Top 4 Accounting Software for Electricians in 2024

As an electrician, you should spend more time in the field than in your office. You don't have time to sit around stressing over spreadsheets, especially as your business grows. Accounting software for electricians can help. It enables you to manage your electrical business more efficiently and effectively.

Other software tailored for electrical contractors integrates with accounting software to enhance business operations further and consolidate everything into a single platform. The combination of software can make it easier for an electrical contracting business to stay organized, ensure accurate billing, and track profitability on a per-job basis.

What is electrical contractor software?

Electrical contractor software is a business management tool designed specifically for electrical contractors and businesses. Accounting software simplifies the financial and business management aspects of running an electrical service business.

It helps streamline and automate various aspects of running an electrical contracting business, including job scheduling, dispatching, invoicing, billing, customer management, and more. This software is tailored to meet the unique needs of electrical service companies.

What are the key features to look for in accounting software for electrical contractors?

Here are some key features you should look for in the best electrical contractor software, to make running your business more efficient.

Job scheduling and dispatch

It allows electrical contractors to schedule jobs and dispatch electricians to client sites. It often includes a calendar view for scheduling appointments and can send notifications to technicians about their upcoming appointments.

Estimating and quoting

It enables an electrical business to create accurate estimates and quotes for its services quickly, often incorporating materials lists and labor costs.

Work order management

Facilitates creating, tracking, and updating customer details and work orders through completion, ensuring that all job details are managed efficiently.

Invoicing and billing

It automates the invoicing process, allowing electrical contractors to generate custom invoices based on completed work orders and track payments received.

Customer management (CRM)

Includes tools for managing customer data, job history, and communication logs, providing a comprehensive view of customer interactions. This feature aids in enhancing customer relationships.

Inventory management

Helps track and manage the stock of electrical supplies and equipment, ensuring that items are available when needed for jobs.

Financial reporting

Offers reporting and analytics features for monitoring various aspects of the business, such as job costs, profits, expenses, and overall financial performance.

Mobile access

Provides mobile applications or web-based access for electricians in the field and office teams, allowing them to view schedules, update job statuses, and access customer information from anywhere.

Integration

Integrates with other software systems to streamline all business processes.

What are the benefits of using electrical contractor software?

There are many benefits of using electrical contracting software.

These benefits include the following:

• Increased efficiency: Automates routine tasks, reducing the time and effort required to manage jobs and the back office.

• Improved accuracy: Minimizes errors in estimating, invoicing, and other financial aspects of the business.

• Better customer service: Enhances customer communication and ensures that jobs are completed to their satisfaction.

• Enhanced project management: Provides tools to manage projects from quote to completion, keeping jobs on schedule and within budget.

• Greater visibility: Offers real-time insights into business operations, helping contractors make informed decisions.

Electrical contractor software is valuable for any electrical contractor business looking to improve its operational efficiency, financial management, and customer satisfaction. 

The software consolidates multiple functions of electrical contractor businesses into a single platform, eliminating the need for different systems and ensuring that business owners have complete control over their operations.

What is the best accounting software for an electrical contracting business?

This list includes traditional accounting software and integrations to give electrical contractors the ultimate experience.

Here are some of the top electrical contracting software that we've run across:

1. QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online is considered good accounting software for electrical contractors for several reasons. It aligns well with the specific needs of small to medium-sized electrical contracting businesses.

Here are some key reasons why QuickBooks Online stands out among software solutions for electrical contractors:

User-friendly interface

QuickBooks Online is designed to be accessible to users with varying levels of accounting knowledge. Its intuitive interface and dashboard make it easy for electricians to navigate and manage their finances without requiring deep accounting expertise.

Comprehensive financial management

It offers a full suite of accounting features, including invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, financial reporting, and payroll. This comprehensive approach ensures that electricians can manage all their financial and accounting tasks in one place.

Invoicing and payments

QuickBooks Online simplifies invoicing, allowing electricians to create, customize, and send invoices directly from the software. It also supports online payment options when customers pay such as online credit card payments, enabling clients to pay their invoices electronically so that electricians get paid faster, which can help improve cash flow.

Expense tracking and categorization

Electricians can easily track job costs and categorize expenses, making monitoring project costs and profitability more straightforward. This feature is handy for job costing and understanding the financial health of specific projects.

Mobile accessibility

With its mobile app, QuickBooks Online offers the flexibility to manage finances on the go. Electricians often work on-site or travel between jobs, and having instant access to their financial data from anywhere at any time is a significant advantage.

Integration with third-party apps

QuickBooks Online integrates with various third-party apps and tools that electricians might already use for scheduling, customer management, or inventory management. This QuickBooks integration capability can streamline operations and reduce the need for manual data entry.

Tax preparation and compliance

The software simplifies tax preparation by tracking income and expenses in compliance with tax regulations. It can generate tax-ready reports that make filing more accessible and help maximize deductions.

Scalability

QuickBooks Online offers various subscription levels, making it scalable as businesses grow. Electricians can start with a basic plan and upgrade as their accounting needs become more complex.

Customer support and community

QuickBooks software provides robust, personalized customer service and support and access to a large community of users. Electricians can benefit from a wealth of resources, tutorials, and forums to help them use the software to its fullest.

Given these features and benefits, QuickBooks Online can be an excellent investment for electricians who streamline their financial processes, save time on administrative day-to-day tasks, do business effectively, and gain better insights into their finances.

2. Shoeboxed

Shoeboxed is excellent accounting software for electricians.

Shoeboxed is not traditionally accounting software; it's a document management solution specializing in digitizing, organizing, and storing receipts, business cards, and other financial documents. 

For electricians and electrical contractors, managing a myriad of receipts and financial records is a part of daily operations, especially when tracking job costs, purchasing materials, or managing travel expenses.

While Shoeboxed doesn't handle accounting tasks like ledger entries, tax filing, or payroll processing directly, it offers features that can significantly aid the accounting process, making it an invaluable tool for electricians.

Here's why Shoeboxed can be considered a powerful addition to an electrician's financial management toolkit:

Receipt management

Shoeboxed is document management software for electrical contractors.

Shoeboxed excels at converting paper receipts into digitized, categorized, and IRS-accepted digital data. For electricians, this means easy tracking of expenses related to materials, equipment, and job-specific costs without the hassle of managing paper receipts.

Shoeboxed App

Use Shoeboxed's mobile app to scan your receipts while on the go.

Electrical contractors can scan, digitize, and organize receipts and documents with Shoeboxed's mobile app.

• Method: With the Shoeboxed mobile app, electricians can take photos of their receipts, business cards, and other documents using their smartphone or tablet camera.

• Convenience: The app allows for quick and easy digitization of documents on the go. Electricians can capture receipts immediately after making a purchase, reducing the likelihood of losing or misplacing them.

• Accuracy: While the app relies on electricians to capture clear and legible images of their documents, it offers OCR technology to enhance image quality and ensure accurate data extraction.

• Integration: The app seamlessly syncs with the Shoeboxed web platform, allowing electrical contractors to access and manage their digitized documents across multiple devices.

Magic Envelope

Send your receipts in the Magic Envelope and let Shoeboxed scan them.

The Magic Envelope is unique to Shoeboxed.

• Method: The Magic Envelope service involves electrical contractors mailing their physical receipts, business cards, and documents to Shoeboxed using pre-paid envelopes provided by Shoeboxed.

• Convenience: Electrical contractors can collect their receipts and documents over time and mail them in batches using the provided envelopes. This method is ideal for electricians who prefer a hands-off approach to digitization.

• Accuracy: Shoeboxed processes the mailed-in documents on the user's behalf, ensuring accurate data extraction and categorization. Users don't need to worry about taking clear photos or manually entering data.

• Turnaround Time: The turnaround time for digitization may vary depending on shipping times and Shoeboxed's processing schedule. However, Shoeboxed typically aims to digitize documents within a few days of receiving them.

Expense reporting

Shoeboxed generates comprehensive expense reports.

Electricians can generate expense reports directly from Shoeboxed, making tracking spending for specific electrical projects or time periods easier. This can be invaluable for job costing, budgeting, and financial statement preparation.

Integration with accounting software

Shoeboxed not only integrates with QuickBooks but other tools as well.

Shoeboxed integrates with leading accounting platforms like QuickBooks, Xero, and Wave. Electricians can seamlessly transfer their digitized receipts and expense data into their accounting system, streamlining the bookkeeping process.

Tax preparation

Shoeboxed organizes expense data into tax categories.

By organizing and securely storing digital copies of receipts, Shoeboxed makes tax time less stressful for electricians. Having all expense documents categorized and easily accessible helps electricians maximize their deductions and have the necessary documentation ready for tax filing.

Mobile accessibility

With Shoeboxed's mobile app, electricians can scan receipts while on-site and on the road.

Shoeboxed's mobile app allows electricians to scan receipts and manage documents from anywhere, particularly useful for professionals who often work on-site and have expenses while on the road.

Audit protection

Shoeboxed ensures your supporting tax data is easily accessible during an audit.

The IRS-accepted digital receipts stored in Shoeboxed can serve as a solid documentation base in the event of an audit. This organized, easily accessible archive of financial transactions provides peace of mind and audit readiness.

Time and cost savings

Shoeboxed saves electricians a lot of time and money.

By reducing the time spent on manual data entry and organization of receipts and financial documents, Shoeboxed saves electricians significant administrative time and effort, which can be better spent on billable work or growing the business.

Shoeboxed complements accounting processes by ensuring the foundational documentation is accurately captured, organized, and integrated into broader financial management workflows.

For electricians looking to streamline expense tracking and document management, which will directly impact their accounting and financial reporting, Shoeboxed offers a practical and efficient solution.

3. ServiceTitan

ServiceTitan powers electricians' businesses to the next level.

ServiceTitan is an all-in-one, cloud-based electrical management software solution for service businesses, including electrical contractors. It integrates various aspects of business operations, from scheduling and dispatching to invoicing, sales, and, yes, accounting.

While traditional accounting software focuses primarily on financial transactions, ServiceTitan offers a broader range of functionalities tailored to service businesses' needs, making it an attractive choice among software solutions for electricians.

Here's why ServiceTitan might be considered the best software solution for electricians in terms of its accounting and beyond:

Comprehensive business management software

• Integrated customer database: Electricians can manage customer information, service histories, and preferences in one place, enhancing customer service and retention.

• Scheduling and dispatch: The software includes tools for scheduling jobs efficiently, dispatching electricians to service calls, and tracking their locations and progress in real-time.

• Estimates and invoicing: ServiceTitan allows electricians to create detailed estimates on-site, convert them to invoices, and process payments, all from a mobile device.

Accounting and financial reporting

• Seamless accounting integration: While ServiceTitan handles various business operations, it integrates seamlessly with leading accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero, automatically synchronizing financial data to ensure accurate bookkeeping and financial reporting.

• Job costing: It provides tools for detailed job costing, helping electricians understand the profitability of each project by tracking labor, materials, and overhead costs against revenue.

• Real-time financial dashboard: ServiceTitan offers real-time insights into financial metrics, including cash flow, profit margins, and outstanding invoices, enabling electricians to make informed financial decisions.

Mobile accessibility

• Mobile functionality: ServiceTitan's mobile app allows electricians to access its features from the field, allowing them to manage work orders, review job details, update job statuses, and process payments remotely.

Customer experience enhancement

• Enhanced customer communication: The platform includes features for automated appointment confirmations, reminders, and follow-ups via text and email, improving the overall customer experience.

• Sales and marketing tools: ServiceTitan provides tools for upselling and tracking marketing campaign performance, helping electricians grow their businesses.

Customization and scalability

• Customizable for electrical work: This electrician service software can be customized to fit the workflow and services of electrical contractors, including custom forms, price books, and reporting.

• Scalable solution: Designed to support businesses of all sizes, ServiceTitan can scale with an electrical business as it grows from a single electrician to a large contracting company.

Given its comprehensive features designed to streamline operations, improve customer service, and enhance financial management, ServiceTitan offers a holistic electrician service software solution. 

While it may require integrating with dedicated accounting software for specific financial operations, its all-encompassing approach to business management makes it a precious tool for electrical contractors and field service businesses looking to optimize their operations and growth.

4. Procore

Procore is a strong project management software for electrical contractors.

Procore is not traditionally classified as accounting software; it's a comprehensive construction and electrical contractor management software platform designed to streamline project management, documentation, and communication for construction professionals, including electricians and electrical contractors involved in larger projects.

While Procore includes financial management tools that can integrate with accounting software, its core strengths for electrical contractors are project management and coordination.

Here's why Procore might be considered an essential tool for electricians, especially those involved in construction projects or electrical businesses, rather than purely for accounting:

Comprehensive project management

• Project coordination: Procore is a job management software that helps electricians coordinate job details with other contractors and project stakeholders, ensuring everyone is on the same page, which is crucial for timely and within-budget project completion. Project coordination is just one aspect of effective project management software for electrical contractors.

• Documentation control: It offers robust document management capabilities, allowing electricians to maintain up-to-date drawings, specs, contracts, and communications in one centralized location.

Financial management and integration

• Financial tools: Procore provides financial tools tailored to electrical businesses, such as budget management, change orders, and progress billing, which are essential for electricians managing project finances.

• Integration with accounting software: Procore can integrate with leading accounting systems like QuickBooks and Sage, allowing electrical companies and the construction industry to seamlessly sync financial data between project management and accounting platforms. This integration facilitates accurate and efficient financial tracking and reporting.

Real-time communication

• Collaboration features: The platform enhances communication among project teams, subcontractors, and clients, enabling real-time updates, questions, and clarifications. This can help prevent costly misunderstandings and delays.

Accessibility and mobility

• Mobile access: Procore's mobile app allows electricians and other construction professionals to access project information and job details, update progress, and communicate with team members from the job site, improving productivity and response times.

Customization and scalability

• Customizable workflows: Procore's flexibility allows an electrical contractor to tailor workflows to their specific needs, supporting various project types and sizes.

• Scalable solution: This job management software supports projects of all sizes, from small renovations to large-scale construction, making it a scalable solution for electrical contractors as they grow.

While Procore excels in project management and integrates financial management features beneficial to electrical contractors, especially those in the construction sector, it should be complemented with dedicated accounting software for comprehensive financial accounting, payroll, tax preparation, and other specific accounting needs.

Procore's strength lies in bridging the gap between on-site project management and back-office financial management. It ensures that the financial aspects of a project are closely aligned with real-world progress and changes on the construction site.

See also: Receipt Bank vs. Shoeboxed: Which is the Better Option?

Frequently asked questions

What features should you look for in electrical contracting software?

When selecting an electrical contractor management software, it's essential to choose a solution that meets the specific needs and challenges of the electrical contracting industry.

Here are key features that an electrical contractor should look for in an electrical contracting business:

• Job management

• Dispatching

• Estimating and quoting

• Project management

• Invoicing and billing

• Customer relationship management (CRM)

• Inventory management

• Mobile access

• Integration capabilities

• Reporting and analytics

• Compliance and safety

• Scalability

What are the benefits of electrical contractor software?

Electrical contractor software offers numerous benefits to professionals in the electrical contractor business.

Here are some key advantages to using electrical contractor software:

• Improved efficiency

• Streamlined operations

• Enhanced customer service

• Improved job management

• Accurate estimating and quoting

• Better financial management

• Inventory optimization

• Real-time access and mobility

• Integration capabilities

• Compliance and safety

In conclusion

Electrical contractor business software is a valuable asset for any electrical contracting business looking to improve its operational efficiency, financial management, and customer satisfaction. Accounting electrical business software that integrates with other job management software and can handle the export of data greatly improves office workflows, helps your business grow, and increases your profit.

Caryl Ramsey has years of experience assisting in different aspects of bookkeeping, taxes, and customer service. She uses a variety of accounting software for setting up client information, reconciling accounts, coding expenses, running financial reports, and preparing tax returns. She is also experienced in setting up corporations with the State Corporation Commission and the IRS.

About Shoeboxed!

Shoeboxed is a receipt scanning service with receipt management software that supports multiple methods for receipt capture: send, scan, upload, forward, and more!

You can stuff your receipts into one of our Magic Envelopes (prepaid postage within the US). Use our receipt tracker + receipt scanner app (iPhone, iPad and Android) to snap a picture while on the go. Auto-import receipts from Gmail. Or forward a receipt to your designated Shoeboxed email address.

Turn your receipts into data and deductibles with our expense reports that include IRS-accepted receipt images.

Join over 1 million businesses scanning & organizing receipts, creating expense reports and more—with Shoeboxed.

Try Shoeboxed today!