The 5 Best Alternatives to Smartbooks in 2024

Smartbooks is an accounting software solution designed to streamline bookkeeping, payroll, and financial reporting for small businesses. While it offers a range of features, it may not be the perfect fit for every startup's unique needs. That's why we've compiled a list of alternative accounting solutions below to help you find the best match for your business.

1. Pilot

At Pilot, we're dedicated to providing startups and growing businesses with the essential accounting, CFO, and tax services they need. Our team of experts, combined with our innovative software, ensures accurate monthly bookkeeping, allowing you to focus on what matters most - growing your business.

What We Do

At Pilot, we offer tailored financial services for a diverse range of industries, ensuring that our clients receive personalized solutions that align with their unique business needs. Our expertise spans across various sectors and services, allowing us to provide the essential bookkeeping, tax, and CFO support every founder requires:

• Industries: We specialize in working with high-growth technology startups, ecommerce providers, professional services, non–profits and more.
• Services: Accounting, Advisory, Financial Planning & Reporting, and Outsourced CFO support for QuickBooks Online.

Our team of 300+ US-based professionals is dedicated to building a strong finance foundation for your business, allowing you to focus on growth and success. With Pilot, you can trust that your monthly books will be handled with unmatched accuracy and expertise.

Why Use Pilot?

• Time-saving: By using Pilot, you can save valuable time that would otherwise be spent on managing your finances. Our team of experts handles your bookkeeping, tax, and CFO services, allowing you to focus on growing your business.
• Smarter decision-making: Pilot provides you with accurate financial data and insights, enabling you to make informed decisions for your business. Our monthly insights and financial reporting help you understand your financial position and plan for the future.
• Support at every stage: Pilot has experience helping companies at all stages, from pre-seed to raising nine-figure Series C rounds. We understand the unique challenges faced by startups and growing businesses and tailor our services to meet your needs.
• Best-in-class support: We pride ourselves on offering top-notch customer support, including user-friendly experiences, community building, and partner support. Our team is always available to assist you and ensure your financial success.
• Streamlined integrations: Pilot offers seamless integration with over 250 business tools and platforms, making it easy to connect your existing systems and streamline your financial processes. This helps you maintain accurate records and simplifies your financial management.

Our Pricing

Pilot offers various pricing options for their services:

• Bookkeeping: Starter $499/month billed annually, Core $699/month billed annually, and Plus with custom pricing.
• Tax: Essentials starting at $2,450/year and Standard starting at $5,400/year, discounted to $4,950 for 2023 taxes.
• CFO Services: Basic at $1,875/month billed annually, Essential at $3,375/month billed annually, and Custom at $5,625/month billed annually.

For custom pricing plans, visit the Pilot pricing page and contact sales for a quote.

2. Finta

Finta is an all-in-one accounting platform designed specifically for startups, aiming to replace traditional bookkeeping and tax services. With Finta, startups can enjoy a streamlined approach to managing their finances, including real-time financial data and simplified tax processes.

• Services: Finta offers software accounting, bookkeeping, tax preparation, financial insights, and support for startups.
• Industries: While the website does not mention specific industries, Finta is tailored to serve the needs of startups.
• Pricing Plans: Finta provides two pricing plans - "Startup" for $100/month and "Growth" for $250/month.

3. Graphite

Graphite is a finance department-as-a-service provider for early-stage and growing technology, e-commerce/CPG, and web3 startups. They operate like an in-house accounting and finance team but at a fraction of the cost, offering a range of services from bookkeeping to financial modeling and more, helping startups scale from pre-seed to exit.

• Industries: Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, eCommerce, Food & Beverage, Media, Retail, Software, Technology Hardware & Equipment.
• Services: Accounting, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Advisory, Auditing, Bookkeeping, Financial Planning & Reporting, Outsourced CFO, Payroll, Tax Preparation, Technology Implementation & Consulting.
• Pricing Plans: Tier 1: Accounting (starting at $850/month), Tier 2: Strategic Finance (contact for pricing), and Tax & Compliance (contact for pricing).

4. Fondo

Fondo is a Y Combinator-backed all-in-one accounting platform designed to simplify bookkeeping, tax, and tax credits for startups. With Fondo, startups can efficiently manage their finances, close their books, file taxes, and even receive cash back from the IRS, with an average of $21,000 per startup.

• Industries: Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, Consumer Services, eCommerce, Energy, Financial Services, Healthcare Care Equipment & Services, Insurance & Brokerage, Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences, Professional Services, Real Estate & Development, Software, Technology Hardware & Equipment, Telecommunications.
• Services: Accounting, Bookkeeping, Financial Planning & Reporting, Outsourced CFO, Tax Preparation.
• Pricing Plans: Bookkeeping plans include Starter at $499/month, Core at $699/month, and Plus with custom pricing; Tax services offer Essentials starting at $2,450/year and Standard starting at $5,400/year (discounted to $4,950 for 2023 taxes); CFO Services range from Basic at $1,875/month, Essential at $3,375/month, to Custom at $5,625/month..

5. Kruze Consulting

Kruze Consulting is a leading provider of accounting, finance, HR, and tax consulting services for seed and venture capital-funded startups. With a focus on helping startups secure funding and achieve success, Kruze Consulting offers strategic financial advice, tax credit advisory, and assistance with financial and HR systems.

• Industries: SaaS, Biotech, CPG, Crypto, eCommerce, Hardware, Healthcare.
• Services: Startup Accounting, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Advisory, Bookkeeping, Financial Planning & Reporting, HR, Outsourced CFO, Tax Preparation.
• Pricing Plans: Basic starting at $600 per month for startups with less than $150k in monthly expenses, Founder Timesaver starting at $850 per month for startups with less than $150k in monthly expenses, and Premium with custom pricing.

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