BQE Core

BQE Core is a professional services automation platform that combines time tracking, billing, project management, and accounting in one application, covering the engagement lifecycle from project setup through invoicing and collection.

How accounting firms use it

The common pattern is running engagements as projects with budgets attached. Staff log time against project phases, the system compares recorded time and cost against budget as work progresses, and partners review realization before a bill goes out. Because the billing engine supports hourly, fixed-fee, retainer, and milestone arrangements on the same project, firms moving from hourly billing toward value pricing often use it to run both models side by side during the transition.

Resource planning shows staff allocation and capacity across live projects, which is the main thing separating it from simple time-and-billing tools.

Key features

Time entry works from desktop, mobile, or timers, with entry rules and approval workflows. Invoicing supports batch generation, write-up and write-down with allocation across staff, and online payment collection. Profitability reporting breaks realization down by client, project, staff member, and service line — the reporting depth is the strongest area of the product and the usual reason firms select it.

A built-in accounting module covers general ledger, accounts payable, and financial statements, so some firms run their internal books in the same system rather than syncing to a separate ledger.

Who it’s best for

Mid-sized accounting and professional services firms that bill by project or engagement and want profitability visibility at that level. It suits firms with enough staff that capacity planning matters and enough project complexity that a flat time-and-billing tool falls short.

It is a weaker fit for compliance-heavy practices. Without statutory deadline tracking or tax workflow, tax and audit firms typically run it alongside dedicated practice management rather than in place of it.