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Compare native and third-party Salesforce accounting integration software to find the best fit for your business needs and streamline your financial operations.
Your sales team lives in Salesforce, crushing quotas and closing deals. Your finance team lives in your accounting software, managing ledgers and ensuring the books are balanced. The problem? These two worlds often operate in separate universes, leading to a frustrating game of telephone, manual data entry, and delayed invoicing. This disconnect isn't just inefficient; it costs you time and money. The solution is a bridge between these two essential functions. The right Salesforce accounting integration software connects your CRM directly to your financial system, creating a seamless flow of information. This means when a deal is won, an invoice is triggered automatically, giving everyone a real-time, accurate view of your business's financial health.
If your business runs on Salesforce, you know it’s a fantastic tool for managing customer relationships and driving sales. But when it comes to the nitty-gritty of your finances—like tracking revenue, managing ledgers, and closing the books—Salesforce isn’t designed to be a full-fledged accounting system. That’s where integration comes in. A Salesforce accounting integration acts as a bridge, connecting your powerful CRM with your financial software. This connection allows data to flow automatically between your sales and finance teams, creating a single, reliable source of information for your entire business. It’s about making two essential systems talk to each other so you can get a complete picture of your financial health without endless manual data entry.
An integration syncs your sales and finance departments, breaking down the walls that often separate them. When your teams work from the same data, communication improves and processes become much smoother. For example, when a sales rep marks a deal as "Closed-Won" in Salesforce, the integration can instantly trigger an invoice in your accounting software. Your finance team gets the information they need immediately, without chasing down details. This real-time data sharing means fewer spreadsheets, less duplicate work, and more time for everyone to focus on their core responsibilities. It creates a seamless workflow from the initial sale to the final payment, giving both teams the visibility they need to perform at their best.
When choosing a solution, you’ll encounter two main types: native and third-party. Native solutions are applications built directly on the Salesforce platform. Think of them as living inside your Salesforce environment—they share the same interface and data structure, which often leads to a more unified user experience. Third-party integrations, on the other hand, are standalone accounting systems that connect to Salesforce through an API or a pre-built connector. These are often established platforms like NetSuite or QuickBooks that link up with your CRM. The key difference lies in how they are built; native apps are part of the Salesforce ecosystem, while third-party apps are external systems that HubiFi can integrate with.
Integrating Salesforce with your accounting software is about more than just convenience; it’s about gaining a strategic advantage. When your sales and financial data are connected, you get a complete view of each customer’s journey. This allows you to see everything from the initial marketing touchpoint to their full purchase and payment history, all in one place. This holistic view helps you provide a more consistent customer experience and make smarter, data-driven decisions. By automating routine tasks like invoicing and revenue recognition, you also free up your team to focus on higher-value activities. For more ideas on how to use your data, you can find additional insights on our blog.
It’s easy to assume that any software that claims to "integrate" with Salesforce will work perfectly right out of the box. The reality is often more complex. An integration isn't just a switch you flip; it's a project that requires careful planning. The term "integration" can mean anything from a simple data sync to a deeply customized connection. Be prepared to invest time in tailoring the solution to fit your unique business processes. Just because a system connects to Salesforce doesn't mean it will automatically handle your specific billing cycles or revenue recognition rules without some configuration. Setting realistic expectations from the start will help you choose the right partner and achieve a truly successful integration.
When you start looking for an accounting solution that works with Salesforce, you'll find two main categories: native apps and third-party integrations. Native solutions live right inside Salesforce, while third-party tools connect from the outside. Each approach has its own set of benefits, and the right choice depends entirely on your business structure, complexity, and goals. Let's look at some of the top players in both categories so you can get a clearer picture of the landscape.
Native solutions are built directly on the Salesforce platform, which means they share the same data model and user interface. This creates a truly seamless experience, eliminating the need for middleware and reducing potential data sync issues.
Third-party integrations involve connecting a separate, standalone accounting platform to Salesforce. These connections are usually managed through a pre-built connector or an integration platform as a service (iPaaS). This approach is great if you already love your current accounting software and just need it to communicate with your CRM.
When you’re shopping for a Salesforce accounting integration, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of features. To cut through the noise, focus on the capabilities that will actually make a difference for your finance and sales teams. The right solution isn’t just about connecting two systems; it’s about creating a single source of truth that streamlines your entire financial operation. A powerful integration should feel less like a patch and more like a native extension of your workflow.
Think about your biggest pain points right now. Is it manual data entry? Lag time in reporting? Compliance headaches? Your answers will point you toward the features that matter most. Look for a solution that not only solves today’s problems but also has the flexibility to grow with your business. You can find more insights in the HubiFi blog to help guide your thinking. Here are the non-negotiable features you should look for.
A weekly or even daily data dump from Salesforce to your accounting software just doesn’t cut it. You need a solution that syncs data between the two platforms instantly. When your sales team closes a deal, your finance team should see it immediately, without anyone having to lift a finger. This real-time connection is the foundation for everything else. Having all your data in one place leads to more accurate accounting, fewer mistakes, and a much faster month-end close. It’s the key to making informed decisions based on what’s happening in your business right now, not last week.
The whole point of an integration is to do less manual work, so strong automation capabilities are a must. Look for a tool that can automate core accounting tasks like revenue recognition, invoicing, and collections based on triggers in Salesforce. For example, when an opportunity is marked "Closed Won," the integration should automatically generate the correct journal entries according to ASC 606 rules. This not only saves countless hours but also dramatically reduces the risk of human error. Bringing your business tools together on one platform helps automate many accounting tasks, freeing up your team to focus on strategy instead of spreadsheets.
Your Salesforce setup is unique to your business, filled with custom fields and objects that track the data you care about most. A good integration won’t force you into a one-size-fits-all box. Instead, it should let you easily map your custom Salesforce fields to the corresponding fields in your accounting system. This flexibility is crucial for maintaining data integrity and ensuring your financial reports reflect your specific business operations. The best systems have a strong API, which is what allows different software to talk to each other and connect your most important data points.
If you do business internationally—or plan to—multi-currency support is non-negotiable. Your integration needs to seamlessly handle transactions, generate invoices, and run reports in different currencies without creating a reconciliation nightmare. The system should be able to manage fluctuating exchange rates and complex tax rules across various regions. This is an area where you’ll see a big difference between basic and more advanced solutions. An integration that simplifies global commerce allows you to scale your operations without adding unnecessary complexity to your financial stack.
Connecting your most critical business systems means you need to be confident that your data is protected. Look for an integration that offers robust security features and helps you maintain compliance with standards like SOC 2 and ASC 606. Salesforce is built to help firms securely share information and protect sensitive client data, and your accounting integration should uphold that same standard. This is especially important for revenue recognition, where strict rules govern how and when you can report income. A compliant system isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for passing audits and protecting your business.
With all your sales and financial data flowing through one integrated system, you have an opportunity to uncover powerful insights. Your integration should offer advanced reporting and analytics that go beyond standard financial statements. Can you easily build dashboards that show sales performance alongside real-time revenue data? Can you segment your revenue by product, region, or sales team with just a few clicks? The right tool uses your data to provide useful insights and suggest actions, helping you make smarter, data-driven decisions that guide your business forward.
Every business has unique financial workflows, and your integration should adapt to yours—not the other way around. While out-of-the-box features are great, look for a solution that you can customize to fit your specific processes. This could mean creating custom approval workflows, setting up unique billing schedules, or tailoring reports for different stakeholders. Be prepared to invest time in customizing the software to fit your business needs. A partner like HubiFi can help you configure the system correctly from the start, ensuring it aligns perfectly with how your team works. You can schedule a demo to see how it can be tailored for you.
Picking the right integration solution is a lot like choosing a business partner. You need one you can trust, one that understands your goals, and one that makes your life easier, not harder. With so many options available, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by feature lists and technical jargon. The key is to step back from the marketing noise and focus on what truly matters for your business. A thoughtful selection process will save you countless headaches and ensure you get a tool that not only connects your systems but also supports your growth.
Before you even look at a demo, you need a clear picture of your destination. What specific problems are you trying to solve? What does success look like for your sales and finance teams? This section will walk you through a practical framework for making the right choice. We’ll cover everything from assessing your core needs and budget to understanding the technical details and planning for a smooth rollout. By thinking through these key areas, you can confidently select a solution that aligns with your operational needs and strategic vision. For more helpful guides, you can always find fresh insights in the HubiFi blog.
First things first: start with your "why." Before you get dazzled by software features, have an honest conversation with your team. What are the biggest daily frustrations for your finance and sales departments? Your goal is to choose a system based on what your team actually needs to succeed. Maybe your finance team is buried in manual data entry, or your sales team lacks visibility into customer payment history. Make a list of these pain points and turn them into a checklist of "must-have" requirements. Think about your transaction volume, reporting needs, and any specific compliance standards you must meet, like ASC 606. This initial step ensures you’re solving real problems, not just buying new tech.
Let’s talk about money. The price tag on an integration solution is more than just the monthly subscription fee. To understand the true investment, you need to consider the total cost of ownership. This includes one-time implementation fees, costs for any necessary customization, data migration expenses, and charges for training and ongoing support. Think about how much you're willing to spend on the software itself and on any experts you might need to help set it up. Look for vendors with transparent pricing information that clearly outlines what’s included. A slightly more expensive solution that meets all your needs is often a better long-term investment than a cheaper one that requires costly workarounds.
This is where you put on your detective hat. Just because a provider says their tool "integrates" with Salesforce doesn't mean it will be a simple, seamless connection. You need to dig into the technical details to see if it will work exactly how you need it to. Ask critical questions. Does it offer real-time, two-way data synchronization? How does it handle custom fields and objects? Does it have a robust API that allows for flexibility as your business evolves? Reviewing the technical documentation and understanding the architecture of potential integrations with HubiFi and other solutions will help you avoid surprises and ensure the tool is powerful enough to handle your unique workflows.
A common pitfall is underestimating how long it will take to get your new system up and running. Software companies are often optimistic, but setting up a new system, migrating data, and training your team usually takes longer than you think. Create a realistic timeline that accounts for each stage of the project: planning, data cleaning, configuration, testing, and training. Ask potential vendors for a standard implementation schedule for a company of your size and complexity. This foresight helps you manage expectations across your organization and allocate the necessary resources to ensure a smooth and successful launch without disrupting your business operations.
Even the most intuitive software can have a learning curve, and questions are bound to come up. That's why strong customer support and comprehensive training resources are non-negotiable. When you’re evaluating options, look beyond the product itself and assess the quality of the support team. Are they responsive? Do they offer help through channels that work for you, like phone, email, or chat? A great partner provides robust documentation, video tutorials, and ongoing maintenance to help you succeed long after the initial setup is complete. The quality of support can be the difference between a tool that gathers dust and one that becomes essential to your operations.
Not all integrations are created equal. Some are simple, plug-and-play solutions that you can set up in an afternoon, while others are complex platforms that require significant customization to fit your business. Be ready to tailor the solution to your specific processes. The right choice depends entirely on your business's unique needs and the technical resources you have available. Be honest with yourself: Do you have an in-house IT team that can handle a complex implementation, or will you need to hire a consultant? Understanding the level of effort required upfront will help you choose a solution that matches your capabilities. If you’re unsure, schedule a demo to talk with an expert who can assess your needs.
Choosing your integration software is a huge step, but making it a core part of your operations is where the real work begins. A thoughtful implementation process sets the stage for long-term success, ensuring your teams get the most out of your new system from day one. By following a clear roadmap, you can avoid common pitfalls and create a seamless transition that connects your sales and finance departments effectively.
Before you even think about migrating data, get your team in a room and talk. Discuss their current pain points and what a successful integration looks like to them. It’s helpful to create a list of "must-haves" versus "nice-to-haves." This simple exercise clarifies your priorities and gives you a solid foundation for your project plan. Defining your goals upfront ensures everyone is aligned and helps you measure success later on. If you need help mapping out your needs, you can always schedule a demo with an expert to walk through your specific requirements and build a clear strategy.
Your new integration is only as good as the data you put into it. Take the time to clean up your existing records in both Salesforce and your accounting software before you connect them. This means correcting errors, removing duplicate entries, and standardizing formats. Having all your data in one clean, centralized place leads to more accurate accounting and faster financial processes, like closing the books each month. This prep work might feel tedious, but it’s one of the most critical steps for preventing major headaches down the road. You can find more valuable insights on data management to guide your cleanup process.
It’s wise to expect the setup to take a bit longer than you might initially think. Before going live, create a sandbox or testing environment where you can run the integration without affecting your actual financial data. Test every workflow, from creating an invoice from an opportunity to syncing customer records. This is your chance to find and fix any mapping errors or process gaps. Involve a few key users from your sales and finance teams in this testing phase to get their feedback and confirm that the system works for their daily tasks. This ensures you have seamless integrations that are truly customized to your business.
Connecting your sales and financial systems means you’re handling some of your most sensitive information. Security can't be an afterthought. As you set up the integration, carefully configure user roles and permissions to ensure team members can only access the data they need to do their jobs. This protects sensitive client information and maintains compliance. Work with a partner you can trust to help you implement security protocols that keep your data safe and your business protected. This is fundamental to building a reliable and secure financial operation.
A powerful new tool is useless if your team doesn’t know how to use it. Plan comprehensive training sessions tailored to different roles. Salespeople need to understand how their actions in Salesforce affect the accounting side, while the finance team needs to know how to manage the synced data. Create simple guides, host live training, and record sessions for future reference. The goal is to make your team feel confident and comfortable with the new workflows. When users can access all the tools they need from a single platform, adoption rates climb, and you’ll see the benefits of the integration much faster.
Your work isn’t over once the integration goes live. Keep a close eye on how the system is performing. Set up dashboards to track key metrics like data sync times, error rates, and user activity. Schedule regular check-ins with your team to gather feedback on what’s working well and what could be improved. This ongoing monitoring allows you to make small adjustments that can have a big impact on efficiency and user satisfaction. It also helps you understand the value your new system is delivering and ensures it continues to meet your business needs as you grow.
You’ve planned, prepped, and launched your new integration. Now what? The real test begins. Measuring the success of your Salesforce accounting integration isn't just about checking if the connection is live; it's about understanding its impact on your business. A successful integration should make your financial operations smoother, your data more reliable, and your teams more efficient.
To get a clear picture of your return on investment, you need to look beyond the technical setup and focus on tangible business outcomes. By tracking the right metrics from the start, you can see exactly how the integration is performing and where you can make adjustments. Let's walk through the key areas to monitor to ensure your new system is delivering on its promise.
Before you can measure success, you have to define what it looks like for your company. This means identifying the key performance indicators (KPIs) that align directly with the goals you set for this project. Were you trying to shorten the sales cycle, improve cash flow, or get a clearer view of profitability? Your metrics should reflect these objectives.
Focus on numbers that tell a story about your operational health. This could include tracking your customer acquisition cost, average deal size, or client retention rate. The goal is to move from simply having data to having actionable insights. By establishing a baseline before the integration and tracking these specific business metrics after, you can clearly demonstrate the value it’s adding.
One of the biggest wins from a Salesforce accounting integration should be the time saved on financial reporting. Manually exporting data from Salesforce and importing it into your accounting software is slow and prone to errors. Your new, integrated system should make this process nearly instantaneous. Are your teams able to generate financial reports faster than before?
Track the time it takes to close the books each month or to pull a sales performance report. Success means your finance and sales teams can access the information they need, when they need it, without jumping through hoops. This improved efficiency not only saves hours of manual work but also allows your team to make faster, more informed decisions based on up-to-date Salesforce metrics.
Is your data cleaner and more reliable? The ultimate goal of an integration is to create a single source of truth between your sales and finance departments. When data flows automatically, you eliminate the manual entry errors that can lead to inaccurate invoices, skewed revenue forecasts, and compliance headaches. A successful integration ensures everyone is working from the same numbers.
Take time to spot-check your data. Compare invoices generated through the new system against their corresponding opportunities in Salesforce. Do the numbers match perfectly? You should see a significant drop in reconciliation issues and manual corrections. This level of accuracy is fundamental for everything from passing audits to making strategic growth decisions, and it's a core benefit of using powerful integrations to connect your systems.
A new tool is only effective if your team actually uses it. Low user adoption is a common reason why even the best integrations fail to deliver results. It’s crucial to monitor how well your sales and finance teams are embracing the new, streamlined workflows. Are they still relying on old spreadsheets or manual workarounds out of habit?
Check your system’s analytics to track user activity. Look at how frequently team members are logging in and using the integrated features. If you notice low engagement, it might be a sign that more training is needed or that a specific workflow needs to be tweaked. High user adoption is a strong indicator that the integration is not only working but is also making your team’s jobs easier.
Ultimately, the success of your integration comes down to its return on investment (ROI). This calculation goes beyond simply comparing the cost of the software to the revenue it generates. A true ROI considers both quantitative and qualitative benefits. Tally up the concrete savings, like the reduction in hours spent on manual data entry and the elimination of costly errors.
Then, factor in the strategic value. How has faster, more accurate reporting improved your forecasting and decision-making? Has a smoother invoicing process improved your cash flow? By combining these hard savings with the less tangible, strategic gains, you can build a comprehensive picture of the integration's total value. If you're ready to see what a positive ROI could look like for your business, you can schedule a demo to explore the possibilities.
Connecting your Salesforce and accounting software is a smart move, but the process isn’t always seamless. It’s common to hit a few snags, from mismatched data to security worries. The good news? These challenges are entirely manageable with a bit of planning. Knowing what to watch for is the first step to building an integration that’s not just functional, but a true asset for your business.
When sales and finance operate from different playbooks, you get errors and delays. The core challenge is eliminating data silos to create a single source of truth. A strong integration automates this, ensuring a new deal in Salesforce is instantly and accurately recorded in your accounting system. This real-time sync is crucial for accurate accounting, faster financial closes, and a clear view of your company’s health. It replaces manual data entry with reliable automation, giving you numbers you can trust.
The word "integration" gets thrown around a lot, but not all connections are created equal. Some are just basic, one-way data pushes that don't truly sync your systems. To avoid this, you need to look past the marketing claims. Ask for a live demo to see exactly how the platforms interact. A truly compatible system offers deep, bidirectional syncing and can map to your custom fields. Check a provider's existing integrations to gauge their technical capabilities and ensure the solution will feel like a natural extension of your workflow.
Your integration should be an accelerator, not an anchor. A clunky or poorly built connection can slow down both Salesforce and your accounting software, creating frustrating bottlenecks for your team. The goal is to find a solution designed for efficiency and scalability, especially if you process a high volume of transactions. During your evaluation, ask potential partners about performance benchmarks. After launch, continue to monitor system speed to confirm the integration is delivering the efficiencies you expect and helping your business run more smoothly.
An integration isn't a "set it and forget it" solution. Your business will grow, software gets updated, and your processes will evolve. Without a plan for ongoing maintenance, your connection can become less effective over time. It’s wise to anticipate that the initial setup may take longer than advertised and will require fine-tuning. Before committing, clarify the long-term support plan. Knowing who will handle updates and troubleshoot issues is key to ensuring your integration remains a valuable asset. You can usually cover these details when you schedule a demo.
Connecting your CRM and accounting system means you're linking two of your most critical data sources. Protecting sensitive customer and financial information is non-negotiable. From day one, make security a top priority in your evaluation. Your chosen integration must meet the same high standards as Salesforce itself, which offers robust tools to help firms securely share information. Look for solutions with end-to-end encryption, secure authentication methods, and a clear commitment to data privacy and compliance. Don't be shy about asking for details on their security protocols.
Choosing an integration is about more than solving today's data-syncing headaches. You need a solution that will grow with you and adapt to new technologies. As you evaluate your options, keep an eye on the future. A forward-thinking integration partner will focus on these key areas, ensuring your tech stack gives you a competitive edge for years to come.
AI and automation are becoming essential for finance teams that want to be more proactive. The right integration uses AI to turn raw data into clear, actionable insights. Imagine your system automatically flagging unusual transactions, predicting future cash flow, or suggesting the next best action for your sales team based on financial cues. This level of automation frees your team from manual, repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on high-level strategy and growth. It’s about making your data work for you in smarter, more efficient ways. You can find more insights in the HubiFi blog on how automation is changing finance.
When you’re dealing with financial data, security is non-negotiable. A future-proof integration must have robust security measures built in, including end-to-end data encryption and strict access controls. Look for solutions that help you maintain compliance with standards like ASC 606 and protect client privacy. A secure integration allows you to confidently share information with trusted partners without putting your business or your customers at risk. This is the foundation of trust in a digital-first world and is critical for protecting your company’s most valuable assets.
Your business technology is likely a mix of different systems. A modern integration needs to bridge the gap between cloud and on-premise platforms seamlessly. Cloud-native solutions offer incredible flexibility, allowing your team to access critical financial data from anywhere. They also handle updates and maintenance for you, so you’re always on the latest version without the IT overhead. The best solutions are built to connect your entire tech stack, whether it’s a new SaaS platform or a legacy ERP. This adaptability ensures that as your business evolves, your integration can evolve with it. HubiFi offers a variety of integrations to connect your systems.
The integration you choose today should still be the right fit five years from now. As your business grows, your transaction volume will increase and your revenue models might become more complex. A scalable solution is built to handle this growth without skipping a beat. Look for a platform with a powerful API that allows for custom connections and workflows as your needs change. Your integration partner should be able to support your journey from a small business to an enterprise. This foresight prevents you from going through a painful migration process down the road. Check out HubiFi's pricing information to see how solutions can be tailored to your business size.
What’s the main difference between a native solution and just connecting my current accounting software? Think of a native solution as being built with the same DNA as Salesforce. It lives inside the platform, so it speaks the same language and uses the same data structure. This creates a truly seamless experience. Connecting your existing third-party software is more like building a bridge between two separate islands. It gets the job done and allows data to travel back and forth, but it's an external link that needs to be maintained to ensure the connection stays strong and the data flows correctly.
My business is growing, but we're not a huge enterprise. Is an integration like this overkill? Not at all. In fact, this is the perfect time to consider it. Putting a solid integration in place now is about building a strong foundation for the growth you're planning for. It automates the manual tasks that will only become more time-consuming as you scale, like creating invoices and recognizing revenue. This frees up your small team to focus on strategy and customer relationships instead of getting buried in spreadsheets, which is a smart move at any business size.
How much technical skill do I need on my team to manage this? This really depends on the solution you choose. Some simple connectors are designed to be fairly plug-and-play, but a truly powerful integration that’s tailored to your business often requires some expertise during setup. The goal isn't for you to become an IT expert. A good partner will guide you through the implementation, help map your unique processes, and ensure the system is configured correctly from the start, leaving you with a solution that simply works for your team.
Will an integration automatically handle complex rules like ASC 606? You have to be careful here, as not all integrations are created equal. Many basic connectors are designed to sync customer information and simple invoices, but they won't handle complex compliance rules on their own. For something as specific as ASC 606 revenue recognition, you need a more specialized solution that is built to interpret contract terms and automate the correct journal entries according to those strict accounting standards.
How long does it really take to get an integration up and running? The timeline depends less on the software itself and more on the state of your data and the complexity of your workflows. The most time-consuming part is often the prep work—cleaning up your records and clearly mapping out your processes. While it's tempting to rush, investing time here is critical. A thoughtful implementation that includes proper data prep, testing, and training will always deliver better long-term results than a hurried launch.
Former Root, EVP of Finance/Data at multiple FinTech startups
Jason Kyle Berwanger: An accomplished two-time entrepreneur, polyglot in finance, data & tech with 15 years of expertise. Builder, practitioner, leader—pioneering multiple ERP implementations and data solutions. Catalyst behind a 6% gross margin improvement with a sub-90-day IPO at Root insurance, powered by his vision & platform. Having held virtually every role from accountant to finance systems to finance exec, he brings a rare and noteworthy perspective in rethinking the finance tooling landscape.
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