As a dance studio or dance school owner, you know how hectic things can get.
Between teaching classes, managing employees, marketing, and running the day-to-day operations, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the administrative tasks like bookkeeping and accounting.
Rather than spending hours reconciling bank statements or tracking invoices, you need accounting software to automate these tedious processes.
But with so many options on the market, how do you choose?
This blog post will list the 7 best accounting software programs for dance studios and dance schools in 2023.
Read Also: 10 Best Accounting Software for Architects and Architecture Firms
7+ Best Accounting Software for Dance Studios and Dance Schools
Here are the best accounting software programs for dance studios and dance schools:
1. QuickBooks Online
For small business accounting, QuickBooks Online is a longtime favorite. Over 5 million businesses use this intuitive cloud-based software to connect all your finances in one place for easy tracking and reporting.
Some key features that make QuickBooks a top pick for dance studios include:
- Invoice creation & tracking – Easily generate customized, professional invoices and allow customers to pay online.
- Payroll – Built-in payroll processing for easy wage and tax calculations.
- Class tracking – Categorize income and expenses by class to see real-time profitability.
- Receipt capture – Use your mobile device to capture and organize receipts and bills for expenses quickly.
- Accountant collaboration – Unlimited external accountant access for easy collaboration.
With subscription plans starting at just $25/month, QuickBooks Online is affordable accounting software that can grow with your dance business.
2. FreshBooks
FreshBooks is a leading accounting solution for service-based small businesses like dance studios and schools.
Key features that make it a standout choice include:
- Client database – Maintain detailed client profiles and communication histories for more personalized service.
- Invoicing – Create, customize, send, and accept payments on professional invoices. Set up recurring invoices for regular lessons.
- Expenses & payments – Easily track everyday business expenses and integrate with your bank for automated payment matching.
- Time tracking – Track billable staff hours by client or project to better calculate profitability.
- Reporting – Monitor income, expenses, profit margin, and other key financial metrics with built-in reports.
FreshBooks offers a 30-day free trial and paid plans starting at $15/month, making it budget-friendly while still packed with features.
3. Xero
Based out of New Zealand, Xero is a rising star in the online accounting world. Boasting over 2 million subscribers worldwide, it’s loved by dance studios for features like:
- Inventory management – Track merchandise inventory levels and sales.
- Purchase ordering – Streamline ordering supplies and materials.
- Invoicing – Create custom invoices, accept online payments, and set up automatic reminders for overdue invoices.
- Expense claims – Submit mobile receipts and track mileage for employee expense claims.
- Reporting – Get real-time visibility over income, expenses, account balances, and other metrics.
Xero integrates seamlessly with hundreds of third-party apps, from POS systems to payroll providers. Pricing starts at $12/month for their Early plan.
4. StudioBoss
StudioBoss is accounting software built exclusively with dance studios in mind.
It can run your entire school from one cloud-based system, from intake and registration to scheduling and billing.
Notable StudioBoss features include:
- Registration management – Track student details, class enrollment, injuries/needs, etc.
- Scheduling & attendance – Schedule classes and track student attendance.
- Billing & payments – Automatic payment processing, invoice creation, monthly statements.
- Payroll – Built-in payroll processing for instructors and employees.
- Point of Sale – Retail POS system for dancewear shops and concessions.
- Parent portal – Allow parents to access schedules, make payments, register for classes, etc.
Pricing starts at $59/month for up to 50 active students, making StudioBoss a cost-effective all-in-one studio management system.
5. Zoho Books
Zoho Books is ideal for dance schools seeking affordable yet full-featured accounting software.
Benefits include:
- Estimate creation – Build professional estimates and send them to prospects for free.
- Streamlined invoicing – Customizable invoices with automatic payment reminders.
- Time tracking – Log hours for classes, rehearsals, meetings, and more for accurate billing.
- Multi-currency – Support for sending invoices and accepting payments in different currencies.
- Inventory monitoring – Keep tabs on merchandise levels and valuations.
- Expense tracking – Categorize purchases and link receipts for better reporting.
For only $9/month, Zoho Books delivers sophisticated accounting tools tailored for dance studios on a budget.
6. Mindbody Online
Mindbody provides specialized cloud-based business management software for the wellness industry.
Integrating scheduling, payment processing, payroll, and more, it’s a one-stop management system for dance schools.
Notable features for studios include:
- Class management – Schedule classes, track attendance, substitutions, etc.
- Student profiles – Maintain info like contacts, notes, liability waivers, etc.
- Online booking – Let students conveniently book and pay for classes 24/7.
- Billing & invoicing – Automatically generate invoices and collect payments.
- Marketing – Built-in email, social media, and newsletter marketing.
- Revenue reports – See real-time sales and revenue analytics.
Mindbody plans start at $129/month, making it a pricier but extremely robust option.
7. DanceStudioPro
DanceStudioPro is a web-based dance school management software with integrated accounting features.
Key perks include:
- Registration management – Track student info, enrollments, waivers, etc.
- Class schedule – Schedule classes and instructors with drag-and-drop simplicity.
- Invoicing – Flexible custom invoice creation and recurring billing options.
- Payment processing – Accept credit cards, bank payments, and even auto-debit student accounts.
- Calendar integration – Automatically sync class schedules to Google, iCal, and Outlook.
- Cloud storage – Store documents like waivers, policies, and certificates online for anytime access.
Starting at $50/month, DanceStudioPro delivers easy studio management plus accounting capabilities in a streamlined online system.
8. ABCA
The ABC dance school software by MINDBODY provides an easy, all-in-one management system designed for smaller dance schools.
Features include:
- Class scheduling and attendance — Intuitive calendar views make scheduling a breeze.
- Family profiles — Store all student, parent, and family info in centralized profiles.
- Billing and invoicing — Generate custom invoices and accept online payments.
- Email marketing — Create email newsletters and promotions.
- Mobile access — Manage your school from anywhere with iOS and Android apps.
- Auto payment processing — Automatically process credit cards and ACH payments on a recurring schedule.
Starting at $59/month, ABCA gives budget-friendly pricing for combined studio management and accounting.
Read Also: 10+ Best Accounting Software for Plumbers and Plumbing Businesses
Conclusion
As you can see, you have excellent accounting software options tailored to the specialized needs of dance studios, big and small.
Running a successful dance school requires the right tools; bookkeeping should be at the top of your tool kit list.
Implement a purpose-built accounting solution that can automate the busy work while keeping you financially in step.
That way, you can focus on dancing and inspiring the next generation of dancers.