Bench Finds Buyer After Sudden Shutdown

Accounting startup Bench, which abruptly shut down in December 2024 and locked out customers from their accounts, has been acquired by HR tech firm Employer.com. The acquisition will restore access to Bench’s platform and allow customers to retrieve their data or continue their bookkeeping services under new ownership.

Bench had advised customers to file extensions with the IRS while seeking alternative bookkeeping solutions. Employer.com has since stated that this is no longer necessary for those customers who opt to continue using the platform. Customers will be contacted with instructions on how to log in and access their information. Although Bench previously claimed to serve over 35,000 small businesses, Employer.com now estimates the active user base at approximately 12,000.

Employer.com focuses on payroll and onboarding. The company has announced plans to continue supporting Bench customers with the same in-house bookkeepers. Bench had over 600 employees before the shutdown; only some have been invited to return to ensure service continuity.