Comparing Multi-Dimensional Reporting in QuickBooks vs Sage Intacct 

Having access to detailed and accurate financial reporting is crucial for businesses. These reports are crucial for making good business decisions. QuickBooks and Sage Intacct are two popular forms of accounting software. Both offer useful and important functionality for businesses looking for an easier way to manage their accounting and reporting needs. However, there are important differences between the functionality offered by QuickBooks and Sage Intacct.

We’ve previously examined how consolidations work in QuickBooks vs Sage Intacct. This time, we’ll focus on comparing the multi-dimensional reporting functionality in both platforms. They both offer multi-dimensional reporting capabilities. However, Sage Intacct outperforms QuickBooks in several critical areas.  

What is Multi-Dimensional Reporting? 

Multi-dimensional reporting involves measuring and analyzing a business along multiple dimensions. It provides comprehensive visibility into all aspects of the business, including specific business units or transactions, specific processes such as order-to-cash, or even the entire value chain. These reports track data over time and often include external influences, like customers, suppliers, and market conditions. Business leaders can make discoveries in real time, allowing them to make better business decisions.  

Multi-dimensional reporting allows businesses to: 

• Track and analyze key metrics across different segments 

• Make data-driven decisions with a comprehensive view of financial health 

• Enhance strategic planning and forecasting with detailed, granular data 

Multi-Dimensional Reporting in QuickBooks 

QuickBooks offers some multi-dimensional reporting functionality, however it is not as advanced as the functionality in Sage Intacct. QuickBooks allows companies to segment and analyze data along the following dimensions: 

• Classes – Classes are for various departments, product lines, or other categories relevant to the business.  

• Locations – Locations stand for different physical or operational locations. 

• Tags – Tags are customizable notations that users can add to transactions. They’re often used to track specific projects, campaigns, and other initiatives.  

QuickBooks offers pre-built and customizable reports businesses can use to analyze data. They provide insight into different aspects of the business, such as profitability by class or location. 

Multi-Dimensional Reporting Limitations in QuickBooks 

QuickBooks has a simple dimensional structure that is not as flexible or comprehensive as dimensional reporting in Sage Intacct. QuickBooks supports a limited number of classes and locations. In addition, users may feel constrained by the limited number of tags they can apply. These limitations may make it difficult to perform more complex analyses. QuickBooks also offers fewer automation options for reporting. This means that multi-dimensional reporting in QuickBooks may require more manual work when compared to multi-dimensional reporting in Sage Intacct. 

Now let’s shift to looking at multi-dimensional reporting functionality in Sage Intacct. 

Multi-Dimensional Reporting in Sage Intacct 

Sage Intacct offers robust and flexible multi-dimensional reporting functionality. It provides users with unlimited dimensions. Commonly used dimensions include department, location, project customer, vendor, item, and more. Sage Intacct’s flexible configuration means that users can configure these dimensions in any way that they need, enabling highly detailed and tailored financial tracking. 

This software offers both pre-built and customizable reporting and dashboards for easy data visualization. Users can easily track KPIs and other metrics that are critical to business operations. Sage Intacct automates the generation and distribution of reports, reducing the manual effort required and ensuring stakeholders always have access to the latest data. Reports can be scheduled to run at specific intervals and distributed automatically to designated recipients, ensuring that important information is sent quickly. 

Multi-Dimensional Reporting Limitations in Sage Intacct 

While Sage Intacct offers robust multi-dimensional reporting capabilities, it has some limitations, too. It’s important for businesses to understand these limitations when choosing the right accounting software to fit their needs. 

The first limitation while Sage Intacct offers great flexibility, the downside is that there is a steeper learning curve for users than in QuickBooks. Users without a strong accounting background may be overwhelmed by the extensive customization options. They may also require extensive training before they can take full advantage of Sage Intacct’s more advanced functionality. Setting up some highly customized reports may even require consulting with external Sage Intacct consultants. 

QuickBooks vs Sage Intacct – Why Sage Intacct is the Clear Winner 

In terms of multi-dimensional reporting functionality, Sage Intacct is the clear winner over QuickBooks. It offers more functionality and more customization. There is a steeper learning curve for new users, but Sage Intacct more than compensates for that with its greater functionality.

See What We Can Do for Your Business  

At CertiPro, we’re experts in Sage Intacct implementations for companies across all industries. We’ll customize your new system to work exactly the way you need, including creating specialized multi-dimensional reports. Contact us today to see what CertiPro can do for your business.