If you are a plumber running your own business or operating as a sole trader you understand how important accurate bookkeeping and tax filings are. But if, like most plumbers, you still do your books manually you also know how time-consuming and tedious that can be. In fact, accounting and tax filing can take up so much time it may seem like a second job. But it doesn't have to be that way.
Accounting software for plumbers can greatly simplify your life while ensuring more accurate books and freeing up time for more important things, like spending more time with your family. In this guide, we will look at your best software options, list the features you should look for in accounting software and answer some Frequently Asked Questions about accounting software for plumbers.
Why Do I Need Accounting Software?
Keeping track of your finances is a paramount concern for any sole trader or SME owner. If you are not meticulous in your bookkeeping, a simple error could lead to the generation of unreliable financial reports or worse, erroneous tax filings that bring you to the attention of government auditors and can lead to fines and added interest.
The right accounting software can minimise or even eliminate errors, save mountains of time and reduce your exposure to audits. But not every accounting software app is the right one for plumbers. You’ll want one that is designed with the unique needs of sole traders and craftsmen in mind. Not one designed for multinational businesses.
There are a lot of accounting software packages available these days. So it’s important you choose one that has the right feature set.
Features to Look for in Accounting Software for Plumbers
The accounting needs of sole traders and other small businesses are different from the accounting needs of a company like BP. So it doesn't make any sense to use an accounting programme designed for large companies if you are self-employed. You’ll want something compatible with your type of business that checks the following feature boxes.
Invoicing
Accounting software for plumbers should enable you to generate professional quality invoices with just a few taps of your smartphone screen. You should also be able to customise those invoices to some extent by adding your logo or other branding details. And you should be able to send your invoice electronically directly from your mobile device. An easy-to-use invoicing feature will save you a lot of time and should lead to you getting paid faster.
Job Costing
It’s imperative that plumbers are able to keep track of costs associated with the work they do. The right accounting software for plumbers will make it easy for you to record the costs of each job and also allow you to access those records quickly and easily. Having this information readily available through your smartphone at any time will allow you to determine which jobs are profitable and which are becoming money pits. This kind of information will enable you to do a better job estimating costs going forward.
Expense Tracking
Being able to accurately track expenses related to each job is also crucial if you are to ensure profitability. Whatever accounting software you ultimately choose, it should allow for simple expense tracking for each project. Taken together, expense tracking and job costing will provide a reliable way to keep track of where your money is going so you can identify waste and increase profitability.
Financial Reporting
High-quality accounting software for plumbers will make it easy to generate accurate financial reports, and we all know how important reliable financial reporting is. The best accounting software for plumbers will have a clean, intuitive interface that enables easy financial reporting and allows you to review your financial situation in real-time right from your smartphone. This same feature will make it easy for you to identify trends and measure your current performance against historical benchmarks.
Customisation
Customisation includes being able to imbue the software and its output with your specific branding cues. And the best accounting software for plumbers will certainly allow you to do that. But customisation goes beyond simply being able to add a logo to your invoices. It also allows you to alter the features, layout and some of the functionality to more closely suit your needs.
Scalability
Some plumbers have carved out a comfortable niche for themselves and have no plans to expand beyond their current customer base and workload. And that’s fine. Others, however, want to expand their customer base, grow their business and take on employees. The best accounting software for plumbers should be completely scalable, so you can grow without having to change your accounting software as you do.
Security
Anytime financial information is involved you need to make sure the software you’re using to collect and process that information offers rock-solid security including the latest data encryption protocols and state-of-the-art access controls. Think long and hard about who you allow to access your accounting software, though. Only those with a compelling need to gain access should have it.
In addition, anyone who collects personal data from others during the course of their business needs to ensure that data is processed in line with the UK GDPR’s requirements. If the accounting software you are considering is not GDPR-compliant you should give it a pass.
Making the Transition from Manual to Digital Accounting
If your plumbing business still relies on manual accounting it’s time to embrace an easier, more effective way. Accounting software for plumbers offers a long list of advantages over manual accounting that manifest most obviously in the amount of time you save and the quality and reliability of the resulting financial products.
Moreover, self-employed workers with an annual income over £50,000 will be legally obligated to follow the government’s Making Tax Digital requirements (so must select a personal tax software for recording everything digitally going forwards). From 2027, these rules will also apply to self-employed workers with an annual income of over £30,000.
Accounting and tax software is not some type of social media fad. It is a verifiably better way of doing things that will allow you to automate all your most mundane bookkeeping tasks, while at the same time enabling you to stay on top of accounts due and make more reliable long-term plans. And if you have your eye focused on growth, the best accounting software for plumbers will grow with you every step of the way.
When you embrace digital accounting for your plumbing business you’ll free up time, lower your stress level and make quick work of tax filings that used to keep you awake at night.
The Top 5 Accounting Software Programmes for Plumbers
Now that we have a better idea of why plumbers need accounting software and what separates the leading accounting software for plumbers from the also-rans, let's look at the 5 top accounting software programs currently on the market. Here’s a quick overview of each software and their features:
1: Pie
Pie represents the state-of-the-art when it comes to accounting software for plumbers, sole traders and other SMEs. Pie provides all the latest tax information, updated in real-time, via a clear and easy-to-learn dashboard/interface tailored for use on smartphones. Pie can transform your mobile phone into the nexus of your bookkeeping and tax filing efforts, enabling quick and easy data entry and automatic consolidation of your financial information.
With Pie, you are not bogged down or confused by a plethora of features meant for gigantic companies that are of no use to you. That's because Pie was designed with the sole trader and small business person in mind. At the same time, you enjoy the exact same level of data security and GDPR compliance you would expect from programmes aimed at the largest UK companies.
Pie features include:
- Automatic programme updates
- Full bookkeeping capability
- Invoice generation
- Ability to work with multiple income streams
- Direct submission to HMRC
- Seamless integration with your bank account.
- Real-time tax figures.
- Expert support and advice.
Pie are a CIMA-qualified accountancy practice that is approved and recommended by HMRC. They’ve brought every bit of their expertise to bear on the process of creating their accounting software for plumbers, and you are the one who benefits.
Pie offer a 60-day free trial of their software. After that you have your choice of the Essential Plan at £6.99 per month, or the Premium Plan at £9.99 per month. Click here to learn more about the two pricing plans.
2: QuickBooks
QuickBooks was launched 40 years ago at a time when competition in the world of accounting software was virtually non-existent. As such they were able to create the type of name recognition and market penetration few companies ever achieve. But they would not have succeeded if their product was not up to the task.
QuickBooks features include:
- Cloud accounting
- Easy invoicing
- Integration with your online banking
- Financial reporting
- Cash flow management
- Time tracking
- Free unlimited support
QuickBooks has various pricing plans available, including:
- Self-Employed - £10 per month
- Simple Start - £14 per month
- Essentials - £24 per month
- Plus - £34 per month
- Advanced - £70 per month
3: FreshBooks:
Freshbooks is a good option for sole traders who do not have much experience doing their own books. Maybe they just set up their business. Or maybe they just let their accountant go to cut expenses. In any case, you will find FreshBooks’ feature set to be just what the doctor ordered for plumbers looking to spend less time bookkeeping and more time making money.
FreshBooks features include:
- In-app estimates and proposals
- Pre-populated Chart of Accounts
- Time tracking
- 3rd party app integration
- Checkout links
- Excellent customer support
FreshBooks has several different pricing plans, encompassing:
- Lite £12 per month
- Plus £22 per month
- Premium £35 per month
- Custom Package
4: Xero:
Xero is cloud-based accounting software that offers an impressive list of features as well as easy integration with many of the most popular business apps. The interface is not quite as clear and easy to pick up on as Pie’s, but the rest of the features make up for that minor shortfall. Track both income and expenses, generate invoices and financial reports and file directly to HMRC with Xero.
Xero features include:
- Invoice generation
- Financial reports generation
- Easy customisation
- Payroll processing
- Works with multiple currencies
- Rock-solid data security
- File directly to HMRC
The pricing plans available for Xero include:
- Starter - £15 per month
- Standard - £30 per month
- Premium - £42 per month
- Ultimate - £55 per month
Conclusion
Accounting software for plumbers is the simple and cost-effective way to bring your accounting practices into the 21st century. With an accounting software solution like Pie, you will be able to save time, enhance the accuracy of your financial records, simplify the invoicing process, and keep track of material and other costs related to each job. All through a simple and easy-to-learn mobile app interface.
So what are you waiting for? Don’t spend another sleepless night wondering if your tax filing was accurate. Download and install Pie accounting software for plumbers today and take the stress and guesswork out of the process of bookkeeping and taxes.
FAQs
What is accounting software for plumbers?
Accounting software for plumbers would include any computer program designed to enable plumbers to move from manual bookkeeping to a more efficient and more accurate digital system of accounting. The best accounting software programs for plumbers are designed with small to medium businesses in mind and can play an important role in facilitating success.
What are some important features of accounting software for plumbers?
Different software companies offer slightly different feature sets but most will offer job costing, invoicing, easy billing, tax compliance, time tracking and direct submission to HMRC. These and other features help the plumber save time while also improving the accuracy of their financial data and reducing their exposure to error-driven audits.
The best accounting software for plumbers will also provide valuable insights into the company’s operations that allow you to devise and implement more effective long-term growth plans. Many are also completely scalable as well so as your business grows you don’t have to switch over to different accounting software.
Is accounting software for plumbers GDPR compliant?
The best ones are, yes. As you may or may not know, any business that collects personal data on UK or EU residents must comply with regulations laid out in the GDPR. The GDPR is very particular regarding how personal data can be collected and processed and failing to comply can lead to crippling financial penalties. If the accounting software you are contemplating does not handle data in a GDPR-compliant way you should give it a pass.
Are accounting software apps secure?
Any time there is personal data being collected or financial information being shared, security is of the utmost importance. The top accounting software solutions all provide ironclad data security so that you never have to worry about hackers or other unauthorised individuals gaining access to private information. The best accounting software solutions also back up your data to a secure cloud server just in case your mobile device should get lost or stolen.
Can other craftsmen use accounting software for plumbers?
Yes. Just because a particular accounting app is a good choice for plumbers it doesn’t mean others can’t use it too. Most of the best accounting software solutions that will appeal to plumbers are actually designed to work for a sole trader or small business person working in any other trade. So if you are a freelance electrician you will likely find something like Pie accounting software for plumbers to be a great match for your business too.
Can I switch from manual accounting to accounting software at any time?
Yes, you can. That said, however, it will likely be less complicated if you switch from manual accounting to accounting software at the end of the fiscal year. This will enable you to close the book on one fiscal year using the old method and then start the new fiscal year on April 6th using the accounting software.
But again, there is no reason why you cannot switch from old-fashioned manual bookkeeping to digital bookkeeping any time you want. You will just need to be scrupulous in making sure nothing is omitted or “left behind” during the transition.
