Best Accounting Automation Software to Watch Out for in 2025

For some reason, many businesses still rely on outdated, manual accounting processes. You know, spreadsheets, paper reports, and endless data entry.

Maybe it's because that's just how things have always been done. But honestly, there's no reason it should take forever to balance your books or close out your month.

Automation can save accountants up to 52 days a year by handling repetitive tasks like tax filing, invoice processing, and bookkeeping. Plus, over 40% of companies are already automating their financial operations. Whether you’re after a complete accounting solution with automation built-in or a tool to enhance your current software, automation makes a huge difference.

In this post, we'll examine accounting automation software, explore its key features, and share some of the top options available to streamline your workflows.

Key features to look for in accounting automation software

The right features can save you hours of manual work, reduce errors, and give you deeper insights into your financial data. So here’s what to keep an eye out for:

1. Integration capabilities

To save time and maximize the benefits of automation, it’s important to choose accounting software that integrates with the other tools you already use. With the right integrations, you can eliminate the need for manual data entry and avoid wasting time transferring information between systems.

Some key integrations to look for include:

• PayPal
• Square
• Amazon
• Shopify
• eBay

Before committing to any accounting software, make sure it can sync with your bank accounts and any other commerce or transaction tools like Square. This will streamline your workflows and keep everything in one place.

If your new tool doesn’t sync well with your other platforms, you’ll end up with siloed data and even more manual work.

2. Real-time financial tracking and reporting

How much do reports really impact your business? Are you new to accounting or struggling to find the right reports? 

If you're just looking to simplify tasks like bookkeeping, managing bills, automating invoicing, and running basic financial reports, basic accounting software may do the trick.

But if your needs go beyond that—like revamping your entire small business accounting process—you'll need something more powerful. Advanced reporting tools can help you generate essential reports like:

• Accounts receivable aging
• Accounts payable aging
• Budgeting
• Cash flow analysis

Software like Webgility can take over tasks traditionally handled by an accounting team. This gives you more flexibility and control over your finances, without relying on multiple resources.

3. Inventory management synchronization

If your business deals with inventory, ensure the software syncs with your inventory management system. This keeps your financial records updated with stock levels and sales data, so everything aligns perfectly.  

This is especially important if your business deals with large volumes of goods. Automated syncing reduces the risk of errors and provides accurate reporting for both your accounting and inventory teams.

4. Sales tax automation and compliance

Sales tax can be a headache, especially with all the changing rules. The right software will automate sales tax calculations and ensure compliance with the latest laws.  

These tools should also help with tax compliance across different regions and keep up with ever-changing tax laws. 

Studies show that 44% of businesses use automation for tax management to avoid errors and save time. Automation ensures compliance without spending hours on manual calculations.

Overview of the best accounting automation tools

Here’s a table that summarizes our curated list of accounting software platforms.

Note: All plans mentioned in the above table indicate annual pricing. Check their individual pricing pages for more details.

Leading accounting automation tools: a detailed review

Once you've identified the key features your accounting software needs, it's time to explore your options. Here are some popular accounting automation tools to consider for your business.

1. Webgility

Webgility is a powerful accounting automation platform designed to seamlessly integrate ecommerce platforms, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and business management tools with accounting software to streamline financial workflows. 

By connecting platforms like Shopify, Amazon, eBay, and QuickBooks, Webgility eliminates the need for manual data entry, automating tasks such as order syncing, inventory tracking, and financial reporting. 

Businesses can save significant time and reduce errors by consolidating their financial operations within one centralized system. It is ideal for businesses aiming to improve operational efficiency, manage accounting across multiple channels, and automate tedious accounting tasks. 

Webgility’s robust reporting capabilities and real-time data syncing ensure businesses comply with financial regulations. In contrast, its ability to scale with business growth makes it a versatile solution for e-commerce and retail businesses looking to streamline their back-end operations.

Best features

• Ecommerce integrations: Seamlessly integrates with over 40 e-commerce platforms (Amazon, Walmart, Etsy and so on) and marketplaces, and POS systems such as Shopify, Amazon, and WooCommerce, to your accounting software such as Quickbooks Online, and QuickBooks Desktop, NetSuite, making it easy to reconcile sales data across online your channels and physical stores.
• Automated financial syncing: Automatically syncs sales, payments, fees, and taxes between e-commerce systems and accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero), eliminating the need for manual input
• Inventory management: Offers real-time inventory tracking and updates across all sales channels, ensuring accurate stock levels and reducing the risk of over-selling or understocking
• Customizable reporting: Provides in-depth reporting and analytics to track profit margins, sales performance, and other key financial metrics, allowing businesses to make data-driven decisions

Pros

• Enhanced efficiency: Reduces the need for manual data entry, saving significant time and minimizing errors
• Scalable solution: Designed to grow with businesses, offering flexibility to handle increasing transaction volumes and more complex operations
• Real-time data: Gain accurate, up-to-date information for financial tracking, inventory, and order management, helping businesses stay on top of their financial health

Cons

• Costly: It’s expensive compared to other accounting automation software

Pricing

• Basic: $59/month per sales channel 
• Pro: $119/month per 2 sales channel

2. QuickBooks Online

When it comes to ease of use and familiarity, QuickBooks Online is the best of all. As one of the most widely used accounting automation platforms, it covers nearly every aspect of financial management that most businesses need.

QuickBooks Online is ideal for small to mid-sized businesses that prefer cloud-based accounting solutions. While QuickBooks Desktop offers some advanced features that might appeal to more experienced accountants, QuickBooks Online is typically the go-to for a more user-friendly, accessible experience.

Best features

• Invoice & accounts receivable management: Create and send professional invoices, track payments, and manage accounts receivable
• Expense tracking & accounts payable: Monitor and categorize expenses, connect bank accounts for automatic transaction updates, and manage accounts payable
• Financial reporting: Generate comprehensive reports such as profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements
• Payroll & compliance: Handle employee payroll, calculate taxes, and ensure compliance with local regulations
• Inventory & order management: Track inventory levels, manage orders, and monitor product costs to maintain optimal stock levels

Pros

• Automatic updates: QuickBooks automatically handles updates and patches, included in your subscription fee
• Accountant access: Give your accountant access to your books for real-time reviews, corrections, and planning
• Bank account syncing: Banking Center makes it easy to keep accounts updated with automatic transaction downloads
• Subscription model: No need for expensive network setups or multiple-user licenses; just a monthly subscription

Cons

• Payroll integration limitations: Cannot upload files from non-Intuit payroll services, requiring manual payroll journal entries for services like ADP, Paychex, or Paycor
• Separate subscriptions: Requires a separate subscription for each company, covering server space, updates, and security

Pricing

• Simple Start: $9.50/month per user
• Essentials: $14/month per user
• Plus: $20/month per user
• Advanced: $38/month per user

3. Xero

Xero is one of the go-to accounting automation platforms for small businesses and accountants alike. It makes company financial data easily accessible to everyone who needs it, including external accountants and financial advisors.

What sets Xero apart is its user-friendly interface. It’s designed to be comprehensive for accountants and easy for non-financial staff. This means financial controllers and accountants no longer have to recreate reports for others—clients simply log into the platform to access the necessary information.

Even as a "plug-and-play" solution, Xero offers all the powerful features most small businesses will ever need.

Best features

• Payment status tracking: Track the status of payments, allowing businesses to stay on top of outstanding invoices and ensure timely follow-ups
• Batch payments: Offer batch payments to multiple suppliers simultaneously, saving time and reducing errors
• Employee spending monitoring: Monitor employee spending by categorizing and tracking employee purchases
• Job tracking tools: Provide comprehensive tools for project planning, budgeting, quoting, and invoicing
• Bank reconciliation: The bank reconciliation feature automatically compares business bank statements with accounting records to ensure consistency and accuracy

Pros

• Simplified transactions: Simplified transactions with editable purchase files and easy-to-use templates for quick setup
• Fraud reduction: Reduces fraud with multiple-approval processes, two-factor authentication, and restricted employee access
• Automated bank feeds: Automated daily bank feeds that sync with your bank accounts and update transactions automatically in Xero

Cons

• Limited customizable reports: Xero doesn’t allow the creation of fully customizable reports, which may be a dealbreaker for some businesses that need detailed, tailored financial data
• Lack of automatic matching: It lacks automatic 2-way or 3-way matching, which can be a hassle for businesses that require these processes for accounts payable and receivable

Pricing

• Starter: $2.90/month
• Standard: $4.60/month
• Premium: $6.90/month

4. Zoho Books

Zoho’s invoicing software is part of a powerful suite of business applications that delivers more than basic accounting. With its intuitive interface and robust features, Zoho allows you to manage invoicing, track expenses, and oversee project workflows—all in one place.

Zoho Books, an online accounting automation tool, helps businesses of any size streamline their financial operations. From cash flow tracking to invoicing, expense management, and even collaboration with accountants, Zoho Books offers strong automation capabilities. Plus, you can get started with a free plan if your accounting needs are on the lighter side.

Best features

• User-friendly interface: Intuitive, user-friendly interface with a clean design
• Integration with Zoho products: Integration with other Zoho products for complete business management
• Invoicing & expense tracking: Powerful invoicing and expense tracking features
• Customer support & community: Responsive customer support and an active user community
• Affordable pricing: Affordable pricing plans, ideal for small businesses

Pros

• Easy-to-use platform: Easy-to-use platform with all the basic features for accounting that scales with your business
• Intuitive design: The platform is intuitive and user-friendly, with a simple dashboard and a versatile client portal
• Affordable pricing plans: Affordable pricing plans, including options for micro businesses

Cons

• Monthly invoice limits: Monthly invoice limits may pose a challenge for growing businesses
• Lack of tax tools: Lacks tools for calculating quarterly taxes and other key business tax calculations; primarily focuses on sales tax

Pricing

• Free
• Standard: $20/month
• Professional: $50/month
• Premium: $70/month
• Elite: $150/month
• Ultimate: $275/month

5. FreshBooks

FreshBooks brings the ‘fresh’ in accounting. It lets you manage multiple projects and provides a polished, user-friendly interface that makes the often tedious accounting tasks more enjoyable and engaging. 

One standout feature is the time-tracking functionality. You can log time spent on any project and easily add it to your invoices. Plus, FreshBooks makes invoicing a breeze—just choose a template and design professional invoices in minutes.

Expense tracking is just as simple:

• Collect your bills
• Snap photos of them
• Upload the photos to FreshBooks

The platform automatically extracts key details like the amount, date, and vendor information. Then, you can stay on top of your budget with the built-in tracking feature, which helps ensure your expenses remain under control.

Best features

• Integration with project management apps: Easily integrate with project management apps like Asana, Basecamp, and more
• Time & budget tracking: Monitor project hours and expenses, ensuring that projects stay on track and within budget
• Invoice & bookkeeping templates: Simplify the invoicing process and ensure consistency in financial documentation
• Automated payment reminders: Reduce overdue payments by sending reminders to clients automatically, saving time and improving cash flow
• Integrated payment solutions: Integrated payment solutions for invoice payments make it easy for clients to pay online, directly from their invoices, streamlining the payment process

Pros

• Customizable chart of accounts: Tailor your accounting categories to match your business needs for better flexibility in financial management
• Expense & asset tracking: Track expenses and assets in real-time to monitor your financial health and make informed decisions
• Financial document scanning: Scan financial documents and extract key data, reducing manual data entry and improving accuracy
• Automated bank reconciliation: Ensure your bank records and accounting books are always aligned

Cons

• Lack of 2-way or 3-way matching: Does not support 2-way or 3-way matching, which may be a limitation for businesses that require more complex invoice and purchase order matching for accurate accounts payable and receivable management
• Accounts payable feature limitation: This feature is only available on the premium plan, which is restrictive for small businesses or those looking for a more comprehensive accounting solution at a lower cost

Pricing

• Lite: $4.75/month
• Plus: $8.25/month
• Premium: $15/month
• Select: Custom pricing

6. Netsuite

Oracle’s NetSuite is a powerful enterprise resource planning (ERP) suite designed to help businesses manage operations, plan resources, and streamline financials. One of its standout features is SuiteProjects, a project accounting tool that allows companies to manage expenses, budgets, and profitability at the project level with detailed reporting. 

NetSuite makes it easy to compare actual expenses to budgeted amounts and track profitability against forecasts through its forecast tracking feature. The intuitive graphs and reports help users quickly understand financial data, while integration with NetSuite Cloud Accounting ensures that all transactions automatically link to your general ledger.

SuiteProjects also offers built-in invoicing support, allowing businesses to create and send recurring invoices. Customizable dashboards and reports make sharing project financials with stakeholders and optimizing workflow easy.

Best features

• Manage multiple projects: Manage multiple projects with dedicated project spaces
• Integration with NetSuite: Smooth integration with NetSuite Cloud Accounting and ERP systems
• Real-time insights: Real-time insights with forecast tracking
• Expense analysis: Analyze expenses with Budget vs. Actuals comparison
• Automated recurring invoices: Automate recurring invoices for efficiency
• Customizable dashboards & reports: Tailor dashboards and reports to your needs

Pros

• Consolidated financials: Fully consolidate the financials and see all of the information in one place
• Ease of use: Easy for new users to set up and run quickly, saving time
• Custom reporting & task delegation: Share custom reporting and delegate tasks like bank reconciliations without duplicating efforts
• Multiple integrations: Multiple APIs and plug-ins to integrate with other accounting automation tools

Cons

• Overwhelming interface: The user interface can be overburdening for new users, leading to confusion regarding feature accessibility

Pricing

• Custom pricing

Embrace automation for accounting efficiency

No matter which accounting automation software you choose, data entry will be part of your daily routine. The problem with doing everything manually is that it’s time-consuming and can lead to costly errors in the long run.

But there’s a way to make things easier: pairing your accounting solution with an e-commerce automation tool. Automation can seamlessly connect QuickBooks Online or QuickBooks Desktop with your marketplace apps, online stores, banking platforms, and more, syncing transactions as they happen. In fact, real-time automation has saved 70% of sellers up to 10 hours per week on manual tasks.

Using accounting automation software doesn’t just help you manage your finances more effectively—it also enables you to make smarter business decisions, avoid errors, and ease the stress of tax season. And with many platforms offering free trials, just like Webgility, you can test the software risk-free to ensure it’s the right fit for your business needs.

So, what are you waiting for? Sign up today to get started!