Black Ore launches tax automation for small firms

Black Ore has launched a version of its tax automation platform for small accounting firms, extending software already used by larger firms to a broader part of the accountancy market.

The new product, Black Ore for Small Firms, is aimed at small and mid-sized practices facing staffing pressure while trying to take on more clients. The software prepares tax returns from source documents, links figures back to those documents and flags issues for review, while firm professionals retain final sign-off.

It also integrates with Intuit ProConnect Tax and Intuit Lacerte, allowing firms to send completed returns directly into the tax systems they already use. Firms using ProConnect Tax will receive migration support from Intuit and Black Ore.

Black Ore is targeting a part of the profession that often lacks the budget and staff to deploy new automation tools. Pricing is set per return rather than through large contract commitments, and firms can be live in less than a day.

The company says its small and mid-sized firm customer base has grown more than fivefold since the start of 2026. Larger accounting firms have already used the underlying tax preparation system in production for the past three tax seasons.

Small firm focus

The launch comes as smaller accountancy practices face a tighter labour market than many larger peers. For firms with limited headcount, growth can depend on whether they can process more client work without hiring additional preparers.

Black Ore says the software can take in source documents in any format and produce a review-ready return. It is designed to automate preparation rather than replace professional review, with accountants remaining responsible for approval.

Each customer is also assigned a named specialist rather than being directed to a general support queue. That may matter for smaller firms with limited internal technology support and little time for long implementation cycles.

Eyal Shinar, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Black Ore, outlined the company's pitch to the smaller end of the market.

"Black Ore for Small Firms puts powerful automation directly into the hands of smaller firms, seamlessly integrated into the software they already use. By making cutting-edge AI technology accessible, it levels the playing field, empowering smaller firms to compete with larger firms without the traditional disadvantages of scale and resources," said Eyal Shinar, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Black Ore.

Market pressure

The accountancy sector has been grappling with recruitment and retention challenges, especially in tax preparation roles. Smaller firms can find it harder to match the pay, training budgets and career structures offered by larger competitors, while still facing the same seasonal workload peaks.

That backdrop has increased interest in tools that reduce manual preparation work. Vendors across the profession have been pushing automation products that promise to help firms process more returns with existing teams, although adoption has often been strongest among larger practices with more resources to test and deploy new systems.

Black Ore's approach appears intended to narrow that gap by offering native links to software already common in smaller practices. By fitting into existing workflows in ProConnect Tax and Lacerte, the company is seeking to reduce the operational disruption that can come with switching systems.

Sean McLean of Elevate, which supports independent accounting firms, described the experience at one user organisation.

"Most firms don't have the resources of a Big 4, and firms that try to do this on their own struggle," said Sean McLean, Chief Digital Officer, Elevate.

"Setup was easy. I did it over a phone call. Our preparers are getting back 8 to 15 hours a week, and that time goes straight back to clients. I would absolutely recommend Black Ore to any Managing Partner," said McLean.

Black Ore was founded in 2022 and focuses on tax preparation software for CPA and accounting firms. Its customer base ranges from growing firms to some of the largest in the market, according to the company.