5 Best Accounting Software in NZ for all Types of Businesses
David Sims
| Last Updated: November 2021 It’s stressful to keep up with your business’s accounting every day. Fortunately, we rounded up the best accounting software in NZ here to make the work easier for you.
There’s a wide gamut of accounting software on the market in NZ. Since they differ in functions and prices, you might be at a loss to know which one to use for your company.
That’s why we’ll zero in on the things you need to consider in choosing the best accounting software in NZ. Doing this will help you choose from our selections later on.
Without further ado, let’s proceed!
Things to Consider before Buying Accounting Software in NZ
When buying accounting software in New Zealand, it’s important to know that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution because each business has different needs.
Some accounting software are suitable for small-and-medium enterprises, while others are best suited for startups and need to be replaced further down the road.
Here are the things you need to consider before buying a piece of accounting software in NZ:
1. Function
Knowing the function is crucial since your accounting will depend on this. At the very least, the software should be able to record your cash flow, profit and loss, and invoices.
Some add-ons are offered such as payroll and bank feeds for particular prices. You can also purchase plug-ins from their website for your accounting software.
2. User-Friendliness
Some accounting software in NZ have great functions but sacrifice the user-friendliness. For example, common complaints are tedious input methods or disorganised dashboards
So that you can get a feel of the software, you can get a free demo from the software company. This way, you won’t have to buy the product before finding out that it’s not that great to use.
3. Security
Security is a vital factor in choosing accounting software in New Zealand. It should prevent others from accessing your business information.
Furthermore, the information you put on the accounting software should be protected from loss, since it holds the records of your daily orders, inventories, and payments.
4. Price
Almost all companies offer a number of plans with a set of useful features. They usually have basic, intermediate, and premium options, or maybe more.
The price of accounting software in NZ ranges from free to more than $300. Most free accounting software are suitable for only small businesses.
5. Customer Support
If you stumble upon an issue with the accounting software, it’s helpful to have a 24/7 customer support team to assist you. So without a doubt, this is also what you should look for.
The Best Accounting Software in NZ Reviewed
Now that you know how to pick from our list, we now give you the best accounting software in NZ!
1) Xero
| Best for | Small businesses |
| Products | Starter, standard, and premium accounting software |
| Address | Wellington HQ 19-23 Taranaki Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011 Wellington 181 Wakefield Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011 Auckland Te Ara Turoa, 96 St Georges Bay Road, Parnell, Auckland 1052 Napier 2 Bridge Street, Ahuriri, Napier 4110 |
| Contact Details | Contact them from the bottom of their support articles |
| Prices | Starter Plan $27.50/month excluding GST > Optional Extras Payroll: from $10/month Track projects from $10 per user Standard Plan $60/month excluding GST > Optional Extras Claim expenses: from $5 per user Payroll: from $10/month Track projects from $10 per user Premium Plan $75/month excluding GST > Optional Extras Claim expenses: from $5 per user Payroll: from $10/month Track projects from $10 per user |
If you’re just starting up your business and want to have an all-in-one kind of package, then this is probably the best accounting software in NZ for you.
Xero provides all the useful tools and features to run your business, from sending invoices to monitoring business profitability and customising the software.
Widely used by many independent reviewers, business owners, accountants, and bookkeepers, Xero certainly has the best accountants software used all over NZ.
From their 3 plans, you can choose between Starter, Standard, and Premium options.
The Starter plan starts from $27.50/month, affordable and comes with limited features since you can only send 20 invoices and quotes as well as make 5 bills.
On the contrary, the Standard Plan lets you create invoices and bills without limit, record expenses for 1 person, and reconcile bank transactions, to name a few.
If your business is already established, the Premium Plan could be what you need. In addition to the features of both Starter and Standard plans, the premium plan enables you to transact with international clients through different currencies.
Also, Xero has an online app store with over 800 programmes, including Xero Expenses and Xero Payroll. These can be added into your software to give your business an edge.
Pros
- Affordable starter plan
- Can link to third-party apps (like Stripe and Vend)
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Starter plan lacks features
2) Wave Accounting
| Best for | Free cloud accounting software |
| Products | Accounting software Invoice receipt |
| Address | 235 Carlaw Ave Suite 501, Toronto, ON M4M 2S1, Canada |
| Contact Details | [email protected] |
| Prices | Accounting software: free Receipt scanning: free |
Looking for simple and organised accounting software? If yes, then you might want to try Wave.
You may find it hard to believe, but you won’t have to pay anything to use their products. Both accounting and receipt scanning software are free of charge.
With a smart dashboard, you can conveniently view your income, expenses, invoices, payments, and cash flow. These will also make setting up your tax return a breeze.
Even though Wave is free to use, the bank feed (data transferred between the bank and the software) and your business information are secure and treated with confidentiality.
Overall, if you want something straightforward and user-friendly, then this is probably one of the best nz accounting software for your needs.
Pros
- Simple and organised reports
- No monthly and establishment fees
- Secured bank information
Cons
- Suitable only for small companies
3) Reckon
| Best for | Value for money |
| Products | Small-business accounting software Large-business accounting software |
| Address | Level 2, ITC Building, 9 City Road, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Contact Details | 0800 447 292 Subscription and Advantage members: 0800 933 666 [email protected] |
| Office Hours | Customer Service Monday – Friday: 9.00 AM – 5.00 PM Saturday & Sunday: closed Technical Support Monday – Friday: 8.30 AM – 7.00 PM Saturday & Sunday: closed |
| Prices | The Basics: $8/month Essentials: $20/month Essentials + Expenses: $26/month Premium: $32/month |
No matter what size of business you have, Reckon is an accounting software in New Zealand that can simplify your bookkeeping and transactions in order to provide a satisfying experience to your customers.
Starting from just $8 a month, you get real-time information presented neatly in your dashboard. That way, you won’t have to record your company finances manually every day.
The upside to Reckon is that they have optional services you can add only if needed. In other words, you won’t need to pay ‘by the bulk’ with services that you won’t use.
You can incorporate POS software for $29 per month to add discounts for the buyer, and/or invoicing function for just $4 a month to track overdue and paid invoices.
As opposed to Xero’s $75-per-month premium plan, Reckon’s premium pack only costs $32 per month, bringing you serious value for money.
Hands down, if you are on a budget or simply want to get value for what you pay, Reckon might be the best accounting software in NZ for you.
Pros
- Value for money
- Secured data storage
- Responsive customer service
Cons
- Limited bank transactions
Customer Reviews
On Trustpilot, lots of people praised the fabulous customer service and user-friendly software of Reckon.
Nicky from Landscaper wrote this feedback:
“Brilliant – I have used Reckon for over 5 years. I am thrilled with the value for money and the excellent service. Love this product, it has everything I need.”
Also, let’s hear Rachel’s review:
“Every time I call for an assistance, I get answers to what I have asked. Always have very helpful person on the other end. Very user friendly software for me and the Reckon community is great, people are friendly and very helpful. You should thank all of them.
We use the personal reckon at home too, great product.”
4) MYOB
| Best for | Large established businesses |
| Products | Accounting Payroll Accounting & payroll MYOB Advanced MYOB Greentree MYOB Exo |
| Address | Auckland Level 5, Eden 5, 12 Normanby Road, Mt Eden, Auckland 1024 Christchurch 17 Sir William Pickering Drive, Burnside, Christchurch 8053 Hastings First Floor, 211 Market Street, South Hastings 4122 |
| Contact Details | Small business: 0800 606 962 Bigger business: 0800 696 239 Support: 0508 328 283 |
| Office Hours | Monday – Friday: 9.00 AM – 10.00 PM Saturday – Sunday: 11.00 AM – 7.00 PM |
| Prices | Accounting Essentials Starter: $25/month excluding GST Essentials Accounting: $40/month excluding GST Payroll Essentials Payroll: $30/month excluding GST ACE Payroll: $379/month excluding GST Accounting & Payroll Essentials Accounting + Payroll: $60/month excluding GST |
Aussie-made, MYOB provides proven accounting solutions to a wide range of businesses. It can streamline your bank feeds, payments, and cash flows.
It offers several products that cater to different business needs. Whether you need payroll, accounting, or an ERP solution, they have them at competitive rates.
Their Essentials’ plans are designed for SMEs, while their ERP solution is for industrial-type ventures and provides you with real-time visibility and statistics.
MYOB software can be used on any device like your phone, laptop, or tablet. Hence, you can work on your accounting and bookkeeping anywhere you want.
With over 300 apps available, you can also upgrade your MYOB software to drive your business. And on top of that, their customer support team is ready to assist you 24/7.
MYOB’s platform and services are suited for most types of businesses so this is one of the most adaptable accounting software in NZ in this list.
Pros
- Accurate reporting
- Competitive rates
- High-security standards
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Expensive monthly subscriptions
5) Sage Business Cloud Accounting
| Best for | Neat and user-friendly interface |
| Products | Accounting Start Accounting |
| Address | HQ: 271 17th Street Northwest, Atlanta, Georgia 30363, United States |
| Contact Details | +44 191 294 3000 [email protected] |
| Prices | Accounting Start: $10/month Accounting: $25/month |
With a neat and pleasant user interface, Sage Business Cloud Accounting can help you manage your cash flow, send invoices, and track payments.
Featuring auto-bank reconciliation, you’ll be notified of payments sent to you by customers or cash deposited into your bank account. We like this nifty little feature and that’s one of the reasons why we included Sage on our list of best accounting software in NZ.
It’s also easy to update your accounting software with new receipts. Simply snap a picture of them and they will be transferred into the system via AutoEntry.
If there happens to be a mistake in the financial records, you can communicate securely with your accountant from your phone, computer, or tablet.
Sage Business accounting software also supports Stripe, allowing you to get your payments quicker from clients.
If your business has a retail or buy-and-sell model, this is one of the most suitable accounting software in NZ for you.
Pros
- Affordable rates
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Suitable only for small companies
FAQS about the Top Accounting Software in New Zealand
So that’s all for the best accounting software in NZ! To stay ahead of your finances, you could give these products a try for your business.
Did we forget to include other accounting software in this list? If you have any, just drop us a line and we’ll get back to you shortly.
Need someone to do your payroll for you? If so, you can read about the best payroll services in NZ.
