Many nonprofit organizations are seeking modern solutions that can better support their growth and operational efficiency, particularly when it comes to their accounting systems. Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly Great Plains) has long been a staple in the enterprise resource planning (ERP) space, but Microsoft announced that, as of January 2025, Dynamics GP product support and updates will end on Dec. 31, 2029.
A great alternative to Dynamics GP is Sage Intacct, a cloud-based solution with robust financial management capabilities that nonprofits can customize to align with their business demands.
Nonprofit management often involves juggling numerous responsibilities, from ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements to maintaining accurate financial records. The ERP or accounting solution you choose can affect the success of your organization at all levels. Effective accounting software streamlines and transforms operations by automating processes and providing real-time insights to make informed decisions.
It’s important to understand the capabilities of a nonprofit accounting solution and how it fits your organization’s specific size, as well as current and future needs. Here are some questions to consider:
|
Category |
Sage Intacct |
Microsoft Dynamics GP |
|
Platform Type |
Cloud-based |
On-premises (desktop-based) |
|
Accessibility |
Access anytime, anywhere via the internet |
Limited to internal network access |
|
End of Support |
Ongoing |
Ends Dec. 31, 2029 |
|
Scalability |
Highly scalable; grows with organization (users, transactions, etc.) |
Limited scalability due to sunset phase |
|
Nonprofit-Specific Features |
Yes – includes grant tracking, automated revenue recognition, nonprofit reporting |
No specialized features; requires add-ons |
|
Customization |
High – dashboards, reports, and integrations all customizable |
Limited; requires third-party tools for dashboard enhancements |
|
Dashboards & Reporting |
Real-time, customizable dashboards; 28+ built-in and editable reports; internal data linking |
Static dashboards; reports must be refreshed manually; limited customization |
|
User Interface |
User-friendly, intuitive |
Less modern and harder to learn |
|
Pricing Model |
Monthly subscription; includes full feature access and unlimited users |
One-time perpetual license (phased out); additional fees for add-ons |
|
Customer Support |
Continuous support included with subscription |
Support available only to current customers with enhancement plans (until end-of-life) |
|
Automation & Integration |
Extensive automation, API-based integrations |
Limited; requires additional modules or third-party solutions |
|
Long-Term Viability |
Strong – active development and support ongoing |
Weak – product is sunsetting |
Sage Intacct and Microsoft Dynamics GP are both accounting solutions that help organizations manage their finances and business processes. But with Dynamics GP nearing its end of life and support, it might be time to consider a switch. Here is how Sage Intacct stacks up:
Sage Intacct is a true cloud-based system, so teams have access anytime, anywhere. Dynamics GP is considered an on-premises solution. It was designed to run within a company’s internal network, which provides a lot of control over the system but more limited access. It also limits extended capabilities, such as AI integration.
Additionally, Sage Intacct offers specialized features for nonprofits, such as automated revenue recognition, grant tracking, billing, and integrations with other software your business might be using.
Sage Intacct is known for its user-friendly interface — making it accessible to most users — as well as its scalable design, ensuring that you can add functionalities as your business grows, whether that involves an increase of the number of users, customers, transactions, or entities. With Dynamics GP sunsetting products and services, scalability will be much more limited.
Dynamics GP offers simple financial dashboards and reports, but they’re unable to be updated in real time. Instead, users need to refresh them manually or on a set schedule. There are also limits on what you can show and create with dashboards without the need for third-party software.
Sage Intacct dashboards deliver real-time and highly customizable insights into your business; you’re able to view operating and financial information right when it updates. Clicking on a dashboard allows you to view data in a more granular manner, and all data is internally linked.
Sage Intacct also provides users with as many as 28 financial, operational, and management reports. All reports can be copied or edited, and users can create custom reports without needing to integrate third-party software.
Sage Intacct may seem more expensive than Dynamics GP upfront, but it’s important to consider the short- and long-term costs of both solutions. Users pay a monthly subscription fee for Sage Intacct, gaining access to unlimited user seats and all of the software’s features, as well as continuous customer support no matter where you are in the process of implementing or using Sage Intacct.
Dynamics GP charges regular fees for subscriptions, but users often opt for one-time perpetual license fees. Unlike Sage Intacct, Dynamics GP requires users to purchase add-on packages for HR, budgeting, and other modules. However, no new or perpetual licenses will be sold after Dynamics GP sunsets its products and support. Only existing customers on active enhancement plans can add users and functionality and receive support after Dec. 31, 2029.
While the best value depends on your organization’s needs, Sage Intacct offers strong returns for mid-sized organizations looking for automation, scalability, easy-to-use interfaces, collaboration, and more. With Dynamics GP nearing the end of its life, now might be the best time to migrate your business to Sage Intacct.
Check out our post reviewing Sage Intacct against popular software competitors including QuickBooks, NetSuite and more.
Our team can help you establish a migration plan, whether you’re choosing to move to Sage Intacct or another accounting platform. Schedule a free 15-minute call with Josh Kozinski to discuss your plan of action.