Manage Bench

How to cancel bench accounting in singapore: your step-by-step guide to ending service safely

Understanding bench and why you might want to cancel

Bench is a cloud-based bookkeeping and accounting subscription service designed for small businesses across North America. The platform offered monthly bookkeeping, financial reporting, and tax-preparation coordination delivered by assigned bookkeeping staff. However, in late 2024, Bench Accounting, Inc. ceased operating, and ownership transitioned to Employer.com, fundamentally changing how the service operates and how cancellations are handled.

If you are a Singapore-based business that subscribed to Bench, you may be considering cancellation due to the ownership change, dissatisfaction with service quality under the new operator, or simply because your accounting needs have shifted. Whatever your reason, Stopee is here to guide you through the process with clarity and confidence.

The ownership transition and what it means for you

When Bench transitioned to Employer.com in December 2024, the company fundamentally altered its cancellation, refund, and data-handling policies. This transition created a more complex cancellation process that requires you to consent to data transfer before you can request service cancellation. Understanding this change is essential to avoiding delays or misunderstandings when you decide to leave.

Why cancellation matters now more than ever

Under the new Employer.com ownership, your cancellation request is not instantaneous. The company requires you to book a call with their support team to confirm your request, which means you need to be proactive and follow each step carefully. Stopee recognises that navigating this process can feel overwhelming, especially when you are managing your business finances, which is why we have broken down every step for you.

Your consumer rights in singapore

Singapore's Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act protects you when entering into service agreements, though some protections have limitations in the context of business-to-business transactions and service subscription cancellations.

What the law says about cooling-off and data rights

Under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act, consumers generally have a 14-day cooling-off period after signing a contract, but this protection does not apply to ongoing subscription services once the service has begun. However, you retain the statutory right to access your own data and to request copies of all bookkeeping records and financial information you generated or paid for during your subscription.

Employer.com's transition policy explicitly states that no refunds are available for services paid before 30 December 2024. This is a contentious point, and if you believe you were misled about the ownership change or the refund policy, you have the right to escalate your complaint to the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) for mediation and advice.

Your escalation options if employer.com refuses to cooperate

If Employer.com does not respond to your cancellation request within 7 to 10 business days, or if they refuse to provide your bookkeeping data after cancellation, you can lodge a formal complaint with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE). They can investigate whether Employer.com has violated the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act or engaged in unfair trading practices. Stopee recommends documenting all communication attempts and saving copies of every email or chat transcript with Bench or Employer.com support.

How to cancel bench step by step

The cancellation process for Bench under Employer.com ownership requires you to follow a specific sequence and interact directly with their support team via a scheduled call. This section walks you through each step without shortcuts.

1. Sign in to your Bench account using your registered email address and password.
   • If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the Bench login page to reset it via email.
   • Check your spam or promotions folder if the reset email does not appear in your inbox within 5 minutes.
2. Look for any transition notices or banners from Employer.com on your dashboard.
   • Employer.com typically displays a notice at the top of your account dashboard explaining the ownership change and next steps.
   • Read this notice carefully; it often contains links to the official transition FAQ and consent forms.
3. Provide consent for the transfer of your data to Employer.com if you have not already done so.
   • Warning: You cannot cancel your subscription until you have accepted the data transfer. This is a mandatory step imposed by Employer.com.
   • Click the consent link or button provided in the transition notice and follow the prompts to agree to the data transfer terms.
   • You will receive a confirmation email once consent is recorded.
4. Navigate to your account settings or subscription area within the Bench dashboard.
   • Look for a menu option labelled "Subscription", "Billing", "Account Settings", or "Manage Account".
   • The exact wording depends on which version of the Bench interface you are using.
5. Select the option labelled "Request to not renew subscription" or "Cancel subscription".
   • This option may be under a "Subscription Management" or "Billing" submenu.
   • Click on it to reveal the next steps in the cancellation flow.
6. Use the "Book a Call" option within the cancellation flow to schedule a call with Employer.com support.
   • You will be prompted to select a date and time that suits your schedule.
   • The call typically lasts 10 to 15 minutes and is conducted via video or phone.
   • Pro tip: Schedule this call for a time when you are calm and have access to your account information, in case the support agent asks clarifying questions.
7. Complete the cancellation call with Employer.com support.
   • The support agent will confirm your cancellation request, answer any questions about data access, and explain your final invoice or any outstanding balance.
   • Ask the agent for a confirmation email summarising the cancellation date, your final billing date, and when your access will be terminated.
   • Warning: Do not assume the call alone cancels your account. Wait for written confirmation before considering the cancellation complete.
8. Receive and save written confirmation of your cancellation.
   • Employer.com will send a confirmation email within 1 to 2 business days after your call.
   • This email should state the effective cancellation date and your final service date.
   • Save this email to your records and print a copy if necessary.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Many users make mistakes during cancellation that delay the process or leave them without proof of cancellation. We understand the frustration when a straightforward cancellation becomes complicated, so here are the traps to avoid.

First, do not skip the data transfer consent step. Some users assume they can cancel without consenting to the data transfer, but Employer.com's system blocks cancellation requests until consent is recorded. Second, do not rely on the cancellation request alone. The "Request to not renew" button starts the process but does not complete it. You must book the call and actually speak with support to finalise cancellation. Third, do not assume auto-renewal is disabled immediately. Even after you request cancellation, your account may still auto-renew on the next billing date if you do not confirm the cancellation during the support call. Finally, do not delete any confirmation emails. These emails are your proof of cancellation and are essential if a dispute arises with your credit card company or bank.

What happens after you cancel bench

Cancellation is a process, not a single event. After you request cancellation, several things happen over the following days and weeks that you should monitor.

Timeline and service access after cancellation

After your cancellation is confirmed in writing by Employer.com, your active bookkeeping and subscription services will stop according to the timeline stated in your confirmation email. This usually means you lose access to the Bench dashboard and bookkeeping staff support on your stated cancellation date, which is typically the end of your current billing month or 14 days from the date you confirmed cancellation, whichever comes first.

Employer.com commits to completing any already-scheduled work that you have paid for up until the cancellation date. If your bookkeeper was in the middle of reconciling your accounts or preparing tax documents, they will finish that work at no additional charge. However, any work scheduled after your cancellation date will not be completed, so it is important to clarify the exact cutoff date with the support agent during your cancellation call.

Accessing your data after cancellation

One of your key rights under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act is access to your own data. After you cancel, you retain the legal right to request a complete copy of all bookkeeping records, financial reports, and transaction data you generated or paid for during your subscription. Employer.com should provide this to you in a standard format (such as CSV or PDF) at no additional charge.

Pro tip: Request your data export in writing via email immediately after you receive your cancellation confirmation. This creates a paper trail and ensures Employer.com has a clear record of your request. Ask them for a timeline (usually 5 to 10 business days) for delivery of the data files.

Will you receive a refund

Refunds are the most contentious aspect of cancelling Bench after the Employer.com transition. Here is what the official policy says and what alternatives you may have.

Official refund policy under employer.com

Employer.com explicitly states that no refunds are available for services paid before 30 December 2024. The company claims it is not liable for Bench Accounting, Inc.'s past obligations and therefore does not issue monetary refunds for pre-transition payments, even if you cancel the day after the ownership change. This policy is strict and is stated clearly in the official transition FAQ.

If you paid for a full month and cancelled halfway through, you will not receive a pro-rata refund. If you prepaid for a quarter or year of service, that prepayment is treated as forfeited under Employer.com's terms. This is one of the most frustrating aspects of the transition and has prompted complaints to CASE from affected customers.

What employer.com offers instead of refunds

Rather than offering monetary refunds, Employer.com proposes to complete services you have already paid for at no additional charge. This means if you paid for three months of bookkeeping and cancelled at month one, Employer.com will theoretically complete the bookkeeping work for months two and three without charging you extra. However, this offer is only valuable if you actually want that work completed and if you are confident Employer.com will deliver it to the same standard as Bench did.

If you do not want the additional work or do not trust Employer.com to deliver quality service, this offer provides no real value to you. In that case, your only recourse is to escalate your complaint to CASE or consider pursuing a refund claim through your credit card provider or bank if you paid by card or bank transfer.

Escalating a refund dispute

If Employer.com refuses to issue a refund and you believe you have a valid claim (for example, you cancelled within 14 days of the ownership change being announced, or you were not clearly informed of the no-refund policy before the transition), you have two options. First, contact CASE with documentation of your complaint, including your original payment receipt, the transition notice, and copies of all communication with Employer.com support. CASE can investigate whether Employer.com's refusal to refund violates consumer protection principles. Second, if you paid by credit card, contact your card issuer and request a chargeback or dispute for "services not rendered as advertised" or "significant change in service terms without consent". Your bank will investigate and may recover the funds if they determine the refund claim has merit.

Bench pricing and what you should have paid

Bench's pricing structure is no longer published because the service ceased operating in December 2024. However, understanding what you were charged is important for verifying that your final invoice from Employer.com is correct.

Former pricing model (pre-transition)

Bench charged a tiered monthly fee based on the volume of transactions your business processed. Typical plans ranged from approximately SGD 200 to SGD 1,000 per month, depending on business size. Plans usually included a fixed number of monthly transactions; any transactions exceeding that limit incurred additional per-transaction fees. Tax preparation coordination and dedicated bookkeeper assignment were included in all plans.

If you subscribed to Bench before the Employer.com transition, your price was locked in under Bench's original terms. Employer.com may offer new pricing after the transition, but this is not yet publicly available.

How to verify your final invoice

When you receive your final invoice from Employer.com after cancellation, check the following details. First, confirm that you are being charged only through your stated cancellation date, not beyond it. Second, verify that you are not being charged for work completed after cancellation. Third, ensure that any credits or partial refunds (if applicable) are deducted from your final balance. If any line item seems incorrect, contact Employer.com support immediately and request a corrected invoice before paying.

Common mistakes when cancelling bench

Cancelling a service subscription is often frustrating and confusing, especially when the company has just changed ownership and rewritten its policies. We have seen countless customers make avoidable mistakes that turn a straightforward cancellation into a protracted dispute.

Mistake one: forgetting to consent to data transfer first

The most common mistake is attempting to cancel without first accepting the data transfer to Employer.com. The system will reject your cancellation request if consent has not been recorded. You must complete this step before you can even request cancellation, even though it feels counterintuitive. Check your email for a transition notice from Employer.com and click the consent link immediately if you have not already done so.

Mistake two: cancelling without booking the call

Simply clicking "Request to not renew" does not cancel your account. You must book a support call and actually complete that call with a real Employer.com agent. Many users assume the request alone is sufficient and later discover their account renewed on the next billing date. Always book and attend the call, and always ask for written confirmation after the call.

Mistake three: assuming auto-renewal stops immediately

Auto-renewal typically continues until your current billing period ends and your cancellation is formally confirmed. If you cancel on 15 January but your billing date is 1 February, you may be charged again on 1 February unless you explicitly confirm the cancellation date with the support agent. Always ask: "When does my final charge occur?" and get the answer in writing.

Mistake four: not requesting data export in writing

After cancellation, request your complete data export via email and ask for a specific delivery timeline. This creates a written record that protects you if Employer.com later claims you never requested the data. Save the confirmation email and follow up if the data is not delivered within the promised timeframe.

Mistake five: deleting cancellation confirmation emails

Hold onto every email related to cancellation for at least one year. These emails are your proof of cancellation and are essential if you dispute a charge with your bank or need to escalate a complaint to CASE. Keep them in a dedicated folder and print copies if you prefer a physical backup.

Cancellation checklist for bench

Use this checklist to ensure you complete every step of the cancellation process correctly and avoid disputes after service ends.

Choosing whether to cancel: when bench makes sense and when it does not

Cancelling Bench is a significant decision, especially after the ownership transition. Before you commit to the cancellation process, consider whether leaving is truly the right choice for your business.

Reasons to stay with bench under employer.com

If your bookkeeping has been reliable and accurate under Bench, and you have a good relationship with your assigned bookkeeper, staying may be worthwhile despite the ownership change. Employer.com is committed to completing work you have already paid for, so you will not lose money on incomplete projects. Additionally, if you have a complex or established bookkeeping system with Bench, switching to a new provider will require significant time and effort to migrate your data and get a new bookkeeper up to speed.

Reasons to cancel and switch providers

If you have experienced poor service quality, delayed bookkeeping, tax preparation errors, or unresponsive support, cancelling and switching is justified. The ownership change to Employer.com is also a valid reason to cancel if you distrust the new operator or believe their service standards are lower. Additionally, if you are not receiving pro-rata refunds for unused service and you cannot afford to pay for incomplete services, cancelling may be your only option despite the financial loss. Stopee recommends comparing alternative providers before you cancel so you have a plan in place to continue your bookkeeping without interruption.

Contacting bench and employer.com: where to reach support

The transition from Bench to Employer.com means that support inquiries are now directed to Employer.com, not to Bench Accounting, Inc. There is no dedicated Singapore office for either company, but you can reach support via the official transition portal.

Official support channels

Visit the official Bench transition FAQ at bench.co/transition-faqs for the most current contact information and support links. From there, you can access the "Book a Call" feature to schedule your cancellation call or contact support via email for general inquiries. Support response times are typically 1 to 2 business days for email inquiries and 3 to 5 business days for escalated complaints.

Escalation if employer.com does not respond

If Employer.com does not respond to your cancellation request or data access request within 10 business days, escalate your complaint to the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) at case.org.sg. CASE can send a formal inquiry to Employer.com on your behalf and investigate whether the company is violating Singapore consumer law. You can also lodge a complaint with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) if you believe Employer.com has engaged in deceptive online practices.

Final thoughts: you are in control of this decision

Cancelling Bench after the Employer.com transition is more complex than it needs to be, and that complexity is frustrating. The company's insistence on data transfer consent before cancellation, the mandatory support call, and the refusal to issue refunds create friction that would not exist with a customer-focused operator. However, you now have a clear, step-by-step path forward.

Follow the checklist, attend your cancellation call, request written confirmation, and keep every email. If Employer.com refuses to cooperate or issues an incorrect final invoice, you have escalation options through CASE and your bank. You are not powerless in this situation; you have consumer rights in Singapore that protect your data, your money, and your right to cancel service.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers navigate confusing cancellation processes, unfair refund policies, and unresponsive support teams. Whether you decide to cancel Bench or stay with Employer.com, Stopee empowers you with knowledge, clear instructions, and a realistic understanding of your consumer rights. Your next step is to sign in to your Bench account, look for the transition notice, and accept the data transfer consent. From there, the rest of the cancellation process will follow the steps we have outlined. You have got this, and Stopee is here to support you every step of the way.