Accounting technology / Glossary / Software for bookkeepers

What is software for bookkeepers?

Definition

Software for bookkeepers is the set of tools a bookkeeping practice uses to keep many clients' books: an accounting system with a partner or accountant version that holds every client under one login, receipt and invoice capture, practice management for deadlines and tasks, and payroll and anti-money laundering tools.

Also calledbookkeeping practice softwaremulti-client bookkeeping software

Compare the softwareBest practice management software for accounting firms →All 15 practice management vendors →

Ledgers: Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage
Capture: Dext, Hubdoc, AutoEntry
Practice: Karbon, IRIS Elements, Pixie, TaxDome

The software a bookkeeping practice runs on

The ledgers come first. Joining the Xero partner programme is free, and Xero Ledger costs £2.50 a month per client through a practice. QuickBooks puts every client file under one sign-in in the Intuit Accountant Suite: Core is free, and Accelerate costs £69 a month from 20 January 2027. FreeAgent's Practice Dashboard is free, with charges only for client licences, and AAT gives newly licensed members Sage for Accountants Essentials free. For capture, Dext prices per client per month with a ten-client minimum, Hubdoc is free for Xero partners, and AutoEntry starts at £15.45 a month with unlimited clients. Practice management tools such as Karbon, BrightManager, IRIS Elements, formerly Senta, Pixie and TaxDome track deadlines and work across clients. Pixie charges by number of clients with unlimited users, and its Pure Workflow product includes the Pure Bookkeeping system of procedures and templates.

Common questions

Is Xero free for bookkeepers?+

Joining the Xero partner programme is free, with no ongoing costs. Practice Management is included at Silver, Gold and Platinum partner status, and otherwise costs £99 a month for up to ten users.

Is QuickBooks free for bookkeepers?+

The Core tier of the Intuit Accountant Suite, which replaces QuickBooks Online Accountant, is free. The Accelerate tier is free during its beta and costs £69 a month from 20 January 2027.

What software do AAT and ICB offer bookkeepers?+

AAT gives newly licensed members Sage for Accountants Essentials free. ICB members get 10% off AutoEntry and a free Xero certification course.

What software do bookkeepers need for multiple clients?+

An accounting system with a partner or accountant version, a receipt capture tool priced per client, practice management for deadlines, and payroll and AML tools for the clients and the practice itself.