The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that a California-based HR tech company says it will acquire a Vancouver-based bookkeeping service that abruptly halted operations last week. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe says that Bench Accounting announced its sudden closing on Friday, putting hundreds of staff out of work and forcing clients to seek alternatives just days from the end of the year. Employer.com says in a statement it has been working with Bench customers behind the scenes to ensure a seamless transition. The company says customers will continue working with the same in-house bookkeepers and that all of their data are intact, secure and protected. Bench Accounting chief people officer Jennifer Bouyoukos says the firm is pleased to have found a home for many of its customers and employees. Employer.com chief executive officer Jesse Tinsley says his company is excited to build on Bench's legacy of being a "trusted partner to small businesses." Bench Accounting suddenly ceased operations Dec. 27. It had raised more than $100-million (U.S.) from leading tech investors, including Shopify, scrambling for alternatives. Not released were terms of the transaction.