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Bench

Bench’s Sudden Shutdown Rescued by Employer.com Acquisition

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Vancouver-based Bench Accounting abruptly shut down on December 27, leaving 12,000 users scrambling during tax season. Within days, HR startup Employer.com acquired Bench, salvaging its operations. Customers now face a choice: stay with the new ownership or seek alternatives.

Bench’s pre-shutdown struggles included incomplete services and rising fees, frustrating clients like Dov Krausz and Galen King. Employer.com’s swift acquisition saved 250 of Bench’s 450 employees. Former Chief People Officer Jennifer Bouyoukos cited unsustainable cash burn as the closure’s cause. Employer.com vows to stabilize operations, but customers demand proof of reliability under new management.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Inc.com.

Employer.com Acquires Vancouver’s Bench Amid Shutdown Fallout

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Vancouver-based Bench, a prominent accounting startup that abruptly shut down last week, has been acquired by San Francisco’s Employer.com. The deal, with an undisclosed price, aims to revive the platform and address disruptions for 12,000 small business customers ahead of tax season.

Employer.com plans to relaunch Bench soon, offering clients options to continue services or transfer data elsewhere. Many of Bench’s 600 former employees may be recalled, as the HR tech firm integrates its new acquisition. Employer.com CEO Jesse Tinsley called the move part of a broader HR-focused strategy. Customers now await a smoother transition under new ownership.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Techcouver.

Vancouver’s Bench Accounting Closes Abruptly Ahead of Tax Season

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Vancouver’s Bench Accounting, North America’s largest small business bookkeeping service, has abruptly shut down, leaving thousands without support before tax season. The company announced its closure via a “Notice of Service Closure” on its website, confirming operations ended December 27, 2024.

Social media accounts have been deactivated, and reports indicate widespread layoffs. Founded in 2012, Bench served over 11,000 clients and had raised over $100 million from investors, including Shopify. Former CEO Ian Crosby suggested the closure serves as a cautionary tale for venture capitalists. Customers and employees face uncertainty as the fintech giant’s sudden collapse reverberates.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Techcouver.