Does Microsoft Have Accounting Software? And Is It Right for Us?

Yes — Microsoft does offer accounting software, primarily through its Dynamics 365 Business Central platform.

Dynamics 365 Business Central is a cloud-based ERP solution that includes powerful accounting, finance, and operational tools for small to medium-sized businesses. While Microsoft no longer offers small business-specific tools like Microsoft Money or Office Accounting, Business Central is its flagship product for modern, scalable accounting and business management.

In this blog, we explore Microsoft’s current offering and help you decide whether it’s the right fit for your business.

 


What Accounting Software Does Microsoft Offer?

Microsoft's main accounting software product today is:

Dynamics 365 Business Central

Business Central is a comprehensive, all-in-one ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system tailored for small to mid-sized businesses. It handles:

  • Core accounting (general ledger, journals, bank reconciliations)

  • Invoicing and payments

  • Budgeting and cash flow forecasting

  • Fixed asset management

  • VAT and compliance tools

  • Inventory, purchasing and project accounting

  • Multi-currency and multi-company support

It's part of the broader Microsoft Dynamics 365 suite and is deeply integrated with Microsoft 365 tools like Outlook, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint.

💡 If you're looking for "Microsoft accounting software", Business Central is the current answer — and it's a strong one.

 


Why Did Microsoft Stop Offering Office Accounting or Money?

Microsoft previously offered simpler accounting tools, including:

  • Microsoft Money – personal finance tool (discontinued in 2009)

  • Microsoft Office Accounting – small business accounting (discontinued in 2009)

These were retired due to market changes and the rise of cloud-based alternatives. Today, Microsoft has focused its efforts on Business Central, which offers far more advanced features and cloud accessibility.

 


Key Features of Business Central Accounting Software

Feature Description
General Ledger Manage the chart of accounts, journals + recurring entries
Accounts Payable/Receivable Track customer invoices and supplier payments
Bank Integration Automate bank reconciliations and cash flow tracking
Budgeting Set budgets and monitor variances across departments
VAT Management Automate VAT submissions, MTD-compliant in the UK
Multi-Currency Manage transactions in foreign currencies
Consolidation Manage multiple companies and entities from one platform
Integration with Microsoft 365

Seamless use of Excel, Teams, Outlook and Power BI

 


Who Is Microsoft Dynamics Business Central For?

Microsoft Business Central is best suited for:

  • Growing SMEs ready to move beyond spreadsheets or entry-level software

  • Businesses with multi-departmental or multi-location operations

  • Companies already using Microsoft 365 and looking for full integration

  • Organisations needing more than basic bookkeeping — e.g., manufacturing, distribution, or services with project tracking

It’s a particularly good fit if your business is outgrowing software like Xero, QuickBooks, or Sage 50 and you want a scalable, Microsoft-native solution.

 


Limitations to Be Aware Of

While Business Central is powerful, it may not be ideal for:

  • Sole traders or micro-businesses who only need basic accounting

  • Businesses with limited budgets for ERP-style systems

  • Users without in-house IT or finance teams (although partners like The HBP Group can absolutely support your finance teams to handle implementations!)

That said, Microsoft has a vast partner network (including us) to help with setup, training, and ongoing support.

 


Is Business Central Right for You?

If you’re searching for “Microsoft accounting software”, Business Central is your go-to platform. It’s modern, powerful, and deeply integrated with tools your team probably already uses. It’s particularly effective if:

  • You want to unify your business tools under Microsoft

  • You need detailed reporting, multiple entities, or stock tracking

  • You’re ready for a step up from entry-level tools

At The HBP Group, we help businesses implement Business Central from start to finish — with no tech jargon, no confusion, and full support.

 


Frequently Asked Questions

Does Microsoft have its own accounting software?

Yes — Microsoft offers Dynamics 365 Business Central, a full-featured cloud accounting and ERP platform for businesses.

Is Microsoft Business Central suitable for small businesses?

Yes, especially those that are growing or already using Microsoft 365. It may be overkill for sole traders, but it’s ideal for SMEs needing powerful tools.

Is Business Central part of Microsoft 365?

No — it’s part of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 family. However, it integrates natively with Microsoft 365 apps like Outlook, Teams, and Excel.

How much does Microsoft Business Central cost?

Licensing starts from around £57.50/user/month (Essentials) to £82.20/user/month (Premium), excluding implementation. Pricing varies depending on configuration and support.

Can I migrate from Sage to Microsoft Dynamics?

Yes. We’ve helped many businesses move from Sage 50 or 200 to Business Central. We manage the data migration, process mapping and training for a smooth switch.

 


Final Thoughts

Microsoft is quickly beocming one of the first names that comes to mind for accounting software, Dynamics 365 Business Central offers one of the most robust, flexible, and modern solutions available today.

Whether you’re moving from spreadsheets or looking to upgrade from Sage or QuickBooks, Microsoft’s accounting ecosystem is worth serious consideration.

📞 Want to explore whether Microsoft Business Central is right for your business?
Talk to our team for tailored advice →