When a general contractor discovers that their latest project is 15% over budget three months into construction, the problem often traces back to inadequate financial tracking. Traditional accounting software treats construction like any other business, missing the nuances of job-based costing, retainage management, and percentage-of-completion accounting. Sage Intacct Construction can help mitigate these blind spots by providing construction-specific financial management tools that give project teams the visibility they need to stay profitable and compliant.
Here are ten compelling reasons why construction-focused accounting software makes the difference between projects that drain resources and those that generate sustainable profits.
- Purpose-Built for Construction Industry Needs
- Real-Time Financial Visibility Across All Projects
- Advanced Job Costing and Project Tracking
- Native Cloud Architecture with Built-in Security
- Comprehensive Compliance Management
- Integrated Construction Management Platform
- Powerful Reporting and Business Intelligence
- Streamlined Accounts Payable and Receivable
- Extensive Integration Capabilities
- Industry-Recognized Construction Accounting Software with Proven Results
1. Purpose-Built for Construction Industry Needs
Sage Intacct Construction was developed specifically for construction companies, not adapted from generic business software. The platform understands the complexities of job costing, percentage-of-completion accounting, and project-based billing that construction firms deal with daily. This focus translates into features like automated WIP management, commitment compliance tracking, and multi-dimensional reporting that generic accounting software cannot provide.
The system handles construction-specific processes like retainage tracking, certified payroll management, and draw requests without requiring workarounds or third-party add-ons. Construction companies can track labor costs by trade, monitor equipment usage across jobs, and generate AIA billing formats directly from the system.
2. Real-Time Financial Visibility Across All Projects
Project managers and executives need immediate access to financial data to make informed decisions. Sage Intacct Construction provides real-time visibility into job costs, profit margins, and project performance through customizable dashboards accessible from any device.
The platform automatically updates financial data as transactions occur, eliminating delays between field activities and financial reporting. Project teams can view current costs against budgets, identify potential overruns early, and adjust resources accordingly. This immediate access to data helps construction companies maintain profitability and meet project deadlines.
3. Advanced Job Costing and Project Tracking
Accurate job costing forms the foundation of construction profitability. Sage Intacct Construction offers comprehensive job costing capabilities that track all project expenses including labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor costs. The system automatically allocates costs to specific jobs and cost codes, providing granular visibility into project expenses.
The platform supports unlimited cost codes and phases, allowing companies to track costs at whatever level of detail they require. Project managers can compare actual costs against budgets in real-time, identify variances quickly, and take corrective action before issues impact profitability. The system also tracks productivity metrics and rates, helping teams optimize performance on future projects.
4. Native Cloud Architecture with Built-in Security
As the first native-cloud construction accounting solution, Sage Intacct Construction offers advantages that on-premises or hosted solutions cannot match. The true cloud architecture means automatic updates, no maintenance downtime, and access from anywhere with an internet connection.
Security features include enterprise-grade data encryption, role-based access controls, and regular security audits. Construction companies benefit from automatic backup and disaster recovery capabilities without maintaining their own IT infrastructure. The cloud platform scales automatically to accommodate business growth without requiring hardware investments.
5. Comprehensive Compliance Management
Construction companies must navigate complex compliance requirements including certified payroll, prevailing wage laws, and vendor compliance tracking. Sage Intacct Construction includes built-in compliance management tools that automate many of these processes.
The system tracks vendor certifications, insurance expiration dates, and compliance documentation automatically. Certified payroll processing ensures accurate wage calculations and simplifies government reporting requirements. This automation reduces compliance risks and saves administrative time compared to manual tracking methods.
6. Integrated Construction Management Platform
Sage Intacct Construction includes Sage Construction Management at no additional cost, providing an end-to-end solution for preconstruction, project management, and financial operations. This integration eliminates data silos between field operations and financial management.
The combined platform handles everything from lead tracking and estimating through project closeout and final billing. Field teams can submit time and materials directly into the system, automatically updating job costs and billing information. This seamless data flow improves accuracy and reduces duplicate data entry across departments.
7. Powerful Reporting and Business Intelligence
The platform offers extensive reporting capabilities with pre-built construction industry reports and the flexibility to create custom reports. Multi-dimensional reporting allows users to analyze data by job, customer, location, trade, or any other relevant criteria.
Built-in business intelligence tools help construction companies identify trends, compare project performance, and forecast future results. Reports can be automated and distributed to stakeholders regularly, ensuring everyone has access to current information. The system supports both summary-level executive reporting and detailed operational reports for project managers.
8. Streamlined Accounts Payable and Receivable
Construction companies typically manage numerous vendors and complex billing arrangements. Sage Intacct Construction automates many AP and AR processes, reducing manual work and improving cash flow management.
The system handles progress billing, retainage tracking, and lien waiver management automatically. Vendor payments can be processed electronically, and the platform tracks all project-related expenses against budgets. These features help companies maintain positive cash flow and reduce administrative overhead.
9. Extensive Integration Capabilities
While Sage Intacct Construction provides comprehensive functionality, it also integrates seamlessly with other construction software. Popular integrations include Procore, Autodesk, TimberScan, and many specialized construction applications.
These integrations allow companies to choose best-of-breed solutions while maintaining data consistency across systems. Open APIs enable custom integrations with proprietary or industry-specific software. This flexibility ensures companies can optimize their technology stack without sacrificing integration.
10. Industry-Recognized Construction Accounting Software with Proven Results
Over 50,000 construction companies trust Sage with their financial management needs. The platform has received multiple industry awards including #1 Project-based ERP Software from G2 and recognition as the first and only AICPA-preferred accounting solution.
Customer success stories demonstrate tangible results including up to 25% increased profit margins, 25-50% reduction in month-end close time, and 20-40% improvements in work efficiency. These proven results come from companies of all sizes across various construction specialties including general contractors, specialty contractors, and developers.
Ready to transform your construction accounting processes? Contact us today to learn how we can help optimize your financial operations with Sage Intacct Construction. Our team provides expert guidance on implementation, best practices, and ongoing support to ensure your construction company maximizes the benefits of this powerful platform while focusing on what you do best – building successful projects.
Jo-Anne Williams Barnes, is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) holding a Master’s of Science in Accounting (MSA) and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). Additionally, she holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting from the University of Baltimore and is a seasoned accounting professional with several years of experience in the field of managing financial records for non-profits, small, medium, and large businesses. Jo-Anne is a certified Sage Intacct Accounting and Implementation Specialist, a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor, an AICPA Not-for-Profit Certificate II holder, and Standard for Excellence Licensed Consultant. Additionally, Jo-Anne is a member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountant (AICPA), Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA), and Greater Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants (GWSCPA) where she continues to keep abreast on the latest industry trends and changes.