Bench Accounting

I began working with Bench back in late 2018/early 2019 -- at the time they were a wonderful start-up with people who really cared, communicated regularly, and did a fantastic job with my small business' books. I recommended them to friends and was happy with their service. In the last 2 years especially, communication has drastically fallen off, and it's no fault of my actual bookkeeper -- I could tell he was really doing his best in a company where a lot was changing and not for the better. I decided to switch to a smaller company for my services and canceled in early December 2024, with confirmation from the agent I canceled with that because I paid into my Bench Tax subscription all year, my 2024 bookkeeping and accounting were covered. Then came the shutdown and buyout by Employer.com -- something that was not even hinted at by the company to users at any time until it was already a mess. Spurred on by fears that my data would no longer be available to me (after it wasn't during the shutdown and other users online made it clear that data was not readily available to download without agreeing to Employer.com's new terms), I agreed to Employer.com having access to my data so I myself could have access to it. A couple weeks later, I received an email from Bench saying that because I no longer had an active subscription they would not be finishing my 2024 books OR doing my accounting through BenchTax after all. This was all legally valid because of the buyout. I have no recourse because of this to get my $600+ back that was already paid for my accountant -- but I can leave a review, and warn others that this company has been on shaky ground for a while and in the buyout Employer.com has chosen to not honor what little integrity Bench had left. I feel awful for the employees there who have had no say in these changes -- none of this is the fault of the people who I've actually been able to communicate with. The higher ups have simply been greedy -- I have seen reviews here showing it could've been even worse for me, as some users haven't had books updated that were paid in advance for over a year. As someone who was once a big fan of Bench, it pains me to say - do not work with this company. They do not care about their customers in the slightest.

I was a Bench customer for 5 years. The first 3 years things were good and reliable and then the last 2 years has been progressively bad with a string of new bookkeepers on my account and it felt like I had to train them. I made a decision late last year to transfer my bookkeeping to a more comprehensive financial services firm that can do planning, taxes and bookkeeping in one place. I thought I could have them do my books through the end of 2024, but then they closed abruptly at the end of the year and then sold it to a firm that does have financial services as part of their core offerings. I'm glad that I have made the transition to a new service provider because I can't imagine trusting a company with my financials who is learning on the fly. Buyer beware!

Would rate a zero star if I could. The worst business and service experience I’ve ever received. I chose bench in a hurry to find a small business account and tax filer to prepare for my 2024 taxes. Haven’t gotten setup in over 5 months extremely late on my taxes, unfulfilled promises, impossible to get in touch with virtually anyone, oh and they went bankrupt in the meantime. I am just 22 years old and this is my first time dealing with a business accountant and it has been extremely horrible. They looped me in to signed some agreement with a lender that refuses to wave my payment plan although I have already cancelled with bench for a month. Cant get in touch with anyone from Bench on the matters, and they’re trying to increase my rates from $500 a month to $750 a month. 100000% a scam, even after abrupt changes they will not let you get out of your contract with cap chase and will not help you in any way. I feel trapped I do not have the funds to pay these guys $10000 annually for little To no work, and I don’t know what to do. Will most likely try to take legal action if I cannot recover the funds and get out of this scam of a contract and company. If you see the word bench, do not click!!! Run!!!!!!!