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BQE CORERun Projects & Operations

STOA rating

5.9 / 10

More about each tool

Pricing

From $7 a month

What it does

Time and billing software for architects, engineers, accountants, and consultants that automates time tracking, project accounting, invoicing, and profitability analysis.

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Strengths

Built specifically for architecture, engineering, and consulting firms
Strong project accounting with budget tracking and profitability analysis
Handles complex billing scenarios like milestone, hourly, and fixed-fee invoicing
Integrates time tracking, invoicing, and project management in one platform
Solid reporting tools for tracking utilization and project performance

Weaknesses

Steeper learning curve than general-purpose billing tools
Per-user pricing adds up quickly for growing teams
Interface can feel dated and cluttered compared to newer tools
Overkill for businesses outside professional services industries

Key features

Track billable and non-billable hours across projects and team members
Create and send professional invoices with flexible billing methods
Monitor project budgets, costs, and profitability in real time
Manage expenses and reimbursements tied to specific projects
Run reports on staff utilization, project performance, and revenue forecasts
Integrates with QuickBooks and other accounting software

AI features

BQE CORE includes AI-powered project insights and forecasting that help you spot budget overruns and predict project profitability before problems get out of hand. It also uses machine learning to automate time entry suggestions based on your past work patterns.

STOA verdict

BQE CORE is best for small professional service firms — architects, engineers, and consultants — who need project-based billing and time tracking in one place. The depth of project accounting and invoicing tools is a real strength, but the pricing can get steep as you add users, and the learning curve may slow down smaller teams without a dedicated admin.