Quick Overview
- 1#1: QuickBooks Time - Seamlessly tracks time and expenses with direct integration to QuickBooks for automated payroll and invoicing in accounting firms.
- 2#2: FreshBooks - Cloud accounting software that combines time tracking, invoicing, and expense management tailored for accountants and small businesses.
- 3#3: Harvest - Intuitive time tracking tool with invoicing, expense logging, and project budgeting ideal for accountant billing workflows.
- 4#4: Bill4Time - Professional time and billing software offering robust invoicing, reporting, and integrations for accountants and consultants.
- 5#5: Canopy - Comprehensive practice management platform for accountants with advanced time tracking, billing, and tax workflow automation.
- 6#6: Karbon - Accounting firm management tool featuring time tracking, task assignment, and client billing to streamline operations.
- 7#7: Toggl Track - Precise time tracking software with reporting and integrations to accounting tools for efficient billing.
- 8#8: Jetpack Workflow - Workflow management for accountants including time tracking, deadlines, and recurring billing processes.
- 9#9: Financial Cents - Practice management software for accounting teams with time tracking, performance insights, and capacity planning.
- 10#10: Clockify - Free unlimited time tracker with timesheets, invoicing, and reporting suitable for accountant time billing on a budget.
Tools were selected based on key metrics: robust integration capabilities with accounting systems, intuitive design for seamless adoption, comprehensive features (including invoicing and reporting), and clear value for practice growth, ensuring they cater to both small firms and enterprise accounting needs.
Comparison Table
Accountant time and billing software streamlines tracking billable hours and client projects, making it essential for efficient financial management. This comparison table explores top tools like QuickBooks Time, FreshBooks, Harvest, Bill4Time, Canopy, and more, helping readers identify the best solution for their firm's size, needs, and workflow.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | QuickBooks Time Seamlessly tracks time and expenses with direct integration to QuickBooks for automated payroll and invoicing in accounting firms. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | FreshBooks Cloud accounting software that combines time tracking, invoicing, and expense management tailored for accountants and small businesses. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 8.9/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Harvest Intuitive time tracking tool with invoicing, expense logging, and project budgeting ideal for accountant billing workflows. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 4 | Bill4Time Professional time and billing software offering robust invoicing, reporting, and integrations for accountants and consultants. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | Canopy Comprehensive practice management platform for accountants with advanced time tracking, billing, and tax workflow automation. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | Karbon Accounting firm management tool featuring time tracking, task assignment, and client billing to streamline operations. | enterprise | 7.9/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 7 | Toggl Track Precise time tracking software with reporting and integrations to accounting tools for efficient billing. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 8 | Jetpack Workflow Workflow management for accountants including time tracking, deadlines, and recurring billing processes. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 9 | Financial Cents Practice management software for accounting teams with time tracking, performance insights, and capacity planning. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 10 | Clockify Free unlimited time tracker with timesheets, invoicing, and reporting suitable for accountant time billing on a budget. | other | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 |
Seamlessly tracks time and expenses with direct integration to QuickBooks for automated payroll and invoicing in accounting firms.
Cloud accounting software that combines time tracking, invoicing, and expense management tailored for accountants and small businesses.
Intuitive time tracking tool with invoicing, expense logging, and project budgeting ideal for accountant billing workflows.
Professional time and billing software offering robust invoicing, reporting, and integrations for accountants and consultants.
Comprehensive practice management platform for accountants with advanced time tracking, billing, and tax workflow automation.
Accounting firm management tool featuring time tracking, task assignment, and client billing to streamline operations.
Precise time tracking software with reporting and integrations to accounting tools for efficient billing.
Workflow management for accountants including time tracking, deadlines, and recurring billing processes.
Practice management software for accounting teams with time tracking, performance insights, and capacity planning.
Free unlimited time tracker with timesheets, invoicing, and reporting suitable for accountant time billing on a budget.
QuickBooks Time
specializedSeamlessly tracks time and expenses with direct integration to QuickBooks for automated payroll and invoicing in accounting firms.
Native QuickBooks integration that auto-populates time entries into invoices and payroll without manual data entry
QuickBooks Time is a robust time tracking and scheduling platform tailored for businesses, particularly accountants, to capture billable hours accurately with mobile apps, GPS verification, and geofencing. It enables project-based time tracking, timesheet approvals, and automated invoicing directly integrated with QuickBooks Online and Desktop. As a top solution for time and billing, it streamlines payroll processing and provides detailed reports to optimize profitability and client billing.
Pros
- Seamless integration with QuickBooks for automatic time-to-invoice and payroll syncing
- Advanced GPS tracking and geofencing ensure accurate time capture and prevent buddy punching
- Intuitive mobile app supports offline tracking and real-time project updates
Cons
- Pricing scales per user, which can become expensive for large teams
- Advanced reporting requires higher-tier plans
- Occasional glitches in mobile GPS functionality reported by users
Best For
Accountants and accounting firms using QuickBooks who need precise time tracking, automated billing, and employee scheduling.
Pricing
Starts at $20/month + $8/user/month (Premium, billed annually); Elite plan at $10/user/month with advanced features; free trial available.
FreshBooks
specializedCloud accounting software that combines time tracking, invoicing, and expense management tailored for accountants and small businesses.
Project profitability tracking that combines time entries, expenses, and invoices for real-time profit insights
FreshBooks is a cloud-based accounting platform tailored for small businesses, freelancers, and service-based professionals, specializing in time tracking, invoicing, and expense management. It allows users to log billable hours via desktop timers or mobile apps, generate customizable invoices, and automate billing cycles with payment reminders. As a time and billing solution, it provides project profitability insights and client portals for streamlined approvals and payments.
Pros
- Intuitive time tracking with timers, mobile GPS, and billable rate assignments
- Professional invoicing with automation, recurring billing, and online payments
- Excellent client experience via portals for expense approvals and payments
Cons
- Limited advanced accounting reports and double-entry bookkeeping depth
- Pricing scales steeply with client/project volume, no unlimited low-tier option
- Lacks built-in inventory management and complex job costing
Best For
Freelancers, consultants, and small accounting firms needing simple, client-focused time tracking and hourly/project billing.
Pricing
Starts at $19/month (Simple: 5 clients), $33/month (Plus: 50 clients), $60/month (Premium: unlimited); annual billing saves 50%.
Harvest
specializedIntuitive time tracking tool with invoicing, expense logging, and project budgeting ideal for accountant billing workflows.
One-click conversion of tracked time entries into customizable, professional invoices
Harvest is a user-friendly time tracking and invoicing software tailored for teams and professionals to capture billable hours, manage projects, and generate invoices efficiently. It provides intuitive tools for time entry via web, desktop, and mobile apps, expense tracking, profitability reports, and seamless integrations with accounting platforms like QuickBooks and Xero. For accountants, it excels in simplifying time-based billing workflows while offering project budgeting and forecasting capabilities.
Pros
- Intuitive and visually appealing interface for quick time entry
- Robust mobile and desktop apps with offline support
- Excellent integrations with major accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero
Cons
- Lacks deep accounting features like general ledger or tax compliance tools
- Reporting options are solid but less customizable than enterprise solutions
- Per-user pricing can become expensive for larger teams
Best For
Small to mid-sized accounting firms and freelancers who prioritize simple time tracking, project management, and invoicing over comprehensive accounting suites.
Pricing
Free for 1 user and 2 projects; Pro at $12/user/month (billed annually) or $17 monthly; Enterprise custom pricing.
Bill4Time
specializedProfessional time and billing software offering robust invoicing, reporting, and integrations for accountants and consultants.
Seamless two-way synchronization with QuickBooks Online for automatic time and invoice data transfer.
Bill4Time is a cloud-based time tracking and billing software designed for professionals like accountants, offering tools for time entry, expense tracking, invoicing, and client management. It features seamless integration with QuickBooks for automated syncing of time and billing data, customizable reports, and mobile apps for on-the-go access. The platform supports trust accounting and project management, making it suitable for firms handling billable hours efficiently.
Pros
- Seamless two-way integration with QuickBooks Online
- Intuitive mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Customizable invoices, reports, and trust accounting
- Robust time tracking with timers and recurring entries
Cons
- Pricing scales up quickly for teams over 5 users
- Some advanced reporting locked behind higher plans
- Occasional user-reported glitches in QuickBooks sync
- Limited native payroll features
Best For
Small to mid-sized accounting firms and solo practitioners relying on QuickBooks for time tracking and billing needs.
Pricing
Starts at $20/user/month (Solo plan) up to $60/user/month (Enterprise), billed annually with a free trial; custom quotes for larger teams.
Canopy
enterpriseComprehensive practice management platform for accountants with advanced time tracking, billing, and tax workflow automation.
AI-powered Practice Intelligence dashboard for real-time profitability analysis from time and billing data
Canopy is a cloud-based practice management platform tailored for accounting firms, with powerful time tracking and billing features at its core. It enables effortless time logging via desktop, mobile app, or browser extensions, automatic categorization by client and task, and seamless conversion of time entries into customizable invoices. The software also integrates with tools like QuickBooks and tax platforms, providing profitability insights and workflow automation to streamline accountant billing processes.
Pros
- Robust, multi-device time tracking with timers and auto-capture
- Automated invoicing, payments, and AR management
- Detailed profitability reports and integrations with accounting software
Cons
- Higher cost may deter solo practitioners or very small firms
- Initial setup and learning curve for advanced workflows
- Some users report occasional sync delays with integrations
Best For
Mid-sized accounting firms needing integrated time tracking, billing, and practice management tools.
Pricing
Starts at $39/user/month (Essentials); $69/user/month (Premium); custom enterprise pricing available.
Karbon
enterpriseAccounting firm management tool featuring time tracking, task assignment, and client billing to streamline operations.
Workflow automation that automatically captures and categorizes billable time from emails and tasks
Karbon is a cloud-based practice management platform designed for accounting firms, with integrated time tracking tied to customizable workflows for efficient billable hour capture. It streamlines task assignment, client communication via email integration, and team collaboration, allowing time logs to be directly associated with client work. While it excels in time management within operations, billing relies on integrations with tools like Xero and QuickBooks Online rather than native invoicing features.
Pros
- Seamless time tracking embedded in workflows for accurate billable hours
- Strong integrations with Xero and QuickBooks for billing export
- Intuitive client communication and task automation tools
Cons
- Lacks native invoicing and advanced billing customization
- Pricing scales quickly with users, less ideal for solo practitioners
- Reporting on time and billing is basic without add-ons
Best For
Mid-sized accounting firms seeking integrated time tracking within broader practice management workflows.
Pricing
Starts at $59/user/month (Standard plan), up to $99/user/month (Premium), billed annually with a minimum of 5 users.
Toggl Track
specializedPrecise time tracking software with reporting and integrations to accounting tools for efficient billing.
Idle detection and Timeline view for precise retrospective time editing and accurate billable hour capture
Toggl Track is a versatile time tracking tool that enables users to log hours via simple timers, manual entries, or automatic tracking for tasks, projects, and clients. It excels in generating detailed reports on billable time, profitability, and productivity, with seamless integrations to accounting platforms like QuickBooks, Xero, and FreshBooks for billing workflows. Ideal for accountants, it supports setting hourly rates and exporting data for invoices, though it lacks native invoicing capabilities.
Pros
- Extremely intuitive interface with one-click timers and mobile app
- Robust reporting and profitability insights per project/client
- Strong integrations with major accounting software for billing export
Cons
- No built-in invoicing or full accounting suite
- Advanced team features require higher-tier plans
- Limited customization for complex billing rules
Best For
Freelance accountants or small firms focused on accurate time tracking and billable hour reporting with existing accounting tool integrations.
Pricing
Free for solo users; Starter at $9/user/month, Premium at $18/user/month (billed annually).
Jetpack Workflow
specializedWorkflow management for accountants including time tracking, deadlines, and recurring billing processes.
Automated recurring workflows that embed time tracking and task assignments for predictable accounting processes
Jetpack Workflow is a practice management platform tailored for accounting firms, focusing on workflow automation, task management, and time tracking to streamline client engagements and deadlines. It allows accountants to create recurring workflows, assign tasks to teams, log billable hours directly within projects, and generate reports for productivity and billing oversight. While strong in workflow orchestration, its time and billing capabilities integrate with tools like QuickBooks for full invoicing, making it a solid but not standalone solution for time and billing needs.
Pros
- Intuitive workflow automation with pre-built templates for common accounting tasks
- Seamless time tracking integrated into projects and client dashboards
- Strong team collaboration tools with deadline reminders and progress reporting
Cons
- Limited native invoicing and billing functionality, relying on integrations
- Pricing scales quickly with users and advanced features
- Reporting for time and billing lacks depth compared to dedicated tools
Best For
Mid-sized accounting firms needing workflow management with integrated time tracking for efficient client billing.
Pricing
Starts at $39/user/month for Essentials plan (billed annually), up to $99/user/month for Enterprise, with a 14-day free trial.
Financial Cents
specializedPractice management software for accounting teams with time tracking, performance insights, and capacity planning.
Profitability Intelligence dashboard that provides real-time insights into firm-wide and per-project profitability metrics
Financial Cents is a cloud-based practice management software designed specifically for accounting firms, focusing on time tracking, billing, and workflow automation. It offers tools for project management, client communication, and profitability analytics to help accountants streamline operations and boost firm efficiency. The platform integrates seamlessly with popular accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero, making it a robust solution for time and billing needs.
Pros
- Intuitive time tracking with mobile app support for on-the-go logging
- Advanced profitability analytics to identify high-value clients and projects
- Strong integrations with major accounting tools like QuickBooks and Xero
Cons
- Limited advanced CRM capabilities compared to full-suite competitors
- Reporting customization can feel restrictive for complex needs
- Per-user pricing scales quickly for larger teams
Best For
Small to mid-sized accounting firms seeking to optimize time tracking, billing, and profitability without overwhelming complexity.
Pricing
Starts at $39/user/month (billed annually) for the Basic plan, with Pro at $59/user/month and Enterprise custom pricing.
Clockify
otherFree unlimited time tracker with timesheets, invoicing, and reporting suitable for accountant time billing on a budget.
Completely free unlimited time tracking for teams of any size
Clockify is a user-friendly time tracking and invoicing platform that enables accountants to log billable hours, manage projects, and generate invoices directly from time entries. It provides detailed reports on time spent, profitability, and client billing, with exports to PDF, Excel, and integrations with accounting tools like QuickBooks and Xero. Ideal for simplifying time-based billing workflows without the complexity of full accounting suites.
Pros
- Generous free plan with unlimited users and projects
- Intuitive interface with timer, manual entry, and mobile apps
- Strong reporting and invoicing from tracked time with accounting integrations
Cons
- Basic invoicing lacks advanced customization and recurring billing
- No built-in expense tracking or full accounting ledger
- Some advanced features like scheduling require paid upgrade
Best For
Freelance accountants and small firms needing simple, cost-effective time tracking and basic billing.
Pricing
Free plan for unlimited tracking; Pro at $3.99/user/month (billed annually); higher tiers up to Enterprise.
Conclusion
After reviewing the top tools, QuickBooks Time earns the top spot for its seamless integration with QuickBooks, streamlining payroll and invoicing in accounting firms. FreshBooks follows closely, blending time tracking, invoicing, and expense management for small businesses, while Harvest impresses with intuitive use and project budgeting, fitting tailored workflows. Each tool offers unique strengths, but QuickBooks Time stands out as the best choice overall.
Don’t miss out on improving your practice—try QuickBooks Time today to unlock automated processes, precise time tracking, and integrated billing, key to boosting efficiency and client satisfaction.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison