

• Strong integration with project management tools

• Real-time visibility into job costs and budgets

• Mobile-friendly for field teams

• Requires integration for full accounting capabilities

• Higher cost than basic accounting software

D. Buildertrend: Best for Cloud-Based Construction Accounting and Collaboration

Overview

Buildertrend is a cloud-based platform designed for construction companies that want accounting, project management, and client communication in one system.

It’s particularly useful for small to mid-sized contractors managing multiple projects remotely.

Buildertrend simplifies tracking project costs, invoices, and schedules, while keeping teams and clients updated in real time.

Why It’s a Top Pick for Construction Companies

Buildertrend combines financial management with collaboration tools, helping contractors maintain accurate budgets, manage subcontractors, and communicate with clients efficiently.

Key Features for Construction Companies

• Job costing and expense tracking

• Progress invoicing and online payment options

• Subcontractor management and change order tracking

• Client portal for approvals and communication

• Real-time dashboards and reporting

• Mobile app for on-site access

Pricing

• Tiered subscription plans depending on company size and feature needs

• Pricing scales with the number of projects and users

• Combines accounting with project management

• Cloud-based with strong mobile functionality

• Improves team and client communication

• Accounting features are not as deep as QuickBooks or Sage

• Subscription cost can grow with more projects

3. FAQ

4. Conclusion

Choosing the right accounting software is critical for construction companies to manage projects efficiently, control costs, and ensure profitability.

The right platform doesn’t just organize finances, it helps you track job costs, manage payroll and subcontractors, streamline invoicing, and gain real-time insights into every project.

Whether your firm handles a handful of small projects or multiple large-scale builds, the right tool saves time, reduces errors, and supports better business decisions.

With the right accounting system, your construction company can focus on completing projects on time and within budget, while maintaining financial control and profitability.