Quick Overview
- 1#1: Foundation - Comprehensive construction accounting software with advanced job costing, payroll, AP/AR, and reporting tailored for general contractors.
- 2#2: Sage 100 Contractor - Integrated accounting solution offering job costing, project management, estimating, and service dispatch for contractors.
- 3#3: QuickBooks Enterprise Contractor - Industry-specific edition of QuickBooks with enhanced job costing, progress billing, and inventory tracking for construction firms.
- 4#4: Viewpoint Vista - Robust ERP system providing full financial accounting, job cost management, and subcontract compliance for mid-to-large contractors.
- 5#5: CMiC - Cloud ERP platform combining construction accounting, project controls, and field operations for general contractors.
- 6#6: Deltek ComputerEase - Flexible accounting software focused on job costing, multi-company support, and customizable reporting for construction businesses.
- 7#7: Procore Financials - Integrated financial management tools within a construction platform for invoicing, payments, and job cost tracking.
- 8#8: Buildertrend - Construction management software with built-in accounting features for estimating, invoicing, and expense tracking.
- 9#9: Knowify - Cloud-based tool for job costing, billing, and payments designed for subcontractors and small general contractors.
- 10#10: Jonas Construction Software - ERP system delivering accounting, project management, and field service modules for general contractors.
Tools were selected based on key factors including robust industry-specific features (e.g., progress billing, subcontract compliance), user experience, scalability, and overall value, ensuring they align with the unique demands of general contractors across project sizes and complexities.
Comparison Table
For general contractors, selecting the right accounting software is key to streamlining operations and managing finances effectively. This comparison table explores top tools like Foundation, Sage 100 Contractor, QuickBooks Enterprise Contractor, Viewpoint Vista, CMiC, and more, detailing features, pricing, and usability to help firms find their ideal match.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foundation Comprehensive construction accounting software with advanced job costing, payroll, AP/AR, and reporting tailored for general contractors. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 2 | Sage 100 Contractor Integrated accounting solution offering job costing, project management, estimating, and service dispatch for contractors. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 3 | QuickBooks Enterprise Contractor Industry-specific edition of QuickBooks with enhanced job costing, progress billing, and inventory tracking for construction firms. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | Viewpoint Vista Robust ERP system providing full financial accounting, job cost management, and subcontract compliance for mid-to-large contractors. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | CMiC Cloud ERP platform combining construction accounting, project controls, and field operations for general contractors. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.9/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Deltek ComputerEase Flexible accounting software focused on job costing, multi-company support, and customizable reporting for construction businesses. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 6.2/10 | 7.1/10 |
| 7 | Procore Financials Integrated financial management tools within a construction platform for invoicing, payments, and job cost tracking. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 8 | Buildertrend Construction management software with built-in accounting features for estimating, invoicing, and expense tracking. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 9 | Knowify Cloud-based tool for job costing, billing, and payments designed for subcontractors and small general contractors. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | Jonas Construction Software ERP system delivering accounting, project management, and field service modules for general contractors. | enterprise | 8.0/10 | 8.7/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
Comprehensive construction accounting software with advanced job costing, payroll, AP/AR, and reporting tailored for general contractors.
Integrated accounting solution offering job costing, project management, estimating, and service dispatch for contractors.
Industry-specific edition of QuickBooks with enhanced job costing, progress billing, and inventory tracking for construction firms.
Robust ERP system providing full financial accounting, job cost management, and subcontract compliance for mid-to-large contractors.
Cloud ERP platform combining construction accounting, project controls, and field operations for general contractors.
Flexible accounting software focused on job costing, multi-company support, and customizable reporting for construction businesses.
Integrated financial management tools within a construction platform for invoicing, payments, and job cost tracking.
Construction management software with built-in accounting features for estimating, invoicing, and expense tracking.
Cloud-based tool for job costing, billing, and payments designed for subcontractors and small general contractors.
ERP system delivering accounting, project management, and field service modules for general contractors.
Foundation
specializedComprehensive construction accounting software with advanced job costing, payroll, AP/AR, and reporting tailored for general contractors.
Sophisticated job costing engine with automatic overhead distribution and change order integration
Foundation by Foundation Software is a powerhouse accounting platform specifically engineered for general contractors and construction firms, delivering end-to-end financial management from job costing to payroll and reporting. It excels in handling complex construction workflows like certified payroll, subcontractor management, and multi-project tracking. With robust integration capabilities and customizable modules, it ensures accurate financial visibility across operations.
Pros
- Exceptional job costing with real-time overhead allocation and WIP reporting
- Seamless certified payroll and Davis-Bacon compliance support
- Highly customizable reporting and multi-company consolidation
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to depth of features
- Desktop-focused interface feels dated compared to modern cloud-native apps
- Premium pricing may overwhelm very small contractors
Best For
Mid-to-large general contractors managing multiple complex projects who need precise construction-specific accounting and compliance tools.
Pricing
Starts at ~$300/month for basic cloud subscriptions; scales with users, modules, and on-premise options up to thousands annually.
Sage 100 Contractor
enterpriseIntegrated accounting solution offering job costing, project management, estimating, and service dispatch for contractors.
Advanced certified payroll module for prevailing wage compliance and union reporting
Sage 100 Contractor is a powerful, on-premises accounting software suite tailored for construction companies, particularly general contractors. It provides comprehensive job costing, project management, payroll processing, and financial reporting with construction-specific functionalities like retainage billing, change orders, and certified payroll. Designed for mid-to-large firms, it supports multi-company operations and integrates with estimating tools for seamless workflow from bid to closeout.
Pros
- Exceptional job costing and project tracking with real-time WIP reports
- Robust construction-specific tools including certified payroll and AIA billing
- Highly customizable reporting and multi-entity support
Cons
- Desktop-only (on-premises), lacking native cloud accessibility
- Steep learning curve and outdated interface
- High upfront costs and ongoing maintenance fees
Best For
Mid-sized to large general contractors handling complex projects that require detailed job costing and compliance features.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing starting at $5,000+ per module with annual support fees around 20% of license cost; perpetual licenses typical.
QuickBooks Enterprise Contractor
specializedIndustry-specific edition of QuickBooks with enhanced job costing, progress billing, and inventory tracking for construction firms.
Real-time job costing with automatic profitability insights by phase, labor, and materials
QuickBooks Enterprise Contractor is a robust accounting platform tailored for construction firms, providing industry-specific tools like job costing, progress invoicing, change orders, and AIA billing. It integrates core QuickBooks accounting features with contractor-focused capabilities such as estimating, scheduling, and real-time project profitability tracking. Designed for mid-to-large general contractors, it handles complex multi-user environments, inventory, and payroll while offering mobile access for on-site management.
Pros
- Advanced job costing and project profitability tracking with phase-level detail
- Customizable reports and AIA-compliant billing forms for construction compliance
- Seamless integrations with Procore, Autodesk, and other construction apps
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-accountants and complex setup for enterprise features
- High cost scales quickly with additional users and advanced plans
- Some advanced construction tools require third-party add-ons or customizations
Best For
Mid-sized to large general contractors handling multiple projects who need scalable, industry-specific accounting with strong job tracking.
Pricing
Starts at $1,720/year for Contractor Silver (up to 5 users); up to $4,995/year for Diamond (30 users), with per-user scaling and add-ons.
Viewpoint Vista
enterpriseRobust ERP system providing full financial accounting, job cost management, and subcontract compliance for mid-to-large contractors.
Advanced job cost ledger with unlimited phases, cost types, and real-time profitability insights
Viewpoint Vista is a robust ERP platform tailored for construction firms, with core accounting modules including job costing, payroll, AP/AR, general ledger, and WIP reporting optimized for general contractors. It integrates financials with project management, estimating, and service management for end-to-end operations. Designed for scalability, it supports multi-company setups and complex billing scenarios common in construction.
Pros
- Deep job costing with multi-level tracking and variance analysis
- Certified payroll and union compliance tools
- Highly customizable reports and dashboards
Cons
- Steep learning curve and outdated interface
- Expensive and time-intensive implementation
- Limited native mobile access compared to cloud rivals
Best For
Mid-to-large general contractors managing multiple complex projects who need enterprise-grade accounting integration.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing; typically $50,000+ annually for mid-sized firms, plus $100,000+ in implementation fees.
CMiC
enterpriseCloud ERP platform combining construction accounting, project controls, and field operations for general contractors.
Unified ERP platform providing real-time job-to-cash visibility across financials, projects, and field operations
CMiC is an enterprise-grade ERP platform tailored for construction firms, with robust accounting modules designed for general contractors handling job costing, financial reporting, accounts payable/receivable, and general ledger management. It integrates seamlessly with project management, procurement, and field operations for end-to-end visibility. Ideal for complex, multi-project environments, it emphasizes compliance, subcontract management, and real-time financial insights.
Pros
- Comprehensive construction-specific accounting with advanced job costing and multi-entity support
- Seamless integration of financials with project lifecycle tools for real-time data
- Strong compliance and reporting for complex subcontracting and retainage management
Cons
- Steep learning curve and dated user interface requiring extensive training
- High implementation costs and long deployment timelines
- Limited flexibility for smaller contractors due to enterprise-scale pricing
Best For
Large general contractors managing high-volume, complex projects that need fully integrated ERP for accounting and operations.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically $50,000+ annually for mid-to-large deployments, based on modules, users, and cloud/on-premise setup.
Deltek ComputerEase
specializedFlexible accounting software focused on job costing, multi-company support, and customizable reporting for construction businesses.
Advanced certified payroll processing with automated compliance reporting for union and prevailing wage jobs
Deltek ComputerEase is a specialized accounting software solution tailored for construction firms, particularly general contractors, offering robust job costing, payroll processing, and financial management tools. It handles critical construction-specific needs like certified payroll, retainage management, accounts payable/receivable, and multi-company operations with detailed project profitability reporting. The software supports both on-premise and cloud deployments, making it suitable for firms requiring deep integration with construction workflows.
Pros
- Comprehensive job costing and project profitability tracking
- Strong certified and union payroll capabilities
- Handles complex subcontractor management and retainage
Cons
- Dated user interface with steep learning curve
- Limited native mobile and modern integrations
- Customization often requires IT support
Best For
Mid-sized general contractors focused on detailed job costing and payroll compliance who prioritize functionality over modern usability.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing, typically starting at $10,000+ annually for core modules, plus per-user fees and maintenance.
Procore Financials
enterpriseIntegrated financial management tools within a construction platform for invoicing, payments, and job cost tracking.
Real-time synchronization of field project data with financials for accurate, automated job costing and forecasting
Procore Financials is a robust financial management module within the Procore construction platform, designed specifically for general contractors to handle job costing, accounts payable/receivable, billing, and subcontractor payments. It integrates seamlessly with Procore's project management tools to provide real-time financial insights tied directly to construction projects. Key capabilities include automated AP workflows, lien waiver management, and customizable reporting for compliance and forecasting.
Pros
- Deep integration with Procore project tools for real-time job costing and visibility
- Construction-specific features like lien waivers, draw management, and subcontractor compliance
- Strong mobile access and automation for AP/AR processes
Cons
- High cost requires full Procore ecosystem commitment
- Steep learning curve for users new to the platform
- Limited standalone use without project management modules
Best For
Mid-to-large general contractors already using Procore who need tightly integrated financials with project data.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically $375/user/month for core + add-ons, starting at $10,000+ annually based on projects/users.
Buildertrend
specializedConstruction management software with built-in accounting features for estimating, invoicing, and expense tracking.
Dynamic job costing engine that automatically aggregates costs from time tracking, purchases, and subcontractors for precise project-level P&L tracking
Buildertrend is an all-in-one construction management platform with integrated accounting tools designed specifically for general contractors. It provides job costing, progress invoicing, AIA billing, expense tracking, and financial reporting that tie directly into project schedules, timecards, and subcontractor management. While it excels in construction-specific financial workflows, it often requires integrations like QuickBooks for full general ledger and payroll functionality.
Pros
- Integrated job costing that syncs with schedules and daily logs for real-time profitability insights
- Streamlined AIA invoicing and change order management tailored to construction billing
- Comprehensive financial dashboards and custom reports for multi-project oversight
Cons
- Relies on third-party integrations for advanced accounting like payroll and AP/AR depth
- Higher cost structure compared to dedicated accounting software
- Moderate learning curve due to its broad feature set beyond just accounting
Best For
General contractors handling residential or light commercial projects who need accounting tightly integrated with project management and field operations.
Pricing
Starts at $399/month (billed annually) for Essentials plan supporting up to 15 active projects; scales to $599/month for Premier with unlimited projects and advanced features; custom enterprise pricing available.
Knowify
specializedCloud-based tool for job costing, billing, and payments designed for subcontractors and small general contractors.
Real-time job costing dashboard with automatic QuickBooks sync for instant profitability insights
Knowify is a cloud-based construction management software tailored for general contractors and subcontractors, focusing on job costing, estimating, invoicing, and project tracking. It integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks Online to handle accounting while providing construction-specific tools like change orders, purchase orders, and real-time profitability reporting. The platform helps streamline operations from bid to payment, ensuring accurate financial oversight on every job.
Pros
- Seamless two-way integration with QuickBooks Online
- Robust job costing and profitability tracking
- Mobile app for on-site time tracking and approvals
Cons
- Relies heavily on QuickBooks for core accounting, limiting standalone use
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams
- Occasional sync issues reported by users
Best For
Mid-sized general contractors using QuickBooks who need specialized job costing and project management without replacing their accounting system.
Pricing
Starts at $99/user/month for basic plans, with Pro at $199/user/month and Enterprise custom pricing; billed annually.
Jonas Construction Software
enterpriseERP system delivering accounting, project management, and field service modules for general contractors.
Advanced job cost accounting with real-time WIP schedules and multi-entity support
Jonas Construction Software is a comprehensive ERP solution designed specifically for construction firms, providing integrated accounting modules including job costing, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, general ledger, and billing. It supports general contractors with features for handling retainage, change orders, progress invoicing, and WIP reporting, all tied to project management and field operations. The platform emphasizes vertical-specific functionality for mid-to-large construction businesses seeking end-to-end financial control.
Pros
- Robust job costing and construction-specific accounting like retainage and change order tracking
- Deep integration with project management, estimating, and service modules
- Strong reporting tools for financial analysis and compliance
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex interface and extensive features
- High implementation and customization costs
- Limited mobile accessibility compared to cloud-native competitors
Best For
Mid-to-large general contractors requiring a fully integrated ERP with advanced construction accounting capabilities.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing; typically $250-$500 per user/month depending on modules and company size, with one-time implementation fees.
Conclusion
The review of general contractor accounting software revealed three standout tools, with Foundation leading as the top choice for its comprehensive mix of advanced job costing, payroll, AP/AR, and tailored reporting. Sage 100 Contractor and QuickBooks Enterprise Contractor followed closely, offering integrated solutions for project management, estimating, and inventory tracking, each suited to different operational needs. For general contractors seeking a robust, industry-aligned system, Foundation shines, while the other top tools remain solid alternatives based on specific business requirements.
Ready to elevate your financial management? Start with Foundation—the top-ranked solution designed to simplify job costing, streamline payments, and provide actionable insights, so you can focus on building your business.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
