For decades, Great Plains Accounting—later known as Microsoft Dynamics GP—has been a trusted financial management and accounting system for businesses across the world. Even as modern cloud solutions gain popularity, many companies still rely on this powerful platform to manage their daily financial operations, maintain compliance, track inventory, and support long-term business planning.
Despite the rise of newer ERP technologies, the impact of Great Plains Accounting is undeniable. It helped shape today’s ERP landscape and remains a widely used system in accounting departments, manufacturing firms, distribution companies, and service-based organizations.
This comprehensive guide explores the history of Great Plains Accounting, its core features, why many businesses still use it today, and how organizations can transition to modern cloud solutions while preserving the strengths that made Great Plains so successful.
What Is Great Plains Accounting?
Great Plains Accounting (GPA) is an accounting and financial management system originally developed by Great Plains Software, a company founded in 1981 in Fargo, North Dakota. In 2001, Microsoft acquired Great Plains Software and rebranded the system as Microsoft Dynamics GP.
Although many modern ERP systems exist today, Great Plains Accounting remains:
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Reliable
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Stable
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Feature-rich
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Highly customizable
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Ideal for on-premise deployment
Thousands of businesses still rely on it for essential financial operations, making “Great Plains Accounting” a highly searched and relevant keyword even today.
Why Great Plains Accounting Became So Popular
Before cloud ERP solutions were mainstream, businesses needed accounting systems that were:
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Easy to install
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Capable of running on local servers
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Flexible enough to handle multi-company structures
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Robust enough to support growing midsize organizations
Great Plains delivered all these capabilities—and more.
Key reasons Great Plains Accounting became a top choice:
1. Powerful Financial Management Tools
Great Plains offered advanced accounting capabilities such as:
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General ledger
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Accounts receivable
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Accounts payable
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Bank reconciliation
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Fixed asset management
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Budgeting and forecasting
These features made it ideal for CFOs, accountants, and auditors.
2. Customizable and Scalable
Using tools like Modifier and Dexterity, businesses could customize Great Plains to match their specific workflows.
3. Strong Third-Party Add-Ons
Great Plains established a large ecosystem of ISVs (Independent Software Vendors) offering solutions for:
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Payroll
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Manufacturing
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Distribution
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HR
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Project accounting
This extensibility set the foundation for the modern Dynamics GP ecosystem.
4. Multi-Currency and Multi-Company Support
For decades, Great Plains Accounting was one of the most capable systems for businesses operating across countries and subsidiaries.
5. Longevity and Stability
Many organizations still use it because it’s reliable, predictable, and performs consistently year after year.
Core Features of Great Plains Accounting
Although technology has advanced, the strength of Great Plains Accounting still lies in its comprehensive suite of features designed for financial accuracy, business control, and operational efficiency.
Here are the core modules that made Great Plains a favorite among accountants:
1. General Ledger (GL)
The GL module supports:
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Flexible chart of accounts
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Multi-year history
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Consolidated reporting
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Intercompany transactions
This flexibility allowed businesses to structure financial data exactly the way they needed.
2. Accounts Payable (AP)
The AP module automates vendor payments, invoices, discounts, and credit memos. Businesses can:
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Set payment terms
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Track expenses
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Create vendor statements
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Manage purchase orders
3. Accounts Receivable (AR)
This module helps manage customer billing, credit limits, collections, and cash receipts. It supports:
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Aging reports
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Sales invoices
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Revenue recognition
4. Inventory and Distribution
Great Plains included strong tools for:
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Serial/lot tracking
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Warehouse management
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Purchase orders
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Order fulfillment
This made the system valuable for distribution and manufacturing companies.
5. Payroll and Human Resources
Many organizations used Great Plains for payroll processing, tax calculations, and HR record management.
6. Reporting and Analytics
Great Plains featured built-in reporting tools including:
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Management Reporter
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SmartList
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SQL Reporting Services
These tools provided deep insights into financial health and operational performance.
Why Companies Still Use Great Plains Accounting Today
Even in 2025, Great Plains Accounting remains in use across industries. But why?
Here are the key reasons:
1. Stability and Long-Term Reliability
Companies that have used Great Plains for decades know its performance is rock-solid. It handles:
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Large transaction volumes
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Complex accounting processes
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Multi-company environments
without issues.
2. Highly Trained User Base
Accountants and finance professionals are deeply familiar with the system. Retraining an entire department is costly and time-consuming.
3. Customized Systems
Many companies spent years customizing Great Plains. Transitioning to a new ERP means:
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Rebuilding custom workflows
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Reintegrating systems
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Migrating historical data
Some prefer to keep the system running rather than rebuild from scratch.
4. Strong On-Premise Control
In industries requiring maximum data control, on-premise ERP like Great Plains is still preferred over cloud solutions.
5. Cost Savings
For companies with stable operations, continuing with Great Plains can be more cost-effective than transitioning to a completely new system.
Limitations of Great Plains Accounting in the Modern Era
While Great Plains Accounting is still powerful, it has limitations compared to modern SaaS ERP solutions.
1. On-Premise Infrastructure
Requires servers, backups, updates, and IT staff.
2. Manual Upgrades
Upgrading versions can be costly and time-consuming.
3. Limited Remote Access
Remote work and mobile access are more difficult with on-prem systems.
4. Older Interface
Compared to modern cloud dashboards, Great Plains feels outdated.
5. Declining Ecosystem Support
The world is shifting to cloud ERP, reducing the number of professionals specializing in older systems.
The Future of Great Plains Accounting
Microsoft has confirmed ongoing support for Dynamics GP, but its roadmap focuses heavily on mainstream maintenance rather than major innovation. This means:
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Security updates
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Tax compliance updates
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Minor enhancements
But no major new features.
Many businesses are now asking:
Should we continue using Great Plains Accounting or move to a modern cloud ERP?
Let’s explore both options.
Option 1: Continue Using Great Plains Accounting
This makes sense for companies that:
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Rely heavily on customizations
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Have stable processes
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Have invested deeply in on-premise infrastructure
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Do not require mobile or remote access
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Prefer predictable costs and minimal change
With proper maintenance, Great Plains can still serve businesses effectively.
Option 2: Migrate to a Modern Cloud ERP
This path benefits organizations that want:
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Real-time cloud access
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AI-powered analytics
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Automated updates
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Strong cybersecurity
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Improved mobility
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Integration with modern apps
Top cloud alternatives include:
1. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
The natural upgrade path for GP users.
2. Oracle NetSuite
A leading cloud ERP for fast-growing companies.
3. SAP Business ByDesign
Ideal for mid-sized enterprises.
4. Acumatica
Excellent for distribution and manufacturing.
Migrating from Great Plains Accounting to cloud ERP can improve efficiency, scalability, and long-term competitiveness.
How to Transition from Great Plains Accounting to Modern Cloud ERP
Migrating ERP systems requires careful planning. Here’s a smart approach:
1. Assess Your Current System
Identify what’s working and what’s not.
2. Map Your Custom Workflows
Ensure new ERP systems can replicate or improve them.
3. Clean Up Financial Data
Remove outdated, duplicate, or unnecessary records.
4. Choose the Right Cloud ERP
Evaluate based on:
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Industry
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Budget
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Features
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Scalability
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Integration
5. Implement in Phases
Avoid business disruption by migrating step-by-step.
6. Train Employees
Make sure users feel confident with the new system.
7. Decommission Great Plains
Once all data is migrated and validated, complete the transition.
Conclusion: The Legacy and Future of Great Plains Accounting
Great Plains Accounting has played a major role in the evolution of ERP technology. Its powerful features, strong financial management capabilities, and stability have made it a trusted system for decades. While modern cloud ERP platforms offer more flexibility, mobility, and automation, Great Plains remains relevant for companies with specialized needs, long-term customizations, or strict on-premise requirements.
Whether your organization decides to continue using Great Plains or migrate to a cloud solution, understanding its strengths, limitations, and future direction is essential for strategic planning.