CPA_Practice_Advisor_March_2020 - 11

TIME & BILLING SYSTEMS: REVIEW
ways, as well as tracking capability for
multiple clients or projects.
■ Remote access, along with the availability of a mobile app.
■ Can the application track billable and
non-billable time? Are you able to add
any related expenses to a project that
you're currently billing for?

■ Can you invoice your clients directly
from the application? This can save
a tremendous amount of time while
eliminating duplicate data entry.
■ Is reporting important to you?
Being able to access solid time
management reports can help you
view staff productivity and make

BigTime IQ Time and Billing
BigTime IQ Time and Billing Software is well-suited
for professional services firms, including CPA firms.
BigTime IQ offers both affordSTRENGTHS:
ability and scalability, with three
* Affordable for firms of
any size
plans available. Designed as a
* Easy product setup
stand-alone time and billing appli* Integrates with QuickBooks
cation, BigTime IQ offers seamless
and Lacerte applications
integration with QuickBooks and
POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS:
* Limited integration with
Lacerte Tax applications.
other applications
BigTime IQ is a cloud-based
* Probably not the best fit for
application
that provides easy time
larger firms due to limited
integration options
tracking, billing and invoicing,

BQE Core Time & Billing
BQE Core from BQE Software offers time and expense
tracking along with a variety of other features
including project management,
STRENGTHS:
* Excellent dashboards
billing, accounting, and HR. The
* Only need to purchase what
powerful system BQE is a good fit
is needed
for professional services firms, and
* Easy time entry using a
mobile device
has features specific to the needs
* Multiple timers available
of accounting and CPA firms.
BQE Core is completely cloud-based and includes
a mobile app that works with both iOS and Android
devices. The mobile app allows users to manage time
and expenses, create and send invoices, and access
mobile reports and performance summary screens.

Chrometa Time Tracking
Chrometa Time Tracking is an automated time tracking application well suited for professional services
firms of any kind. Described as
STRENGTHS:
* Eliminates the need to use
a passive timekeeping system,
individual timers
Chrometa automatically tracks all
* Tracks time automatically
time spent on a particular device
once installed
* Affordably priced
without any additional input
POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS
needed from the user.
* Offers limited integration
Chrometa works on both Mac
with accountant-centric practice management applications and PC operating systems as well
* Does not offer an option to
as iOS and Android smart phones
add expenses to an invoice
and tablets. Chrometa tracks
* Assigning tasks can be
time-consuming and tedious time automatically when using

changes where needed.
It's time to step away from mistakeladen, time-consuming spreadsheets
and manage your time and your staff's
time and billing more efficiently. Why
not read our reviews and get started
today? ■

www.bigtime.net
expense tracking, project management, and DCAA
timekeeping features. Unlimited timers are also
available in BigTime IQ, with the application offering
a mobile app that syncs with the main application.
BigTime IQ offers an intuitive user interface, with all
data entry screens easily navigated.
BigTime IQ is scalable, with three plans currently
available: Express, which is designed for 5 users and
offers time tracking and mobile access, and currently
runs $10 per user, per month with a minimum of 5
users; Pro, which is a 10-user system and includes
budget and expense tracking, and currently runs $30

www.chrometa.com
programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and
PowerPoint as well as Photoshop, and Gmail. Activity
on browsers such as Google Chrome, Internet Explorer,
and Firefox are automatically tracked as well, and
Chrometa's mobile app allows users to track phone
calls and text messages, which can later be sent to a
timesheet, invoice, or corresponding billing system.
While not a replacement for standard time and
expense management applications, Chrometa can be
useful for small to mid-sized firms looking for a more
automated timekeeping system. Chrometa's Solo and
Team editions are available with all three plans: Standard, which runs $19 per user, per month; Plus, which

2020 OVERALL RATING
Read the full review for
this product online at:

www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/
21128227

per user, per month with a minimum of 5 users; and
Premier, which includes extended, priority support,
and unlimited data retention and is currently priced
at $40 per user, per month with a minimum of 10
users. BigTime IQ offers a free, 14-day trial for those
interested in giving the product a test-drive before
purchasing, with no credit card required.

www.bqe.com
A comprehensive to-do list is accessible on the mobile
app, and users can easily track expenses on the mobile
app that can later be added to a client invoice.
The system offers exceptional dashboard options
that are completely customizable, allowing each user
to set them up to display quick access to key data,
with real-time visibility. The dashboards can also be
easily shared with other users who have access rights
to the data.
BQE Core's time and expense features offers users
a variety of time entry options, including the time
card that is available in both daily and weekly views,
with an option to pre-fill the timecard, a time-saving

Mary Girsch-Bock is a freelance writer
specializing in business and technology
issues and is the author of her first book,
several HR handbooks, training manuals,
and other in-house publications. She can
be reached at mary.girschbock@cpapracticeadvisor.com

2020 OVERALL RATING
Read the full review for
this product online at:

www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/
21128242

option for those with a regular schedule. Both PTO and
comp time can be tracked, and employees can easily
track time against a specific client or task if desired.
Pricing for the BQE Core Time and Expense plan is
$7.95 per user, per month, with pricing for other plans
available from BQE Core. A free-15-day trial is available for those interested in trying out the application.

2020 OVERALL RATING

4.5

Read the full review for
this product online at:

www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/
21128222

runs $29 per user, per month; and Premium, which is
$49 per user, per month. All plans include one hour of
personal training, integration, export capability, and
data archiving, with the Team plans also including
shared client, matter, and project capability. Those
interested in QuickBooks integration are required to
opt for the Plus or Premium plan.

MARCH 2020 ■

www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com

http://www.bigtime.net http://www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/21128227 http://www.bqe.com http://www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/21128242 http://www.chrometa.com http://www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com/21128222 http://www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com

CPA_Practice_Advisor_March_2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CPA_Practice_Advisor_March_2020