An online accountancy firm for the self-employed and small businesses, founded in 2008 by Darren Fell. It combines accounting software with human accountants.
Crunch is an online accountancy firm for freelancers, contractors, sole traders, limited companies and small businesses. It offers two services: Crunch Accounting Software, which lets people manage their own finances, and Crunch Accountants, which gives expert support by phone, email or video call. Customers can use either or both.
Darren Fell started Crunch. Its own story page says that in 2007 he met a tax specialist in a Brighton restaurant and talked about the idea, and that Crunch started up in 2008; other Crunch pages say 2009, so the exact year is inconsistent. The first office was one room with two accountants and one computer inside an accountancy practice. Michael Van Swaaij (founder of eBay Europe) and Paul Birch (co-founder of Bebo) became major shareholders in 2011. Its press page lists the location as Brighton and Hove, though it does not say outright that this is the head office. By 2014/15 the story page says it was reported as the fastest-growing online accountancy firm, with 200 or more staff; the press page now gives 180 or more.
Crunch's leadership page states its mission as to make accounting easy, empowering and affordable for freelancers and small businesses. It describes affordability, responsiveness and regulated expertise as its approach, and says "Excellence isn't just a promise, it's our practice." Software is designed for business owners rather than accountants, with expert help built in.
Its products include the accounting software and the accountant service, plus tax and compliance work and contractor accounting. In 2016 it launched Crunch Chorus, a free association for micro-businesses, and it offers related services such as business insurance and pensions through partners. Its press page also says it is one of only two UK firms with an on-site training academy and was chosen by IPSE (the freelancers' association) in 2014 as one of four firms offering outstanding service to freelancers. Another article records that it won Mid-Tier Firm of the Year at the British Accountancy Awards.
On culture, Crunch describes a people-first approach built on collaboration, curiosity and continuous improvement, and says many team members stay seven years or more. That is its own claim. Darren Fell has called it "a whole fintech operation", so roles span accountants, software engineers, product and customer support. We did not find a current graduate scheme, and its careers page for an accountant role said the position had been filled, so check the careers page for current openings.
Website: www.crunch.co.uk
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