Best Property Management Bookkeeping Software: 2024 Edition

Are you searching for the best property management bookkeeping software to streamline your rental business operations? In today's fast-paced real estate market, having the right tools to manage your finances efficiently is crucial. Property management software helps landlords manage their accounts more easily, saving time and minimizing mistakes.

As we dive into 2024, the landscape of rental property accounting software and property management tools continues to evolve. This guide will review the best options. We will highlight the important features. Additionally, it will provide tips to help you choose the right solution for your business needs.

Choosing the right software is important for managing properties, whether you're seasoned real estate investors or new landlords. This is true whether you have just a few properties or many. The right software can greatly assist with financial management and overall success.

Top Property Management Accounting Software

Having the right software greatly improves your management of rental property finances. Let's explore some of the top property management accounting software options available in 2024:

DoorLoop

DoorLoop stands out as a comprehensive solution for property managers and landlords. This full-service rental property management software offers a wide range of features to streamline your operations :

  1. Built-in CRM and tenant portal for automated rent collection, simplifying the process of collecting rent and managing tenants
  2. Fully responsive mobile app for easy lease management
  3. Owner portal for quick access to reports and real-time check printing
  4. Marketing features for scheduling showings and listing rental properties

Comprehensive accounting features designed to serve as a complete accounting system, potentially replacing QuickBooks

One of DoorLoop's standout features is its ability to automate your payment process. You can automatically send rent invoices, late fee notices, and payment receipts. This saves you time on tracking payments and calculating late fees.

The software makes it easy for you to track your income and expenses. It provides charts and reports for better visualization. Additionally, it allows unlimited user access for your accounting team.

QuickBooks

QuickBooks is a popular option for landlords and property managers. However, the design does not specifically target property management. QuickBooks is popular for its accounting features and many accountants know how to use it, making it easy to find help.

Key features of QuickBooks include:

  1. Complete accounting tool with robust financial management capabilities
  2. Ability to sync and reconcile transactions from your bank, debit card, or credit card
  3. Integration options with property management software like DoorLoop

However, it's worth noting that QuickBooks lacks some of the property-specific features found in dedicated property management software.

AppFolio

AppFolio is a strong contender for mid-size to large property management businesses. It offers a comprehensive suite of features for both residential and commercial property management. Some of AppFolio's standout features include:

  1. Student housing property management capabilities
  2. Automated and AI-driven functionalities
  3. Robust accounting and financial reporting tools

AppFolio's software is impressive. It can manage rent and vacancies for individual beds in student housing. This means you don't have to change the lease for everyone in a unit.

Buildium

Buildium provides a complete property management solution with accounting features and comprehensive property management features included in all plan levels. This means you won't need to worry about syncing (and paying for) separate accounting software. Some key features of Buildium include:

  1. Rental listings and tenant screening
  2. Lease management and rent collection
  3. Property accounting and maintenance request handling
  4. Communication tools and a resident portal
  5. 1099 e-filing and listing syndication to platforms like Zillow

Buildium provides a free website with every plan. This helps you promote your property management business. You can list available units, accept applications, and communicate with residents.

Yardi Breeze

Yardi Breeze is an excellent option for mid-size and well-established businesses, particularly those managing commercial properties. It offers a wealth of features across accounting, accounts payable, maintenance, and rent collection. Some notable features include:

  1. Online tenant portal for bill viewing, payments, and maintenance requests
  2. Automated rent billing
  3. Tracking of maintenance work orders
  4. Workflow management for vendor payments

Yardi Breeze is easy to use. It has helpful training materials. This makes it a great choice for beginners in property management software.

When picking property management accounting software, think about your portfolio size, property types, and accounting needs. Choose software that fits your business requirements. Each of these options offers unique strengths, so take the time to evaluate which one aligns best with your business requirements.

Key Features to Look for

When picking property management bookkeeping software, focus on features that make financial tasks easier and improve decision-making processes. Here are some key features to consider:

Automated Income and Expense Tracking

Efficient financial management starts with automated income and expense tracking. Look for software that allows you to:

  1. Connect bank accounts securely for real-time transaction imports
  2. Categorize expenses automatically using real estate-specific categories
  3. Track mileage and other property-related expenses effortlessly

By automating these processes, you can save time, reduce errors, and ensure accurate financial records. For instance, some software options can help you save an average of $500 more per property per year compared to manual methods.

Financial Reporting

Comprehensive financial reporting is essential for making informed decisions about your property portfolio. Key features to look for include:

  1. Customizable reports by category, date range, and property
  2. Real-time dashboard for quick insights
  3. Profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports

These reports provide a transparent view of your portfolio's performance, enabling you to identify trends, recognize opportunities, and enhance profitability. Look for software that offers at least 15 accountant-approved reports designed specifically for landlords, including Schedule E reports.

Bank Reconciliation

Bank reconciliation is a critical step in ensuring the accuracy of your financial data. Opt for software that:

  1. Automates the reconciliation process
  2. Allows for easy comparison of bank statements with bookkeeping records
  3. Identifies discrepancies quickly

By streamlining this process, you can spot errors, typos, and missing entries that you might otherwise overlook. Some advanced software options even allow you to reconcile accounts on the go with just a tap of a button.

Trust Accounting

For property managers handling client funds, trust accounting capabilities are crucial. Look for software that:

  1. Maintains detailed records for each client
  2. Tracks all deposits and withdrawals from trust accounts
  3. Generates required reports, such as trust bank journals and trust balances by client matter

Trust accounting software ensures compliance with bar association regulations and simplifies the management of client funds. It also provides peace of mind by encrypting data and maintaining privacy.

Integration Capabilities

To maximize efficiency, choose software that integrates seamlessly with other tools and platforms. Key integration features include:

  1. Open API for custom integrations
  2. Compatibility with popular accounting software like QuickBooks
  3. Integration with property listing platforms, tenant screening services, and other popular property management platforms

These integrations can significantly reduce manual data entry and streamline your overall property management processes. For example, some software options allow you to integrate with external maintenance companies for seamless workflow management.

Select property management bookkeeping software that simplifies financial tasks. Look for software that provides useful insights to help you make better decisions. Focus on these key features when making your choice. Choose software that automates tasks, ensures compliance, and saves time for growing your property management business.

Choosing the Right Software for Your Business

Selecting the right property management bookkeeping software for your business involves several factors. Let's explore the key considerations to help you make an informed decision.

Portfolio Size Considerations

The size of your property portfolio significantly influences the type of software you need. Property management software costs can vary widely depending on the scale of your operations. Here's a general breakdown:

  1. Basic entry-level: Around USD 50.00 per month, ideal for small business landlords
  • Suitable for small portfolios
  • Essential features like listing management and task tracking
  1. Mid-range: USD 100.00 to USD 250.00 per month
  • More advanced functionality
  • Integrated payments and screening tools
  1. Enterprise: USD 500.00+ per month
  • Full array of built-in features
  • Customizations for large-scale property management

Before you decide on a system for your portfolio, make sure to list the key features you need for daily use and budget accordingly. Identifying the essential features you require for your daily operations before selecting a portfolio system is important. Budgeting accordingly is crucial when choosing a system for your portfolio.

Pricing Models

Property management software typically offers various pricing plans. These plans depend on the number of units, the features included, and the type of customer support available. Here's an overview of pricing for different property types:

  • Small landlords: USD 50.00 to USD 100.00 per month
  • Single-family homes: USD 100.00 to USD 250.00 per month
  • Apartments: USD 200.00 to USD 500.00+ per month
  • Short-term/vacation rentals: USD 100.00 to USD 250.00+ per month
  • Hotels: USD 3,000.00+ per month

Keep in mind that annual billing can often provide 10-15% savings over monthly plans, but be sure to check for any additional fees that may apply.

Ease of Use

If you're handling the bookkeeping yourself, you'll want accounting software that's intuitive and easy to use. Some companies provide extra training and support to help you learn quickly, even if it takes time at first.

Consider software with a clean and simple user interface that's not overloaded with unnecessary features. A clutter-free interface allows for better focus on essential tasks and can reduce the learning curve for you and your team.

Customer Support

When selecting software, prioritize options that offer reliable customer support channels, such as phone, email, or live chat. A good seller with great help can give you peace of mind and quickly solve any problems that come up.

Research customer reviews and testimonials to gain insights into the experiences of other users. This can give you a better understanding of the level of support you can expect from the software provider.

Scalability

Taking a long-term view of your business is essential when selecting accounting software. Instead of choosing the cheapest option, look for scalable software that can grow with your business.

Consider software that offers:

  1. An entry-level version suitable for your current needs
  2. A feature-rich version that can accommodate future expansion
  3. The ability to add additional features as your business grows

Scalable software allows your property portfolio to grow without needing new systems, saving you time and money over time.

To choose the best property management bookkeeping software for your business, consider a few key factors. First, think about the size of your portfolio.

Next, look at the pricing. Also, consider how easy the software is to use. Don't forget to check the customer support options.

Finally, think about whether the software can grow with your business. The aim is to find a solution that meets your needs now and can also adapt and grow with your business in the future.

Conclusion

Selecting the right property management software greatly affects how well your rental business operates and succeeds. The options we looked at help manage finances easily, including automatic income tracking and detailed reports.

Think about factors such as portfolio size, cost, ease of use, and growth potential. These will help you find a solution that fits your current needs. It should also be able to grow with your business.

The best software for you is one that makes your daily tasks easier and helps you make informed decisions. Whether you're a small landlord or managing a large portfolio, there's a tool out there to help you stay on top of your finances. By investing in the right software, you're setting yourself up to save time, reduce errors, and ultimately, boost your bottom line.

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