SF Business Solutions vs Bench
Bench sells fixed monthly plans on its own platform, from $199 a month for businesses under $250,000 a year, with an option that adds business and personal tax filing. SF Business Solutions works inside your own QuickBooks Online or Xero, starting at $250 a month, and also takes on cleanups and payroll, prepares and files your business tax return, and works with CPA firms. Choose Bench for a packaged plan with tax included; choose SF Business Solutions if you want to keep your own software.
By SF Business Solutions · Our team includes one licensed CPA · 2 sources · Updated September 10, 2026
At a glance
Bench's details are from its own pricing page as of September 2026.
| SF Business Solutions | Bench | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $250 a month; cleanup from $250 | Grow from $199 a month (businesses under $250,000 a year); Core from $399; Core + Tax from $599 |
| Software | Your own QuickBooks Online or Xero | Bench's own platform; a QuickBooks Online option at $55 an hour plus $1,200 onboarding |
| Tax filing | Tax returns prepared and filed, quoted alongside bookkeeping | Included in Core + Tax: business and personal income tax filing |
| CPA and tax access | Team includes one licensed CPA; audits through our professional CPA partner firms | Core + Tax includes a team of licensed tax professionals |
| Billing | Not published; ask on the free consult | Monthly, or about 20% less billed annually |
| Also does | Cleanup, payroll, AP/AR, CPA firm white-label work | Bookkeeping and tax for small businesses |
Where Bench is stronger
Bench publishes clear, fixed plans with the price on the page, and its Core + Tax plan puts bookkeeping and annual income tax filing, business and personal, in one monthly fee. For a small business that wants one packaged product and doesn't mind a proprietary platform, that is simple to buy.
Bench also has a long history in small-business bookkeeping. It told customers it was shutting down in December 2024 and was then acquired by Employer.com, which kept the service running.
Where SF Business Solutions is stronger
Your books stay in your own QuickBooks Online or Xero file, which matters if your lender or investors already work there, or if you ever want to switch providers. Bench's standard plans run on its own platform.
SF Business Solutions also covers work Bench's plans don't: cleanup of books that are months or years behind, from $250, payroll, accounts payable and receivable, and white-label work for CPA firms at $12–$15 an hour. Its team includes one licensed CPA.
Which to choose
The deciding questions are software, tax and scope.
- Choose Bench if you want a fixed plan with tax filing included and are happy on Bench's platform.
- Choose Bench's Grow plan if your business makes under $250,000 a year and you want the lowest published monthly price.
- Choose SF Business Solutions if you want to keep QuickBooks Online or Xero as the system of record.
- Choose SF Business Solutions if your books need a cleanup first, or you want bookkeeping, payroll and your tax return from one team.
- Choose SF Business Solutions if you are a CPA firm looking for white-label bookkeeping.
What to have ready if you switch
Moving from one bookkeeping provider to another goes faster when the new team has the records on day one.
- Your last filed business tax return.
- Bank, card and loan statements since the last month that was closed.
- Year-to-date financial statements from your current provider.
- Payroll reports, and a list of unpaid invoices and bills.
SF Business Solutions vs Bench: which is better for a small business?
Bench suits owners who want a fixed plan with tax filing on Bench's platform. SF Business Solutions suits owners who want their books kept in their own QuickBooks Online or Xero, from $250 a month.
Is Bench still operating?
Yes. Bench announced a shutdown in December 2024, was acquired by Employer.com and is taking customers, with plans from $199 a month as of September 2026.
Can SF Business Solutions take over books from Bench?
Yes. The firm rebuilds and reconciles the books in QuickBooks Online or Xero; cleanup starts at $250, depending on how much needs fixing.
Does SF Business Solutions file taxes like Bench's Core + Tax plan?
Yes. It prepares and files your business tax return, quoted alongside your bookkeeping rather than bundled into one plan.
How much does Bench cost?
From $199 a month on the Grow plan for businesses under $250,000 a year, $399 for Core and $599 for Core + Tax, as of September 2026. Annual billing is about 20% less.
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