Accounting software is a crucial tool that should be in every company’s tech stack, but with all the options on the market, it can be difficult to pinpoint the best-fit solution for your business. If you’re a distribution company looking for the right accounting software, understanding what each type of accounting software does can narrow down which solution you need. 

How Does Accounting Software Benefit Distribution Companies? 

Distribution companies are, first and foremost, companies. And this means they need powerful software that manages different areas of business while still connecting with existing systems for warehouse management, manufacturing, and more.  

Accounting software is vital to the health of any organization. Distribution companies should be especially eager to invest in accounting software, though, because these solutions often come with hidden benefits.  

• Improve inventory accuracy. View costs and inventory across multiple locations and channels. 
• Reduce costs. Streamline order processing and fulfillment workflows based on stockout and overstock forecasts. 
• Track trends. View past data and forecast future needs all from one window. 
• Save time and stress with automated workflows. Sync your systems so invoices and other important documents can be sent out instantaneously.  

What Accounting Software Options Do Distribution Companies Have? 

Wholesale distribution accounting software can be broken down into three categories. Depending on the size and needs of your business, one solution type may be a better fit than the others. 

Small Business Solutions 

Best for: Small distribution companies that want to test the waters of accounting software. 

Small business accounting software comes with only the features you need, nothing more. You’ll get features for general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, reporting, job costing, and more at an affordable price point. However, small business software isn’t designed to grow alongside your business, so depending on your short- and long-term needs, a more robust solution might be a better choice.  

Popular options: QuickBooks Enterprise, Fishbowl Inventory 

Integrated Accounting Solutions 

Best for: Distribution companies that anticipate growth and want an interconnected software environment. 

If your distribution company already uses an operational system or other key solutions, integrated accounting software is a great choice. These solutions offer deep accounting functionality on top of the deep operational functionality of your other systems. In addition, they boast open APIs, so even if the software lacks a preexisting integration with your software environment, custom integrations are easy to build. Integrated accounting solutions are built to grow alongside your business, making them a great long-term investment. 

Popular options: Sage Intacct 

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software 

Best for: Companies that want a single solution for accounting and operations. 

Some businesses want the best of both worlds when it comes to accounting and operations features, and that’s where ERP software shines. ERPs include a variety of features to manage multiple areas of your business. Many companies use an ERP as a system of truth, a central solution that consolidates vital business information in one easy-to-access database. 

Popular options: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Acumatica, Oracle NetSuite 

Choosing the Best Accounting Software for Wholesale Distribution 

As your distribution business grows, you need accounting software that will grow alongside you. No matter if you’re looking for best-in-class accounting software or a powerful ERP product, Cargas is here to help. 

No matter which option seems like a good fit for your business, Cargas is here to help. Check out our Sage Intacct vs. Business Central Comparison Report to weigh two of the top accounting and ERP solutions for growing distribution businesses.