Free Agent

FreeAgent is a cloud-based accounting software company established in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 2007. The firm was founded by three freelancers, Ed Molyneux, Olly Headey, and Roan Lavery, who sought to address the complexities and stress associated with bookkeeping for small businesses. Their collective experience led them to develop a more efficient method for managing invoices, spreadsheets, and receipts, ultimately giving rise to FreeAgent. The company's fundamental goal has been to simplify accounting and bookkeeping processes, aiming to make them as straightforward as possible for its users.

The company's primary offering is an online accounting system designed to meet the specific needs of micro-businesses, freelancers, contractors, landlords, and the accountants and bookkeepers who serve them. FreeAgent's software provides a range of features to manage daily administrative tasks, including invoicing, tax management, payroll processing, banking integration, expense tracking, and project management. The platform supports various financial operations, such as creating and sending professional estimates and invoices, tracking time, and managing cash flow. It also facilitates the direct submission of VAT, RTI, and Self Assessment returns to HMRC, aligning with UK market requirements like Making Tax Digital.

Since its inception, FreeAgent has experienced significant growth and achieved several milestones. The company expanded its reach by acquiring the American startup 60mo in 2012, aiming to enter the US market. In 2013, it was recognized by Deloitte as a fastest-growing technology firm. FreeAgent became a publicly traded company in November 2016, listing on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (AIM).

In early 2018, the firm was acquired by the NatWest Group for £53 million, though it continues to operate independently within the group. Today, FreeAgent's award-winning software assists over 200,000 small businesses in managing their finances. The company has grown to employ over 200 individuals who share a common vision of streamlining administration for small businesses. FreeAgent's platform is designed to provide users with a clear overview of their finances, enabling them to focus on their core business activities.

The software includes a dedicated mobile application for managing business operations on the go and offers world-class support to its customer base. For accounting professionals, the Practice Dashboard feature allows for efficient management of client accounts. The company is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Services Regulations 2017 for the provision of account information services. FreeAgent's commitment to simplifying financial administration has earned it recognition, including being listed in the FinTech50 and named one of the "Ones to Watch" in the Tech Track 100.