Cranston AI
YC F25San Francisco, US · Founded 2025 · 2 employees · Hiring · 1 known investors
Cranston builds AI agents that automate back-office work for CPA firms, including tax preparation, bookkeeping, and client follow-up processes. The platform can operate as software used by firm staff or as a managed service where the company handles the work directly.
Also known as Cranston Group
Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (F25)
Cranston AI was founded in 2025 by Sean O'Bannon and Max Minsker.
SO
Sean O'Bannonin𝕏Co-FounderSean O'Bannon studied computer science and artificial intelligence at Stanford and previously founded ReMatter as its CTO. He was an engineer at Databricks before starting Cranston AI.
MM
Max Minskerin𝕏Co-FounderHe previously owned a tax practice that processed thousands of individual returns.
Investors · 1
Competitors · 9
by search overlap
Accrual5 shared keywordsAccrual builds AI-powered software that automates routine accounting tasks for accounting firms, enabling accountants to focus on high-value advisory work. The platform handles complex financial data processing, workflows, and compliance requirements to increase throughput and accuracy in professional accounting services.
Accordance Ai5 shared keywordsDevelops AI tools for tax and accounting professionals to improve compliance, financial planning, and decision-making capabilities. Serves accounting firms, finance teams, and tax professionals.
Trullion5 shared keywordsTrullion provides AI-powered software for internal and external audit teams that automates testing, data extraction, and reconciliation workflows. The platform centralizes audit work, reduces manual errors, and enables real-time collaboration for financial statement validation.
Black Ore Technologies4 shared keywordsBlack Ore builds intelligent infrastructure for tax and financial services, automating execution and scaling personalized advice for firms, businesses, and individuals.
Basis3 shared keywordsBasis builds autonomous AI agents that perform accounting work end-to-end, collaborating with accountants at key decision points to deliver finished accounting deliverables. The company serves accounting firms and organizations seeking to scale accounting capacity amid growing economic complexity.
Digits3 shared keywordsDigits is an AI-native accounting platform that automates schedules such as fixed assets, prepaid expenses, revenue recognition, and accrued expenses directly within the general ledger, replacing spreadsheets and manual journal entries. It serves accountants and accounting firms with automated bookkeeping, reconciliations, and month-end financial reporting.
Puzzle3 shared keywordsPuzzle builds a modern accounting system for startups and small-to-medium businesses, delivering real-time financial intelligence by reconstructing core ledger and data infrastructure. The platform replaces legacy accounting software with AI-era capabilities designed to make financial data trustworthy and actionable.
Karbon3 shared keywordsKarbon provides accounting practice management software for accounting firms, offering tools for team collaboration, workflow and task automation, client management, and email. It includes an AI assistant ("Kai") that draws on a firm's data to handle tasks and answer questions.
Truewind3 shared keywordsTruewind automates transaction coding, reconciliation, and close management for accounting teams by converting bank statements and workpapers into GL-ready journal entries and audit-ready schedules. The platform integrates with Sage Intacct and QuickBooks Online and serves accountants, family offices, nonprofits, and bookkeeping firms.
Companies competing with Cranston AI for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Cranston AI do?
- Cranston builds AI agents that automate back-office work for CPA firms, including tax preparation, bookkeeping, and client follow-up processes. The platform can operate as software used by firm staff or as a managed service where the company handles the work directly.
- Who founded Cranston AI?
- Cranston AI was founded by Sean O'Bannon, Max Minsker in 2025.
- Who are Cranston AI's investors?
- Cranston AI's investors include Y Combinator.
- Where is Cranston AI headquartered?
- Cranston AI is headquartered in San Francisco, US.