Accounting Technology articles from June 2002

Accounting Technology archives from June 2002

Squeezing the mid-range. (Editor's Note).(Editorial)
June 1, 2002... PC-based accounting software has two well-defined product levels: low-cost software, sold at retail, and more robust mid-market software, sold by Value-added Resellers. In between is the mid-range, which has some of the features of both....

Street talk: reader views.
June 1, 2002... What do you think of WebTrust, the AICPA's Web assurance program? Have you conducted any engagements? (This question was asked through an email survey of 133 WebTrust providers listed on the program's site at www.cpawebtrust.org) We...

Microsoft sets SBM terms. (Practice Development News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Microsoft plans to offer consultants, many of whom are expected to be CPAs, margins of 10 to 15 percent for referring clients to Small Business Manager. "It's not limited to CPAs, but we see CPAs as the biggest constituents," says Dave...

ITA leaves AICPA. (Practice Development News).(Information Technology Alliance, American Institute of CPAs)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... The Information Technology Alliance, a CPA/reseller group, has left the American Institute of CPAs to resume its status as an independent organization. The ITA became an AICPA membership division in May 2000. iTA's leadership cited the...

Aston names managers. (Practice Development News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... The Aston Group, a Danish-owned reseller group, has named three national product directors to head efforts with three different accounting software lines. The directors are Gary Ellis, who will head efforts for Navision Axapta in North...

BMI expands. (Practice Development News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Top Navision reseller Business Management International, a New York City-based company, recently opened a Toronto office. The Toronto office joins those in New York; Saddle Brook and Cranbury, N.J.; Farmington, Conn.; Warminster, Pa;...

Whitehouse joins Collins. (Practice Development News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Geni Whitehouse, formerly COO of Elliott Davis Technology Solutions of Columbia, S.C., has joined the Accounting Software Advisor in the same capacity. ASA is headed by Carlton Collins, a former partner with the K2 Enterprises consulting...

ICN mulling future. (Practice Development News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... The International Consulting Network, a group of Solomon resellers founded in the early 1990s, is attempting to determine its direction following the resignation earlier this year of its founder Sam Allred. Allred resigned to concentrate on...

Williams, Young hires IT director. (Practice Development News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Williams Young , a Madison, Wis.-based CPA firm, has hires Raymond Bantum as director of information technology practice for its Baltimore/Washington D.C. office. Bantum is charged with servicing clients that use the MIP accounting...

Prism buys Accu-Tech. (Practice Development News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Prism Visual Software, a AccountMate reseller, has acquired Accu-Tech Systems, a Beaumont, Texas-based VAR. Prism, AccountMate's top reseller for the last year, says the acquisition strengthens its management and development team and its...

Microsoft buying Navision. (Accounting News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Microsoft, which had previously stated that its purchase of Great Plains was just a first move into applications, carried through with its plans by negotiating to buy Navision for $1.3 billion. The deal would bring two products, Navision...

Intuit plans Write-up. (Accounting News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Intuit is developing a QuickBooks Write-up package, as the company plans a broader attack on the write-up market. Intuit will field a QuickBooks branded write-up application, while also promoting the Easy Acct write-up package that it...

Best names PR head. (Accounting News).(Best Software)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Best Software has named Brian Muys to the new post of senior director, public relations, for all of Best Software's U.S. companies, including its specialty products, mid-market, small business and government, and non-profit divisions. ...

BQE starts VAR program. (Accounting News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Time and billing vendor BQE Software has started a reseller program for its BillQuick software line. The program has no annual fee and provides resellers with a 35 percent margin on BQE products. Resellers can also receive quarterly...

VAST retools VAR effort. (Accounting News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Virginian Accounting Software Technologies, a Virginia Beach, Va.-accounting software developer, has launched a new reseller recruitment program. The company, which makes Access-based accounting applications, says the new program includes...

SysTrust names president. (Accounting News).(SysTrust Services, Michael Dickson)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... SysTrust Services, the private company that is developing the SysTrust tools for the AICPA, has named Michael Dickson as its president and CEO. Dickson, who lives in Ohio, is a former partner at Crowe Chizek and led that firm's Ohio...

CCH renames ePace. (Accounting News).
June 1, 2002... CCH has renamed its ePace tiral balance/audit software as ProSystem fx Engagement, conforming to the naming standards for the company's ProSystem fx Office suite. Formerly known as ePaceEngagement, the software was acquired when CCH's...

Exact expands offices. (Accounting News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Exact Software North America (formerly Macola) has expanded in the United States by opening two West Coast offices. The company also hired Charles Pellicci, a former Macola VAR, as sales director of the Western Region. Pellicci will manage...

Epicor layoffs.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... EPICOR LAYOFFS Restructuring Employees Percent of Date Cut Work Force December 2001 162 15% April 2001 199 15% December 1999 130 11% Epicor has had a three...

Most wait on Windows XP.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... MOST WAIT ON WINDOWS XP Love it 24% Dont't Like it 20% Waiting to Try 56% An April poll of visitors to Accounting Technology's Web site at www.electronicaccoutant.com/acc outingtechnology found that most respondents...

SurePayroll buys Virtual Payroll. (Tax & Financial Planning News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... SurePayroll, a Chicago-based online payroll provider, has acquired the customer base of Virtual Payroll, a Margate, Fla.-based company that also provides Intern et-based payroll processing. The companies said that SurePayroll would...

Sabbatis joins CCH. (Tax & Financial Planning News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Industry veteran Mike Sabbatis has been named vice president of business development for CCH Tax Compliance. Sabbatis most recently served as interim CMO for Advantage MOTI. But he spent many years as an executive with the former Computer...

Cheat on your taxes?(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... CHEAT ON YOUR TAXES? Yes 52,451 38% No 87,011 62% Asked if they would cheat on their taxes if they could get away with it, a majority of respondents to a Netscape poll, taken during tax season, said they would not. Note:...

PPC picks Adhesion. (Tax & Financial Planning News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Practitioners Publishing Company has selected Adhesion Technologies to provide account aggregation services to customers of PPC's Personal Financial Center. Adhesion's Enhanced Account Aggregation (EA2) has been integrated in the PFC, and...

RIA unit slims down. (Tax Planning News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... The Texas-based operation of RIA, that include the company's GoSystem Tax application, has reportedly laid off more than 100 people in two rounds of layoffs at its Carrollton, Texas, and Valhalla, N.Y., offices. Mark Schlageter, general...

Laser and Choice ally. (Tax & Financial Planning News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Laser Systems, which makes the Tax Works tax preparation line, has entered a joint development effort with Choice Technologies to provide a suite of accounting and tax products. The suite is a customized version of Choice Accounting from...

Liberty licenses TaxSaver. (Tax & Financial Planning News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Liberty Tax Service, a tax franchising operation, has licensed Microsoft's TaxSaver tax preparation software from Orrtax to use in its offices next year. "Microsoft spent a lot of money and did a nice job and created the best tool I've...

Thomson adds Investment Center. (Tax & Financial Planning News).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Thomson Financial has launched the Thomson Advisor In vestment Center as the latest module to its Thomson Advisor platform, a set of online financial planning tools. The Investment Center is designed to let financial advisors select,...

Best plans payroll processing. (Tax & Financial Planning News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Best Software, which has traditionally offered in-house payroll systems, is expanding its efforts to provide outsourced online processing to small businesses later this year. Best is rewriting its Abra Enterprise system to serve businesses...

ePartners president quits. (Financial News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Stan Strifler, president and CEO of national reseller ePartners, has resigned his position after three and a half years on the job, citing personal reasons. The company appointed Dan Shimer, former COO and current vice chairman, as the...

Navison sales rise. (Financial News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Strong sales in the last quarter of 2001 helped Navision's operations in the United States end up with a two percent increase in sales for the first half ended December 31. Sales rose 15 percent in the second quarter, overcoming a 12...

CPA2Biz layoffs continue. (Financial News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... CPA2Biz has laid off 12 people in its third round of job cuts, with Mike Harnish, the chief information officer, among those leaving. Harnish was originally hired as chief operating officer, but gave up that position after the acquisition...

Epicor losses shrink. (Financial News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Epicor narrowed its losses to $2.7 million in the first quarter ended March 31, down from $22.1 million a year earlier, while sales dropped to just under $36 million from $47.9 million. The company says that its continuing effort to control...

Best results rise. (Financial News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Sales at Best Software rose 7 percent while operating profits went up 17.4 percent as the company's parent, the Sage Group, reported results for the first half ended March 31. Sales in the U.S. hit $167.5 million, up from $156.6 million in...

Active posts loss. (Financial News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Active IQ, which owns the Champion and Red Wing accounting software lines, said that it had $2.7 million in revenue for 2001, its first year with significant operations. The company reported a historical loss of $9.4 million and a pro...

Elite results rebound. (Financial News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Elite Information Group, whose subsidiaries market practice management systems, reported net income of $706,000 for the first quarter ended March 31, a rebound from a loss of $179,000 a year earlier. Meanwhile, revenue rose to $18.4...

TSE, Rostovsky out. (Financial News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Softline, the South African holding company, has simplified its North American management as the heads of two acquired companies have left their positions. Ben Tse, president and founder of AccountMate, and Steve Rostovsky, the founder of...

Timberline sales fall. (Financial News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Timberline Software, which makes construction and real estate software, reported that revenue fell 4 percent to $13.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, down from $14.2 million a year earlier. Net income fell sharply to $222,000 in the...

What's up.doc? Firms are increasingly implementing systems that cut down on paper.
June 1, 2002... After years of amassing a tremendous amount of paperwork in support of its tax and audit services, the 70-year-old, mid-sized firm Reminick, Aarons and Company was rapidly running out of file room space. "We wanted to transform the file...

Killer VARs hunt for success.
June 1, 2002... It's been a tough 18 months to be a VAR, even to be at the top of the market. The economy and the technology cycle in 2000 and 2001 haven't been the friendliest ones for the reseller community. And while the economy has been weak, vendors,...

Time & billing: counting time still counts; what's more important than software that helps you figure out what you're owed? (Software Review).
June 1, 2002... Make every minute count--this is the premise of the current hit television series 24--which depicts events in the lives of its characters on a real-time basis. Accounting and technology professionals work by this same edict. Time is our...

CRM: the momentum builds; customer relationship management software is shaping up as a hot market. Just ask Microsoft. (Practice Development).(Microsoft CRM and other products highlighting customer relationship management)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Equation Technologies, an Accpac reseller, recently persuaded an Advantage Series client in Phoenix to install the vendor's own eCRM product as well. The module took over from GoldMine, with which there had been no automatic data transfer with...

Monte Carlo wins the bets: does Monte Carlo technology offer more than pretty pictures? (Tax and Financial Planning).
June 1, 2002... My Monte Carlo simulation can beat up your Monte Carlo simulation." That is not a statement that would appear on a financial planning software package or on a financial planning Web Site. But in the world of risk assessment tools, it...

After the dot-com bust: the tech-wreck left many consultants bruised. So did any good come of it? (Practice Management).
June 1, 2002... Wall Street couldn't miss the irony when, one day this past January, Internet prodigy Amazon.com reported its first quarterly profit even as brick-and-mortar holdout Kmart filed for bankruptcy protection. For at least a moment, it appeared...

Impact CRM. (New Products).(Impact CRM 3.5)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Impact CRM 3.5 manages internal resources, customer, supplier, and prospect relationships, and marketing campaigns within a single program. The program features a built-in Process Definition Language (PDL) that businesses can use to...

MYOB FirstEdge. (New Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... MYOB FirstEdge, an entry-level accounting package for the Mac OS X environment, integrates business management features such as banking, sales, and expense tracking, along with reports and at-a-glance business analysis. The New Company...

Oracle Executive Dashboard. (New Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Oracle Small Business Suite's Executive Dashboard, a graphical Web page, can access a company's critical business information such as sales, cash levels, receivables and payables, inventory levels, leads, and support cases. The Dashboard...

ViewPlan. (New Products).(CCH's estate planning software)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... ViewPlan, estate planning software, addresses the uncertainties surrounding the "repeal" of the estate tax last year. The Law Builder, a new tool, has also been added to ViewPlan so planners can deal with what-if scenarios brought about by last...

QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions. (New Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions accounting software brings the same interface and design available in QuickBooks 2002 to businesses with 20 to 250 employees. The QuickBooks Employee Organizer helps businesses manage employee information...

PowerPM 5.1. (New Products).(from Commercial Logic)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... PowerPM 5.1 analyzes profitability, productivity, costing, and realization at multiple levels from company-wide to the individual client or staff member. Version 5.1 has open-item accounting, flexible billing, and extensive management...

Lexmark MFPs. (New Products).(Lexmark X620e and Lexmark X750e)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... The Lexmark multi-function printers, the X620e and the X750e, consolidate printing, copying, faxing, and scanning capabilities into single units, built respectively upon the Lexmark T620 monochrome laser printer and the Lexmark C750, a...

Job Master. (New Products).(Link-It Software's manufacturing software)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Job Master contains all modules required for production control and tracking for the small manufacturer or job shop. The system offers the following modules: quotation, sales order, shop traveler/work order, inventory, sales commission...

Profiles+ Professional. (New Products).(Profiles+ Professional 6.5 from Financial Profiles)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Profiles+ Professional Version 6.5 includes key tax, Social Security, and statistical updates, as well as Minimum Required Distribution (MRD) calculations and a new user interface. The software updates tax information based on 2002 tax...

Unity *32. (New Products).(UniLink's Unity AP*32)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Features in the first release of AP*32, the accounts payable module in the Unity line, track due dates, take advantage of discounts, plan for cash requirements, and print checks. Also joining the Windows suite is MICR*32, an optional check...

FAS Special Update. (New Products).(Best Software)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... A Special Update for the Economic Stimulus Package has been made available as part of the FAS software line. "The Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002" offers significant tax breaks to most businesses through an additional 30...

QuickBooks NFP Guide. (New Products).(PPC's QuickBooks Solutions for Nonprofit Organizations: A Problem-solving Guide for Accounting Professionals)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... PPC's QuickBooks Solutions for Nonprofit Organizations: A Problem-solving Guide for Accounting Professionals addresses unique accounting questions and problems of nonprofit organizations. The book includes tips plus easy-to-use checklists...

Simply Accounting 9.0. (New Products).(from Accpac)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Simply Accounting 9.0 adds a time and billing module and interactive training to its accounting system. Another new feature, the Daily Business Manager, stores notes and reminders, which can be attached to specific dates on the calendar. ...

NonprofitBooks 2002. (New Products).(fund accounting software from B2Pcommerce)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... NonprofitBooks, a fund accounting software package, is designed as a companion to three QuickBooks products: QuickBooksPro 2002, Premier 2002, and the Accountants Edition. The system facilitates accounting and reporting, allocates program...

AccountantsWorld.com. (Web Directory).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.accountantsworld.com Join the world's largest online community of Accountants! Get tax & accounting information in seconds, read breaking industry news, generate referrals via our online directory, create your own customized online...

ACCPAC. (Web Directory).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.accpaconline.com Hosting ACCPACs industry-leading solutions accounting, e-commerce, CRM and more, this innovative site brings enterprise level software solutions to small and medium business at an affordable price.

CaseWare International, Inc. (Web Directory).(www.caseware.com)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.caseware.com CaseWare Working Papers........www.caseware.com Completely automate the entire compilation, review and audit engagement. Includes a centralized document manager, drag and drop mapping, imports from major accounting...

Drake Software. (Web Directory).(www.drake-software.com)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.drake-software.com Complete 1040,1041,1065,1120, 1120S tax preparation software for the tax professional. Check out package options, sales and demo information.

Cougar Mountain Software Payroll[R]. (Web Directory).(www.cougarmtn.com)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.cougarmtn.com Cougar Mountain offers an award-winning software solution to easily manage your payroll in-house. Cougar Mountain Payroll[R] offers ease-of-use, airtight security, multiple-state handling, complete tax calculations,...

Execusite. (Web Directory).(www.execusite.com)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.execusite.com "Enhance your firm's image with a high-quality, content-rich Website by Execusite. Provide superior service to your clients via 24/7 access to timely financial information and interactive tools, including CCH Premium...

Financial MicroSystems. (Web Directory).(www.clientledgersystem.com)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.clientledgersystem.com Financial MicroSystems, Inc, offers innovative client write-up software designed to meet the needs of CPA's and accounting professionals. Client Ledger System[TM] software easily accommodates a growing practice...

Genovation, Inc. (Web Directory).(www.genovation.com)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.genovation.com Universal keypads for notebook computers. Genovation offers a dynamic variety of numeric keypads for notebook and desktop computers. For more information call (800) 822-4333.

HJP Associates. (Web Directory).(www.hjpassociates.com)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.hjpassociates.com Featuring professional and user friendly payroll, financial statement, 1099, and W-2 preparation software. For more information, visit our web site or call 908-354-3441.

Online Resources from Practitioners Publishing Company. (Web Directory).(www.ppcnet.com, www.ppcadviser.com/demo)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.ppcnet.com Order PPC's guidance, resources and solutions online 24/7 at PPCnet, for accounting, auditing, tax, financial planning and consulting engagements - plus get PPC's helpul views on the latest news; and access many of PPC's...

IntelliTax by Orrtax software. (Web Directory).(www.intellitax.com)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.intellitax.com IntelliTax is the only professional tax software powered exclusively by Microsoft TaxSaverTM technology. Combined with Orrtax's proven experience in developing tax preparation and e-filing software, the IntelliTax Suite...

MicroMash. (Web Directory).(www.MicroMash.com)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.MicroMash.com MicroMash offers over 100 CPE courses with the ultimate flexibility and portability. Download your selection; take a course over the Internet; have a disk delivered to your door! Visit our website and preview Capital...

Micro Vision Software, Inc. (Web Directory).(www.microvisionic.com)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.microvisionic.com Micro Vision offers innovative, fully integrated software solutions for the accounting professional, as well as services designed to grow your practice. Call 1-888-Relief 4 (888-735-4334) for information

Electronic Accountant. (Web Directory).(www.electronicaccountant.com)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.electronicaccountant.com An exciting Web magazine that features up-to-the-minute news for accountants, ongoing discussion groups, links and summaries of hundreds of accounting and tax web sites, and feature articles

Creative Solutions. (Web Directory).(www.creativesolutions.com)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.creativesolutions.com Creative Solutions offers and inclusive line seamlessly integrated write-up, payroll, and trial balance/audit, client accounting, depreciation, tax, tax planning, and practice management software. (800) 968-8900.

CrossLink Tax Software. (Web Directory).(www.petzent.com)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.petzent.com CrossLink Professional Tax Software offers user-friendly products that fully integrate Tax Preparation, Electronic Filing & Financial Services. For a FREE copy of CrossLink software, visit our web site or call (800)...

Phoenix[R]Phive Software Corporation. (Web Directory).(www.phoenixphive.com)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.phoenixphive.com Everything you need for your payroll and 1099 processing: software, checks, MICR supplies and W-2 and 1099 forms. Download a free demo or call 1-877-601-1555.

The Sleeter Group. (Wen Directory).(www.sleeter.com)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.sleeter.com The Sleeter Group is the country's leading QuickBooks and Accounting Technology expert advisory group, focused on advising and training accounting professionals to better serve small business clients. Call 1-888-484-5484,...

Software Technology Inc. (Web Directory).(www.STIAccounting.com/act)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.STIAccounting.com/act Software Technology Inc. has been at the forefront of professional services markets since 1979 with user-friendly and technologically advanced time billing (TABS III), practice management (PracticeMaster) and...

STFB Inc. (Web Directory).(www.stfb.com)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.stfb.com Web-Based and Client/Server Accounting Systems with Source Code Included for Visual Basic, Access, SQL Server, JavaScript & More! Visit STFB Inc. at http://www.stfb.com

ProSystems fx. (Web Directory).(www.prosystemfx.com)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.prosystemfx.com The ProSystem fx office is an award-winning suite of integrated tax and accounting software from CCH. Vist our web site for product information, demos, free downloads, and more, or call us at 1-800-PFX-9998.

TADOnline. (Web Directory).(www.TADOnline.com)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.TADOnline.com TADOnline's proven Web Based Communications Management System is now available to all accountants. Start servicing online outsourced bookkeeping/accounting clients today with a FREE 30 day trial.

Be your clients' "Virtual CEO" with Intacct,; the leader in online professional accounting. (Web Directory).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... www.intacct.com Intacct, the leading online professional accounting solution, puts you at the heart of your client's business as never before--with anytime/anywhere access, real-time financial, data, live drill-down reports, and...

Peachtree AccountCare: aiding accountants; Peachtree is considering a certification program for CPAs and advisors. (Channels).
June 1, 2002... For John McCabe, a CPA based in Atlanta, Peachtree Software's AccountCare program offers more than just commissions on referrals of its software. McCabe believes the program's members-only Web site to be its biggest benefit. "When I run...

Gene Marks: taking control. (Accounting Technologist).
June 1, 2002... After encountering a stream of prospects with budgets too limited to purchase middle-market accounting software outright, Gene Marks saw a golden opportunity. Marks formed the Marks Group to provide outsourced controller services to smaller...