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UPSIDER Launches UPSIDER AI Accounting for Small Businesses

In a significant move aimed at revolutionizing finance management for small businesses, UPSIDER has officially launched its innovative service, UPSIDER AI Accounting. This new offering leverages advanced AI technology to handle tedious accounting tasks, thereby allowing small business owners like CEOs to focus on their core operations without getting bogged down by finance-related duties.

With a mission to create a global financial platform that supports challengers, UPSIDER — spearheaded by President Toru Miyagi and Tomoki Mizuno — is taking a progressive step by catering its solutions specifically to small businesses grappling with critical structural challenges, such as manpower shortages. The newly launched UPSIDER AI Accounting service marks the first phase of the broader UPSIDER Management OS project, which aims to integrate various management support services into a cohesive operational framework in the future.

UPSIDER AI Accounting offers comprehensive support, including outsourced accounting services, automated monthly closing of accounts, and even management reports facilitated by AI agents. Since the beta version initiated rollout, over 350 companies have adopted this service, leading to significant reductions in workload and increased speed for decision-making processes within their businesses.

Addressing Small Business Challenges

A primary concern among small business owners is the overwhelming burden of balancing core business operations with essential administrative tasks such as accounting and HR. According to a survey conducted by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, roughly 75% of company leaders are directly involved in financial tasks. This becomes particularly acute in smaller firms, where approximately 80% rely on a single individual for their accounting, elevating risks of operational errors and inefficiencies.

This challenge is magnified within the accounting profession itself, as many firms struggle with low-margin services like bookkeeping and document organization. Financial institutions are also contending with similar pressures, highlighting a pressing need for efficiency improvements within their operations.

Having previously introduced the corporate credit card UPSIDER in 2020 and subsequently launched various payment services aimed at easing cash flow for fast-growing firms, UPSIDER has identified that fostering well-structured financial practices is critical for successful business decisions. The creation of the UPSIDER AI Accounting service increasingly reflects the company's commitment to supporting growth amidst existing constraints while redefining operational frameworks within the industry.

Innovative Hybrid Operation

The uniquely designed UPSIDER AI Coworking Platform serves as the foundation for the AI Accounting service. This platform enables the seamless delegation of non-core tasks previously managed by accountants through a combination of AI and human operations, ensuring a high-quality and consistent execution of services. This approach empowers business owners to refocus on their primary activities while allowing accounting firms to concentrate on their areas of specialization.

Moreover, UPSIDER AI Accounting not only aims to enhance operational efficiency but also addresses the broader concern of labor structure distortions affecting businesses across Japan by establishing a robust connection among finance, AI, and operational management.

Service Overview and Adoption Metrics

The UPSIDER AI Accounting service operates with an affordable monthly fee starting at ¥9,480 (approximately $90) and is designed to automate various accounting processes including bookkeeping, invoice generation, document management, payment assistance, and the preparation of monthly financial statements.

As of February 2025, UPSIDER plans to extend this beta service primarily to existing customers of its corporate credit card, responding to the growing demand among companies with teams ranging from a few to over a hundred employees and already hosting partnerships with listed companies. Currently, each company utilizes approximately 250 transactions monthly with processes effectively handled through this service, thereby allowing for strategic delegation of accounting responsibilities.

This service capitalizes on the solid groundwork established by the UPSIDER AI series introduced in 2023, with extensive operational frameworks ensuring accuracy and reliability in monthly accounting practices. Notably, the company promises high standards of quality and safety — validated through substantial user adoption among corporate clients, including listed enterprises.

Vision for the Future

Toru Miyagi, the CEO of UPSIDER, expressed a deep-rooted commitment to enhancing Japan’s business landscape by fostering partnerships between companies, professional service providers, and financial institutions. He stated, “To increase the number of firms competing on a global scale and to fortify Japan’s economic standing, we must collaboratively innovate next-generation management operating systems.”

The UPSIDER team believes that improving the basic operational tasks concerning accounting, coupled with robust AI technology, can lead to better decision-making for both businesses and financial institutions. By sharing expertise and supporting one another, UPSIDER envisions the collaborative creation of advanced management OS that will redefine the future of business in Japan.

For more details, visit the official website at UPSIDER AI Accounting Service.