Quick Overview
- 1#1: Foundation - Comprehensive construction accounting software with job costing, payroll, and project management tailored for builders and contractors.
- 2#2: Sage 100 Contractor - Robust accounting solution for construction firms offering job costing, estimating, service management, and real-time reporting.
- 3#3: QuickBooks Enterprise Contractor - Industry-specific edition providing job costing, progress billing, and inventory management for construction businesses.
- 4#4: Trimble Viewpoint Spectrum - Enterprise ERP system delivering advanced accounting, project management, and financial controls for large builders.
- 5#5: CMiC - Integrated construction ERP platform with accounting, budgeting, and forecasting for builders of all sizes.
- 6#6: Jonas Construction Software - Cloud-based ERP combining construction accounting, project controls, and field management for contractors.
- 7#7: Deltek ComputerEase - Flexible accounting software focused on job costing, subcontract management, and compliance for construction subcontractors.
- 8#8: Knowify - Construction management platform with integrated accounting, invoicing, payments, and job costing features.
- 9#9: Buildertrend - All-in-one tool for builders offering scheduling, estimating, and basic accounting with QuickBooks integration.
- 10#10: Procore - Construction productivity platform with financial tracking, budgeting, and accounting integrations for project oversight.
We ranked these tools by prioritizing industry-specific capabilities (such as progress billing and subcontract management), user experience, robustness of financial controls, and overall value, ensuring they meet the unique needs of contractors ranging from small firms to enterprise-level operations.
Comparison Table
Builders accounting software streamlines financial and project management for construction businesses, with tools designed to handle budgeting, invoicing, and cost tracking efficiently. This comparison table examines top platforms—including Foundation, Sage 100 Contractor, QuickBooks Enterprise Contractor, Trimble Viewpoint Spectrum, CMiC, and more—to help readers understand key features, pricing, and suitability for diverse project sizes and operational needs, enabling informed decisions.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foundation Comprehensive construction accounting software with job costing, payroll, and project management tailored for builders and contractors. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.1/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | Sage 100 Contractor Robust accounting solution for construction firms offering job costing, estimating, service management, and real-time reporting. | enterprise | 8.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 3 | QuickBooks Enterprise Contractor Industry-specific edition providing job costing, progress billing, and inventory management for construction businesses. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 4 | Trimble Viewpoint Spectrum Enterprise ERP system delivering advanced accounting, project management, and financial controls for large builders. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | CMiC Integrated construction ERP platform with accounting, budgeting, and forecasting for builders of all sizes. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Jonas Construction Software Cloud-based ERP combining construction accounting, project controls, and field management for contractors. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Deltek ComputerEase Flexible accounting software focused on job costing, subcontract management, and compliance for construction subcontractors. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 8 | Knowify Construction management platform with integrated accounting, invoicing, payments, and job costing features. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | Buildertrend All-in-one tool for builders offering scheduling, estimating, and basic accounting with QuickBooks integration. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 10 | Procore Construction productivity platform with financial tracking, budgeting, and accounting integrations for project oversight. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
Comprehensive construction accounting software with job costing, payroll, and project management tailored for builders and contractors.
Robust accounting solution for construction firms offering job costing, estimating, service management, and real-time reporting.
Industry-specific edition providing job costing, progress billing, and inventory management for construction businesses.
Enterprise ERP system delivering advanced accounting, project management, and financial controls for large builders.
Integrated construction ERP platform with accounting, budgeting, and forecasting for builders of all sizes.
Cloud-based ERP combining construction accounting, project controls, and field management for contractors.
Flexible accounting software focused on job costing, subcontract management, and compliance for construction subcontractors.
Construction management platform with integrated accounting, invoicing, payments, and job costing features.
All-in-one tool for builders offering scheduling, estimating, and basic accounting with QuickBooks integration.
Construction productivity platform with financial tracking, budgeting, and accounting integrations for project oversight.
Foundation
specializedComprehensive construction accounting software with job costing, payroll, and project management tailored for builders and contractors.
Dynamic job costing engine that allocates costs across unlimited phases, cost codes, and change orders in real-time
Foundation, from Foundation Software, is a robust, industry-specific accounting solution designed exclusively for construction contractors and builders. It excels in job costing, tracking expenses, labor, and materials across projects with unparalleled detail and accuracy. The software also handles payroll, accounts payable/receivable, general ledger, and compliance reporting, supporting multi-company setups and integrations with estimating tools like Sage Estimating.
Pros
- Superior job costing with real-time WIP reports and phase-level tracking
- Seamless payroll integration compliant with prevailing wage and union requirements
- Extensive custom reporting and multi-entity support for growing firms
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to depth of features
- Primarily desktop-based (with hosting options), less intuitive than modern cloud apps
- Custom quote pricing can feel opaque upfront
Best For
Mid-sized to large construction companies requiring precise job-level accounting and scalability.
Pricing
Perpetual license model with custom quotes starting at $10,000-$25,000 based on modules/users, plus 12-20% annual maintenance; hosted options available.
Sage 100 Contractor
enterpriseRobust accounting solution for construction firms offering job costing, estimating, service management, and real-time reporting.
Advanced Job Costing with change order tracking and WIP reporting for precise project profitability
Sage 100 Contractor is a robust, industry-specific accounting software designed for construction businesses, offering comprehensive job costing, project management, and financial tools tailored to builders' needs. It handles everything from estimating and bidding to payroll with prevailing wage compliance, accounts payable/receivable, and real-time job profitability tracking. The solution supports multi-company operations and integrates with field management for efficient workflow from office to job site.
Pros
- Deep job costing with real-time profitability by cost code and phase
- Construction-specific payroll handling union rates and certified payroll
- Strong reporting and customization for compliance and audits
Cons
- Dated interface with steep learning curve for new users
- High upfront implementation and training costs
- Limited native mobile app compared to cloud-native competitors
Best For
Mid-sized to large construction firms needing advanced job costing and regulatory compliance in accounting.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing starts at around $5,000-$10,000 for base license plus per-user fees ($200-$500/month equivalent); includes annual maintenance at 15-20% of license cost.
QuickBooks Enterprise Contractor
enterpriseIndustry-specific edition providing job costing, progress billing, and inventory management for construction businesses.
Sophisticated Job Costing dashboard that provides real-time profitability insights by job phase, subcontractor, and cost type
QuickBooks Enterprise Contractor is a robust accounting platform tailored for construction businesses, providing specialized tools like job costing, progress invoicing, change order management, and certified payroll compliance. It offers comprehensive financial tracking across projects, integrating with inventory, time tracking, and over 650 third-party apps for streamlined operations. Designed for scalability, it supports mid-to-large contractors handling complex bids, subcontracting, and multi-phase jobs.
Pros
- Advanced job costing with phase, trade, and cost code tracking for precise profitability
- Seamless progress billing and AIA invoicing compliant with construction standards
- Strong integration with Procore, payroll, and mobile apps for field-to-office efficiency
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup requiring training
- High pricing that may overwhelm smaller contractors
- Performance lags with very large datasets or extensive customizations
Best For
Mid-sized to large construction firms managing multiple complex projects that need detailed job costing and regulatory compliance.
Pricing
Annual subscriptions start at $1,919 for Silver (1 user) up to $4,958 for Diamond (40 users), with add-ons for advanced inventory or hosting.
Trimble Viewpoint Spectrum
enterpriseEnterprise ERP system delivering advanced accounting, project management, and financial controls for large builders.
Advanced multi-level job cost ledger with real-time variance analysis for precise project profitability tracking
Trimble Viewpoint Spectrum is a robust ERP solution tailored for construction companies, offering comprehensive accounting, job costing, project management, and field operations integration. It handles general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and service management with deep construction-specific functionality. Designed for mid-to-large contractors, it supports multi-company operations and provides real-time financial insights to improve profitability and compliance.
Pros
- Deep job costing and project financial controls
- Scalable for enterprise-level construction firms
- Strong integrations with Trimble field tools and third-party apps
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface
- High upfront implementation costs and time
- Less intuitive for mobile or remote access compared to modern cloud-native solutions
Best For
Mid-to-large general contractors and specialty trade firms needing an all-in-one ERP for complex accounting and project oversight.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise pricing; typically $50,000+ annually depending on modules, users, and deployment (on-premise or cloud).
CMiC
enterpriseIntegrated construction ERP platform with accounting, budgeting, and forecasting for builders of all sizes.
Single-database architecture that ensures unified, real-time data across financials, projects, and operations without silos.
CMiC is a comprehensive cloud-based ERP platform tailored for the construction industry, providing advanced accounting and financial management solutions for builders and contractors. It handles complex construction-specific needs like job costing, work-in-progress tracking, retainage management, accounts payable/receivable, and general ledger within an integrated system. The software also connects financials with project management, procurement, and field operations for end-to-end visibility and efficiency.
Pros
- Deep construction-specific accounting tools including job costing and WIP reporting
- Seamless integration across ERP modules for real-time data accuracy
- Scalable for enterprise-level operations with strong compliance features
Cons
- Steep learning curve and extensive training required
- High implementation costs and lengthy setup time
- Pricing is premium and less accessible for small firms
Best For
Mid-to-large construction companies needing a robust, integrated ERP for complex accounting and project financials.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $100+ per user/month depending on modules, with enterprise implementations often exceeding $500K upfront.
Jonas Construction Software
enterpriseCloud-based ERP combining construction accounting, project controls, and field management for contractors.
Advanced multi-dimensional job costing with automatic revenue recognition and retention billing
Jonas Construction Software is a robust ERP platform tailored for the construction industry, providing integrated accounting, job costing, project management, payroll, and service dispatch capabilities. It enables builders to track costs, manage contracts, handle change orders, and generate detailed financial reports in real-time. Designed for general contractors and specialty trades, it emphasizes compliance with construction-specific accounting standards like percentage-of-completion revenue recognition.
Pros
- Deep job costing and WIP tracking for accurate project profitability
- Fully integrated modules reducing need for multiple tools
- Customizable dashboards and reporting for construction workflows
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup process
- Higher cost with lengthy implementation timelines
- Limited intuitive mobile app functionality
Best For
Mid-to-large construction firms needing advanced, industry-specific accounting and financial controls.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically $150-$350 per user/month for cloud version, plus implementation fees starting at $10,000+.
Deltek ComputerEase
specializedFlexible accounting software focused on job costing, subcontract management, and compliance for construction subcontractors.
Certified payroll module with automated compliance reporting for union and public works projects
Deltek ComputerEase is a robust, construction-focused accounting software designed specifically for builders and contractors, providing comprehensive job costing, payroll processing, and financial management tools. It excels in tracking project expenses, managing subcontracts, handling change orders, and generating detailed reports for construction financials. Integrated modules for accounts payable, receivable, and general ledger ensure seamless operations, with strong emphasis on compliance like certified payroll for public projects.
Pros
- In-depth job costing and project tracking tailored for construction
- Certified payroll support for prevailing wage compliance
- Customizable reporting and multi-company capabilities
Cons
- Dated user interface with steep learning curve
- Limited native mobile and cloud integrations
- Quote-based pricing lacks transparency for small firms
Best For
Mid-sized construction firms needing specialized job costing and payroll for complex projects.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically $5,000–$15,000 annually based on users, modules, and deployment (on-premise or hosted).
Knowify
specializedConstruction management platform with integrated accounting, invoicing, payments, and job costing features.
Automated two-way QuickBooks sync that posts job costs, invoices, and payments in real-time without manual entry
Knowify is a cloud-based construction management software tailored for contractors and builders, providing specialized tools for job costing, estimating, invoicing, time tracking, and purchase order management. It offers seamless two-way integration with QuickBooks Online and Desktop, allowing real-time syncing of financial data directly from job sites. The platform also includes mobile apps for field teams to capture time, expenses, and photos, ensuring accurate profitability tracking throughout projects.
Pros
- Deep integration with QuickBooks for automated accounting sync
- Comprehensive job costing and real-time profitability insights
- Mobile-first tools for field data capture and change orders
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for teams with multiple users
- Reporting customization is somewhat limited
- Steeper learning curve for non-construction users
Best For
Small to mid-sized construction firms relying on QuickBooks that need robust job costing and field-to-office workflow integration.
Pricing
Starts at $149/month for Essentials (1 user, billed annually), $299/month for Pro (up to 5 users), with custom Enterprise pricing.
Buildertrend
specializedAll-in-one tool for builders offering scheduling, estimating, and basic accounting with QuickBooks integration.
Dynamic job costing that automatically links labor, material costs, and change orders to real-time project budgets for precise profitability tracking
Buildertrend is a comprehensive construction management platform with integrated accounting tools designed specifically for builders and contractors. It provides job costing, invoicing, A/R tracking, payments processing, and seamless QuickBooks integration to manage finances alongside scheduling, estimating, and client communication. While not a standalone accounting solution, its builder-focused financial features help track project profitability and cash flow effectively.
Pros
- Robust job costing and budgeting tied to project schedules
- Seamless QuickBooks Online integration for accounting sync
- Mobile invoicing and payment collection from job sites
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-accounting users
- Pricing can escalate quickly with teams and add-ons
- Limited advanced accounting like multi-entity support
Best For
Small to mid-sized builders and remodelers seeking integrated project management and job-specific accounting.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month (Solo plan), $299-$599/month for teams (up to 5-20 users), plus $50/user/month extras; custom enterprise quotes.
Procore
enterpriseConstruction productivity platform with financial tracking, budgeting, and accounting integrations for project oversight.
Real-time financial roll-up from field logs, RFIs, and change orders directly into job costing and forecasting
Procore is an all-in-one construction management platform with robust financial tools designed specifically for builders, including job costing, invoicing, payments, and financial forecasting. Its accounting features integrate seamlessly with project management modules like schedules, change orders, and daily logs to provide real-time financial insights. While not a dedicated accounting software, it excels in construction-specific financial workflows such as AIA billing, retainage management, and subcontractor commitments.
Pros
- Deep integration of project data with financials for accurate job costing and forecasting
- Construction-specific tools like AIA billing, retainage, and prime contract management
- Strong reporting dashboards and mobile accessibility for on-site financial oversight
Cons
- High cost, especially for smaller firms
- Steep learning curve due to the breadth of the platform
- Custom implementation often required, delaying full rollout
Best For
Mid-to-large construction firms needing tightly integrated project management and builders accounting.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically $375-$675 per month per active project or per-user plans starting around $500/month.
Conclusion
Evaluating builders accounting software reveals standout options, with Foundation leading as the top choice, offering comprehensive job costing, payroll, and project management tailored to the construction industry. Sage 100 Contractor and QuickBooks Enterprise Contractor follow strongly, providing robust solutions with job costing, estimating, and real-time reporting, making them excellent alternatives for different business needs. Together, these tools demonstrate the breadth of features available for builders, ensuring every firm finds a fit that aligns with its unique workflows.
Ready to elevate your construction accounting? Start with Foundation—the top-ranked software—and experience streamlined operations, better financial control, and support tailored to your projects.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison