2019 Review of BQE Core

From the 2019 review of time & billing management systems.

BQE Core from BQE Software offers time and expense tracking, along with billing, accounting, and project management capability. Launched in July 2017, BQE is a good fit for small to mid-sized professional services firms including accounting and CPA firms.

BQE Core is cloud-based with a mobile app available that works with both iOS and Android smart phones and tablets. The mobile app offers extensive functionality, including a navigational dashboard, time and expense management, project management, and complete billing applications. Users can also access master lists vendor bills, and to-do management capability directly from a mobile device as well.

BQE Core allows users to enter time using a variety of methods, and offers a Time Card entry method that uses a grid-view and is offered in daily and weekly views. Those with a set schedule can prefill the timecard if desired. Users can also track PTO/Comp time, with the product able to track overtime hours as well. The time entry option provides employees with a fast way to record tasks as they occur, and the product includes an unlimited number of timers, so users can track time for multiple projects simultaneously. Once a timecard has been completed, users can submit the timecard to the assigned approver directly.

BQE Core’s entry screen resembles the time entry screen, which makes it easy for users to easily enter related expenses, including units, cost rates, and total amount charged. Users can add receipt totals to any expense entered in the system, with a memo option available to enter notes or other details.

BQE Core allows users to easily create invoices manually or users can opt to use a batch invoicing option if necessary. The product contains a good variety of invoice templates including Hourly, Hourly by Activity, Cost Plus, Fixed Invoice, Manual Invoice with Contract, and Phased Invoice, with users able to utilize a variety of billing methods which include automatic, manual, and progress billing. Users can also create statements by both client or by project.

BQE Core offers excellent reporting capability, with four different report types offered, which include Standard, Memorized, Scheduled, and Favorites. There are a variety of time and billing reports available in BQE Core including a Time Details report, Billed Time and Expenses report, and a Time and Expenses report. An employee realization report is also available, which displays employee total hours, client hours, average hours billed, average bill rate, and total billed amount. A Gross Management report is also available, allowing management to look at firm profitability by both client and project. All reports are completely customizable, with users able to create and save custom reports for future access. Users can also assign any report to the Favorite category, which allows easy future access. All system reports can be exported to both Microsoft Word and Excel, as a CSV file or saved as a PDF. Users can also email reports to recipients directly from the print screen.

BQE Core is a completely integrated system, with Billing, Accounting, Project Management, and Reporting functionality included along with Time and Billing. The product also offers integration with a variety of third-party applications which include Xero, QuickBooks Online, and MYOB AccountRight, along with Dropbox and Google Drive.

The CORE Help Center in BQE Core includes numerous tools and resources for users including FAQs, a comprehensive video library, a completely searchable Knowledgebase, along with a company blog. The video library offers a series of Getting Started videos for new system users including Navigating Core, Using Core Help, and a complete product overview. Users can also click on the Help function from any user screen in the application to access additional help resources. Product support is available via telephone or email during regular business hours, or users can choose to access support live through the support portal included in the application.

BQE Core is a completely integrated system that offers excellent time and billing capability along with project management, accounting, and mobile applications. Best suited for small to mid-sized professional services firms, BQE pricing levels are role-based, so users only pay for the features they require, with current pricing starting at $7.95 per user, per month for those interested in the Time and Expense option, with pricing for other user types available upon request. A free-15-day trial is also available for those interested in trying out the application.

2019 Overall Rating – 5 Stars