Quick Overview
- 1#1: Sage Intacct - Cloud financial management platform offering multi-entity fund accounting, membership dues tracking, and advanced reporting tailored for associations and nonprofits.
- 2#2: Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT - Comprehensive cloud-based fund accounting solution with grant management and donor tracking designed specifically for nonprofit associations.
- 3#3: MIP Fund Accounting - Robust fund accounting software providing compliance reporting, budgeting, and multi-fund management for associations and nonprofits.
- 4#4: Aplos - User-friendly nonprofit accounting tool with fund tracking, donation management, and payroll for small to mid-sized associations.
- 5#5: QuickBooks Online - Versatile cloud accounting software with nonprofit templates for tracking dues, expenses, and generating Form 990 reports for associations.
- 6#6: NetSuite - Scalable ERP system featuring nonprofit edition with fund accounting, membership billing, and analytics for growing associations.
- 7#7: Araize FastFund - Affordable fund accounting software supporting grant tracking, budgeting, and compliance for nonprofit associations.
- 8#8: AccuFund - Nonprofit-focused accounting solution with multi-fund capabilities, payroll, and reporting for associations.
- 9#9: Cougar Mountain Denali Fund - On-premise and cloud fund accounting software offering donation tracking and financial statements for small associations.
- 10#10: Xero - Cloud-based accounting platform with integrations for membership dues and expense tracking suitable for smaller associations.
Tools were chosen based on alignment with association and nonprofit requirements, including robust fund accounting, user-friendliness, and value, ensuring they deliver reliable performance across organizational scales.
Comparison Table
Association accounting software is vital for managing finances, compliance, and mission-aligned operations; our comparison table explores top tools like Sage Intacct, Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT, MIP Fund Accounting, Aplos, and QuickBooks Online, detailing key features and suitability. Readers will discover actionable insights to choose software that matches their unique needs, whether for small groups, large organizations, or specialized workflows.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sage Intacct Cloud financial management platform offering multi-entity fund accounting, membership dues tracking, and advanced reporting tailored for associations and nonprofits. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 2 | Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT Comprehensive cloud-based fund accounting solution with grant management and donor tracking designed specifically for nonprofit associations. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 3 | MIP Fund Accounting Robust fund accounting software providing compliance reporting, budgeting, and multi-fund management for associations and nonprofits. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Aplos User-friendly nonprofit accounting tool with fund tracking, donation management, and payroll for small to mid-sized associations. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | QuickBooks Online Versatile cloud accounting software with nonprofit templates for tracking dues, expenses, and generating Form 990 reports for associations. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 6 | NetSuite Scalable ERP system featuring nonprofit edition with fund accounting, membership billing, and analytics for growing associations. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.4/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 7 | Araize FastFund Affordable fund accounting software supporting grant tracking, budgeting, and compliance for nonprofit associations. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 8 | AccuFund Nonprofit-focused accounting solution with multi-fund capabilities, payroll, and reporting for associations. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 9 | Cougar Mountain Denali Fund On-premise and cloud fund accounting software offering donation tracking and financial statements for small associations. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 10 | Xero Cloud-based accounting platform with integrations for membership dues and expense tracking suitable for smaller associations. | other | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
Cloud financial management platform offering multi-entity fund accounting, membership dues tracking, and advanced reporting tailored for associations and nonprofits.
Comprehensive cloud-based fund accounting solution with grant management and donor tracking designed specifically for nonprofit associations.
Robust fund accounting software providing compliance reporting, budgeting, and multi-fund management for associations and nonprofits.
User-friendly nonprofit accounting tool with fund tracking, donation management, and payroll for small to mid-sized associations.
Versatile cloud accounting software with nonprofit templates for tracking dues, expenses, and generating Form 990 reports for associations.
Scalable ERP system featuring nonprofit edition with fund accounting, membership billing, and analytics for growing associations.
Affordable fund accounting software supporting grant tracking, budgeting, and compliance for nonprofit associations.
Nonprofit-focused accounting solution with multi-fund capabilities, payroll, and reporting for associations.
On-premise and cloud fund accounting software offering donation tracking and financial statements for small associations.
Cloud-based accounting platform with integrations for membership dues and expense tracking suitable for smaller associations.
Sage Intacct
enterpriseCloud financial management platform offering multi-entity fund accounting, membership dues tracking, and advanced reporting tailored for associations and nonprofits.
Multi-entity management with real-time consolidations and intercompany eliminations
Sage Intacct is a leading cloud-based financial management platform tailored for mid-sized to enterprise organizations, including associations and nonprofits, offering robust core accounting, fund accounting, and multi-entity capabilities. It excels in handling membership dues, grants, events, and pledges through dimension-based tracking and automated workflows. With real-time dashboards, advanced reporting, and seamless integrations with AMS and CRM systems, it provides associations with scalable tools for compliance and growth.
Pros
- Superior multi-entity consolidation and fund accounting for associations with chapters or multiple funds
- Advanced reporting and customizable dashboards for board-level insights and compliance
- Strong integrations with association management software like iMIS or NetSuite AMS
Cons
- High implementation costs and timeline, often requiring certified partners
- Steep learning curve for non-accounting staff despite intuitive UI
- Pricing can be prohibitive for smaller associations without scaling needs
Best For
Mid-to-large associations and nonprofits with complex multi-entity structures, grants, and membership billing requiring enterprise-grade scalability.
Pricing
Quote-based starting at ~$15,000/year for core modules; scales with entities, users, and add-ons like fund accounting.
Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT
enterpriseComprehensive cloud-based fund accounting solution with grant management and donor tracking designed specifically for nonprofit associations.
Unlimited fund segmentation and automated grant lifecycle tracking for precise nonprofit financial oversight
Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT is a cloud-based fund accounting software tailored for nonprofits and associations, providing robust tools for general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, budgeting, and grant management. It excels in handling complex nonprofit financial requirements like fund accounting, compliance with GAAP and FASB standards, and detailed reporting for multi-entity organizations. The platform integrates seamlessly with Blackbaud's ecosystem, including CRM and fundraising tools, enabling streamlined operations for membership-based associations.
Pros
- Comprehensive fund accounting with unlimited funds and grant tracking
- Powerful reporting and customizable dashboards via NXT Studio
- Seamless integration with Blackbaud CRM and fundraising modules
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-accountants
- High cost, especially for smaller associations
- Limited native membership management without add-ons
Best For
Mid-to-large associations and nonprofits needing advanced fund accounting, grant compliance, and CRM integration.
Pricing
Quote-based subscription starting at approximately $10,000-$20,000 annually, scaling with organization size and modules.
MIP Fund Accounting
enterpriseRobust fund accounting software providing compliance reporting, budgeting, and multi-fund management for associations and nonprofits.
Advanced encumbrance accounting and budgetary controls for precise fund tracking and compliance.
MIP Fund Accounting, offered by Community Brands, is a robust fund accounting software tailored for nonprofits and associations, providing comprehensive tools for managing funds, grants, budgets, and compliance. It features a flexible general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll integration, and advanced reporting capabilities to handle complex financial structures. The software excels in multi-entity and multi-fund tracking, making it suitable for organizations with diverse revenue streams like membership dues and events.
Pros
- Powerful fund accounting with encumbrance and allocation tracking
- Highly customizable reports and dashboards
- Strong multi-entity and grant management support
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- User interface feels dated compared to modern SaaS options
- Implementation and customization require significant time and cost
Best For
Mid-to-large associations and nonprofits needing advanced fund accounting, grant compliance, and multi-entity financial management.
Pricing
Custom quote-based; perpetual licenses start around $15,000-$30,000+ depending on modules, plus 18-20% annual maintenance fees.
Aplos
specializedUser-friendly nonprofit accounting tool with fund tracking, donation management, and payroll for small to mid-sized associations.
Seamless fund accounting that automatically tracks unrestricted, temporarily restricted, and permanently restricted funds across all transactions
Aplos is a cloud-based accounting software tailored for nonprofits, churches, and associations, offering fund accounting, donor management, and financial reporting tools. It simplifies nonprofit-specific tasks like tracking restricted funds, managing pledges, and generating compliance-ready reports. The platform also supports online giving and budgeting, making it suitable for organizations handling membership dues and grants.
Pros
- Specialized fund accounting for nonprofits and associations
- Integrated donor database and online giving tools
- User-friendly interface with strong mobile access
Cons
- Limited scalability for very large associations
- Additional fees for premium integrations and support
- Reporting customization could be more advanced
Best For
Small to mid-sized associations seeking straightforward nonprofit accounting without enterprise-level complexity.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month for Starter plan (basic accounting); Essentials at $99/month and Advanced at $199/month, billed annually with add-ons available.
QuickBooks Online
enterpriseVersatile cloud accounting software with nonprofit templates for tracking dues, expenses, and generating Form 990 reports for associations.
Intuit App Store with hundreds of third-party integrations tailored for association management extensions
QuickBooks Online is a versatile cloud-based accounting software from Intuit, offering invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, payroll, and customizable reporting for small to medium-sized businesses and organizations. For association accounting, it excels in core financial management like tracking dues as recurring invoices, budgeting, and generating financial statements. However, it requires third-party integrations or custom setups for HOA-specific needs such as member portals, violation tracking, or reserve studies.
Pros
- Robust core accounting tools including automated bank feeds and customizable reports
- User-friendly interface with mobile app access for on-the-go management
- Extensive App Store with 750+ integrations for association-specific add-ons
Cons
- Lacks built-in features for association-specific tasks like architectural reviews or amenity reservations
- Advanced plans and add-ons can become expensive for smaller associations
- Customization for dues and assessments requires setup time and expertise
Best For
Small to mid-sized associations needing strong general accounting with the flexibility to integrate specialized tools.
Pricing
Starts at $30/month (Simple Start) up to $200/month (Advanced), with discounts for annual billing; additional costs for payroll and apps.
NetSuite
enterpriseScalable ERP system featuring nonprofit edition with fund accounting, membership billing, and analytics for growing associations.
Unified OneWorld multi-subsidiary platform for global associations managing funds across chapters or entities
NetSuite is a comprehensive cloud-based ERP platform from Oracle that delivers robust financial management, CRM, inventory, and operational tools, with specialized modules for non-profits and associations including fund accounting, grant management, membership tracking, and event billing. It enables associations to automate dues collection, pledge management, and multi-entity consolidations while providing real-time reporting and compliance features. Highly customizable and scalable, it's designed for mid-to-large organizations but involves significant implementation effort.
Pros
- Extensive feature set with fund accounting, membership, and grant management tailored for associations
- Seamless scalability and multi-entity support for growing organizations
- Deep integrations and real-time analytics for comprehensive visibility
Cons
- High implementation costs and lengthy setup (often 6-12 months)
- Steep learning curve requiring training and consultants
- Expensive ongoing fees that may overwhelm smaller associations
Best For
Large associations or non-profits with complex, multi-entity financial operations needing a full ERP beyond basic accounting.
Pricing
Quote-based; starts at ~$10,000-$25,000/year for base + per-user fees (~$100/user/month), plus implementation ($50k+).
Araize FastFund
specializedAffordable fund accounting software supporting grant tracking, budgeting, and compliance for nonprofit associations.
Seamless integration of fund accounting with membership dues tracking and automated renewals
Araize FastFund is a cloud-based accounting software tailored for nonprofits, associations, and small businesses, specializing in fund accounting to track restricted and unrestricted funds accurately. It integrates donor management, membership tracking, budgeting, and financial reporting to streamline operations for associations handling dues, events, and grants. The platform ensures compliance with nonprofit accounting standards while offering real-time access from any device.
Pros
- Robust fund accounting for multiple funds and grants
- Integrated membership and donor management
- Intuitive cloud interface with mobile access
- Strong value for small to mid-sized organizations
Cons
- Limited third-party integrations compared to larger competitors
- Reporting customization lacks advanced options
- Payroll features require add-ons
Best For
Small to mid-sized associations needing affordable fund accounting with built-in membership and donor tools.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for basic plans (1-3 users), scales to $299+/month for premium with unlimited users; custom quotes available.
AccuFund
specializedNonprofit-focused accounting solution with multi-fund capabilities, payroll, and reporting for associations.
True fund accounting engine that enforces balance across restricted and unrestricted funds in real-time
AccuFund is a specialized fund accounting software tailored for nonprofits, associations, and government organizations, offering robust general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, budgeting, and grant management capabilities. It supports true fund accounting principles, ensuring compliance with FASB and GASB standards through automated fund balancing and detailed tracking. The platform provides customizable reporting and integrates with Microsoft tools for enhanced functionality.
Pros
- True fund accounting with automatic balancing across multiple funds
- Highly customizable reports and dashboards
- Scalable for mid-sized associations with strong compliance tools
Cons
- Dated user interface with a steeper learning curve
- Limited native integrations with modern CRM or membership tools
- Primarily desktop-based with optional cloud hosting
Best For
Mid-sized associations and nonprofits requiring precise fund accounting and grant tracking without needing extensive automation integrations.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing starting around $4,000-$10,000 annually, depending on modules, users, and hosting (on-premise or cloud).
Cougar Mountain Denali Fund
specializedOn-premise and cloud fund accounting software offering donation tracking and financial statements for small associations.
Unlimited fund accounting with real-time segregation and balance tracking across multiple entities
Cougar Mountain Denali Fund is a robust fund accounting software tailored for nonprofits, associations, and organizations managing multiple funds. It provides comprehensive tools for general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, donor management, and detailed financial reporting to ensure compliance and transparency. The solution supports member billing for dues and assessments, making it suitable for association accounting needs.
Pros
- Advanced multi-fund accounting with unlimited funds
- Strong nonprofit and association-specific reporting
- Integrated payroll and donor/member management
Cons
- Dated user interface requiring training
- Limited native integrations with third-party tools
- Custom pricing can be expensive for small associations
Best For
Mid-sized associations and nonprofits needing sophisticated fund accounting and compliance reporting.
Pricing
Modular pricing; starts around $300-$500/month per module plus one-time implementation fees, with quotes customized by organization size.
Xero
otherCloud-based accounting platform with integrations for membership dues and expense tracking suitable for smaller associations.
Unlimited users at no extra cost, enabling easy collaboration for association boards and committees
Xero is a cloud-based accounting platform primarily designed for small businesses, offering invoicing, bank reconciliation, expense tracking, payroll, and customizable reporting. For association accounting, it effectively manages core financial tasks like dues collection, event billing, and expense categorization, with strong automation for bank feeds. Its vast app marketplace enables integrations with membership management tools, though it lacks native features for member databases or fund accounting. Overall, it's a solid general-purpose solution adaptable for simpler association needs.
Pros
- Intuitive, modern interface with quick setup
- Unlimited users and strong bank feed automation
- Extensive integrations via app marketplace
Cons
- No built-in membership or dues tracking
- Limited native support for fund accounting or grants
- Advanced reporting requires add-ons or custom work
Best For
Small associations with basic accounting needs and existing membership tools that benefit from cloud accessibility and integrations.
Pricing
Starts at $15/month (Early plan) up to $78/month (Established plan) USD, billed annually; unlimited users included.
Conclusion
The reviewed tools present a spectrum of strengths, but leading the pack is Sage Intacct, a standout for its tailored multi-entity fund accounting, membership tracking, and advanced reporting suited to association needs. Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT follows with robust comprehensive functionality, while MIP Fund Accounting impresses with its focus on compliance and multi-fund management—each a strong option depending on specific priorities.
Begin optimizing your association's financial processes by exploring Sage Intacct, the top choice, to unlock efficient management and tailored solutions.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
