7 Best Farm Accounting Software in 2021

There is a large choice of accounting software tailored to the agricultural business. To determine the finest software for your farm, we looked at a combination of online and desktop accounting software designed expressly for farming and ranching, as well as the top general accounting products.

While QuickBooks is a popular option among farmers and ranchers, there are a few more farm-specific accounting programs worth considering:

• For farmers and ranchers, QuickBooks Online is the best overall accounting software (3.91 out of 5 points)
• FarmBooks is the best option for farmers searching for the most cost-effective farm software (3.64 out of 5 points)
• EasyFarm is the best option for self-employed farmers who don’t know how to manage their own records. (3.29 out of a possible 5 points)
• Internal finance and accounting professionals should choose Agriculture Accounting at CenterPoint since it is the best farm-specific accounting software available (3.38 out of 5 points)
• QuickBooks Desktop: The best desktop program for farmers who deal with their own bookkeeper or tax preparer (3.34 out of 5 points)
• The Farmer’s Office: The best program for farmers and ranchers to keep precise expense records (3.23 out of 5)
• Wave: The best free accounting software for farmers who want to keep track of their earnings and costs (2.48 points out of 5)

The Methods We Used to Evaluate Farm Accounting Software

We compared farm accounting software based on pricing and functionality, such as the ability to monitor cash transactions, handle overdue bills, and do basic bookkeeping. We looked for software that could handle farm-specific accounting activities including generating cost centers to measure profit and loss by individual farm unit, managing inventory goods like feed and grain, and preparing payroll reports for farm staff. We also looked at how easy a program is to use, how much support it has, and what integration possibilities it has. Pricing, simplicity of use, general features, farm features, and expert review are the five elements that we used to make our decision.

20% of the overall score

Some high-priced software has few features, while others with inexpensive costs provide excellent support and services. We take into account not just the original price, but also subsequent charges such as maintenance fees, add-ons, and additional user prices.

20% of the overall score

Because most farmers have no prior expertise with accounting, ease of use is critical. Even without the help of a professional bookkeeper, the finest accounting software is simple to set up and use.

20% of the overall score

Important general bookkeeping features, such as the capacity to monitor assets and liabilities, handle overdue invoices, and accept online payments, should be included in industry-specific accounting software.

20% of the overall score

Farm features are worth 20% of the total since they are just as significant as general accounting elements. Cost centers or businesses measure profit and loss by herd, field, or other activities, agricultural inventory management, and fixed-asset accounting are some of the farm-specific elements.

20% of the overall score

Our Expert Evaluation is a subjective assessment based on the price, technical specifications, performance, functionality, simplicity of use, and supplier support.

QuickBooks Online

PROS

• Obtain access to your bank and credit card accounts.
• For thorough revenue and spending monitoring, use class and location tracking to construct cost centers or businesses.
• In the small company accounting sector, the best general accounting features include

CONS

• There are no farm management features available.
• A unique subscription is required for each farm.
• A charge for payroll is required.
• For small farmers on a tight budget, the cost is prohibitive.

Total Points 3.91 OUT OF 5

Expert Recommendation

Because it contains exceptional general accounting capabilities that can be readily adjusted for farm operations, QuickBooks Online is our recommendation for the best overall accounting software for farmers. While it isn’t designed specifically for farms out of the box, it is simple to build up classes and locations to manage revenue and expenses by cost centers and businesses. Use project tracking to monitor minor elements of a company, such as breeding stock or fields, to go even more comprehensive. You may receive assistance setting up your books from a huge network of QuickBooks Online ProAdvisors, and you can also share your books with your accountant to make tax time much easier. Its robust mobile application is popular among busy farmers who need to maintain and monitor their books on the move. QuickBooks Online is so adaptable that it can be tailored to almost any kind of company, making it our top choice among the best accounting software for small companies.

Pricing

• For a single user, the cost is $25 per month.
• $50 per month for three users is the bare minimum.
• Plus, for five people, it’s just $80 per month.
• Advanced: $180 per month for a group of 25 people.

Advanced features such as revenue and cost monitoring by class and location, inventory tracking, and budget management, as well as the number of reports provided, vary across the subscriptions.

For $45 per month plus $4 per extra employee, you may add payroll to any plan.

QuickBooks is presently offering a 50% discount for the first three months, as well as a 30-day free trial without requiring a credit card.

FarmBooks

Farm-specific software at an affordable price

PROS

• Personal and agricultural costs should be paid from the same bank account.
• Even non-bookkeepers will find it simple to use.
• Accounts and reports that are tailored to your needs
• Free payroll processing is included.

CONS

• A separate charge is required for each farm.
• No way to link bank accounts
• There is no mobile application.
• It’s difficult to disclose financial records with an accountant or tax advisor.

Total Points 3.64 OUT OF 5

Expert Recommendation

FarmBooks is the ideal solution if you require full-featured farm accounting software but are on a low budget. The training is tailored to farmers and ranch managers who have no prior expertise with accounting. For less than $400, you may receive all of the essential capabilities for managing farm and nonfarm transactions. It contains a chart of accounts developed specifically for farmers, as well as unique reports, so you can get started quickly even if you don’t have any accounting experience. FarmBooks’ primary disadvantage is that each farm needs a separate cost, therefore it may not be the greatest option for farmers with many farm sites. FarmBooks is still our most economical farm accounting software for the agricultural market, despite this flaw.

Pricing

• A single farm costs $395, plus an annual maintenance charge of $85

EasyFarm

It’s best for self-employed farmers who don’t know how to maintain track of their finances.

PROS

• Features that are both powerful and simple to utilize
• Aids in the management of crops and animals.
• Data entering is simplified thanks to unique input panels.
• Possess the ability to handle both agricultural and personal money.

CONS

• When compared to comparable applications, it is a little pricey.
• Without the accounts receivable add-on, you won’t be able to issue or monitor invoices.
• The mobile app functionality is limited.
• There are no automated bank feeds.

Total Points 3.29 OUT OF 5

Expert Recommendation

Farmers who keep their farm and personal cash in the same account will benefit from EasyFarm. EasyFarm earned a position on our list because it is simple to use and has all of the functionality that farmers need to keep track of their finances. It also provides farm management skills, such as crop and animal management, in addition to its substantial farm accounting functions. The application emphasizes its one-input system for simple data entry, which is a big plus for farmers who don’t have much expertise with accounting. EasyFarm isn’t the cheapest farm accounting software on the market, but it’ll save you money in the long run.

Pricing

• $509 for EasyFarm 8.3 Lite
• $595 for EasyFarm 8.3 Plus
• $800 for EasyFarm Pro Livestock
• $800 for EasyFarm Pro Crops
• $1,100 for EasyFarm Premier

Advanced functions, such as crop and field data management and a livestock manager, are included in higher-cost subscriptions.

Modules that may be added on:

• Inventory Management Software for Cooperatives: $159
• A/R (Accounts Receivable): $169
• $229 in oil sales and royalties paid out
• $339 for the EasyFarmHand mobile app
• $595 Crop and Field Manager

CenterPoint Accounting for Agriculture

Agribusinesses with in-house accountants will benefit the most.

PROS

• It may be implemented on-premises or in the cloud.
• Capabilities for budgeting and forecasting
• There’s also a tool for analyzing crop productivity.
• A ratio module is included for a more thorough investigation.

CONS

• There are no upfront costs.
• Experience in bookkeeping is required.
• There is no accounting app for mobile devices.
• The regular subscription has a limited amount of A/R.

Total Points 3.38 OUT OF 5

Expert Recommendation

Red Wing Software’s CenterPoint Accounting for Agriculture is suitable if you have an in-house accounting, finance, or tax specialist. It comes with a robust set of financial management and automation tools, as well as robust budgeting and forecasting capabilities, making it an excellent solution for multi-site and multi-crop operations. It also includes tools for production analysis and ratio analysis, which are quite useful for assessing the strengths and weaknesses of your agricultural operations. Most other accounting software does not have these capabilities. The program may be deployed locally or on the cloud. CenterPoint Accounting for Ag, on the other hand, does not provide its price information, so it might be costly, particularly for small farmers. Nonetheless, it’s a flexible piece of software that may be quite useful for agricultural businesses looking to expand.

Pricing

You must contact Red Wing Software for pricing details. Before you purchase, you may join up for a free personal demo.

QuickBooks Desktop

Farmers with their own bookkeepers or tax preparers will benefit the most.

PROS

• Accounting features that are unmatched in the industry
• QuickBooks ProAdvisors in a large network
• It’s possible to tailor it to your farm’s needs.
• Capacity for comprehensive reporting

CONS

• It may be inconvenient to use.
• Installation is required for the desktop application.
• A charge for payroll is required.
• There is no mobile application.

Total Points 3.34 OUT OF 5

Expert Recommendation

QuickBooks Desktop is a cost-effective but comprehensive accounting program that can be tailored to meet the needs of any company, including agricultural operations. Farmers can typically get by with QuickBooks Desktop Pro, but those who require forecasting or complex project costing should upgrade to QuickBooks Premier. QuickBooks Desktop is a wonderful on-premise program for farmers who don’t have or have a sluggish internet connection. Creating an Accountant’s Copy that allows them to make modifications to your books is a simple way to share your books with an external accountant or certified public accountant (CPA) around tax time.

Pricing

• $399 for Pro (one-time purchase).
• Pro Plus (Subscription): For a single user, the price starts at $299.99.
• $649 Premier (One-Time Purchase)
• Premier Plus (Subscription): For a single user, the price starts at $499.99.

Upgrade to Enterprise 2.0 for $1,275 if your farm has more than five users. QuickBooks Enterprise can handle up to 30 users at the same time.

QuickBooks is presently offering a discount of 33% for the first year of a subscription, as well as a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Datatech’s Farmer’s Office

Farmers and ranchers will find it most useful for detailed cost accounting.

PROS

• An A/R module is included for sending and tracking invoices.
• Cost centers are used to track revenue and costs.
• System for pesticide application reporting and chemical inventory
• Payroll for agriculture is included.

CONS

• Installation is required for desktop applications.
• There are no upfront costs.
• Knowledge of accounting is required.
• Importing bank account transactions is not possible.

Total Points 3.23 OUT OF 5

Expert Recommendation

Datatech’s Farmer’s Office has expanded cost accounting functions, which are critical for farm planning and decision-making. Crop budgeting, equipment pricing, crop-year monitoring, and consolidated reporting are among the functions available. The Farmer’s Office analyzes your revenue and costs depending on particular parts of your farm, such as fields and herds, using cost centers or businesses. It also contains pesticide application reporting and chemical inventory systems, which assist farmers to prevent overusing pesticides and chemicals. Farm managers can better manage their farm staff’s wages and deductions by using the customizable payroll capabilities.

Pricing

The Farmer’s Office is available in two editions: Standard and Enterprise. Before purchasing, you should contact the seller for price information or obtain a free evaluation copy.

Wave

PROS

• Free
• Simple to use
• It may be accessed from any location.
• Import financial activities automatically

CONS

• There are no farm management features available.
• Outstanding checks are not allowed in bank reconciliations.
• Larger farms may not be a suitable match.
• The chart of accounts is not tailored to the agricultural industry.

Total Points 2.90 OUT OF 5

Expert Recommendation

Wave will assist you with the key responsibilities of monitoring revenue and spending for your tax return if you are a small farmer who cannot afford accounting software. It doesn’t have any farm-specific capabilities and can only monitor overall revenue and expenses, not per field or herd. It’s free and simple to use, and you may link as many bank accounts and credit cards as you like. Accounts payable (A/P), receipt scanning, and contact management are all useful functions. The features are minimal, but they are enough for gathering tax return data.

Conclusion

We feel QuickBooks Online is the finest overall accounting software for farmers and ranchers because it provides excellent accounting capabilities and flexibility, a fair price, is simple to use and has a lot of assistance from both QuickBooks and independent ProAdvisors. Its sophisticated mobile app, in particular, deserves praise for its capacity to monitor overdue payments and distribute revenue and expenditures to operations such as farms or herds.

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