Are you a small business owner struggling to keep track of your expenses? Do you find it difficult to monitor your spending and generate accurate financial reports? If so, you're not alone.
It may be difficult to manage your finances, especially if you're a small business owner. But fortunately, there are cost trackers that can help you in managing your money and make smart decisions regarding your spending.
We'll guide you to the top 5 spending trackers for small businesses in this article. We'll go over the factors to consider while choosing the best expense trackers, such as usability, price, functionality, and compatibility with accounting software.
So, whether you're a solo entrepreneur or have a small team, these expense trackers can help you manage your finances more efficiently. Let's dive in and find the perfect expense tracker for your small business!
What are expense trackers?
Expense trackers are software or applications that help small business owners keep track of their expenses. They enable business owners to record and categorize their expenses, monitor spending, and generate reports to analyze their financial situation.
Expense tracking is important for small businesses as it allows business owners to identify areas where they can reduce costs and optimize their spending. By keeping records of their spending, small business owners can make informed decisions about their finances, plan for taxes, and prepare accurate financial statements.
Criteria for selecting the best expense trackers for small businesses
There are a number of things to take into consideration when selecting an expense tracker for your small business. The following are some of the most important standards to remember:
- User-friendliness - The best expense trackers for small businesses are intuitive and easy to use. You don't want to spend hours learning how to use complicated software when you could be focusing on growing your business. Look for an expense tracker with a clean, user-friendly interface that doesn't require extensive training to get started.
- Affordability - You probably have a small business and a small budget. Spending too much money on pricey software that you might not use to its full capacity is not a good idea. Choose a spending tracker that offers the features you require and meets your budget.
- Features - Different expense trackers offer different features. Some may focus on basic expense tracking, while others may offer more advanced features like automatic expense categorization, receipt scanning, and integration with accounting software. Consider which features are essential for your business and choose an expense tracker that offers those features.
- Compatibility with accounting software - If you're already using accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero, you'll want to choose an expense tracker that's compatible with your software. This will make it easier to import your expenses and generate accurate financial reports. Make sure to check the compatibility of the expense tracker with your existing software before making a purchase.
You can select an expense tracker that is specific to the requirements of your small business by taking into account these factors.
Related: Top 15 Tax Deductions and Write-Offs for Self-Employed 1099 Entrepreneurs
Top 5 Expense Trackers and Apps for Small Businesses
After discussing the criteria for choosing the best expense trackers, let's examine the top 5 expense trackers for small businesses in more detail. We'll highlight the features, benefits, and costs of each expense tracker.
1. QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online is a popular cloud-based accounting software that offers expense tracking as one of its key features. It allows small businesses to easily track their expenses and income, generate financial reports, and reconcile their bank accounts.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Comprehensive financial reporting features
- Integration with other accounting software
- Multi-currency support
Cons:
- Higher pricing compared to other expense trackers
- Limited customer support options
Pricing: QuickBooks Online offers several pricing plans starting at $25 per month.
Related: How to Write Off Meals and Entertainment As Business Expenses
2. Expensify
Expensify is a web-based expense-tracking software that automates expense reporting for small businesses. It offers features such as automatic expense categorization, receipt scanning, and integration with accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero.
Pros:
- User-friendly mobile app
- Automatic expense categorization
- Receipt scanning feature
- Integration with accounting software
Cons:
- Limited reporting features
- Higher pricing for some features
Pricing: Expensify offers a free plan with basic features and paid plans starting at $4.99 per user per month.
3. Wave
Wave is a free web-based accounting software that offers expense tracking as one of its key features. It allows small businesses to track expenses, create invoices, and generate financial reports.
Pros:
- Free to use with no hidden costs
- User-friendly interface
- Integration with other accounting software
- Multi-currency support
Cons:
- Limited advanced features
- Limited customer support options
Pricing: Wave is free to use with no hidden costs.
4. Xero
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software that offers expense tracking as one of its key features. It allows small businesses to track their expenses, generate financial reports, and reconcile their bank accounts.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Comprehensive financial reporting features
- Integration with other accounting software
- Multi-currency support
Cons:
- Higher pricing compared to other expense trackers
- Limited customer support options
Pricing: Xero offers several pricing plans starting at $11 per month.
5. Zoho Expense
Zoho Expense is a web-based expense tracking software that automates expense reporting for small businesses. It offers features such as receipt scanning, automatic expense categorization, and integration with accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Automatic expense categorization
- Receipt scanning feature
- Integration with accounting software
Cons:
- Limited customer support options
- Some features are only available on higher-priced plans
Pricing: Zoho Expense offers a free plan with basic features and paid plans starting at $5 per user per month.
You can select the top expense tracker for your small business needs by comparing the attributes, benefits, and costs of these top 5 options. There is a choice on this list that can assist you in managing your expenses more effectively, whether you're searching for thorough accounting software or a basic expense-tracking tool.
Final Thoughts
While using an expense tracker can help small businesses manage their expenses and make informed financial decisions, some may prefer to hire a tax professional for assistance. One reputable option is Better Accounting Solutions, which can provide guidance on taxes, expenses, and deductions.
Related: Top 15 Massive Tax Deductions and Write Offs for Businesses
Consider your budget, necessary features, and user-friendliness when choosing an expense tracker for your small business.
To further simplify the process, it is important to take into account whether the software can generate financial reports and integrate them with your accounting software. Small business owners can select an expense tracker that fits their needs and enables them to make wise financial decisions by carefully weighing these factors.
We’re so happy you found this article informative! Head back to our blog page to learn more tips, tricks, and guidance on accounting to maximize your business’s growth and development.
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