Top 10 Accounting Software for Interior Designers & Contractors

Interior designers and contractors manage both creative work and business operations billing clients, tracking project costs, managing vendor payments, handling taxes, and monitoring profitability. Without structured accounting, it’s easy to lose track of expenses, miss GST deadlines, and struggle with cashflow.

In 2026, modern accounting software can simplify these tasks and help interior design firms focus more on design and delivery, and less on spreadsheets. This blog lists the Top 10 Accounting Software solutions ideal for interior designers and contractors including platforms like hisabkitab that offer automation, cloud access, and real-time financial clarity.

Why Interior Designers & Contractors Need Accounting Software

Interior design and contracting firms often deal with:

• Multiple projects with separate budgets

• Vendor and material payments

• Client billing at milestones

• GST compliance

• Payroll/consultant payments

• Cashflow and profitability tracking

Using the right accounting software helps bring structure, reduce errors, and support growth.

Top 10 Accounting Software for Interior Designers & Contractors

1. hisabkitab - Best All-in-One AI Accounting for Design Firms

hisabkitab is a cloud-based accounting platform focused on automation and simplicity ideal for interior designers and contractors who want real-time insights without complex workflows.

Why it works well:

• AI-assisted bill and expense entry

• GST-ready invoicing & reporting

• Project-wise cost and client outstanding tracking

• Cloud access from office or site

• Real-time dashboards for profit and cashflow

Great for businesses that want less manual entry and better visibility.

2. QuickBooks Online - Trusted Cloud Accounting for Service Firms

QuickBooks Online is widely used by service businesses, including creative and contracting firms.

Key features:

• Client invoicing and payment tracking

• Expense categorisation

• Bank reconciliation

• Custom project reporting

Best for firms with standard accounting needs and remote access.

3. Xero - Strong for Collaboration & Multi-User Access

Xero is known for clean reporting and easy collaboration with accountants.

Highlights:

• Unlimited users

• Real-time bank feeds

• Invoice & bill automation

• Integration with project tools

Ideal for interior design teams needing shared access.

4. Zoho Books - Flexible for Billing & Project Tracking

Zoho Books combines accounting with workflow integration.

Useful for:

• Estimates to invoices workflow

• Client portals

• Expense, time, and project tracking

• Automated reminders

Good choice for design firms needing integrated billing and client communication.

5. FreshBooks - Best for Small Studios & Freelancers

FreshBooks is designed with small creative businesses in mind.

Features:

• Time tracking linked to invoices

• Simple expense tracking

• Recurring invoices

• Attractive billing templates

Perfect for solo designers or boutique studios.

6. Sage Business Cloud Accounting

Sage is a popular choice for structured financial control.

Why it fits:

• GST/VAT support

• Detailed financial statements

• Expense & cashflow reports

Good for growing interior design firms needing robust reporting.

7. myBillBook - Simple Billing for Small Firms

myBillBook offers easy invoicing and basic accounting.

Benefits:

• Quick billing

• Simple inventory support

• GST invoices

• Mobile use

Best for smaller contractors and local design shops.

8. ERPNext - Comprehensive ERP with Accounting

ERPNext offers accounting with project, inventory, and asset modules.

Useful for:

• Multi-project tracking

• Inventory & resource planning

• Purchase and payment workflows

Ideal for contractors handling materials and multiple sites.

9. Wave Accounting - Free Option for Creative Freelancers

Wave is a free accounting tool with basic functionality.

Good for:

• Simple income & expense tracking

• Basic invoicing

• Small design or contractor startups

Limited advanced features, but useful at early stages.

10. TallyPrime - Traditional Accounting Powerhouse

TallyPrime is a long-time accounting standard with strong features.

Strengths:

• Inventory + accounting

• GST compliance

• Strong ledger controls

Best for firms transitioning from desktop to modern systems.

How to Choose the Right Accounting Software

When evaluating accounting software for your interior design or contracting business, consider:

• Project Tracking: Does it support project-wise income and expense tracking?

• GST Compliance: Can it generate GST-ready invoices and reports easily?

• Client Outstanding: Does it track client payments and ageing?

• Ease of Use: Is it intuitive for non-accountants?

• Cloud Access: Can you access accounts from office, home, or site?

• Integrations: Does it work with tools you already use (CRM, project tools, payment gateways)?

Choosing the right software helps you make better decisions faster.

Benefits of Using Accounting Software for Interior Businesses

• Faster and accurate client billing

• Better tracking of material and consultant expenses

• Clear visibility into project profitability

• Reduced GST and tax errors

• Up-to-date cashflow and outstanding reports

• Less time on bookkeeping, more time on design

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is accounting software useful for small design studios?

Yes! Even small design studios benefit from organised billing, GST compliance, and client payment tracking.

2. Can accounting software handle contractor billing?

Most modern accounting tools support milestone billing, partial payments, and expense tracking — perfect for contractors.

3. Do these tools support GST/VAT compliance?

Yes, all tools on this list support GST/VAT-ready invoicing and reporting, though features vary by tool.

4. Is cloud accounting safer than desktop?

Cloud accounting offers secure backups, real-time access, and reduced risk of data loss compared to local desktops.

Conclusion

Interior designers and contractors juggle creativity and business management daily. Good accounting software helps streamline finances, improves billing accuracy, and provides real-time insights to support growth.

Among the top options listed above, hisabkitab stands out for its AI-assisted accounting, cloud access, GST automation, and project-wise tracking, making it ideal for modern interior businesses in 2026.

Ready to Simplify Accounting for Your Design or Contracting Business?

Book a free demo of hisabkitab today
See how cloud and AI-powered accounting can reduce manual work, keep your GST compliant, and give you a clear financial picture all from one platform.