When considering Sage Intacct and Blackbaud for your organization, careful planning is crucial. This involves assessing current usage, supporting data integrity, and reviewing how a new accounting system can align with your business processes. This article will provide an overview of Sage Intacct versus Blackbaud to help your organization find a right-sized accounting system.
Sage Intacct is known for its cloud-based financial management capabilities, scalability, automation, and robust reporting features. It can be particularly beneficial for organizations managing multiple entities, projects, or grants, offering a user-friendly interface and seamless integration with other systems like Salesforce. Key strengths include multi-entity management, real-time dashboards, minimized and efficient chart of accounts due to financial dimension use, and AI-powered automation.
In contrast, Blackbaud is known for its tools for fundraising, donor management, and social impact initiatives. While it offers purpose-built solutions and integrates AI and analytics, it may not match the advanced financial management features and scalability of Sage Intacct.
Understanding the Systems
Both software companies have histories dating back to the early 1980s.
Since then, Blackbaud has established itself as a dedicated technology partner for social impact organizations. With purpose-built tools like Raiser’s Edge NXT for donor management and Financial Edge NXT for accounting, the platform caters specifically to nonprofits, educational institutions, and organizations focused on social good.
In contrast, Sage Intacct offers a more versatile and encompassing accounting system. Its sophisticated financial management capabilities are designed to serve a wide range of industries, providing accounting automation, multi-entity management, and best-in-class financial reporting.
Key Differentiators
Blackbaud focuses on:
- Donor management
- Fundraising tools
- Social impact analytics
- Integrated digital marketing solutions
Sage Intacct is well known for:
- Advanced financial planning
- Multi-entity consolidation
- In-depth reporting and dimensional analysis
- AI-powered automation
Performance & User Satisfaction
Independent user reviews from G2, a leading software marketplace, highlight Sage Intacct’s strengths, with a higher overall rating and notable performance in critical areas such as journal entries, billing automation, revenue recognition, accounts payable automation, and dimensional reporting.
Here are key metrics from G2 on Sage Intacct versus Blackbaud:
- Higher overall rating (4.3/5 compared to 4.0/5)1
- Superior performance in key areas:
- Journal entries
- Billing automation
- Revenue recognition
- Accounts payable automation
- Dimensional reporting
Technological Advancements
Sage has been making significant strides in AI integration, introducing Sage Copilot with generative AI capabilities and establishing a strategic collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to develop domain-specific AI models. The focus remains on automating routine tasks and providing actionable insights that empower financial teams.
Here are additional reasons to consider Sage Intacct when reviewing accounting software for your organization:
- Multi-Entity Architecture: Sage Intacct supports global nonprofits by streamlining consolidations across multiple entities and currencies. This is beneficial for organizations operating in various countries and handling several legal entities.
- Expanded Functionality: Sage Intacct caters to a wide range of industries, including nonprofit, healthcare, professional services, public sector, distribution, and more. Each industry solution is designed to address specific challenges and regulatory requirements, helping organizations operate more efficiently and follow industry standards.
- Real-Time Dashboards & Reports: The software provides real-time dashboards and reports, so nonprofits can keep an eye on financial, operational, and outcome metrics.
- Purpose-Built Capabilities: Sage Intacct includes features such as project tracking and reporting, multi-entity management, multi-currency support, asset management, statistical tracking, advanced audit, e.g., HIPAA, nonprofit revenue recognition, grant tracking and billing, FASB reporting, and spend management.
- Integration With Salesforce: Sage Intacct integrates with Salesforce without third-party middleware. This integration can help organizations improve data flow and operational efficiency.
- Cloud Experience: Sage Intacct was designed as a multi-tenant financial management solution and has more than 20 years of experience in the cloud, providing a modern and reliable accounting system for nonprofits.
Potential Benefits of Migration
For organizations considering a switch from Blackbaud to Sage Intacct, the migration process can be relatively simple with assistance from experienced technology consultants. The process should start with a technology assessment to gain an understanding of your existing system and processes and identify opportunities for improvement. Then, migration options can be discussed. Next, plan for efficiency. Go over migration strategies with an experienced technology consultant to help save time and reduce costs.
After migration, organizations may experience:
- Improved financial visibility
- Enhanced operational efficiency
- Greater scalability
- Robust reporting and analytics
- Streamlined donor management capabilities
Looking Ahead With Forvis Mazars
While both platforms serve nonprofit and social impact organizations, Sage Intacct can provide reliable, enhanced cloud-based accounting capabilities. Features like AI integration and scalable architecture make it an attractive option for organizations seeking a modern, efficient financial management system.
Organizations should carefully review their specific needs, considering factors like functionality, scalability, integration capabilities, and long-term strategic goals when assessing a new accounting system.
Recommended Next Steps
- Schedule a detailed consultation with a certified Sage Partner.
- Request a personalized demo.
- Understand the potential benefits and costs of each system.
- Thoroughly consider system compatibility with your business needs and processes.
Business Technology Services at Forvis Mazars is a Sage accounting and Sage Intacct software value-added reseller, offering a full suite of consulting services. As a certified Sage Partner, our experienced team of technology consultants can help you transform your financial management processes. Connect with us today to learn more or request a personalized demo.
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- 1“Compare Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT and Sage Intacct,” g2.com.