Best Accounting Software for Real Estate Agents
The 6 Best Accounting Software Products for Real Estate Agents
- #1 Overall: Best Accounting Software for Real Estate Agents: Bench
- Best for Useful Integrations: Zoho Books
- Best for Project Management: FreshBooks
- Best Accounting Software for Real Estate Agents On-The-Go: Xero
- Best for Business Growth: QuickBooks
- Best Accounting Software for Realtors on a Budget: Sage Accounting
#1 Overall: Best Accounting Software for Real Estate Agents: Bench
Top Features
: Hands-off basic bookkeeping with a tax service includedKey Features:
- Hands-off bookkeeping with tax services included
- One-on-one support from dedicated bookkeepers
- Financial reporting with profit and loss tracking
- Retro services for catching up on overdue bookkeeping
Best For: Real estate agents looking for a completely hands-off accounting solution that takes the guesswork out of managing finances.
If bookkeeping sounds like a nightmare and you’d rather someone else handle it, Bench might be the answer.
Bench is a bookkeeping service that takes care of everything behind the scenes. You sync your bank accounts and payment platforms, and their team of bookkeepers and tax pros does the rest—no complicated software, no learning curves.
Not only do you get detailed financial reports, but Bench also has tax prep services that make tax season way less stressful.
If you need to catch up on your books, they have retro services to get you back on track. Perfect for real estate agents who want to focus on their business without getting bogged down with numbers.
- Free 30-day trial (includes one month of bookkeeping)
- Tax services are part of the package
- Dedicated support with no software learning curve
- No option for self-management—everything is done for you
- Lacks payroll services
- Not specifically tailored for the real estate industry
Best for Useful Integrations: Zoho Books
Top Features
: Lots of integrations to tailor the solution to your unique businessKey Features:
- Over 50 integrations to customize your business setup
- End-to-end accounting with invoicing, inventory, and project management
- Tax compliance tools with real-time liability calculations
- Mobile app for on-the-go access
Best for: Small and medium-sized real estate agents looking for flexible accounting software with many integrations and scalability.
Zoho Books could become your go-to solution if you like having everything in one place and want to keep your business running smoothly. The cloud-based platform is ideal for real estate pros needing more than basic accounting. It covers invoicing, project management, and even tax compliance all in one package.
One thing that really sets Zoho apart is its ability to integrate with more than 50 apps, tailoring the software to your specific needs.
Plus, you can handle your finances on the go with their mobile app.
The system simplifies end-to-end accounting, helps you stay tax-compliant and lets you export 1099s.
- Free plan available
- Mobile app with a wide set of features
- Excellent tax compliance tools
- Limited to 10 users per plan
- Some advanced features require higher-tier pricing
- Payroll services can be tricky to navigate
Best for Project Management: FreshBooks
Top Features
: Tax time is made easy because all estimates and sales records are at your fingertipsKey Features:
- Easy expense tracking with photo and email receipt imports
- Time tracking for billable hours and payroll
- Project management to keep teams, clients, and contractors on the same page
- Automated payments and customizable invoicing
- Mileage tracker for realtors on the go
Best for: Small business owners, sole proprietors, and freelancers who want an intuitive and organized way to manage property-related finances.
FreshBooks is great if you’re juggling multiple projects and need to stay on top of payment, expenses and client management. It’s designed with simplicity in mind. It’s an intuitive platform where you can take pictures of your receipts, track mileage, and manage projects—all in one place.
What makes FreshBooks a standout is its seamless project management feature. Realtors can share updates and files with clients and contractors, keeping everyone in the loop.
With automated payments and customizable invoices, you’ll get paid faster without any hassle. The mobile app lets you manage your bookkeeping on the go, which is ideal if you’re always in the field.
- Easy-to-use interface with double-entry accounting
- Great for project management and tracking mileage
- Affordable pricing, especially for smaller businesses
- Not suited for larger companies
- Adding extra team members comes with additional costs
- Fewer customization options compared to more robust software
Best Accounting Software for Real Estate Agents On-The-Go: Xero
Top Features
: Full-feature but easy-to-use accounting software that’s always accessibleKey Features:
- Cloud-based, always accessible from any device
- Automatic bank reconciliation and expense tracking
- Project management with job tracking and profitability insights
- Accept payments through integrations like Stripe and GoCardless
Best For: Real estate agents who need a powerful accounting solution that works seamlessly on the go.
Xero can be an excellent choice for real estate agents who are constantly on the move. This cloud-based accounting software allows you to manage everything from paying bills to tracking expenses from your phone or laptop.
Xero integrates with your bank and keeps transactions flowing automatically.
The project tracking feature is a good fit if you’re an agent juggling multiple properties.
Xero also can scale with your business. You can handle everything from payroll to reconciling your bank account. The platform’s built-in contact management system makes tracking client interactions and payments easy.
- Unlimited users and clients
- Extensive tutorials to learn advanced features
- Free 30-day trial with a wide range of tools
- Quotes and invoices are capped at 20 per month
- Involves a learning curve for more complex features
- Multi-currency support is only available at higher tiers
Best for Business Growth: QuickBooks
Top Features
: Pop-ups help to teach agents to identify common bookkeeping issuesKey Features:
- Job costing to track profitable and unprofitable projects
- Easy expense tracking, invoicing, and bill management
- Advanced bookkeeping with customizable reports
- Payroll system with same-day direct deposit and tax penalty protection
Best For: Real estate agents and businesses focused on growth need a powerful tool to manage finances, payroll, and expenses as they scale.
QuickBooks is one of the top names in accounting software, and for good reason. Whether you’re a solo agent or managing a team, QuickBooks has the tools to help you keep your finances in check.
From tracking job costs to creating invoices and managing bills, managing your financial needs is simple.
Advanced bookkeeping is one feature that lets you create custom, professional work with minimal manual work.
QuickBooks integrates with apps like Salesforce and Docusign, so it grows with your business.
- Widely used and trusted by accountants
- Easy financial tracking and advanced bookkeeping tools
- Integrates with premium apps for seamless business growth
- Subscription plans can get pricey
- The AI might over-complicate simple tasks at times
- Customer support could be more robust
Best Accounting Software for Realtors on a Budget: Sage Accounting
Top Features
: New tools help landlords easily manage multiple tenants seamlesslyKey Features:
- Accounts receivable automation with invoicing and collections
- General ledger for financial visibility and reporting
- Cash management tools for tracking working capital
- Order management for high-volume transactions and inventory
Best For: Realtors and small business owners looking for an affordable, all-in-one accounting solution to streamline their financial processes.
Sage Accounting is a budget-friendly option. It’s a cloud-based platform that integrates core financials like invoicing, reporting and cash management, making it ideal for agents managing multiple tenants or properties.
Automation features boost productivity and save time; real-time reporting gives you an overview of your finances whenever needed.
The system is packed with tools to handle everything from cash flow forecasts to purchasing workflows, allowing you to make smarter financial decisions. A six-month discount is also available to get you started.
- Time-saving workflow automation
- Cash flow forecasting for better financial planning
- 6-month promotion for 70% off
- No free plan is available
- Lacks real estate-specific tools
- Does not include payroll processing
Sources & Additional Resources
- https://www.agentadvice.com/blog/real-estate-accounting/
- https://www.inman.com/2017/09/08/10-dos-and-donts-of-starting-a-real-estate-career/
- https://www.nar.realtor/lease-accounting
- https://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/the-smarter-mutual-fund-investor/articles/2017-07-27/5-dos-and-donts-of-investing-in-real-estate#:~:text=Particularly%20when%20investing%20in%20a%20buy-and-hold%20property%2C%20your,out%20a%20model%20to%20tie%20it%20all%20together
- https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/audit/articles/real-estate-accounting-guide.html
- https://bestaccountingsoftware.com/real-estate-accounting-software/