Managing firms like landscaping involves managing a variety of financial works, including invoicing clients, tracking expenses, managing payments, and ensuring tax returns.
Without accounting software, especially the right one, these tasks will become overwhelming, leading to financial imbalance and inefficiencies.
Thankfully, specialized accounting software can smooth financial operations, allowing landscaping business owners to concentrate less on paperwork and more on expanding their companies.
This article will help you understand the top six best accounting software options for landscaping businesses by explaining their features, benefits, and how they can improve financial management.
Benefits Of Accounting Software
Landscaping businesses can have many financial difficulties, such as ups and downs in income, material and labor cost management, and invoicing clients for ongoing or one-time projects. To prevent this, the Accounting software helps landscapers by:
- Automating Invoicing and Payments: Sending professional invoices and setting up payment reminders reduces late payments and improves cash flow.
- Tracking Expenses and Costs: tracking expenses helps manage material, labor, and other high-ups to ensure profits.
- Easy Tax payments: Automated tax calculations and organized expenses make it easier to file accurate tax returns.
- Managing Payment: Software can handle payment processes, ensuring employees and subcontractors are paid correctly and on time.
- Financial Insights: on-time financial reports help business owners make the right investment decisions.
- Accuracy and Reducing Errors: Paperwork can lead to human errors, but accounting software reduces errors and automates calculations.
Firms like landscaping or other businesses need accounting software to ensure more efficient work compliance, reduce human errors, and avoid rambling through paperwork.
Do You Need A Software If You Already Have an Accountant?
Even if you hire an accountant, using accounting software will be much more beneficial. Here’s why:
Real-Time Financial Tracking: instant access to financial data, while accountants typically review finances periodically.
Improved management: Many accounting software features allow accountants and business owners to collaborate, reducing the need for rambling paperwork.
Time and Cost Savings: Instead of relying only on an accountant for financial paperwork, the business owner can handle daily transactions, reducing accounting fees.
Better Business Insights: it provides instant reports on income, expenses, and cash flow, helping landscapers make quick decisions.
More straightforward Tax returns: Having all data stored and organized in accounting software makes it easier for accountants to file returns.
While an accountant is valuable for tax planning and financial advice, accounting software ensures that the business’s daily management runs smoothly and error-free.
Top Accounting Software for Landscaping & Lawn Care Businesses
The 6 Best Accounting Software for Landscaping Businesses
FreshBooks
Best for Freelance or Small Landscaping Businesses
FreshBooks is a sharp, cloud-based accounting software that focuses on simplicity and automation.
It is particularly useful for small businesses that need an easy-to-use invoicing and expense-tracking system.
Features
- Automatic invoicing with return billing,
- Time and expense tracking,
- Bank and credit card adjustments,
- Financial reports and tax preparation,
- Mobile app with receipt scanning.
Why should Landscaping Businesses use It?
FreshBooks is beneficial for landscapers who want a direct, user-friendly accounting solution. Its self-acting features reduce time spent on financial tasks, and its mobile features allow business owners to manage finances from anywhere.
Pricing
Lite: $17/month (5 billable clients)
Plus: $30/month (50 billable clients)
Premium: $55/month (unlimited clients)
Custom Pricing for larger businesses
Potential Downsides
- Limited manageability for larger businesses,
- Income processing is only available through combination.
Xero
Best for Landscaping Businesses in need of Advanced Financial Reporting
Xero is cloud-based accounting software that offers robust financial reporting and integrations. It is suitable for growing landscaping businesses that require more detailed financial insights.
Features
- Customizable reports and analytics,
- Bank support with automatic transaction matching,
- Multi-user access with role-based permissions,
- Integration with over 1,000 business apps, including Jobber,
- Payment and tax preparation tools.
Why should Landscaping Businesses use It?
Xero provides detailed financial reports that help landscaping businesses track profits, cash flow, and expenses in real-time.
Pricing
Early Plan: $15/month (for small businesses)
Growing Plan: $42/month (unlimited invoices and quotes)
Established Plan: $78/month (advanced features)
Potential Downsides
- The learning curve for users unfamiliar with accounting software is complex,
- Advanced features require third-party app integrations.
QuickBooks Online
Best for Small and Growing Landscaping Businesses
QuickBooks Online is one of the most widely used accounting software programs, offering many powerful tools for record-keeping, invoicing, and financial tracking. It is especially useful for small—to—mid—sized landscaping businesses that need a reliable, cloud-based solution.
Features
- Customizable invoicing with automatic payment reminders,
- Tracking Expense with receipts,
- Bank reconciliation with match transactions,
- Payment processing (available as an add-on),
- Tax preparation with calculations,
- Mobile app for anytime and anywhere easy access.
Why should Landscaping Businesses use it?
QuickBooks Online simplifies financial management with its user-friendly dashboard and automation features.
Landscaping businesses benefit from the ability to track project costs, send professional invoices, and integrate with third-party apps for scheduling and customer management.
Pricing
Simple Start: $30/month (for solopreneurs)
Essentials: $60/month (3 users)
Plus: $90/month (5 users)
Advanced: $200/month (25 users)
Potential Downsides
- Monthly subscription costs can add up over time,
- Advanced features require add-ons.
ZipBooks
Best for Simplicity and Automation
ZipBooks is cloud-based accounting software that focuses on automation and ease of use. It offers basic accounting features with a Clear, intuitive interface, making it ideal for small landscaping businesses.
Features
- Free and paid, both plans are available,
- Smart financial understanding with automated recordkeeping,
- Time tracking and expense organizations,
- Online payment processing for faster payments,
- Financial reporting with business health scores.
Why should Landscaping Businesses use It?
ZipBooks simplifies bookkeeping with automated financial tracking, helping landscapers save time. Its free plan makes it an attractive option for startups and solo landscapers.
Pricing
Starter Plan: Free (basic features)
Smarter Plan: $15/month
Sophisticated Plan: $35/month
Potential Downsides
- Limited advanced accounting features compared to QuickBooks and Xero
- No built-in payroll processing
Akaunting
A Free and Open-Source Accounting Software
Akaunting is free, open-source accounting software that allows small businesses to manage their finances without subscription fees. It’s perfect for budget-conscious landscaping businesses looking for an accounting solution.
Feature
- 100% free, cloud-based accounting software,
- Invoice and expense tracking,
- Multi-currency support,
- Dealer and customer management,
- Self-hosting option for businesses wanting complete data control.
Why should Landscaping Businesses use It?
Akaunting is free of cost, making it ideal for small landscaping businesses with minimum budgets. Since it is open-source, businesses can customize it to fit their needs.
Pricing
Completely Free (with optional paid extensions)
Potential Downsides
- Lacks advanced payroll and tax management features,
- Requires technical knowledge for customization and self-hosting.
CloudBooks
ideal for Freelancers and Small Landscaping firms
CloudBooks is a cloud-based accounting software, especially for small businesses and freelancers. It provides essential accounting features like invoicing, expense tracking, and managing time at a budget-friendly price.
Features
- Invoicing with payment tracking,
- Expense and time tracking for job costing,
- Multi-user access with role-based permissions,
- Report generation for financial insights,
- Integration with payment gateways for smooth transactions.
Why should Landscaping Businesses use It?
CloudBooks is an affordable solution for small landscaping businesses needing essential accounting tools without complex features. Its invoicing and expense tracking tool is ideal for solo landscapers and small teams.
Pricing
Free Plan: 1 client, limited invoices
Team Plan: $10/month (unlimited clients)
Agency Plan: $20/month (multi-user access)
Potential Downsides
- Limited advanced accounting features compared to QuickBooks or Xero,
- Not ideal for large landscaping companies that require payment management.
Conclusion
Choosing the right accounting software for your landscaping business can make a remarkable difference in its efficiency and profitability.
For small landscaping businesses or freelancers: FreshBooks.
For growing businesses: QuickBooks Online or Xero.
For businesses needing job scheduling integration: QuickBooks & Xero.
For affordability with strong features: Akaunting.
