Having a property management tool as a property manager is one of the most helpful and important things in today’s time. Technological support in the real estate industry has always been beneficial for the companies’ real estate accounting. Platforms like ResMan, what is AppFolio and Buildium property management software have become central to daily workflows because they reduce manual effort and keep processes predictable. These tools help teams manage leasing, payments and communication more effectively.
However, no matter how helpful technology becomes, businesses still need human expertise for maximum benefits and efficiency. Even with this operational strength, these tools cannot replace the expertise required to run a financially sound business. Real estate companies need to deal with multi-entity structures, tax planning, compliance requirements and financial reporting. These responsibilities demand experience rather than automation. This is where real estate accounting becomes essential. In this blog, we will explore how platforms like ResMan, AppFolio, and Buildium help businesses, why these platforms are not enough for proper real estate accounting, and how accounting partners can help businesses grow better.
What ResMan, AppFolio and Buildium Actually Do for Property Managers
Management tools bring structure and visibility to daily business operations. They organize data, simplify communication and keep workflows consistent across properties which makes them valuable tools for managing tenants, payments and administrative work. Still, their purpose is operational, not strategic.
Following is a closer look at what ResMan, what is AppFolio and Buildium property management software actually deliver.
ResMan
ResMan is widely used across multifamily and affordable housing portfolios because it brings clarity to compliance-driven operations. The platform centralizes leasing workflows, communication and property-level activity, helping teams manage large resident populations without losing track of details. Its interface keeps daily tasks structured and supports coordination between on-site and back-office teams.
What ResMan Helps With:
- Structured leasing, application review and tenant onboarding.
- Organized communication tools for residents and property staff.
- Maintenance tracking and vendor workflow coordination.
- Clean payment visibility supported by audit trails.
- Operational consistency across compliance-heavy property types.
While ResMan keeps teams organized, its financial capabilities are functional rather than strategic. It records activity but cannot interpret long-term performance or guide decisions that fall under real estate accounting.
What Is AppFolio?
Many property managers search for what is AppFolio because it positions itself as an all-in-one system for operations and accounting. It provides real-time visibility into income, expenses and rent activity, which makes everyday management more predictable. Its automation tools reduce manual steps and help teams stay updated through clean dashboards.
What AppFolio Helps With:
- Real-time rent rolls, income tracking and expense visibility.
- Budgeting tools and basic operational forecasting.
- Automated communication, reminders and notices.
- Maintenance workflows and service request coordination.
- Centralized storage for ledgers, documents and property data.
Even so, what is AppFolio remains focused on recording data rather than interpreting it. Strategic needs like tax planning, entity structuring and lender-ready reporting require real estate accounting professionals.
Buildium Property Management Software
Buildium property management software is popular among small and mid-sized teams because it simplifies administrative work and maintains consistency across properties. It supports rent collection, leasing, bank reconciliation and tenant communication in a structured and easy-to-use system.
What Buildium Helps With:
- Automated rent collection and payment workflows.
- Organized leasing processes and communication tools.
- Bank reconciliation and categorization of income and expenses.
- Basic reporting and 1099 preparation.
- Structured maintenance and task coordination.
While Buildium property management software organizes daily activity well, it does not support multi-entity reporting, partnership allocations or advanced financial analysis. As portfolios expand, companies rely on real estate accounting guidance to understand the story behind the numbers.
Where Property Management Software Falls Short
These platforms automate day-to-day tasks but are not built to manage deeper financial responsibilities. That is because real estate portfolios quickly become complex, and software alone cannot make decisions that shape profitability, compliance and long-term planning. Following are the reasons why property management softwares are just not enough for business growth:
Complex Tax Planning and Depreciation Decisions
Software can record depreciation schedules, but it cannot determine tax strategy or evaluate which improvements qualify for accelerated deductions. For example, renovations may qualify for shorter recovery periods, but the platform cannot identify these opportunities.
IRS guidance confirms bonus depreciation phases down to 60 percent for assets placed in service in 2024. These choices affect financial outcomes and require real estate accounting expertise.
Trust Accounting and Compliance
Platforms track transactions, but they cannot confirm whether entries follow state-level compliance rules. A security deposit posted to the wrong account may look correct in the software but still violate trust regulations.
The California DRE’s 2024 disciplinary actions show that trust fund violations remain among the most common compliance issues. Software cannot replace human oversight in these scenarios.
Advanced Financial Analysis
A platform may show that rental income increased, but it cannot detect deeper issues like rising maintenance costs, inefficient vendor spending or turnover-driven expenses. AppFolio might show stable occupancy, but a review of delinquency trends by an accountant could reveal early signs of cash flow pressure.
Audit Readiness
Audit preparation requires reconciliations, supporting schedules and documented explanations that platforms do not generate automatically. Raw system data must be reviewed, cleaned and structured before auditors or lenders can rely on it.
Deloitte’s 2025 Audit Quality Report found misclassified expenses and unreconciled balances remain common issues in private-company audits. This showcases why platform outputs alone are not audit-ready.
Multi-Entity Coordination
Many real estate portfolios include several LLCs, each with unique ownership structures. Now, platforms like these can track individual properties but they cannot consolidate across entities, allocate returns or prepare combined statements.
For example, if a business owns six properties under four LLCs, lenders will likely request a combined view. No property management tool can automate this and accountants need to build it manually.
Lender and Investor Requirements
Lenders require standardized, reconciled financials in a specific format. System-generated reports often need adjustments before they meet underwriting expectations. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s 2025 Outlook notes increased reliance on accountant-reviewed financials due to tighter credit oversight. Software cannot meet these evolving expectations on its own.
The Hybrid Model: Automation Plus Accounting Insight
The most effective real estate businesses combine operational tools with financial expertise. Software keeps tasks organized and predictable. Accountants interpret performance, structure financials and guide long-term planning.
This hybrid model is especially valuable for new firms adopting bookkeeping for startups and growing companies depending on remote accounting services for structured financial oversight.
How Accounting Partners Work Within ResMan, AppFolio and Buildium
Accounting teams integrate directly with these systems to review entries, correct classifications and turn raw platform data into clear, reliable reporting. They evaluate rent rolls, expense patterns and trends that software cannot analyze. This collaboration strengthens accuracy and gives business owners actionable financial visibility.
Why Professional Support Strengthens Real Estate Businesses?
Real estate businesses face decisions that software alone cannot guide. Professional accountants help owners understand financial patterns, identify risks and support growth with clarity.
Clearer Performance Insight
- Identifying expense patterns affecting profitability.
- Highlighting underperforming assets.
- Analyzing cash flow cycles and NOI trends.
Compliance and Governance
- Maintaining proper segregation of funds.
- Producing complete audit documentation.
- Establishing internal financial controls.
Scalability
- Standardizing reporting across multiple entities.
- Managing complex ownership structures.
- Preparing portfolios for expansion.
Stronger Access to Capital
- Preparing lender-ready financial packages.
- Creating transparent reporting for investors.
- Supporting financing and refinancing discussions.
GATP Solutions: Supporting Real Estate Businesses Beyond Software
GATP Solutions supports companies using ResMan, what is AppFolio and Buildium property management software, adding the financial structure that software cannot provide. Their real estate accounting expertise brings clarity to reporting, compliance and long-term planning.
With remote accounting services, GATP Solutions offers consistent financial oversight without requiring internal hiring. The firm also supports new firms with bookkeeping for startups, helping them build strong habits from day one.
Conclusion
While ResMan, what is AppFolio and Buildium property management software streamline property operations, they do not replace the deeper financial guidance required for long-term stability. They manage workflows and keep teams organized, but strategic decisions, compliance management and financial interpretation still need professional expertise.
When these platforms work alongside strong real estate accounting support, property managers gain clearer reporting, stronger compliance and a more reliable path for growth. GATP Solutions helps bridge this gap by offering structured financial insight and ongoing guidance that operational tools cannot provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do property managers need real estate accounting even when using ResMan or AppFolio?
Platforms like ResMan, what is AppFolio and Buildium property management software manage daily activity, but they do not interpret financial patterns or guide tax strategy. Real estate accounting helps property managers understand performance, manage compliance and make informed financial decisions. - What financial gaps exist in Buildium or ResMan that accounting professionals typically fill?
Even though Buildium property management software and ResMan streamline leasing, payments and maintenance, they cannot manage multi-entity allocations, depreciation planning or lender-ready reporting. These areas require specialized real estate accounting expertise. - Can remote accounting services integrate with platforms like AppFolio or Buildium?
Yes. remote accounting services work seamlessly with what is AppFolio, ResMan and Buildium property management software. Accountants access system data directly, clean up classifications, prepare reconciliations and build complete reporting packages without needing to be on-site. - How does real estate accounting improve decision-making for property managers?
Real estate accounting provides insights into NOI performance, expense trends and cash flow patterns that software alone cannot interpret. This insight helps property managers refine pricing, plan capital improvements and anticipate financial risks. - How does GATP Solutions support businesses using Buildium or ResMan?
GATP Solutions works directly within Buildium property management software and ResMan to review transactions, maintain clean records and prepare reliable financial statements. Their real estate accounting support strengthens compliance and gives property managers clear performance visibility. - What is AppFolio used for, and why is accounting support still necessary?
Many teams look up what is AppFolio because it offers unified workflows for rent rolls, communication and maintenance tasks. However, the platform cannot guide tax structure, interpret financial ratios or prepare lender-required packages. GATP Solutions fills this gap by providing strategic real estate accounting oversight. - Do early-stage real estate companies still need bookkeeping support if they use property management software?
Yes. Even with tools like Buildium property management software or what is AppFolio, new companies rely on bookkeeping for startups to keep records accurate, support tax filings and build strong financial systems as they scale. GATP Solutions helps startups establish accounting discipline from day one. - How does GATP Solutions use remote accounting services to support growing portfolios?
GATP Solutions leverages remote accounting services to manage reconciliations, trust accounting, entity reporting and long-term planning for clients using ResMan, what is AppFolio and Buildium property management software. This gives property managers a complete financial layer on top of their operational tools.
