The Access Group further invests in supporting Australian Accountants with the acquisition of ATO SmartDocs

This strategic acquisition strengthens Access' commitment to the Asia Pacific accounting software sector, continuing our ongoing growth both organically and through strategic partnerships. This latest acquisition reinforces the company's dedication to empowering businesses through technology, and advancing Australian accounting practices through innovative, integrated software solutions.  

The move addresses growing demand from accounting practices seeking efficient solutions to manage Australian Tax Office compliance obligations, while maintaining accuracy and security standards, and unlocks significant potential for customers of both organisations via a comprehensive suite of connected accounting tools spanning practice management through to automated ATO compliance and communication support. 

Founded in 2015, ATO SmartDocs changed how Australian accounting firms handle ATO document processing, offering automated processing capabilities that can reduce administrative time while maintaining ISO27001 security standards recognised by the ATO and accounting firms. The solution helps change tax administration from a labour-intensive, error-prone process into a streamlined, reliable service that enhances both operational performance and client relationships. 

The acquisition expands Access's Practice Management solution with a platform that offers comprehensive coverage of 600 tax administration workflows. This technological sophistication enables firms of all sizes to compete on capability rather than price, positioning them as premium service providers in an increasingly competitive market. 

ATO SmartDocs processes more than 1.5 million documents annually, achieving 95% efficiency compared to manual processing, across the full range of ATO document types, and serving a large number of accounting firms across Australia with scalable solutions that grow with our customers. The platform's SmartBOT AI technology completes essential processing steps in a single click, reducing work that previously took hours down to minutes. 

"The acquisition of ATO SmartDocs is an exciting addition in our mission to provide Australian accounting firms with best-in-class, connected software solutions. This platform addresses specific regulatory requirements for Australian accounting firms while opening up further opportunities for integration with our broader business software portfolio," said Jared Baker, General Manager Access Accountants at The Access Group.  

"Bringing ATO SmartDocs on board enhances our existing offerings, integrating ATO document processing with our new cloud-native EVO Accountants suite, allowing Australian accounting firms to manage their entire compliance workflows through a single, integrated suite.  Alongside HandiSoft, APS, Fathom, ChangeGPS and Elite, we're delivering on our vision of providing integrated solutions while maintaining open standards. We understand the importance of flexibility in technology choices. ATO SmartDocs will continue to maintain its existing integrations with third-party practice management systems, and we're committed to supporting open APIs and data portability standards. This enables our customers to drive profitable and sustainable growth while focusing on higher value-added services rather than manual compliance tasks that eat up their valuable time." 

“The combination addresses the software market's fragmented nature by offering customers an integrated experience from practice management through to automated ATO communication and compliance support. Existing Access customers gain access to ATO SmartDocs' established functionality and regulatory workflows, while ATO SmartDocs clients can explore our broader product capabilities for enhanced operational efficiency.” 

"This acquisition demonstrates our commitment to serving local market needs while providing pathways to enhanced functionality through our global software portfolio." 

Ron Drost, CEO of ATO SmartDocs, added: "Joining The Access Group opens tremendous opportunities for our accounting firm customers. Our clients will benefit from market-leading innovation in AI technology via the Access Evo platform, opportunities to explore enhanced product capabilities and potential integration with broader business management solutions, as well as significant ongoing investment in Australian regulatory requirements.”  

Access's commitment to Australia's accounting sector reflects the company's belief that a strong accounting industry is fundamental to SME business success, which forms the backbone of the economy. The acquisition of ATO SmartDocs enables accounting firms to simultaneously lower costs through productivity gains and increase income by delivering more value-added services to their clients. 

"We're passionate about empowering accounting professionals with technology that transforms their practice efficiency and client relationships. We are thrilled to welcome ATO SmartDocs' customers, partners, and team members to the Access Group and we look forward to supporting their continued success through our expanded solution offerings,” Baker concluded. 

About The Access Group

The Access Group is one of the largest global business management software providers. It provides solutions that empower more than 160,000 small and mid-sized organisations in commercial and non-profit sectors across Europe, USA and APAC, giving every employee the freedom to do more of what's important. Its innovative cloud solutions and integrated AI software experience across multiple Access products transform how business technology is used. Access employs around 9,000 people, continuously driving product innovation and customer service excellence.