Bench vs QuickBooks [Which is Best for Your Business?]

Bench vs QuickBooks

We’ll delve into the features, pricing, pros, and cons of Bench vs QuickBooks to make your decision easier. Whether you’re a small business owner or just curious about financial tools, understanding the differences between Bench and QuickBooks will empower you to choose the best fit for your needs.

Let’s dive in and unveil the key aspects of these two popular platforms.

Overview of Bench and QuickBooks

Bench and QuickBooks are two prominent platforms that provide bookkeeping solutions, each catering to the distinct needs and preferences of businesses. Let’s delve into what makes each unique and essential for managing finances effectively.

Overview of Bench and QuickBooks

Bench is tailored for small businesses, offering a comprehensive bookkeeping service that combines intuitive software with real human bookkeepers. Founded in 2012, Bench simplifies financial management by organizing transactions, preparing monthly financial statements, and ensuring tax-ready financials.

Users securely connect their financial accounts, and a dedicated bookkeeper oversees the process, providing real-time financial insights. Bench emphasizes user-friendly access and year-round support, making it an attractive option for business owners who prefer a hands-off approach to bookkeeping.

QuickBooks, on the other hand, provides a range of services designed to assist small businesses in managing their finances. It offers two main services: Live Expert Assisted and Live Expert Full-Service Bookkeeping.

The Live Expert Assisted service connects users with certified bookkeepers for guidance, while users maintain control over their bookkeeping.

The Full-Service Bookkeeping option assigns a dedicated bookkeeper who manages the entire bookkeeping process, from initial setup to ongoing monthly tasks. QuickBooks bookkeepers are highly qualified, with certifications and relevant experience, ensuring businesses receive expert assistance.

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Key Features of Bench and QuickBooks

When comparing Bench and QuickBooks, it’s important to understand the unique features each offers. Both platforms are designed to simplify bookkeeping but cater to different needs. Let’s delve into what makes each of them stand out.

Key Features of Bench and QuickBooks

Bench Features

Bench offers a variety of features designed to simplify bookkeeping for small businesses. Here’s a comprehensive list of the main features:

FeatureDescription
Dedicated Bookkeeping TeamPersonal bookkeeping team providing direct support via desktop or mobile.
Monthly Financial StatementsRegular financial reports, including expense overviews.
Real-Time InsightsUpdated financial data accessible for quick decision-making.
Tax Preparation SupportYear-end tax filing package with an upgraded plan for year-round expert tax preparation and advisory.
Integration with Financial AccountsSecure connections to financial accounts for automatic transaction syncing via Plaid.
Catch Up BookkeepingServices to bring clients up-to-date on delayed bookkeeping.
Machine Learning TechnologyQuick and accurate financial data processing using machine learning.
File SharingEasy document and file uploads for bookkeeping purposes.
Expert ResourcesAccess to a library of resources for financial management and IRS requirements.

QuickBooks Features

QuickBooks is known for its robust set of features tailored to various business needs. Here’s a look at what QuickBooks offers:

ServiceDescription
Live Expert AssistedGuidance from QuickBooks-certified bookkeepers on categorization, automation, reconciliation, reporting, and workflow management.
Live Expert Full-Service BookkeepingComprehensive bookkeeping management with dedicated bookkeeper.
Cleanup/Setup PhaseSetting up chart of accounts, connecting banks, and cleaning up existing data.
Ongoing BookkeepingMonthly categorization of transactions and account reconciliation.
Preparation of Key Financial ReportsRegular profit and loss statements and balance sheets.
Expertise and CredentialsBookkeepers certified as QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor/Advanced ProAdvisor with 3+ years of experience.
Additional ServicesUnlimited expert help for tax preparation, with optional filing by a TurboTax expert. Callback support is available.

By understanding these key features, you can better decide which platform aligns with your business needs.

Bench vs QuickBooks Use Cases and Suitability

Deciding between Bench and QuickBooks can be tricky. To help you out, let’s explore when each platform shines. We’ll look at specific scenarios that make one a better choice over the other.

Bench vs QuickBooks Use Cases and Suitability

When to Use Bench?

Bench is ideal in certain scenarios:

  • Small Businesses: If you run a small business and need straightforward bookkeeping, Bench is a solid choice.
  • Limited Accounting Knowledge: For those who aren’t familiar with accounting, Bench simplifies the process with its user-friendly interface and dedicated bookkeepers.
  • Monthly Financial Statements: Businesses that require monthly financial statements and tax-ready financials will find Bench beneficial.
  • Outsourcing Needs: If you prefer to outsource your bookkeeping entirely, Bench’s dedicated team can handle everything for you.

When to Use QuickBooks?

QuickBooks suits different needs:

  • Growing Businesses: If your business is expanding, QuickBooks offers scalable solutions that can grow with you.
  • DIY Approach: For those who prefer a hands-on approach and have some accounting knowledge, QuickBooks provides powerful tools to manage finances.
  • Extensive Integrations: Businesses needing extensive integration with other software will find QuickBooks highly compatible.
  • Detailed Financial Tracking: If you need detailed tracking and advanced reporting, QuickBooks offers robust features to meet these needs.

By understanding these use cases, you can make a more informed decision on whether Bench or QuickBooks is the right fit for your business.

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Pricing Comparison

When it comes to choosing between Bench and QuickBooks, understanding their pricing structures is crucial. Both offer a range of plans to cater to different needs, but they approach pricing differently. Let’s break down the costs associated with each to help you make an informed decision.

Bench Pricing

Bench offers two main plans, each with monthly and annual billing options:

  • Bookkeeping Plan:
    • Annually: $249/month
    • Monthly: $299/month
    • Includes dedicated bookkeeping experts, accurate monthly books, year-end tax-ready financial packages, profit and loss reports, balance sheets, 1099 reporting, and unlimited communication with your bookkeeping team.
  • Bookkeeping & Tax Plan:
    • Annually: $399/month
    • Monthly: $499/month
    • Includes everything in the Bookkeeping Plan, plus a dedicated team of licensed tax professionals for timely income tax filing, and annual income tax filing for businesses, and individuals.

QuickBooks Pricing

QuickBooks provides several tiered plans, with each offering a variety of features:

  • Simple Start:
    • $17.50/month for the first 3 months, then $35/month
    • Includes income and expenses tracking, banking with 5% APY, bookkeeping automation, invoices, payments, tax deductions, general reports, receipt capture, mileage tracking, cash flow, and sales tax management.
  • Essentials:
    • $32.50/month for the first 3 months, then $65/month
    • Adds enhanced reports, multiple currencies, and bill management, supporting up to 3 users.
  • Plus:
    • $49.50/month for the first 3 months, then $99/month
    • Offers comprehensive reports, inventory management, project profitability, and supports up to 5 users.
  • Advanced:
    • $117.50/month for the first 3 months, then $235/month
    • Provides powerful reports, financial planning tools, and supports up to 25 users.

By comparing these plans, you can determine which service aligns better with your business needs and budget.

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Pros and Cons of Bench

Assessing the pros and cons of Bench can help you decide which bookkeeping solution suits your needs best.

ProsCons
Dedicated bookkeeping teamLimited customization
Monthly financial statementsHigher cost
Tax preparation supportNot ideal for complex needs
Real-time insights

Pros and Cons of QuickBooks Live

Assessing the pros and cons of QuickBooks can help you decide which bookkeeping solution suits your needs best.

ProsCons
Comprehensive FeaturesLearning Curve
User-Friendly InterfaceCostly Upgrades
Scalable SolutionsOccasional Software Issues
Integration Capabilities

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User Experience

When it comes to user experience, Bench and QuickBooks each offer unique advantages. Let’s explore how their interfaces and customer support services compare, making it easier for you to decide which might be the best fit for your needs.

Interface and Usability

  • Bench: Bench prides itself on having a clean, intuitive interface. Users find it straightforward to navigate, with financial data presented clearly. The dashboard is user-friendly, allowing easy access to essential features without feeling overwhelmed.
  • Monthly financial statements and real-time insights are just a click away, making it simple to stay on top of your finances.
  • QuickBooks: QuickBooks offers a comprehensive interface designed to cater to various accounting needs. Though it can be more complex due to its extensive features, users appreciate the robust capabilities it provides.
  • The platform offers detailed customization options, enabling businesses to tailor the interface to their specific requirements. The learning curve can be a bit steeper, but once familiar, users benefit from its powerful tools.

Customer Support

  • Bench: Bench provides exceptional customer support, with a dedicated bookkeeping team assigned to each client. This team is accessible via desktop or mobile, offering personalized assistance tailored to your business needs.
  • Bench also ensures that users have year-round support, not just during tax season, making it a reliable choice for ongoing financial management.
  • QuickBooks: QuickBooks offers substantial customer support, especially with its Live Bookkeeping service. Users have access to QuickBooks-certified bookkeepers who provide guidance and support during business hours.
  • QuickBooks offers various resources and callback options for extra assistance, ensuring that help is available when needed. This makes it a solid option for those who require frequent expert advice.

Conclusion

Both Bench and QuickBooks offer robust bookkeeping solutions, each catering to different business needs. Bench excels with its dedicated bookkeeping services, making it ideal for small businesses seeking hands-on support.

QuickBooks, on the other hand, provides a versatile platform with extensive features suitable for those who prefer more control over their financial management. Choosing between Bench and QuickBooks ultimately depends on your specific requirements and preferences.

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