Tech news: Avalara launches property tax "software-with-a-service"

August 22, 2025 11:16 AM

Avalara launches property tax "software-with-a-service"; BillingPlatform rolls out AI-powered RevenueIQ suite; AccountsIQ adds Non-Financial Metrics feature for AIQ3 platform; and other accounting tech news.

Avalara launches property tax "software-with-a-service"

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Tax solutions provider Avalara announced a new managed service offering that uses AI to manage most of a business's property tax compliance process. The company describes the new offering, Avalara Property Tax Managed Services, not as a software-as-a-service solution but as an AI-powered software-with-a-service. What this means is that the offering combines both Avalara software with all its capacities as well as human experts who guide customers along the way. The service aspect is embedded throughout the system. Customers can choose the type of compliance work (bills, returns or assessments) and the level of support they want. This can be short-term (for example, covering for someone on leave) or long-term (similar to outsourcing). Avalara staffers do the compliance work on behalf of the customer, using their own software internally, as opposed to simply providing the software for the user. The new offering begins with user data from last year's filings and this year's information. Once this is validated, autonomous agents drive much of the property tax compliance process automatically. They will prepare and deliver signature-ready property tax returns; automate payment processes through a strategic partnership with Anybill; conduct automated assessment reviews and appeals; provide continuous monitoring to prevent penalties; deliver tailored asset classification to reduce workloads related to asset management and depreciation rules; provide document procurement services; and give customers direct access to their property tax compliance data, documents and reporting, through the Avalara Property Tax software. Human experts oversee this entire process, reviewing the AI output as well as acting as the final decision-maker, ensuring that a human is always kept in the loop.

BillingPlatform rolls out AI-powered RevenueIQ suite

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Revenue solutions provider BillingPlatform launched its RevenueIQ suite, which uses embedded conversational AI and custom-trained AI models backed by precise billing data. Users can navigate the platform, generate reports and access help content using natural language via a chat interface, for example by saying, "Show me outstanding receivables by customer" or "Where do I manage invoices?" They can also describe their requests in plain language, such as generating a late fee policy, and transform them into automated processes that work within the application. The solution also has the ability to surface forward-looking insights using predictive analytics, helping finance leaders forecast key metrics like cash flow, collections, revenue and churn while automating proactive actions. The program also features an AI Studio so organizations can customize and train AI models tailored to their configuration, data and processes.

AccountsIQ adds Non-Financial Metrics feature for AIQ3 platform

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Cloud accounting software provider AccountsIQ has launched a Non-Financial Metrics feature for its AIQ3 platform. The new feature enables finance leaders to track and analyze critical operational KPIs alongside core financial data, bringing together information that previously had to be consolidated manually through external tools such as Excel or Power BI. The feature lets users define and configure key performance indicators directly within AccountsIQ. Finance teams can set up metric details and units, link them to the general ledger, and view them in a unified dashboard that combines both financial and nonfinancial insights. The feature includes enhanced reporting options, including detailed period analysis, and provides a single access point for requesting tailored reports. Designed to meet the needs of many industries, Non-Financial Metrics can also be customized to track the KPIs that matter most to individual organizations. For a technology company, this might include marketing qualified leads, win ratios or customer conversions. In hospitality, it could mean occupancy rates and departmental performance, while HR-intensive businesses can combine payroll journals with headcount figures to better understand workforce costs.

Cruchafi announces its first CPE-eligible webinar

Watching a webinar online - online CPE - online learning

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Accounting and finance solutions provider Crunchafi (formerly LeaseCrunch) announced it is now a NASBA-certified sponsor of continuing professional education. This designation recognizes Crunchafi as an approved provider on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, enabling its educational offerings to meet the nationally recognized standards for CPE. To mark this milestone, Crunchafi is launching its first CPE-eligible webinar: "Sale-Leasebacks, Incentives, Acquisitions and Everything in Between: Real-World Lease Accounting Pitfalls—Solved." The live 60-minute session will be held virtually on August 26 at 1:00 p.m. EDT. Designed for CPAs, controllers and accounting professionals, the session will address challenging lease scenarios from sale-leasebacks and lease inc`entives to the accounting implications of acquired leases in business combinations. Through real-world examples and expert guidance from Jess Vento, senior director of solution engineering, accounting and support at Crunchafi, attendees will gain practical strategies to avoid common pitfalls and streamline the accounting process. Register for the webinar here.

New M&A activity

Compliance solutions provider Ideagen has acquired Reactec, a provider of wearable technology with data analytics. Reactec's workplace wearables and cloud-based analytics enable businesses to manage workplace hazards such as exposure to vibration, dust, noise and proximity to hazards. By integrating Reactec's wearable technology platform with Ideagen's suite of environmental health and safety software, customers will gain access to tools to monitor and manage workplace health and safety risks. … Net at Work, business tech and advisory solutions provider, has acquired AppSolute Consulting Group, an IT services firm, in a deal that includes AppSolute's managed services practice, and Sage and Acumatica clients. AppSolute's employees and consultants also will join the Net at Work family. … U.K.-based tax solutions provider Ember has been acquired by family office-focused PE firm Starling. The acquisition aims to integrate Ember's digital tax and bookkeeping software into Starling Bank's existing app and online banking platform, providing small business owners with a solution for managing finances including bank transactions and tax submissions. Currently, Ember caters to clients of major banks such as HSBC, Revolut, Barclays and Lloyds. However, starting in 2026, its software will be exclusive to Starling Bank customers.

Other news

TaxStatus, a provider of tax data intelligence solutions, has appointed Eric Clarke and Ric Edelman to its board of directors. Clarke is the founder and former CEO of Orion Advisor Solutions, while Edelman is founder of Edelman Financial Engines. In addition to Clarke and Edelman's appointments, TaxStatus is also welcoming Randy Bullard to its advisory board. Bullard recently served as global head of wealth at State Street. … Compliance automation platform Secureframe announced it is among the first organizations to achieve FedRAMP 20x authorization. FedRAMP 20x, an evolution of the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, introduces enhanced control requirements, continuous validation protocols and streamlined authorization timelines. The authorization follows the launch of Secureframe Federal, a suite engineered specifically for CMMC 2.0 and FedRAMP 20x readiness. This milestone comes on the heels of Secureframe's partnership with Coalfire Federal, designed to accelerate FedRAMP 20x and CMMC 2.0 readiness across the defense industrial base.