Construction is one of the largest niches served by ProAdvisors. From homebuilders to large general contractors, construction accounting fundamentals remain consistent, though project duration can affect accounting workflows.
For years, most construction companies relied on QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise to manage projects, WIP, estimated vs. actual costs, and change orders. However, challenges often arose—especially for companies creating a new LLC for every major project. Consolidating multiple Desktop files at tax time was doable, but very messy.
As construction companies expanded beyond local work and moved operations to the cloud, some companies migrated to QuickBooks Online. But QBO lacked the robust project tracking capabilities of Desktop Enterprise. Companies also had to pay for a separate QBO subscription for each LLC and often needed additional construction specific apps to manage projects effectively. Consolidating multiple QBO entities required advanced expertise and third-party tools.
But things are changing, Intuit now offers a powerful alternative: the Construction Edition of Intuit Enterprise Suite (CEIES).
Image Source: Intuit (Enterprise Suite) media source content.
CEIES helps construction companies manage projects end to end with AI driven tools for bidding, project planning, management, and closeout. Companies can build proposals from estimates (or vice versa), create custom proposal documents with e signatures, and allow clients to sign, make deposits, and review project details through a client portal.
Image Source: Intuit (Enterprise Suite) media source content.
CEIES provides real time visibility into cash flow, profitability, and project performance. Users can track budgets and variances by phase, compare versions, export reports, and monitor overruns through a project dashboard. Simplified budgeting retains comprehensive budget to actual reporting.
Image Source: Intuit (Enterprise Suite) media source content.
Companies can now organize and track costs using cost groups aligned with industry standards—labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, and more—across budgets, expenses, POs, and bills. CEIES also supports negative change orders to better reflect scope reductions and pricing adjustments.
Image Source: Intuit (Enterprise Suite) media source content.
A major enhancement is AIA-style invoicing, allowing contractors to bill using standard formats that show contract value, work completed, previously invoiced amounts, current charges, and remaining balances by phase.
Because CEIES is built on Intuit Enterprise Suite, it includes full multi entity functionality. Companies can quickly add new LLCs for each project, configure them consistently, and streamline intercompany allocations with built in tools. CEIES also offers a suite of consolidated reports that provide visibility across selected entities—including income, cost of construction, expenses, net revenue, open A/R and A/P, profit and loss, and balance sheet metrics. Key performance indicators can be viewed per entity or across the organization.
Image Source: Intuit (Enterprise Suite) media source content.
With these construction specific features, companies using QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise or QBO (with or without add-ons) may find CEIES a compelling upgrade. ProAdvisors serving the construction niche should consider CEIES as a valuable new option for their clients.
To learn more or see a demo of the Construction Edition of Intuit Enterprise Suite, schedule a meeting with an Intuit accountant team member.
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Feature content and graphics (including video herein) adapted from Intuit media source content including but not limited to the Firm of the Future blog and other promotional features regarding Intuit Enterprise Suite. Insightful Accountant is not responsible for any original Intuit content.
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