Bright acquires BTCSoftware

Bright, a UK and Ireland-based accounting, practice management and payroll software provider, has struck a deal to acquire UK based tax software firm, BTCSoftware Ltd.

It said the investment in BTCSoftware “further demonstrates Bright’s commitment to delivering UK customers with best-in-breed products”, following on from its investment in AccountancyManager in March of this year. The move is part of its long-term strategy to offer an intuitive, integrated and end-to-end cloud accounting software solution to accounting firms and SMEs.

BTCSoftware was founded in 1999 by Rob Ellis, and Ian Katté. Ellis, and current chief business development officer, Paul Oldridge, will both be joining Bright as part of the acquisition.

The company has made its name as a tax software expert with accounts production, corporation tax and self-assessment tax return modules. It also launched its SaaS (software as a service) solution, BTCHub, in 2018.

Kevin McCallum, chief executive officer of Bright, said: “This acquisition is another key milestone for Bright, and BTCSoftware’s tax offering adds another all-important solution to our portfolio. It joins Bright with a well-renowned reputation across its customer base and throughout the wider industry.

“Its ethos of innovation, its value placed on customer support and its understanding of tax, accounting and what firms and accountants need, is second to none. It’s why we chose BTCSoftware to be the latest solution to join Bright and help us hit our goal of delivering an end-to-end cloud practice suite with compliance tools for the UK and Irish market.”

He added: “I’d like to thank all those involved for their support in completing the acquisition. We’re looking forward to welcoming the BTCSoftware team into the Bright fold, and we know that their expertise and knowledge of tax software will be a fantastic addition to the amazing talent we already have on offer. With Bright’s backing, we can continue to help make tax easy for accountants and bookkeepers.

“One of our first important steps will be to support the rollout of the BTCSoftware MTD for Income Tax Self-Assessment solution, combining their expertise in Making Tax Digital with our resources to bring a product to ease the process for accountants and their clients.”

Following the acquisition, Bright’s software supports over 11,000 accounting practices and more than 30,000 small to medium-sized businesses across Ireland and the UK, with a headcount of almost 300 people.

It currently has offices in Duleek and Dublin, Ireland, Warwick, UK and in Kolkata, India.