Best Accounting Software helps businesses to modernize and shorten processes in financial management, preserving precise reports, and increasing operational efficiency by automating recurrent activities such as payment processing and reconciliation.

Top 10 Accounting Software in India

1. Tally.ERP 9
2. Busy 
3. Marg 
4. Zoho Books
5. Quickbooks Online
6. Saral 
7. Profitbooks
8. Vyapar
9. Book Keeper
10. mybooks

Market Overview

Best accounting software and financial management system industry has undergone many shifts in the last twenty years. One of the major changes is to provide accounting software based on the cloud. Accounting systems operate inside with numerous other applications like the CRM, SCM, HRM, and analytical dashboards as well as reports. Inside financial functions, best accounting software is used to handle and track all such transactions. This software is also capable of tracking sales, maintaining cash flows, conducting the assessment, and producing visualizations and reports. Organizations of all sizes are widely implementing the best accounting system for tracking financial transactions.

The Indian Accounting Systems Market is likely to develop at a CAGR of approximately 16% from 2016 to 2022. Major software providers in the Indian Accounting Systems market are preparing to make the most of available and evolving opportunities in retail, distribution and manufacturing markets in the country. Moreover, the provision of features such as cloud-based accounting and real-time data analysis is likely to fuel the growth in adoption of best accounting software in India.

The SME segment leads in terms of revenue contribution in the Indian accounting systems market. Also, the speedy growth in the quantity of SMEs along with their growing IT expenditure is likely to expand the revenue growth in India’s accounting systems space. But, the industry still faces increasing concerns from software piracy, which is causing big-time revenue damages for the industry players.

Today's prominent accounting systems offer better business visibility in real-time with the help of simple reporting and analytics. Extensive business restructuring, reporting, and review are rising rapidly across various business entities.  Organizations are using accounting tools to handle the financials.

Best accounting software is an application that manages and documents the company's financial transactions in different modules such as payroll, receivable reports, payable accounts, general ledger, and balance sheets. These applications can either be created by the companies who choose to use them in-house, or they can be bought from service providers. The app can be web-based, available anywhere on any internet-connected computer, at any time, or it may be installed on a laptop. In terms of expense and complexity, it ranges significantly.

The competitive leadership mapping presented below offers details on accounting systems providers in India. Vendor assessments are done on the basis of two broad categories: product offering and business strategy. Each category has several criteria, based on which vendors have been assessed. The assessment criteria measured under product offerings include the breadth of offering, delivery, features and functionality, product quality and dependability, and product distinction. The assessment criteria measured under business strategy comprise geographic footprint, channel strategy and fit, vision alignment, and effectiveness of growth.

Tally.ERP 9, Busy, Marg, Zoho Books, Quickbooks, Saral, Profitbooks, Vyapar and myBooks have been recognized as visionary leaders in the best accounting software space in India.

Book Keeper, AlignBooks, CraveInvoice, PACT Accounting, Billing 360, FreeAgent and ANV Retail Software have been placed as dynamic differentiators in best accounting software space in India.

Fresh Books, Netsuite, Logic ERP, Fraxinus Books, Horizon ERP, HDPOS smart and Giddh have been termed as innovators in the best accounting software space in India.

Reach Accountant, REALBOOKS, MProfit, Wave Accounting, Integra Trade Plus, SlickAccount and
 have been categorized as emerging companies in the best accounting software.

What types of Accounting Solutions are available in India?

Different kinds of best accounting software can differ vastly based on their purpose and functionalities. Accounting systems can also be very basic and provide important features that can be used or they can be highly sophisticated which may include an industry-specific interface for large and medium business. Also significant is the distribution model and the way the solution modules are distributed.

Suite vs. in-class

Best Accounting Software can be used to handle any areas of the business financial situation that incorporates payments, but many are just the basic: accounts payable and receivable. Suite systems very often sell numerous modules that combine stock levels, costs, task handling, payroll, etc. and enable and enhance reconciliations amongst these transactions. More sepcific businesses can make better use of a program that matches their requirements.

Cloud

Numerous contemporary accounting software have been created in the cloud. Normally, their payment arrangements are focused on the number of customers. Cloud-based computing systems are easy to introduce, do not need investment in infrastructure, and enable users to pay on usage-based over time. Cloud-based accounting tools often face issues in delivering robust offline functionality that will allow performing actions and access accounts while detached from the web. This would have better reconciliation stages as a greater amount and more difficulty means a higher likelihood of faults. 

On-premise

Several businesses offering on-premise applications often build their apps in a cloud version. Numerous users make use of on-site software to buy a permanent license based on usage numbers and pay a yearly maintenance charge. On-premise applications may be client-server platforms needing software to be installed on the computer of each user, or else browser-based. On-site devices need some help for deployment and reparation, which frequently need hardware investment. These systems can provide extra security, and can typically be personalized without the intervention of the supplier.

Group size

Small business accounting departments also search for a less costly, easy-to-use system that covers common use cases such as billing and bank statements. These accounting systems may be single-entry systems with simple, rudimentary reporting features, but most of them are typically web-based and comprise smartphone applications, giving the hassled small business owners a degree of suitability. Larger companies would need tools that can house numerous dynamic accounts that need multiple role response.

Industry

Tax codes, regulatory requirements, and industry standards vary according to the type of industry. You will need to ascertain whether a product that is specialized in meeting regulatory requirements is the solution or one that is sufficiently flexible to be tailored to requirements. 

Why use Accounting Solutions?

The main objective of using an accounting system is to track financial records within an entity. Organizations control expenses, sales, and performance through the use of accounting tools, as well as comply with financial laws and accounting requirements.

Simplifies Accounts

Best accounting software has been developed and designed to provide numbers a sense and to do automatic calculations. With little required to invest as training charges, the accounting systems allow the business proprietors to finish all accounting actions and fulfil all the legal standards with ease and effortlessness.

Saves Cost

Best accounting software solutions mechanize almost all of the essential calculations and executive actions and thus regulate and manage the revenue agenda so that companies will not be obligatory to subcontract finance management to an outside expert. Similarly, they also decrease the expenses that are connected to printing and circulation of documents and store complex data in protected and watched locations. The best instance for circulation of documents to end-user through accounting systems would be, transfer of account reports and ledger copies through Gmail incorporated into the accounting system module.

Transparency

Accounting software is one that prevents expensive and recurrent human mistakes. In the business sense, computing mistaken sums or failing to account data in a timely manner can lead to a disaster, and that’s where mechanizing calculations are most supportive which also play a significant role in monetary transparency audit.

Precise Estimating

It’s one of the main capabilities of the best accounting software where, without a correct accounting solution, specifying on the outlines and tendencies of financial performance would take years to complete. The accounting software provides sense to the numbers, which also helps the administration to comprehend where to save on the expenditures or where to spend more. The best accounting software also helps in creating smart policies and assigning resources to the correct channel.

Productivity 

Best accounting software in India is a comprehensive suite of digitized services which make the most burdensome, everyday responsibilities of businesses look simpler, and gathers, arranges, and assesses their results. Most prominently it makes better usage of the existing resources and thus upsurges the effectiveness of reporting criteria by offering exact data which in turn enables the administration in making more informed decisions.

Fulfilling Tax Regulations

Nowadays almost every accounting software habitually fulfils all the taxation regulations as part of its interior assembly, so the companies can evade consequences and other concerns. The accounting software which are being created these days are so wide-ranging that they deliver every detail that is essential to fulfil the taxation laws.

Customer Relationships Management  

It’s highly unlikely to refute the fact that accounting system has nothing to do with customer relationship management. Best accounting software these days work around correct billing and invoicing, and avert all kinds of interruptions and miscommunication and therefore, make businesses’ performance seem more professional and reliable. With the help of good quality accounting software, users can deliver any piece of info which is significant or associated to the product. Users can also send wishes to their clients on their anniversaries with the help of the data stored in the accounting systems. It also helps users to send out Christmas mails or wish the client on any occasion or any festival by using the email IDs and phone numbers stored in the accounting system. With an accounting system, users can send notices of unsettled dues, and on receiving of the same, they can send out the acknowledgement note to the customers or clients.

Data Security

Any data associated with the financial activity of a business is the most valued data and it must be stopped from reaching the wrong places. Best accounting software helps users by preventing accounting from being risked by stealing by offering passwords and admin IDs and setting up specific access for specific users.

Who uses Accounting Solutions?

Best accounting software is utilized by accountants, managers, CFOs, and other leaders of accounting teams. The accounting team ranges in size based on the scale of the organization and the scope of its activities, which can have one person accountable for all or staff in control of specific financial activities such as AP, AR, cash management, or expense management.

Computer accounting solutions are a must for virtually any company. They allow organizations to handle economic wellbeing and plan out long-term success. Online invoicing enables organizations to file invoices, receive payments electronically, and get charged more easily. Expenditure monitoring is an imperative accounting feature that enables businesses to track, manage, reimburse, and assess expenses pertinent to the workers. Financial info, such as estimates, income and loss accounts, balance sheets, and cash flow reports are possibly the most required best accounting software features. 

Web-based accounting solutions offer old-style accounting tools and electronic recordkeeping capability. Accounting software purposes to monitor and manage the everyday financial activities of a company, in particular by clearly linking bank and credit card statements to their records.

Best Accounting software may also be used by individual auditors or finance companies to manage their clients' finances. Registered accountants may make use of their systems to help clients, or may have to use client software.

Ultimately, the accounting solution is utilized by the directors and corporate owners involved in the company's financial position. Executives typically have to view records to dashboards to handle sales or other accounting practices that are uncommon.

What are the main drivers of the Accounting Systems market in India?

Rise in the usage of innovative technologies is playing a vital role in the quick transformation of the Indian accounting systems space. Some of the innovative technologies including cloud, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain are producing adequate opportunities to access financial data from any internet-enabled device.

Significant growth in IT expenditure and consciousness about the advantages of using accounting systems instead of paper-based accounting systems are anticipated to fuel the growth in the Indian accounting systems space during the forecast period. Moreover, a rise in the acceptance of enterprise mobility and the BYOD idea amongst small and medium-sized businesses are some of the critical factors in the rise of the India accounting solution market.

In the present situation of the Indian accounting system market is observing, the change from the conservative way of saving financial records to implementation of accounting software. The accounting system is being used widely to store all the business data digitally.

GST is the newest constitutional alteration in the Indian tax system. It is calculated in several slab rates and demands extreme calculations. Many of the software developers in India have already introduced accounting software solutions, which come equipped with GST calculation features and make the accounting process more attuned with the latest tax structure.

Restraints

1. Data Security proves to be a major constraint as financial data is transferred from one system to another in cloud
2. Limited use of technology is another restraint when it comes to record-keeping

Challenges

1. Data security and privacy concerns hinder the growth of the accounting systems market.

Opportunities

1. The software can be integrated with different online applications, such as automated billing features and automated bank feeds
2. Use of AI and automation to record the transactions automatically
3. Rise of adoption in Cloud-based software will provide a great opportunity to cut costs

What are the major benefits of using Accounting Solutions?

Simplification

Best accounting software places management of funds in the hands of non-accounting users, intended at giving importance to statistics while performing electronic calculations. With hardly any training, the company proprietor can perform all financial transactions and meet the legal necessities from a desktop computer or smartphone, even without having to pay a third party to keep the spending in the loop.

Cost reduction

Accounting and finance frameworks simplify key estimates and operating processes and gain a charge of the sales process and you don't need to outsource financial services to an external specialist. They also increase printing and storage charges and store private data in safe and monitored locations.

Total financial disclosure

The main benefit of using operational accounting processes for an accountant or an auditor is that they circumvent expensive and recurrent human mistakes. Calculating improper amounts or failing to disclose results on time will possibly contribute to a business problem and this is when it is most cooperative to enhance calculations.

Exact forecasting

This is one of the key advantages of the best accounting software. It is capable of understanding the financial results outlines and developments in depth is something that will take years to achieve without a strong framework. Accounting software brings sense to numbers, helping you find out when to cut costs or when to spend further.

Increase Productivity

If a company owner wants to select a single suite of digitized resources to boost results, the accounting solution should be his / her first choice. Such programs dig deep into organizations' most inefficient, day-to-day operations, gather, arrange, and analyze their most valuable data and what is most important, allow more efficient use of their resources.

Tax enforcement

Most of today's accounting solution programs are fully committed to payroll support and monitoring and adherence to tax legislation. When users disable them, they will become their primary source of tax and audit data; they will hold all the essential data and keep a steady workflow running.

Improved client connections

One might contend that the accounting system has nothing to do with how clients are handled, but it could not be beyond the facts. Several accounting arrangements today run around efficient billing and invoicing in order to evade all kinds of delays to miscommunication. They are also simple to customize on behalf of the company, making the business output more effective and reliable.

Safety

Financial data is the most important info for any company and must be stopped from reaching the wrong places or being demolished by mistake. That's just what accounting and finance programs do for their users: stop jeopardizing accounts in any way, and retain an extra copy should you need to recover them. Users will be able to create their security management system in many situations and make a decision as to who will have access to that critical information.

What are the most important features in an Accounting System?

Best accounting software can help businesses in managing their accounting tasks in many different ways, based on the key features and goals. Accounting systems offer all sorts of bonuses, from simpler invoicing to complicated tax reporting, that is not even likely without a precise framework. Below are some of the accounting functionalities:

Accounting Feature

Accounting is the crucial element of each application in this area and the one that one will first check for before finding a suitable system. On hearing accounting things that come to mind are general ledger, net assets, payables & receivable, and bank reconciliation. 

Billing and Invoicing

Best accounting software is committed exclusively to billing and invoicing, but others also view connected activities as an essential part of any financial activity. Accounting systems help companies to automate transactions, acclimatize activities to modern and well-organized payment methods and industry necessities, and provide their customers with dependable and on-time invoices.

Budgeting and estimating

This is also a standard incorporated functionality in many accounting arrangements, measuring and assessing financial outcomes for the present year and helping to estimate the projected budget. Organizations should formulate their estimations using such a method, and set real and ambitious revenue goals.

Fixed asset management

Fixed asset management intends to arrange all the financial data far more precisely, both as a separate tool as well as an integrated system. The module includes features such as documentation of the audit, expenditure information, an approximation of depreciation, distribution of capital, and many more.

Payroll management

With an assortment of payroll solutions, users should be able to quantify and approve employee salaries, plan and print their checks without disruption, and address without error to both current legal and tax obligations. There are programs out there that are only committed to payroll processing, which businesses and high-ranking employees will use to alert them of their financial responsibilities.

Project accounting

Project accounting system is normally bundled in to diverse structures that imitate the vertical sector business sort of the accounting. Building managers and software engineers appreciate them, as both the costs and relevant regulations vary from one project to another. The prime function of this platform is to quantify and manage expenses and labour, material, and equipment-related expenditures, in obedience with all other necessities that are also met in accounting systems.

Fund accounting

These competencies can be found in best accounting software personalized by government departments and non-profit organizations, comprising monitoring contribution expenses, grant administration, GASB (Government Accounting Standards Board) rules, and a special assortment of financial reporting.

Stock management

Stock management is a precise toolkit that is designed for managing inventory, and where users will find all the tools that are required to give the business a superior line of products in the shelf-life. This means that the users will be able to monitor the usage and mobility of their products to evade all sorts of delivery problems such as over-storage or understocking.

What factors to consider before buying an Accounting Solution?

Every system needs to follow some key criteria to be worth the investment you're investing in. Here are some reflections on what you should be looking for:

An automated invoicing module

Irrespective of the core processes, the best accounting software should be comprehensive and, if possible, users will also build a program that offers at least some basic features for billing and invoicing. That way, you'll save the hassle of buying new equipment or migrating data to another device.

Personalization

There is no accounting software that can help all the businesses at once, and the rationale seems to be that each business produces different financial calculations and follows a specific set of conditions. When the users can't find a specific framework that suits their business style (and that's not ever going to happen), they should look for a scalable platform that they can personalize to their company, one that can evolve with the company.

Security

Accounting systems, as we have already figured out, play around the most important details of a company, namely the numbers it relies upon. To confirm that the measurements and data exchange within the device are safe, users need to choose a trustworthy software provider, and pre-check the security frameworks.

App use

Mobile accounting system are no more a thing that only bigger companies can afford to buy, so why not choose a solution one that matches all the requirements? Today, most common vendors sell their consumers native Android and iOS applications, where functionality is just about the same as for the platform's mobile interface.

Pricing

The tech principle again relates here, the more a device will do, the more it will perform, and if users can manage a completely equipped, forward-looking package, they should go with it. However, they should know that professional accounting software can be bought at a reasonable price and several of them are also freely available.

Trustable support

Best accounting software providers tend to take a lot of pride in delivering professional and quick-to-respond services, but the fact is, users won’t realize how effective these actually are until they have a query to be addressed. It is recommended to check support in advance to stop a bitter frustration about the capital spent.

What are the potential issues that are likely to arise while using an Accounting System?

Developing industry-specific financial models

If you are facing a choice between a basic, standardized accounting solution and one created to match the industry's particular needs, go for the latter. But, in some situations, users are not going to be reliant on years of integrity to support its competence, so make sure that all the functionalities that are needed are there and do so beforehand.

Scalability and customization

The best accounting software isn't going to be the most fun and open-to-configuration features you can get your hands on. What might be a fruitful plan of action on the user’s part is to choose a flexible method to make sure that the rules to company standards will be applied within. This will also mean the users don't need to upgrade the device when their company continues to grow.

Absence of integration

If the users are searching for a robust accounting and finance program, they need to make sure that it has a transparent platform that allows third-party collaboration, or at least that the links that the users need are already being taken care of. Settle for little but because nowadays developers are more than conscious that their method needs to operate in line with advertising tools, business analytics applications, CRMs, project management devices, and many other resources.

Trends in Accounting Software Market

Progresses such as the SaaS have seen the industry introduce on-premise options to cloud-based services. Nowadays, there are more technical challenges to the accounting process. The accounting trends are:

Mechanized Processes

The accounting systems market in India is picking its speed in terms of automation. Automation has encouraged businesses of all sizes to invest significantly in the accounting system in India. With the rise of accounting solutions, businesses are now becoming capable of making data-driven decisions. These modern accounting solutions allow accountants and business owners to focus on more productive tasks by cutting out all the manual calculations. Furthermore, it is also anticipated that the demand for the best accounting system in India for small businesses is simply going to rise. Automation provides users with a very safe accounting system and eliminates all the risks of deceitful functionalities. Automation, in turn, will have a positive influence on numerous business segments in the next few years.

All-inclusive Accounting Solutions

Best accounting software solutions have been created in harmony to the business scale and requirements. The software providers are continuously working on refining the precision of accounting solutions. With the growing demand for automated accounting, businesses are expected to slope towards technically directed solutions. Regarding the software features cherished by maximum accountants, accounting solution providers might address the robust solutions in the next few years.

Outsourcing

The requirement for monitoring and management of business operations has changed the process of subcontracting accounting functions. It allows business proprietors to gain better benefits, saves the expenditures of payroll, salaries, training, and taxation. Several organizations are motivated towards implementing the strategy of subcontracting accounting functions. Numerous CPA companies are very satisfied with the worth and consequence of subcontracted accounting functions. It enables businesses to offer competent services to their clients and mainly analyse each business operation. In modern days, the business process outsourcing firms are turning into a significant career choice worldwide. Therefore, the need for subcontracting business functions will continue to grow. And, the augmented profits and lessened risks will further drive the market for accounting system in India.

Cloud-Based Accounting

Cloud computing is getting huge popularity all around the world. It allows businesses to access financial information from any location and at any time. Businesses can now effortlessly track sales, expenditures, and inventory, which saves time and forms an effective workflow. The whole benefits of using cloud computing are motivating companies to implement cloud-based accounting systems. The employment of technological solutions in other sectors had also augmented the demand for cloud computing in the accounting solutions space.

Data Analytics

Technology, nowadays, has reduced manual accounting tasks making it simpler for the accountants to focus more on data analytics. Automation in accounting system enables accountants to gain critical insights, recognize enhancements in processing, and competently manage accounting tasks. With the developments in accounting system solution in India, the old-style data analytics process has changed radically.  With precise insights, small and big companies can now manage tax and audit tasks effectually. Similarly, CPA businesses are also making use of data analytics solutions in order to accomplish their business goals.

Blockchain

Not many accounting businesses are actually acquainted with the advantages of blockchain. The progressions in blockchain technology have radically dropped the integration expenditures and ledger management jeopardies. Blockchain is one of the freshly evolving trends in accounting solutions space. Many organizations are now evolving with a precise view of their past and assets. Businesses are progressively investing in blockchain technology, expecting a firm distributed ledger to become suppler soon.

Social Media Associated Accounting

The universal impact of social media on technological progress has been dramatic. The trending social media technologies have made it dreadful for businesses to withstand without an active online presence. Also, social media technologies have enables businesses to increase their brand consciousness, sales, and website traffic. Similarly, with the help of an accounting system businesses can now create an excellent online presence. Connecting social media platforms in statements and quotes allow businesses to drive business prospects and sales. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter offer outstanding marketing and growth prospects for businesses.

Artificial Intelligence Reforming the Accounting Systems Market in India

Artificial Intelligence is taking the Indian accounting system industry toward progression. AI technology provides high-speed data analytics, augmented productivity, and data precision. The demand for an AI incorporated accounting system solution in growing in India rapidly. Artificial intelligence technology has enhanced supervising processes with organizational and systematic modifications. AI has renovated the accounting industry by substituting humans to a more considerable degree.

Big Data

Big data has reduced most of the manual interference in important accounting tasks. Not many businesses understand how big data impacts decision making. It safeguards the pertinent interior data and analytics robustly. Start-up companies and businesspersons are now making a move towards executing accounting solution in India. They are proactively introducing data science and analytics in their accounting solutions to stay lucrative. It also helps predict the rising demand for an accounting solution for small as well as large businesses. Businesses can focus more on planning, assessing, problem-solving, governing, and other facets of businesses with the employment of big data.

Remote Operations

Remote operations are getting enormous acceptance with the rising demand of global engagement. Advanced accounting solutions allow boundless bandwidth access to financial information and results. Therefore, accounting businesses are now employing authorities from various parts of the world. Cloud computing solutions along with future technological progressions can give rise to remote work. Investing in office arrangements can prove to be needless for companies as employees working from any location can yield excellent results. Businesses in the times of COVID-19 have by now experienced a substantial change in remote working culture. So, remote operations can be the main forthcoming trend in the next few years.

Recent Developments

March 2020 -  Freshbooks commenced its service in the UK. The firm has also introduced a new set of functions created for British business needs.

November 2018 - Xero a package of online best accounting software for small businesses, accountants, and bookkeepers acquired Instafile which is a cloud accounting firm.

October 2016 - Quickbooks acquired Bankstream which provides a daily, secure, reliable, and accurate feed of client transaction data.