3 Best Financial Cents Alternatives: Tried, Tested, and Ranked

Is your accounting firm outgrowing its current software? 

While Financial Cents offers a comprehensive feature set, some firms find its complexity or limitations a hurdle to peak efficiency.

The good news is there are excellent alternatives available! 

This Financial cents alternatives article explores the top 3 contenders designed to simplify your accounting workflow and empower your firm's growth. 

I'll compare features, pricing, and unique strengths of each option, helping you find the perfect fit for your needs.

 Whether you prioritize budget-friendly solutions, advanced client collaboration tools, or in-depth reporting, I've got you covered.

Let’s get started!!

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What is Financial Cents? 

Financial Cents is an online tool designed to help you manage your accounting work more effectively. 

It is like an assistant for your accounting firm that operates in the cloud (the internet). 

It helps you keep track of your tasks, manage client work, and improve how your team communicates and stays organized.

Here’s how it helps:

Manage Projects: Financial Cents lets you keep all your project information in one place. You can see what needs to be done and who is working on what, making it easier to stay on top of your tasks.

Automate Workflows: This feature allows you to automate repetitive tasks. For example, if you have a standard process for onboarding new clients, Financial Cents can automate this process, so you don’t have to remember every step each time.

Handle Emails: You can manage your emails directly from Financial Cents. This way, all your important communication is linked to the relevant projects and clients, making it easier to find and follow up on messages.

Maintain a Client Database: Financial Cents helps you keep all your client information in one place. You can easily access contact details, notes, and documents related to your clients whenever you need them.

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Improve Team Communication: The software makes it easier for you and your team to communicate. You can leave notes, assign tasks, and share updates, ensuring everyone knows what’s going on and nothing falls through the cracks.

The main goal of Financial Cents is to make your accounting work more productive and efficient by bringing all these tools together in one easy-to-use platform. This way, you don’t have to jump between different apps and systems – everything you need is right there.

You can read this article for more information about Financial Cents' features and how it can help you.

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How much does Financial Cents cost? 

Let's talk about the cost of using Financial Cents. There are two main pricing plans: the Team Plan and the Scale Plan. Both plans are billed annually, meaning you pay once a year. Each plan is designed to suit different sizes and needs of accounting firms.

Team Plan

Cost: $39 per user per month (billed annually)

Features:

• Integrated Email: Manage and organize all your client communications within the software, eliminating the need to switch between your email and the software.
• Workflow and To-Do Lists: Create and track tasks and projects easily, ensuring you don't miss any important work.
• Workflow Automations: Automate repetitive tasks, saving you time and increasing efficiency.
• Client Tasks & Requests: Assign and track tasks for your clients, managing all client interactions smoothly.
• Client Portal: Provide a secure portal for your clients where they can upload documents and complete tasks without needing an account.
• Secure File Sharing: Share documents securely with clients and team members.
• E-Signature: Collect electronic signatures on important documents.
• Document Management: Store and organize all your documents in one place.
• Client CRM & Database: Maintain a comprehensive database of all your client information.
• Time Tracking & Billing: Track time spent on tasks and projects and generate invoices based on this tracked time.
• Budgeting & Reporting: Monitor project budgets and generate detailed reports.
• QuickBooks Integration: Seamlessly integrate with QuickBooks for streamlined financial management.

Scale Plan (Most Popular)

Cost: $59 per user per month (billed annually)

This plan includes everything in the Team Plan, plus additional features:

• Auto-Follow Ups for Client Tasks: Automatically send follow-up reminders to clients for pending tasks.
• Customize Client Task Emails: Personalize the emails you send to clients about their tasks.
• Task Dependencies: Create dependencies between tasks to ensure they are completed in the correct order.
• Emails Triggered by Tasks: Automatically send emails when specific tasks are completed or triggered.
• Work Triggered by Tasks: Set up workflows that trigger additional tasks or actions when a task is completed.
• SmartVault Integration: Integrate with SmartVault for enhanced document management.
• OneDrive & Google Drive Integration: Connect with OneDrive and Google Drive for seamless file storage and sharing.
• Zapier (5,000+ Integrations): Use Zapier to connect Financial Cents with over 5,000 other applications.
• Open API: Access the open API for custom integrations with other tools and software.
• Branded Client Portal: Customize the client portal with your firm's branding for a professional look.

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Why must you consider a Financial Cents alternative?

Now, let's discuss some of the challenges you might face with Financial Cents and why you might consider an alternative:

Cost Considerations for Small Firms

Expensive for Small Teams: If you’re a small firm or an individual practitioner, the cost of Financial Cents might seem high. While it offers a lot of value, it’s important to consider if it fits within your budget.

Complexity Due to Various Features

Overwhelming for New Users: Financial Cents has many features, which can be overwhelming when you first start using it. It might take some time and effort to learn how to use all the tools effectively.

Limited Bulk Operations

Not Fully Implemented: Some bulk operations, like moving or duplicating multiple files at once, are not fully available yet. This can make it less efficient when you need to handle large amounts of data.

Customer Support Limitations

Slow Response Times: While the customer support is generally good, it can sometimes be slow. Responses might take 20-30 minutes, which can be frustrating if you need urgent help.

Email and Invoicing Limitations

Lacks Advanced Features: Some users feel that the email functions and invoicing capabilities could be better. They wish for a more flexible email template system and more advanced invoicing options.

Now that we know why you might need a Financial Cents alternative, let’s move on to the top three alternatives you can consider.  

Top 3 Financial Cents alternatives

• Xenett
• Karbon
• Canopy

#1 Alternative to Financial Cents: Xenett

Xenett is an online accounting tool designed to simplify your accounting work. It automatically spots errors, speeds up the book-closing process, facilitates client collaboration, and provides interactive reports. 

Here's how Xenett addresses the challenges of Financial Cents and why it might be a better alternative:

How Xenett Overcomes Financial Cents' Challenges?

Cost Considerations for Small Firms:

• Xenett: Charges based on the number of clients, starting at $6 per month per client. This pricing model can be more affordable for small firms or those managing many clients, as you pay only for the clients you manage rather than for each user.

• Financial Cents: Charges per user per month, which can become expensive for small teams or individual practitioners.
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Complexity Due to Various Features:

• ‍Xenett: Designed to be user-friendly with intuitive interfaces and a focus on essential tasks, making it easier for new users to get started without feeling overwhelmed.
• Financial Cents: Offers many features that can be overwhelming for new users, requiring time and effort to learn effectively.
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Limited Bulk Operations:

• Xenett: Provides robust bulk operation capabilities, allowing you to move or duplicate multiple files at once, making data handling more efficient.
• Financial Cents: Some bulk operations are not fully implemented, which can slow down processes that involve large amounts of data.

Customer Support Limitations:

• ‍Xenett: Offers dedicated support with a relationship manager, free onboarding, and extensive staff training. This ensures you get the help you need promptly and can fully utilize the software.
• Financial Cents: While it provides customer support, it may not be as responsive or comprehensive, sometimes leading to slower response times.
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Email and Invoicing Limitations:

• ‍Xenett: Features advanced email management and invoicing options, including customizable email templates and flexible invoicing capabilities, ensuring smoother communication and billing processes.
• Financial Cents: Lacks some advanced email and invoicing features, which can limit flexibility and efficiency in these areas.

Why is Xenett a Better Alternative?

• Automated Error Detection: Xenett automatically checks for errors using over 100 different checks, ensuring your financial records are accurate without manual reviews. Financial Cents requires manual error checking, which can be time-consuming.
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• Faster Book-Closing Process: Xenett's efficient closing process, real-time error corrections, and detailed checklists allow you to close books up to three times faster. Financial Cents, while helpful in automating workflows, doesn't focus as much on speeding up the closing process.

• Interactive Reporting: Xenett offers interactive reports that facilitate real-time collaboration with clients, making communication more effective. Financial Cents uses static reports, which can make collaboration harder.

• Dedicated Support and Training: Xenett provides extensive support, including a dedicated relationship manager and free training, ensuring you can fully utilize the software. Financial Cents offers support but may not be as comprehensive.
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• Affordable Pricing Model: Xenett’s client-based pricing can be more cost-effective for firms with many clients but fewer team members, making it a more budget-friendly option.

Xenett addresses the challenges posed by Financial Cents and offers a range of advanced features, making it a strong alternative for streamlining accounting work efficiently and effectively.

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#2 Alternative to Financial Cents: Karbon

Karbon is a special software made just for accounting firms. It helps you manage your clients, workflows, and team collaboration all in one place. 

If you have many clients and a large team, Karbon makes things easier by putting everything together on a single platform. 

It saves you time with automation features and keeps your data secure.

How is Karbon Different from Financial Cents?

Karbon is different from Financial Cents in a few important ways:

• Client Management: Karbon helps you keep track of every client and their needs in a detailed way, so you can provide great service.
• Centralized Knowledge: All important information is stored in one place, which everyone on your team can access. This helps reduce mistakes.
• Business Analytics: Karbon gives you detailed data and insights to help you make better decisions and improve your firm’s performance.
• Workflow Automation: Karbon can automate many tasks, saving you time and making sure everything is done correctly.
• Team Collaboration Tools: Karbon has tools for commenting, tagging colleagues, and sharing task lists, which improves teamwork.
• Email and Calendar Integration: Karbon works well with Google and Outlook calendars and emails, helping you manage your time better.

Karbon Vs Financial Cents head on comparison

Purpose:

• Karbon: Best for larger accounting firms to manage complex workflows, client relationships, and team collaboration.
• Financial Cents: Ideal for smaller firms to manage accounting tasks with basic project management and workflow automation.

Client Management:

• Karbon: Offers detailed client management and tracking.
• Financial Cents: Provides basic client management features.

Workflow and Automation:

• Karbon: Automates many tasks with advanced options and checklists.
• Financial Cents: Automates workflows and to-do lists but with fewer options.

Team Collaboration:

• Karbon: Includes tools for commenting, tagging, and sharing tasks, which helps the team work better together.
• Financial Cents: Allows assigning tasks and monitoring progress but has fewer collaboration tools.

Email Management:

• Karbon: Integrates emails into workflows, so all your communications are in one place.
• Financial Cents: Manages emails within the software but without deep integration into workflows.

Business Analytics:

• Karbon: Gives you detailed business analytics and insights.
• Financial Cents: Offers basic reporting and analytics.

Ease of Use and Setup:

• Karbon: Can be complex and take time to set up and learn.
• Financial Cents: Easier to set up and use, good for smaller firms or those new to such software.

Pricing:

• Karbon: Starts at $59 per user per month (if paid yearly) for the basic plan, with more expensive plans for more features.

Which One to Choose?

• Choose Karbon if:
  • You need advanced client management and workflow automation.
  • You have a larger team and need extensive collaboration tools.
  • You require detailed business analytics and interactive reporting.
  • You're looking for robust support and training.
  • Your firm can manage the higher cost and complexity.

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• Choose Financial Cents if:
  • You're a small to medium-sized firm looking for cost-effective solutions.
  • You prefer a simpler setup and user-friendly interface.
  • You need basic project management and time tracking features.
  • You require reliable, straightforward performance without advanced features.
  • You're looking for a more budget-friendly option with essential tools.

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#3 Alternative to Financial Cents: Canopy

Canopy is an all-in-one accounting practice management software designed to simplify running an accounting firm. 

It integrates client engagement, document management, workflow optimization, time and billing, and more. 

Canopy aims to reduce stress, improve efficiency, and enhance client experiences.

How is Canopy Different from Financial Cents?

While both Canopy and Financial Cents are tools for managing accounting practices, they have distinct focuses and strengths:

• Canopy emphasizes client engagement, document management, workflow optimization, and AI-driven insights.
• Financial Cents focuses on task and project management, basic workflow automation, and time tracking, catering to smaller firms with essential needs.

Canopy Vs Financial Cents head on comparison

Purpose:

• Canopy is designed to simplify various aspects of accounting practice management, from client engagement to document handling.
• Financial Cents aims to provide essential tools for managing accounting tasks and projects, ideal for smaller firms.

Client Management:

• Canopy offers robust client engagement tools, including a client portal for better communication and interaction.
• Financial Cents provides basic client management features to keep track of client information and tasks.

Document Management:

• Canopy comprehensive document management with unlimited storage and eSignatures, making it easy to handle all client documents in one place.
• Financial Cents offers secure document sharing but lacks the extensive document management capabilities of Canopy.

Workflow and Task Management:

• Canopy includes detailed workflow optimization with templates, automation, and AI-driven insights to enhance efficiency.
• Financial Cents provides basic workflow and task management with easy-to-use features for tracking and completing tasks.

Time Tracking and Billing:

• Canopy integrates time tracking and billing seamlessly, allowing accurate tracking of time spent on tasks and easy generation of invoices.
• Financial Cents tracks time spent on projects and tasks and generates invoices based on this tracked time.

Team Collaboration:

• Canopy enhances team collaboration with interactive reports and a client portal for better client communication.
• Financial Cents focuses on task assignment and monitoring progress, with fewer collaboration tools compared to Canopy.

AI Integration:

• Canopy uses AI for task automation and providing deep insights to improve workflow efficiency.
• Financial Cents lacks extensive AI integration, focusing more on basic automation and manual error checking.

Pricing:

• Canopy:
  • Client Engagement: Free for up to 250 clients.
  • Document Management: $40 per user/month.
  • Workflow: $35 per user/month.
  • Time & Billing: $25 per user/month.
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• Financial Cents:
  • Team Plan: $39 per user/month (billed annually).
  • Scale Plan: $59 per user/month (billed annually).

Which one to choose?

• ‍Canopy is ideal for accounting firms looking for a comprehensive solution that covers client engagement, document management, and workflow optimization with advanced AI features. It offers a modular pricing structure, allowing firms to choose specific features as needed.
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• Financial Cents is a better fit for smaller firms seeking an affordable, straightforward tool for managing tasks and projects. It provides essential features like time tracking and basic workflow automation at a lower cost.

Should You Switch from Financial Cents in 2024?

Finding the right accounting software is crucial for growing your business efficiently. While Financial Cents is a reliable tool, it might not be the best fit for every firm due to its cost and complexity. Here’s a look at some alternatives to consider.

Go with Financial Cents if:

• You have a larger budget and don’t mind the higher cost per user.
• You are comfortable with a feature-rich platform that might take some time to learn.
• You need a solid tool for managing tasks and projects with basic workflow automation.

Consider Xenett if:

• You prefer a cost-effective solution based on the number of clients rather than users.
• You want a user-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate.
• You need advanced features like automated error detection and interactive reporting.
• You appreciate dedicated support and training to help you fully utilize the software.

Consider Karbon if:

• You need advanced client management and workflow automation.
• Your firm has a larger team requiring extensive collaboration tools.
• You value detailed business analytics and interactive reporting.
• You don’t mind investing time to learn a more complex system.

Consider Canopy if:

• You need a comprehensive solution covering client engagement, document management, and workflow optimization.
• You prefer a modular pricing structure to pay only for the features you need.
• You value AI-driven insights and automation to enhance efficiency.
• You want robust document management with unlimited storage and eSignatures.

What I say?

If you find Financial Cents’ cost and complexity to be too much, and none of the alternatives fit perfectly, I recommend Xenett because:

• It offers a more affordable pricing model based on the number of clients.
• It has a user-friendly interface that’s easy to learn.
• It includes powerful features like automated error detection and real-time collaboration.
• The support and training provided ensure you can make the most of the software.

Don’t just take my word for it. Try Xenett today and see how it can transform your accounting practice.