SoVa

SoVa Inc. is a Japanese startup transforming the accounting and back-office sector by merging technology with expert knowledge. Founded in September 2019 by CEO Kentaro Yamamoto, a certified public accountant, the company aims to make professional services more accessible and affordable, particularly for startups and small to medium-sized enterprises. Yamamoto's journey began after he passed the CPA exam at age 20. While working as a lecturer and later as a CFO for a friend's venture, he noticed that many entrepreneurs faced similar, repetitive administrative challenges but couldn't afford high-quality professional support. This experience led to the creation of SoVa, conceived as a "virtual accounting firm" to democratize expert knowledge.

The company's core offering is a subscription-based virtual accounting service that provides comprehensive support for back-office operations, including accounting, tax, labor, and legal registration tasks. It operates on a model that combines an AI-powered platform with the oversight of professionals like certified public accountants, tax accountants, and social security attorneys. This hybrid approach allows SoVa to automate and standardize routine tasks, offering services at a lower cost than traditional accounting firms. Clients can choose from different plans, such as the "Marutto Plan," which bundles services like bookkeeping, payroll, and tax advice for a monthly fee starting from ¥29,800, or a "Spot Plan" for one-off administrative procedures. The business model primarily generates revenue through these subscriptions.

Since the service's official launch in October 2021, SoVa has acquired over 300 clients and secured significant funding, including a Series A round of 280 million yen. The company holds several patents for its accounting and AI-related technologies and aims to expand its client base to 12,000 by 2027, positioning itself as a leading professional firm in Japan. SoVa also actively supports regional entrepreneurship, for instance by running incubation programs in collaboration with local governments like Okayama City.

Keywords: virtual accounting firm, back-office support, SaaS, accounting automation, tax advisory, payroll services, corporate registration, legal tech, HR tech, startup services, business process outsourcing, financial services, Kentaro Yamamoto, subscription model, AI in accounting, Japan, SME support, bookkeeping, compliance, fintech