Odoo vs. Contpaqi: Does accounting only comply with the SAT or does it also generate business value?

April 13, 2025

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Hector Galicia

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What is Odoo?

Odoo is a system ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Open source software that allows you to comprehensively manage all areas of a company from a single platform. Unlike traditional accounting software, Odoo not only serves to keep accounts, but also integrates Sales, purchasing, inventory, CRM, human resources, e-commerce, among others.

Its modular approach allows you to start with a single application (such as billing either accounting) and scale as business needs grow. It is available in a version Community (free) and a version Enterprise (paid), making it accessible to businesses of all sizes.

What modules does Odoo offer?

Some of the most used are:

  • Accounting and Finance: CFDI 4.0 stamping, integration with PACs, DIOT, electronic accounting, automatic bank reconciliations, customizable financial reports.
  • Sales: CRM, quotes, sales orders, lead tracking.
  • Inventory: inputs and outputs, batch or series control, integration with purchasing and production.
  • Shopping: automation of supplier orders, cost and margin analysis.
  • Manufacture: production orders, bills of materials, manufacturing costs.
  • Human Resources: attendance control, vacations, and in some countries, payroll.
  • Website and eCommerce: online store with native integration to inventory and accounting.

Why is Odoo growing in Mexico?

In Mexico, Odoo has seen significant adoption in sectors seeking to digitize their processes beyond tax compliance. Although it was originally intended as a general ERP, Today there are specific developments for Mexican tax compliance, What:

  • CFDI 4.0 stamped with PACs.
  • Electronic accounting (Annex 24).
  • DIOT and VAT reports.
  • SAT account catalog.
  • Payment supplements, withholdings, etc.

Thanks to the community of Mexican developers and partners, Odoo is no longer a tool only "for large companies", but also for accounting firms, SMEs and entrepreneurs.

Comparison: Odoo vs Contpaqi

FeatureContpaqi AccountingOdoo ERP (with accounting module in Mexico)
Main focusTax Compliance (SAT)Comprehensive business management
Electronic accountingYes (native)Yes (with adapted module)
DIOT / VAT / CFDI 4.0Yes, highly automatedYes, with initial configuration
Accounting automation via XMLHigh (very useful for accountants)Also available (requires configuration)
Business-friendly interfaceNo (complex and outdated)Yes (modern, web-based, mobile-friendly)
Remote accessibilityLimited (requires server and local network)Total, from any device with internet
Management / Sales / Cash Flow ReportsNon-native or complex to generateYes, in real time and customizable
ScalabilityLimited to accounting/tax issuesHigh, allows scaling to all areas
Simultaneous usersLimited by licenseUnlimited (depending on the server or plan)
Free versionNoYes (Community)

What type of information does each system offer?

With Contpaqi, the accountants they can:

  • Automate policy registration from XML.
  • Comply with obligations such as DIOT and electronic accounting.
  • Control accounting balances accurately.
  • Have tax traceability in SAT audits.

But the businessmen They are often left out of the system. Information for strategic decisions is either unavailable or very difficult to obtain.

This leads to a common phenomenon: the entrepreneur ends up Building your own management accounting in Excel. That is, it takes two accountings: one for tax purposes and another to understand your business.


With Odoo, the accountants they can:

  • Automate CFDI, accounting, and reconciliations.
  • Issue fiscal and financial reports.
  • Comply with SAT if it is properly parameterized.

And the businessmenIn addition to having access to the same tax information, they can also:

  • View margins, costs, inventory, overdue customers, and cash flow in real time.
  • View reports with customizable dashboards and KPIs.
  • Make decisions without waiting for the accountant to prepare a report.

What type of sales or decisions does each system allow?

UserContpaqiOdoo
CounterMaintain accounting for multiple clients, comply with SAT, and prepare tax returns.Same as with Contpaqi, but also deliver more managerial reports.
BusinessmanHe reports to the accountant, reviews monthly reports, and creates his own files.You have real-time access, can make data-driven decisions, and identify opportunities and risks.
Both working togetherAccountant complies with the SAT, but decision-making is not supported by the system.The accountant complies with the SAT, and the entrepreneur uses the same data to better manage their business.

Conclusion

Contpaqi has been and continues to be a fundamental tool for accountants in Mexico. Its tax specialization makes it reliable and robust, but Its operational approach is not designed to help the entrepreneur understand his business.

Odoo, on the other hand, represents a Natural evolution for those seeking to integrate accounting with business operations, allowing both the accountant and the entrepreneur to work with the same information and from different perspectives: compliance vs decision-making.

It's time to ask ourselves if we want accounting to be used solely for tax reporting, or if we're ready for it to also be a source of growth and profitability.

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Written by Hector Galicia

Public Accountant with more than 15 years of experience advising national and foreign clients. He currently serves as a founding partner of the Public Accounting firm Tax ID Mexico. info@taxid.mx

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