Design firms and architecture practices have unique financial needs: tracking time against projects, billing clients for both fixed-fee and time-and-materials work, managing expenses, and staying compliant with VAT and HMRC reporting. Here are four accounting platforms that are particularly well-suited to architects based in the UK, each offering different strengths, depending on your firm size, complexity, or workflow.
1. SAGE INTACCT
Most suitable for: Medium-to-large sized architecture firms (or those managing multiple offices or complex billing), Sage Intacct offers powerful project accounting, automation, and real-time financial visibility. Intacct offers specific benefits for architects such as:
- Project-based profitability tracking, work-in-progress (WIP), and multi-phase billing.
- Making Tax Digital (MTD) compliant for simpler, accurate tax filing and management.
- Automated time, expense approvals, and billing.
- Multi-entity consolidations, great if your firm has several legal units or branches.
- Real-time dashboards and financial reports to keep partners or practice leads informed.
Sage Intacct is ideal for larger practices or growing firms needing advanced financial controls, automation, and real-time insights.
Explore Sage Intacct in our 10 Minute Overview Video
Discover why Professional Service providers are choosing Sage Intacct in our brief overview.
2. Xero
Most suitable for: Small-to-medium architecture practices that need flexibility and strong integration with other design or time-tracking tools. Xero is cloud-based, simple to use, and offers project accounting tools. The UK-specific version supports MTD, making VAT filing easier. Xero enables you to:
- Track project costs and profitability in real time.
- Invoice clients efficiently, manage cash flow, and reconcile bank transactions automatically.
- Integrate with time-tracking and project-management apps tailored for design firms.
- Access the system via the cloud.
3. QuickBooks Online
Most suitable for: Small firm owners who want a balance of flexibility, strong support, and familiar accounting features. a specialised tool tailored to design firms and prefer a single app for time, billing, and reporting. QuickBooks is a widely-used platform that balances power with ease of use. QBO allows you to:
- Track income, expenses and project costs using class or category tracking, helpful for project-by-project profitability.
- Track time via mobile app, useful for recording hours out of the office.
- Manage MTD for compliance with UK regulations.
4. FreeAgent
Most suitable for: Freelance architects or small studios that want clean, straightforward accounting without too much complexity. FreeAgent is user-friendly, UK MTD-compliant, and ideal for those needing to:
- Track time, manage expenses, and automate invoicing on the go via a mobile app.
- Submit VAT through the platform.
- Gain a clear picture of cash flow, profitability, and financial health.
- Integrate with other systems via API or third party partners if needed.
Choosing the Right Accounting Solution for your Practice
When selecting an accounting solution for your architecture firm, points to consider include:
- The size of your practice: Freelancers vs larger multi-staff firms
- Billing model: Hourly, fixed-fee, or hybrid
- Complexity of projects: Are you managing multiple projects, phases or entities?
- Integration needs: Do you use time-tracking, project management or design tools?
- Growth plans: Will your accounting needs scale as your firm grows?
Choosing the solution that aligns with your firm’s workflow, goals, and financial structure will position your business well, financially and creatively. For start-ups, FreeAgent or Xero are great lightweight options, while QuickBooks Online remains a reliable, well-known choice with flexibility. For more complex practices and those with multiple entities (or expansion plans), Sage Intacct provides the project accounting and advanced automation you need.
Find out more about Sage Intacct + Acuity24
Acuity24 have over 25 years of Sage accounting solutions expertise, which we use to help customers migrate seamlessly to Sage Intacct and Sage X3 with the support of our talented, dedicated team. We also offer:
- Flexible payment options (including Direct Debit and milestone billing).
- Fixed price services (no additional costs even if the project runs over).
- Free training and resources helping you get the most out of your investment.
See what our customers say and the benefits they’ve achieved since upgrading to Sage Intacct or Sage X3; VIEW OUR CASE STUDIES HERE.
