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The UK business software operation snaps up another local as part of its ambitious expansion plans in the region.
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The Access Group buys Brisbane software outfit ChangeGPS
01 February 2024
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The UK-based Access Group has bought 100 per cent of Brisbane accounting software outfit ChangeGPS as it rapidly expands in the Asia-Pacific through a string of acquisitions.
All 16 staff at ChangeGPS will next Monday move from their city office into the Access facility at Everton Park, which houses the analytics platform Fathom, acquired by the UK group in 2022.
In the same year, it bought the accounting division of ASX-listed Reckon for $100 million, doubling down on the region after acquiring Sage’s Australia and Asia businesses in 2021.
The Access Group Asia-Pacific president Kerry Agiasotis said ChangeGPS would strengthen its proposition to accounting firms.
“The acquisition of ChangeGPS is another step towards realising our vision of advancing the capabilities of accounting firms in Australia and New Zealand,” he said.
“ChangeGPS marks the fourth acquisition of ANZ-based accounting technology companies in the last three years, reinforcing our commitment towards helping accounting firms maximise growth opportunities presented by new technologies.
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“We are passionate in our belief that a strong accounting industry is key to the success of SME businesses, which are the backbone of our economy. Our broad range of offerings for accounting firms are enabling them to both lower costs from productivity gains and increase income through new value-added advisory services that help their clients’ business grow.”
ChangeGPS CEO David Boyar, who stays on at the company along with founder Timothy Munro, said being acquired by The Access Group would “supercharge” its growth.
“It's the start of an exciting new era for ChangeGPS, our members and team, and it opens up the potential for new integrations and product opportunities and prepares us to take the opportunities of the future.”
He said ChangeGPS had been approached by a range of potential purchasers over the past two years but the Access deal – for an undisclosed price – came with “phenomenal vision”, the best people and strategic fit.
“Their team understands accountants,” he said.
ChangeGPS founder and lead developer Mr Munro said the outfit would keep coming up with innovative products.
“We have some amazing new apps for accountants in the ChangeGPS pipeline, and now being part of the Access Group allows us to help even more accountants to help their clients to have more freedom and live a better life,” he said.
The Access Group has more than 60,000 small and mid-sized customers in the UK, Ireland and Asia-Pacific. Founded in 1991, it has around 5,500 staff including 900 in the APAC region. In addition to the accounting acquisitions mentioned above, it has bought a range of other business software companies including Attaché, Unleashed, Joyful, and Volcanic along with Asian businesses Definitiv, EziTracker, FastTrack360 and Vincere.
Founded in 2016, ChangeGPS provides tax planning and compliance tools, plans, templates and resources for accounting firms. It won Xero Practice App of the Year in 2022 and is about to embark on a five-city Australian tour.
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