BQE CORE
BQE CORE is a cloud operations suite for architecture and engineering firms that unifies time and expense capture, billing, project financials, and analytics so principals can see utilization and margins in one place.
BQE CORE is marketed as an all-in-one back office for professional services firms that design buildings and infrastructure. The vendor states it is used by more than three thousand architecture and engineering practices, and positions the product around time capture, invoicing, project management, and reporting rather than CAD authoring (BQE homepage copy, 2026).
Foundations-style packaging on the pricing page groups time and expense, billing, project controls, dashboards, and support, with optional add-on modules for accounting, CRM, HR, and payroll depending on region and need. Native mobile apps for iOS and Android are advertised alongside browser access, which matters for principals who approve hours on phones and project staff who work between job sites and the studio.
Industry benchmarking materials published by BQE describe sampling from more than one thousand four hundred A and E businesses for annual reports that quote firm-level metrics such as average revenue per employee, which the vendor pairs with CORE as a system to track comparable KPIs internally (BQE architecture benchmarking narrative, 2025).
Because pricing is quote-based per user and module, implementation plans should include finance, HR, and IT early. Treat public marketing numbers as directional; validate contract terms, regional payroll rules, and integration scope before you replace legacy ERP or billing stacks.
Specifications
Pricing
Platforms
Used for
Used by
Tasks
Pros and cons
Pros
- Purpose-built messaging for architecture and engineering contrasts with generic SMB accounting tools.
- Modular packaging lets firms start with core PM and billing before adding payroll or CRM.
- Benchmarking reports give context owners can use when setting internal targets.
Cons
- Quote-only pricing requires sales cycles and can obscure total cost until scoping finishes.
- Deep ERP replacements need careful data migration and change management.
- Optional modules mean final feature sets vary by contract.
Key features
Time and expense: Pre-filled timesheets and automated tracking tie hours to projects for billing readiness.
Billing and invoicing: Manual, batch, and recurring invoice paths with online payment options described on the pricing page.
Project management: Budget versus actual views, Gantt-style planning, and phased reporting in marketing materials.
Dashboards: Unlimited customizable dashboards and scheduled reports in vendor feature lists.
Optional modules: Accounting, CRM, HR, and payroll layers sold as add-ons with quote requests.
Mobile: Native iOS and Android apps advertised for field and executive use.
Pricing
Per-user subscription (quote)
Free
Vendor requires a quote; public site does not list list price. Confirm modules and term.
Frequently asked questions
What does BQE CORE cost per user?
- Public pages steer you to request a quote and describe per-user pricing with optional modules. You need a vendor proposal for a binding figure that matches your headcount and add-ons.
Is BQE CORE only for architects?
- Marketing highlights architecture and engineering, and also mentions broader consulting segments. Confirm industry templates and tax rules with the vendor if you sit outside A and E.
Does BQE CORE include accounting?
- Core accounting is listed as an optional module with bank reconciliation, chart of accounts, and financial statements in marketing copy. Firms may run CORE alongside an existing GL until they adopt the module.
Can staff track time on mobile?
- The vendor advertises native iOS and Android apps with time and expense features. Validate offline behavior and approval flows in a pilot with your real projects.
How does BQE CORE compare to generic project management apps?
- CORE emphasizes billing, utilization, and firm KPIs for professional services, whereas lightweight task boards rarely handle multi-phase invoicing and realization reporting. Match the demo to your finance workflow before you decide.
Where can I read BQE industry benchmarks?
- BQE publishes annual architecture and engineering benchmarking reports through its university resources section. Numbers shift each year, so download the current edition when you benchmark your firm.