Top 5 QBO Plugins for CPG Companies

QuickBooks Online (QBO) is a technology powerhouse for business owners who want to take or maintain control of their finances. It’s accurate, it’s efficient, and it’s set up in a way that’s pretty intuitive for most users. But you can make your QBO experience even more top-tier simply by exploring QBO plugins for CPG companies that are specifically designed to increase functionality exponentially.

Here’s a look at our favorite QBO plugins and how each option can streamline operations, improve efficiency, and deliver invaluable insights.

Why QBO Plugins Matter for CPG Companies

Companies in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) space are often juggling multiple revenue streams and a complex supply chain setup while also navigating hurdles that stand in the way of progress and industry longevity. Concerns over cost management, tax and regulatory compliance and the good ol’ lost purchase order problem are common.

But these shared concerns, as pesky as they are, can also be scuttled quickly simply by leveraging existing workarounds. This includes exploring QBO plugins that were created because of those aforementioned hurdles.

Top 5 Best QBO Plugins for CPG Companies

The corporate software landscape is covered in programs and plugins that make big promises, but they don’t always deliver equally robust results. We’ve jettisoned the dead weight in favor of highlighting the five best QBO plugins according to functionality, pricing, and integration.

1. Bill.com

Bill.com is one of the more straightforward QBO plugins for CPG companies, as it deals entirely with accounts receivable. You can create invoices, pay bills, manage expenses, oversee your budget, and even find funding if you’re trying to reach the next level and need a little financial boost.

The ability to press fast-forward on certain functionalities means you can turn invoices into bills automatically and schedule payments to complete your to-do list early. Putting bills, payments due, and other data under one technological umbrella gives you more information you can use to do a deep dive into your cash flow and make more data-backed decisions.

• Key features: Automated invoice and bill payment with custom/per-vendor rules, scheduled payments, easy tracking for financial transparency, paperless tax accounting, multiple payment methods (ACH, paper check, etc.), assign multiple roles/permissions

• Pricing: Basic Plan ($0/month); Premium Plan ($7.50/month); Elite Plan ($45/month)

• Integration: QuickBooks, Oracle NetSuite, Xero, Sage, Microsoft

2. Ramp

Ramp promises to “automate busywork” by making it easier to keep track of corporate credit cards and manage expenses. If your team spends a lot of time on the road visiting vendors or checking out the newest products and packaging at CPG conventions, you may appreciate the ability to automatically match receipts to transactions.

But the biggest deal with Ramp is that it offers its own small-business corporate cards that tie into user-friendly software that helps with everything from controlling overall spend to monitoring travel bookings. Integrate with QBO and you can consolidate your financial operations while also gaining the ability to send payments to 195 companies in over 40 currencies.

• Key features: Proactive policy controls to prevent overspending, AI-powered reconciliation to reduce entry errors, pricing assistance for new software, almost endless ability to scale, complete customization (policies, workflows, roles, etc.)

• Pricing: Free Plan ($0/month); Ramp Plus ($15 per user/month); Ramp Enterprise (contact for info)

• Integrations: QuickBooks, Slack, NetSuite, 1Password, Xero, Fidelity Investments, Sage, Lyft, TravelPerk

3. Cin7

Cin7 is one of the most coveted inventory management QBO integrations, using automation and a whopping 700+ integrations to help CPG businesses streamline operations. When Cin7 links up with QuickBooks, you can use automated processes to handle everything from purchase orders and invoicing to monitoring sales per channel.

This plugin is a major boon for businesses selling via a multitude of platforms and real-world locations. You can use your dashboard to manage stock for your website, third-party marketplaces, B2B channels, and physical stores from one central screen.

• Key features: Inventory management with numerous automations, e-commerce integrations, manufacturing support, over 70 customizable reports for superior data insight, accounting integrations, POS technology, B2B customer portal, customizable policies and processes

• Pricing: Cin7 Core Standard ($349/month); Cin7 Core Pro ($599/month); Cin7 Core Advanced ($999/month); Cin7 Omni (contact for pricing).

• Integration: QuickBooks, Amazon, Xero, Square, Shopify, Etsy, Target, Woo, Magento, Walmart, Starshipit, ShipStation, Syncware, Mailchimp, etc.

4. A2X

E-commerce businesses have specific needs and challenges, and A2X was built to answer those calls. Focused, per-channel integrations allow CPG businesses to minimize expenses and concentrate on whatever platform they’ve chosen to prioritize. As you grow, add another channel or consider multichannel plans to keep scaling.

A2X automatically transforms random payout inputs into organized summaries that perfectly slot into your existing QBO setup. Understand at a glance what qualifies as a refund versus a reimbursement, what you’re paying in shipping fees, and how much sales tax you’ve collected. 

• Key features: Speedy revenue reconciliation, auto-categorization of sales/fees/taxes, accurate and efficient tax accounting throughout the year, detailed financial reporting, full-service tax and accounting advice via large network of certified e-comm accountants and bookkeepers

• Pricing (per sales channel): Amazon ($29/month); Shopify ($29/month); Etsy ($29/month); Walmart ($79/month); eBay ($29/month); BigCommerce ($29/month) — A2X Multichannel pricing starts at $89/month

• Integration: Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, Walmart, eBay, BigCommerce, QuickBooks, Xero, Netsuite

5. Gusto

Gusto is a virtual HR department that takes care of essential functions like payroll, employee benefits, and 401k management. The innovative software promises to save users an average of 8 hours per month on tax and compliance tasks too, which makes sense given the ability to run payroll in just minutes and register for payroll taxes in all 50 states at the touch of a button.

Gusto also acts as an insurance broker, a financial management tool, and a hiring and onboarding assistant.

• Key features: Full-service HR and payroll integration, nationwide regulatory compliance, benefits administration, employee hiring and onboarding, tax compliance, retirement planning, financial planning for employees via branded app

• Pricing: Gusto Simple ($40/month + $6/month per person); Gusto Plus ($60/month + $9/month per person); Gusto Premium (Contact for pricing)    

• Integration: QuickBooks, Accelo, 15Five, 7Shifts, AccountingSuite, ActiveCampaign, Amalgam, AllGeo, Jobber, Novo, Relay, Carta, Shoobx, etc.

Benefits of Using QBO Plugins for CPG Companies

Reading through a laundry list of QBO plugin features can be exciting, but these plugins are only worthwhile if they offer two key benefits.

Improved Efficiency

QBO plugins streamline operations by making inventory management, order processing, and expense tracking more efficient. Using automation over manual entry is faster and reduces the risk of human error. Real-time tracking and centralized data management can eliminate clock watching ad task redundancy, improving your team’s efficiency and generating more positive outputs.

Enhanced Decision-Making

The best QBO plugins for CPG companies pair efficiency-boosting functionality with reporting and analytics that give you insight into where your company is at and where it’s going. These data points should demystify the decision-making process. For instance, knowing which channel produces the most orders and which has the highest rate of returns and/or fraud could help you decide whether to reallocate resources from one channel to the other.

Considerations When Choosing QBO Plugins for CPG Companies

When choosing add-ons for your QuickBooks plan, consider not only existing QBO plugin features but what those plugins can do for you down the road.

Scalability

Every plugin should be useful now but also built to grow alongside you as you scale. Look for software that can accommodate future growth and evolving needs, like plans that include both domestic and international shipping and automated workflow customization that can be as intricate as you require.

Integration Capabilities

Your new add-on should also mesh well with other QBO integrations — those you have now and those you might want to add in the future. How well a plugin plays with other integrations can make or break your efficiency. When you have inventory management software, CRM systems, and multiple e-commerce platforms in play, having to do any manual entry or needing a third-party program for data translation can slow you down exponentially.

Enhancing Your QBO Experience With the Right Plugins

We can recommend the best QBO plugins according to our criteria, but the bottom line is that each plugin is only truly valuable if it aligns with your needs. But put in the time and effort to review integrations, scroll through key features, and compare pricing, and you could modernize your CPG business operations in minutes.

For more information on how you can optimize your use of QBO plugins and increase efficiency overall, reach out to Balanced Business Group today.