Which finance system supports growth, complexity and accountability for non-profits? Here’s a clear comparison of Sage Intacct and iplicit.
Finance systems have a habit of shaping how your day actually feels. Confidence at month end, clarity when trustees ask questions and control over restricted funding all come back to whether your software supports the way your organisation really works. Many UK non-profits reach a point where basic accounting tools start slowing things down, which explains why comparisons between Sage Intacct and iplicit keep coming up.
Both platforms are positioned as a step up for charities that need stronger reporting and better visibility. On paper, each promises structure and control. Reality tends to look different once funding becomes more complex, reporting requests increase or multiple entities enter the picture.
This comparison is here to help you cut through that gap and clarify what matters most if you are considering a change or sense-checking your next steps. You will see where each system fits, how the differences show up in day-to-day finance work and which option holds up best when expectations continue to rise.
Why non-profits outgrow basic accounting software
Early-stage accounting tools such as Xero, Sage 50 or QuickBooks tend to work well when transaction volumes are low and reporting needs are straightforward. Pressure starts to build once funding becomes more restricted, reporting deadlines tighten and trustees expect clearer answers faster. What once felt manageable often turns into workarounds, manual checks and growing reliance on spreadsheets.
Restricted and unrestricted funds introduce another layer of complexity. Tracking how money moves across programmes, grants and departments becomes harder to trust when reports need stitching together outside the system. Confidence slips further when the same figures have to be reshaped repeatedly for trustees, funders and auditors.
Growth usually marks the tipping point. Trading subsidiaries, new programmes or additional entities expose the limits of basic software very quickly. Finance teams then stop asking how to make their current system cope and start looking for a platform that supports the organisation properly as demands continue to rise.
Read our complete guide to not-for-profit accounting software here
Software overview
| Sage Intacct | iplicit |
|---|
Typical user | Charities with multiple funds, entities, or complex reporting needs | UK charities stepping up from entry-level systems |
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Fund accounting | Advanced dimensional fund tracking build into the core | Fund and project tracking supported |
|---|
Multi-entity support | Built for multi-entity and group structures | Supports multi-entity setups |
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Reporting | Real-time, highly configurable reports and dashboards | Structured reporting and standard dashboards |
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Automation | Broad automation across core finance processes | Automation only focused on core accounting workflows |
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Integrations | Extensive ecosystem across fundraising, CRM, payroll, and expenses | Integrates with a smaller range of systems |
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What is Sage Intacct?
Sage Intacct is a cloud financial management platform widely used by non-profits that need strong fund accountability, governance and visibility across increasingly complex operations. The system is built around dimensional accounting, which allows you to report across funds, grants, programmes and entities without relying on an over-engineered chart of accounts.
That structure becomes particularly valuable as reporting expectations increase. Finance teams gain real-time insight without exporting data into spreadsheets, while trustees and senior leaders receive clearer, more timely information. Sage Intacct is often selected by charities planning for growth, whether that means additional funding streams, new programmes or more complex organisational structures.
What is iplicit?
iplicit is a UK-based cloud accounting platform commonly adopted by organisations moving on from systems such as Sage 50 or Xero. It is positioned as a modern step up, offering improved reporting, a cleaner user experience and better control over core accounting processes.
For non-profits with relatively straightforward structures, iplicit can provide a solid improvement in visibility and efficiency. The platform focuses on core finance needs and is often attractive to UK charities looking to modernise without introducing unnecessary complexity.
Key differences that matter to non-profit finance teams
Finance systems tend to reveal their strengths and weaknesses once you start using them under pressure. Reporting questions arrive unexpectedly, funders want clarity and trustees expect answers that stand up to scrutiny. The differences below focus on what actually changes in your day-to-day finance work:
iplicit supports fund and project tracking and works well when reporting requirements are clearly defined and relatively stable. Charities with a limited number of funds can maintain separation and produce structured reports, provided the underlying setup does not change often. Reporting becomes more constrained once questions cut across funds, programmes or time periods in ways the original structure did not anticipate.
Sage Intacct uses a dimensional approach that allows the same transaction to be reported across funds, grants, programmes and entities at the same time. That structure gives you far more flexibility when reporting needs shift or when trustees and funders ask questions from new angles. Finance teams can respond directly from the system, without rebuilding reports or relying on spreadsheets to bridge gaps.
iplicit supports multi-entity setups and can work well when group structures are relatively simple. Charities with one or two related entities can maintain separation and produce consolidated views, provided transactions between entities remain limited. Friction tends to appear once inter-entity activity increases or when consolidation needs become more frequent and time-sensitive.
Sage Intacct is built with multi-entity operations in mind from the outset. Inter-entity transactions, eliminations and consolidated reporting are handled within the system, reducing manual effort and risk at month end. That capability becomes especially valuable for charities with trading subsidiaries or evolving group structures, where accuracy, auditability and speed matter just as much as visibility.
iplicit provides structured reports and dashboards that work well for standard management and statutory reporting. Finance teams can produce consistent outputs, as long as reporting needs remain predictable and do not require frequent changes in perspective. Once trustees or funders start asking follow-up questions, reports often need manual adjustment outside the system.
Sage Intacct is designed for real-time visibility across the organisation. Dashboards and reports can be tailored for finance teams, senior leadership and trustees, with the ability to drill straight into the underlying data. That means fewer static report packs and far more confidence when questions arise unexpectedly.
iplicit brings automation into core finance processes such as payables, approvals and month-end routines. For charities moving away from manual entry and email-based approvals, this can deliver noticeable efficiency gains. The focus remains on improving existing processes rather than fundamentally reshaping how finance operates.
Sage Intacct goes further by automating complex workflows across allocations, approvals, inter-entity transactions and consolidations. That depth reduces manual intervention at the points where risk and delay usually appear. Finance teams gain time back not just at month end, but throughout the reporting cycle.
iplicit integrates with a select range of systems commonly used by UK organisations, covering core needs such as payroll and expenses. This works well when system requirements are clearly defined and unlikely to expand significantly. Integration scope can become a limiting factor as operational or fundraising systems evolve.
Sage Intacct connects to a broad ecosystem of fundraising platforms, CRMs, grant management tools, payroll and expense systems. That flexibility makes it easier to adapt as your organisation grows or introduces new ways of working. The finance system remains the central source of truth rather than something that has to be worked around.
Implementation, scalability and long-term fit
Shortlists often look similar on paper, but implementation and long-term fit are where decisions start to feel real. How a system is set up and how well it adapts over time will shape your finance team’s experience long after go-live. This section looks at what changes once the software is no longer new and expectations continue to rise.
Implementation approach
iplicit is typically implemented with a relatively narrow scope, which can appeal to charities looking for a quicker transition from entry-level systems. Core finance processes can be up and running without significant disruption, particularly when existing structures are simple and unlikely to change. That speed comes from limiting complexity rather than designing for it.
Sage Intacct implementations tend to take a more considered approach. Time is spent upfront designing dimensions, reporting structures and controls that reflect how the organisation operates and where it is heading. That investment pays off quickly, reducing the need for rework and ensuring the system continues to support you as requirements evolve.
Scalability over time
iplicit scales well within a defined operating model, supporting charities that expect steady activity and limited structural change. For organisations with stable funding streams and UK-only operations, that can be sufficient for some time. Pressure tends to emerge once reporting needs multiply or governance expectations increase.
Sage Intacct is designed to scale alongside organisational complexity. Multi-entity expansion, additional funding models, international activity and deeper reporting requirements can all be absorbed without re-platforming. Finance teams are not forced to compromise between today’s needs and tomorrow’s plans.
Which system is the better fit for your organisation?
Choosing between platforms usually comes down to how much complexity you are managing today and how confident you want to feel about handling more tomorrow. Both systems can support non-profits, but they tend to suit very different stages of maturity.
iplicit may be a good fit if your organisation…
Operates primarily in the UK with a straightforward structure
Manages a limited number of funds or projects
Needs a clear step up from entry-level accounting software
Wants improved reporting and control without introducing additional layers
For charities at this stage, iplicit can deliver immediate improvements in visibility and efficiency, provided requirements remain stable.
Sage Intacct is the better fit if your organisation…
Manages multiple funds, grants or programmes
Operates more than one entity or trading subsidiary
Faces increasing scrutiny from trustees, funders or regulators
Expects reporting needs to evolve over time
Wants a system that will not need replacing again in a few years
Sage Intacct is designed for this level of complexity. It supports stronger governance, deeper insight and long-term scalability, allowing finance teams to stay in control as expectations rise.
Final Thoughts
Picking a finance system rarely feels like a clean, one-off decision. Pressures tend to build quietly, more reporting requests, tighter scrutiny and less tolerance for uncertainty in the numbers. iplicit can meet the need for clearer structure when things are still relatively contained, while Sage Intacct is built for the point where finance teams need confidence that the system will keep pace, even when requirements stop being predictable.
Many organisations reach this point because they want reassurance before committing to another long-term system. Talking through how your funding works, where reporting feels fragile and what might change over time often brings that clarity quickly. A short Discovery Call with us gives you space to explore those questions openly and sense-check whether Sage Intacct is the right fit, without pressure or obligation.
Book your free Discovery Call here
Sage Intacct vs iplicit for non-profits FAQ
- Is Sage Intacct good for charities?
Yes. Sage Intacct is widely used by non-profits around the world that need strong fund accounting, multi-entity reporting and real-time financial visibility. The platform is designed to support increasing governance and reporting demands without relying on spreadsheets.
- Does iplicit support fund accounting?
Yes. iplicit supports fund and project tracking and is commonly used by UK charities with straightforward reporting needs. However, depth and flexibility can become more limited as funding models and reporting requirements grow.
- Which is better for non-profit finance teams: Sage Intacct or iplicit?
For most growing non-profits, Sage Intacct is the stronger option. It offers greater flexibility, deeper reporting and better long-term scalability than iplicit, particularly for organisations managing multiple funds or entities.
- Can Sage Intacct handle restricted and unrestricted funds?
Yes. Sage Intacct uses dimensional accounting, allowing restricted and unrestricted funds to be tracked across programmes, grants, departments and entities without duplicating accounts or rebuilding reports.
- Can iplicit handle multiple entities?
Yes, iplicit supports multi-entity structures. But organisations with complex consolidations, inter-entity transactions or frequent group reporting often find Sage Intacct better suited as requirements increase.
- Which system is more scalable for growing non-profits?
Sage Intacct scales more effectively. Its architecture is designed to absorb additional entities, funding streams and reporting complexity without re-platforming or introducing manual workarounds.
- Is Sage Intacct too complex for mid-sized charities?
No. Sage Intacct is modular and configurable, allowing charities to start with what they need and expand functionality over time. This approach helps avoid another system change as requirements evolve.
- How do non-profits choose between Sage Intacct and iplicit?
Most organisations base the decision on reporting complexity, governance expectations and future growth. Charities expecting increased scrutiny, additional funds or structural change tend to choose Sage Intacct for long-term confidence.