Bench just shut down. Thousands of businesses are scrambling to recover their accounting and tax documents.
(Here’s what happened—and what’s next for affected businesses.)
Bench, a Canada-based accounting platform, abruptly went offline yesterday, leaving its 35,000+ U.S. customers in the lurch.
Years of accounting data, tax docs, and financial records stored on the Bench platform suddenly became inaccessible.
Customers received a notice on the company’s website:
“We regret to inform you that as of December 27, 2024, the Bench platform will no longer be accessible… we’re committed to helping Bench customers navigate through the transition.”
But for many, this abrupt shutdown feels like betrayal.
A startup that raised $113M from top investors like Shopify and Bain Capital Ventures, Bench was once the go-to for small business bookkeeping.
Now it’s gone.
What this means for businesses:
Back up your data. Customers can download their data until March 2025. Don’t delay—extensions with the IRS won’t fix everything.
Find alternatives fast. Bench suggests migrating to Kick, a new player backed by OpenAI.
Ask tough questions. What happens when a trusted platform vanishes? The answer can’t just be “file an extension.”
This is a harsh reminder: as small business owners, we rely on tech—but we must have a backup plan.
Does your business have one?