A note before you read: ABFI is one of the alternatives on this page, and we wrote it. Everything we say about Bench comes from public, dated sources, and we've said who Bench and the other options suit better than us.
Who Bench is good for
Bench built its name on simple, app-based bookkeeping for small businesses: your transactions categorized and reconciled by a bookkeeping team, with monthly financial statements in an app [1]. For a small, straightforward business that mainly needs tidy books for year end, that model works well.
A short history note, because people ask: Bench shut down abruptly in late December 2024, and Employer.com acquired it within days [2]. Services and plans may have changed since; check Bench's own site for its current offer [1].
Why businesses look for an alternative
The reasons we hear most aren't about Bench doing anything wrong. They're about fit:
- The business outgrew the model. More employees, inventory, job costing, several entities or a lender asking for reports.
- They want more ownership. Someone to chase bills, run the close, review it and talk to the CPA.
- They want to work inside their own QuickBooks or Xero file, so the books stay theirs and their CPA can log in directly.
- They want a different price point, either lower or with more included.
The alternatives, by who they fit
| If you want... | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A similar app-style service at a flat price | Merritt Bookkeeping | Reported flat monthly rate for bookkeeping [3] |
| Bookkeeping inside your own QuickBooks Online | QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping | Intuit's own service, inside QuickBooks [4] |
| A startup-focused provider | Pilot | Bookkeeping, tax and CFO services for startups [5] |
| Bookkeeping plus add-ons from one firm | Bookkeeper360 | Works in QuickBooks Online or Xero, with add-ons [6] |
| An accounting department for a growing business | ABFI Accounting | Reviewed monthly close, controller oversight, CPA coordination [7] |
More detail on each: Merritt alternatives, QuickBooks Live alternatives, Pilot alternatives, and our full list of outsourced bookkeeping services. Comparing two of them directly? See Bench vs Pilot.
Bench and ABFI side by side
| Bench | ABFI Accounting | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | App-based online bookkeeping [1] | Outsourced accounting department |
| Best for | Small, simple businesses | Growing businesses with more moving parts |
| Monthly close | Monthly books and statements [1] | Locked monthly close with controller review |
| Industry depth | General small business | Playbooks for startups, agencies, staffing, contractors, e-commerce, multi-entity |
| CFO-level help | Check current offer [1] | Available in higher tiers |
| Taxes | Check current offer [1] | Not offered; we hand clean books to your CPA |
| Pricing | See Bench's pricing page [1] | From $850 a month [7] |
ABFI costs more than app-style bookkeeping. It's worth it when the business needs ownership and review, not just categorization. If you only need the basics, a lower-cost option is the better choice. Our explainer on app-style bookkeeping vs an outsourced accounting department can help you decide.
How to switch from Bench, step by step
- Pick a switch date right after a month Bench has finished.
- Download everything. Financial statements, the general ledger and any supporting documents Bench holds for you. Do this before you cancel. Check what export options Bench offers today.
- Download your bank and card statements for the current year directly from your banks.
- Decide where the books will live. Many businesses set up their own QuickBooks Online file so the records stay theirs. See QuickBooks Online setup for small business.
- Bring over opening balances as of the switch date (or the start of the year, if you want full history).
- Give the new provider access safely, with their own logins. See how to give your bookkeeper access safely.
- Have the new provider check the last few months before building on them. If something's off, fix it first. That's clean-up, and it's quoted separately.
- Tell your CPA about the switch and who to contact.
More on handovers: switching bookkeepers mid-year.
Keep reading
Sources
- Bench, company website and pricing, www.bench.co. Checked November 6, 2026.
- Accounting Today, "Bench acquired by Employer.com after sudden shutdown", www.accountingtoday.com/news/bench-acquired-by-employer-com-after-sudden-shutdown. Checked November 6, 2026.
- Fit Small Business, "Merritt Bookkeeping Review", fitsmallbusiness.com/merritt-bookkeeping-review. Checked November 6, 2026.
- Fit Small Business, "QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping Review & Pricing", fitsmallbusiness.com/quickbooks-live-bookkeeping-review. Checked November 6, 2026.
- Pilot, company website, pilot.com. Checked November 6, 2026.
- Bookkeeper360, company website, www.bookkeeper360.com. Checked November 6, 2026.
- ABFI Accounting, Pricing, www.abfiaccounting.com/pricing. Checked November 6, 2026.
Questions owners ask
What happened to Bench?
Bench shut down abruptly in December 2024 and was acquired by Employer.com days later. Check Bench's own site for its current services.
What's the best Bench alternative?
It depends on why you're switching. For a similar app-style service, Merritt Bookkeeping or QuickBooks Live. For startups, Pilot. For a growing business that needs an accounting department, ABFI.
Can I get my data out of Bench?
Download your financial statements, ledger and documents before you cancel, and get bank and card statements directly from your banks. Check Bench's current export options.
Is ABFI cheaper than Bench?
No. ABFI starts at $850 a month and includes a reviewed close and more ownership. It suits businesses that have outgrown app-style bookkeeping.
How long does it take to switch from Bench?
If the books are current, a few weeks covers data, setup and a first close. If they need a catch-up, that's scoped separately.
Outgrown app-style bookkeeping?
ABFI's complimentary Business Accounting Diagnostic reviews your current books and tells you honestly what kind of help fits.