- BQE Software: BQE CORE is an all-in-one firm management platform for accounting, billing and invoicing, payroll, CRM, project management, resource planning, time and expense tracking, and reporting.
- Deltek: Deltek offers project lifecycle software for project based businesses, including cloud ERP, opportunity intelligence, and tools to manage projects from planning through delivery and analysis.
- JAMIS: JAMIS offers cloud ERP products including project accounting and finance, time and expense management, contract management, reporting, budgeting, resource planning, CRM, purchasing, inventory, and asset management.
How to choose
Start with the way your firm works. A project accounting system should handle your contract types, billing rules, labor categories, and reporting needs without forcing staff to keep a parallel spreadsheet for routine work. Map one typical project from proposal through closeout, including change orders and subconsultant costs. Ask vendors to show that workflow using realistic examples from your firm.
Fit matters at both ends of the organization. A system built for a much larger company may require more administration than a small firm can support. A basic package may fall short if you manage several offices, complex contracts, or public work. Check which functions are included in the proposed edition and which require separate modules or outside services.
Review the contract as carefully as the demo. Confirm the term, renewal notice period, permitted fee changes, data export format, support hours, and what happens to your records if you leave. Ask who owns configuration work and what counts as extra work. Get those answers in writing.
Integration can make or break adoption. List the tools you already use for payroll, time entry, document storage, and design work. Ask what data moves automatically, how often it syncs, and who resolves errors. Plan for training time by role, not just one general session. Your project managers and accounting staff may need different instruction. Check references from firms of similar size and practice mix; ask what implementation took from staff week to week.
For public projects, confirm whether the system supports required state or agency forms, reporting, and approvals in the jurisdictions where you work. Requirements vary. Have the vendor demonstrate the specific process your firm must follow.
- Which contract types, billing rules, and change-order steps can you demonstrate with our examples?
- What firm size and project mix is this setup designed for, and what functions require add-ons?
- Which of our current tools have tested integrations, and how are sync errors handled?
- What training and staff time should we plan for each role during setup and after launch?
- Can we speak with similar firms, and can you show support for our applicable state or agency requirements?
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