Accounting Technology articles from June 2003

Accounting Technology archives from June 2003

The power of one person. (Editor's Note).(Pat Ripepi of NetLedger)
June 1, 2003... The recent death of Pat Ripepi, vice president of indirect sales at NetLedger, was a sad one. She was 51. But it was also a sad day for channel partners and the vendors that serve them. There aren't many people like Pat. Working a channel takes...

Burgum on the hot seat. (Editor's Note).
June 1, 2003... Doug Burgum, former president of what used to be called Great Plains and now head of Microsoft Business Solutions, has a big job: to take his unit from $600 million in revenue to $10 billion in five years. In this question-and-answer...

Street talk: reader views.
June 1, 2003... Are more CPA firms moving into software resetting or moving out of it? I am seeing more get out of the business because of the money and time involved for certification. Once they go through their customer base, it becomes difficult to...

Inspired gets Hollinger. (Practice Development News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Reseller inspired Solutions, which recently purchased two other resellers, has named Macola Software founder Bruce Hollinger as its chairman. Atlanta-based Inspired acquired M2 Business Solutions of Raleigh, N.C., and Martin Software...

Tectura buys Peak. (Practice Development News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Tectura, a fast-growing accounting software reseller based in Tempe, Ariz, has acquired Peak Data Systems of Rocka way, NJ. The move gives Tectura a foothold in the Axapta line from Microsoft Business Solutions and the Exact Software line,...

Aston to merge? (Practice Development News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Aston Business Solutions (formerly called Aston IT), a Danish-owned reseller, may merge with Columbus IT Partner, according to a report from the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten. The newspaper said both companies owe large sums to Nordea, a...

YCO tests software. (Practice Development News).
June 1, 2003... Your Corner Office, an online firm launched by CPA firm Mir Fox Rodriguez, was expected to begin testing software it has developed for Hewlett-Packard through three Houston-area CPA firms. YCO's plans were outlined in SEC documents filed by...

Galloway honored. (Practice Development News).
June 1, 2003... Mike Galloway, owner of AApTech, a Bingham Hills, Mich.-based reseller, has been named Partner of the Year by NetLedger. AApTech, a sister to CPA firm MPRP has been carrying the online NetLedger product offerings since 1999, and is one of...

Netledger targets CPAs. (Practice Development News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Online software vendor NetLedger will intensify its efforts in the CPA market, including an effort with the major firms. NetLedger, based in San Mateo, Calif., is dedicating the efforts of Rita Strauss, a product manager who directs the...

ABS owner starts Thin Tier. (Practice Development News).(John Heagney)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... John Heagney, an accounting software reseller who sold ABS Solutions to ePartners in 1999, has launched Thin Tier, a new channel company. Thin Tier, based in Inverness, Ill., sells NetLedgers online accounting and CRM products. Heagney...

Smart absorbs Grabush. (Practice Development News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Smart & Associates, a Devon, Pa.-based CPA firm with a large technology practice, has absorbed Grabush Newman, a Baltimore-based firm, a move that will blend active Great Plains and Best Software reselling operations. With $25.2 million in...

Best reorganizes. (Accounting News).(to Mid-Market and Small Business Divisions)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Best Software has aligned its operations into two major divisions, the Mid-Market and Small Business Divisions, divided largely by the method of distributing the software. The Mid-Market Division, whose president will be chosen later,...

B'Vision postpones conference. (Accounting News).(in Toronto due to SARS)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Business Vision, the mid-range accounting software company owned by Softline, has postponed its annual reseller conference until October. The conference was scheduled to be held May 8 to 10 in Toronto, but was postponed after the World...

Microsoft adds ISV programs. (Accounting News).
June 1, 2003... Microsoft has introduced new programs for its Independent Software Vendors, including new testing pro grams for ISV software products, business tools, and support through the Microsoft for Partners site. The Empower program provides...

Accpac updates Messenger. (Accounting News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Accpac International has added wireless text message alerts to Accpac Messenger 1.1, the newest version of its network-based unified messaging system. Other features include expanded Internet-based faxing, greater scalability, and...

Softline to privatize. (Accounting News).
June 1, 2003... Sofiline, the South African company that owns Datafaction, BusinessVision, and AccountMate, has decided to take the company private by purchasing all outstanding stock. CEO Ivan Epstein says the move is underway because the company feels...

Exact votes on buyback. (Accounting News).
June 1, 2003... Shareholders have approved a proposal by the managing board of Exact Holdings N.V., which owns Exact Software, to purchase up to 10 percent of its outstanding stock over the next 18 months. Shareholders approved the proposal at the...

Epicor dropping "e". (Accounting News).
June 1, 2003... Epicor Software will gradually eliminate the use of the e by Epicor name over this year's product releases in favor of using the company's name as the brand. The company has taken the first step with the introduction of the new Web...

Burgum Cashes in Stock.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Burgum Cashes in Stock Sale Date Proceeds Shares Share Price Range April 21, 2003 $12.3 million 485,311 $25.10-$25.56 Nov. 21, 2002 $11.3 million 195,459 $68.42-$69.73 April 24-26, 2001 $12.0...

Best keeps Visual Tax. (Tax & Financial Planning News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Best Software has decided to continue marketing Visual Tax, the compliance product that it acquired through the purchase of CPA Software last year. Visual has an installed base of only about 300. However, it will be primarily sold as part...

G+C investigated. (Tax & Financial Planning News).(Gilman+Cioccia)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Gilman+Cioccia, a publicly held tax preparation company, has had three executives subpoenaed by the SEC regarding the restatement of its financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2001, and two quarters during that year. It's the...

Jackson Hewitt sales up. (Tax & Financial Planning News).(Q1 2002)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Revenue for Jackson Hewitt, the tax franchiser owned by the Cendant Corp., rose to $132.7 million for the first quarter ended March 31, up 22 percent from $109.9 million for last year's corresponding period. Jackson Hewitt is part of...

ATX adds staff. (Tax & Financial Planning News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... ATX, which makes the Saber Pro and Max product lines, has added 40 full-time employees to its work force. President Glynn Willett says that the company's growth during the last tax season enabled it to offer permanent jobs to the 40 people...

LaFollette to leave CSI. (Tax & Financial Planning News).(Creative Solutions)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Greg LaFollette, who has served as vice president of product development for Creative Solutions, is leaving after four years in that position. LaFollette says that he will work with CSI president Jon Baron over the next several months to...

Drake sets loan offers. (Tax & Financial Planning News).
June 1, 2003... Drake Software of Franklin, N.C., has expanded offerings to its preparers through the Business Development Program, in partnership with Countryside Financial and SIR VA relocation. Preparers can offer their clients the RealEstateCash Back...

TurboTax sales up. (Tax & Financial Planning News).(for Intuit)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Intuit says that sales of the group that includes TurboTax software and TurboTax for the Web rose by 20 percent for the fiscal year to date over the prior year's tax season. TurboTax sales rose 12 percent to 6.1 million units, while the...

Wolters Kluwer Shows Revenue/Profit Spread.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 1, 2003... Wolters Kluwer Shows Revenue/Profit Spread Breakdown of Breakdown of Revenue by Operating Cluster Income (2002, in %) (2002, in %) ...

Best Software results up. (Financial News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Best Software's operating earnings rose 30 percent, while revenue grew by 8 percent over last year for the first ha if ended March 31. Net income grew to $48.5 million, while operating income was $48.5 million. The company says its Act and...

Advent in the red. (Financial News).(Q1 2003)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Advent Software, which makes financial planning software, lost $7.5 million in the first quarter ended March 31, as revenue dove by 30 percent. The loss compares to net income of $7.3 million a year earlier. The company posted an operating...

WK results drops. (Financial News).(Wolters Kluwer 2002)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Wolters Kluwer, parent of CCH and Aspen Publishing, reported that operating income for its North American business fell by 27.6 percent from 2001 to 2002. A write-off of impaired assets meant that operating income after amortization of...

Epicor gets black ink. (Financial News).(Q1 2003)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Epicor Software returned to profitability for the first quarter ended March 31 with net income of $2.4 million, a turnaround from a loss of $2.7 million in last year's first quarter. It was the first quarterly profit in more than two years....

Timberline loses $127K. (Financial News).(Q1 2003)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Timberline Software, which makes construction software, lost $127,000 for the first quarter ended March 31, compared to net income of $222,000 in last year's corresponding period. However, revenue rose to $15.5 million in the recent...

Red Wing drops $3.8 million. (Financial News).(2002)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Red Wing Software, which combines the former Red Wing, Champion, and FHS Harvest operations, lost $3.8 million for 2002, up from $1.6 million in red ink the prior year. The results were disclosed by Active IQ Technologies, which acquired...

Liberty Tax rebounds. (Financial News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Liberty Tax Service, the tax franchiser that was owned by entrepreneur John Hewitt, rebounded to $1.2 million in pre-tax income for the nine months ended January 31, from a pre-tax loss of $782 ,786 for last year's corresponding period. ...

Exact's Norhth American Margins Rose.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 1, 2003... Exact's Norhth American Margins Rose The Netherlands 28.4% North American 7.7% Rest of World 2.4% Although opearting margins of Exact's North American activities reached only 7.7 percent for 2002, that's still up...

Pervasive net rises. (Financial News).(Q3 2002)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Pervasive Software, which makes database systems, reported net income of $1.8 million for the third quarter ended March 31, a 4 percent increase from $1.7 million a year earlier. That change accompanied a 6.4 percent increase on the top...

Zanett pares loss. (Financial News).(for 2002)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Zanett, which owns accounting software reseller Brandywine Computer Group, reported a loss of $355,820 for 2002, down sharply from $3.1 million in red ink for 2001. Based in Needham, Mass., Zanett had income of $18.9 million for its most...

Duffy promoted. (Financial News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Dan Duffy, chief operating officer of national reseller ePartners, has been named president of the Irving, Texas-based firm. Duffy, who retains the COO title, takes over a position left vacant last year when David Dunnigan, formerly of...

Best hires Portner. (Financial News).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Best Software has hired Jim Portner, an executive who has worked at Lacerte and Intuit, to head the product strategy and execution, for the company's Small Business Division. The division handles the Peachtree, Act, Timeslips and DacEasy...

Outgunning the competition. (Killer VARs).
June 1, 2003... So what's it take to be a reselling champ? A cursory look at our roster of Killer VARs yields no quick and easy answers. It's certainly not just a matter of revenue--this year's slate spans a fairly wide chasm, from less than a million...

ACCPAC technology and VAR programs get top marks. (Killer VARs).(Company Profile)
June 1, 2003... Ask any mid-size business owner what they want from their business management software and they'll say: forward-thinking technology, immediate availability, plenty at choices and a great price. In fact, the mid-market (typically defined as...

Burgum's big challenge: Doug Burgum, head of Microsoft Business Solutions, has a changed role within Microsoft and some big challenges.
June 1, 2003... Doug Burgum's organization is the team to beat in the sale of accounting software. It was a leader when it was Great Plains Software, and became the odds-on favorite to dominate the market when Microsoft purchased the Fargo, N.D.-based company...

Fund-raising software: a raised profile; it's no longer an afterthought to fund accounting.
June 1, 2003... In the one hand, a shaky economy is making it tougher than ever for nonprofit organizations to get would-be donors to open their wallets. On the other hand, the government has increased its scrutiny of not-for-profit financial statements in the...

The T&B reality show: these products turn hours into dollars.
June 1, 2003... The seemingly never-ending quantity of televised reality shows depict how "everyday" people react when confronted by bizarre, non-everyday situations. Some of these shows even capture (for our viewing pleasure) the daily antics of the...

Planning for the soft(ware) life: automated toots can smooth--and shorten--the road to retirement.
June 1, 2003... The findings are unsettling, to say the least. A hefty 24 percent of workers age 45 or older now say they plan to postpone their retirement age, up 9 percentage points from last year, according to the annual Retirement Confidence Survey. A...

Analyze this: software tools turn data into services.
June 1, 2003... David Pontrello believes that analytical software helps his firm provide services that differentiates it from other accounting firms. And he's working to spread the gospel of that tool, the Business Analysis Suite from Accpac International,...

Blackbaud SDK. (New Products).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Blackbaud Jets developers write applications that integrate with Blackbaud's Financial Edge accounting program through a software development kit. Developers can access the component object model layer of Blackbaud's software through an...

OSAS Version 6.5. (New Products).(from Open Systems)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Users can attach documents to customers, vendors, items, employees, and other master file records via user-defined fields in the Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and Payroll modules of OSAS Version 6.5 software. Reports and lists can...

Focus on Tax. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... CCH's Focus on Tax electronic newsletter, which provides a sampling of the company's publications, covers subjects such as forming an exempt organization, the uses and abuses of special purpose entities, state taxation, and ramifications and...

Encore Grant Management. (New Products).(from Encore Business Solutions)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Encore Grant Management allows not-for-profit government organizations to accurately manage grants. The software supplies budget validation on a period-to-period, grant-to-date, or life-of-grant basis, and sets up grant budget identifications...

Act for Palm. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... Act for Palm OS updates Palm OS 5, which supports handhelds including the Palm Tungsten device, and telephony features that allow customers with Palm OS smartphones to dial directly from an Act contact record. Palm OS enables individuals...

Choice Fixed Assets. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... The Choice Fixed Asset line offers users both Choice Fixed Asset Lite, with one user-selected tax book, and Fixed Assets Premier, that supports federal, tax, AMT, ACE, and state tax books. Premier also includes a Custom Report Builder and...

Peachtree Manufacturing Kit. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... The Manufacturing Industry Kit in Peachtree Complete Accounting 2003 contains customized reporting formats and a how-to guide to assist manufacturers in Peachtree capabilities that apply to their business. Also, provided are...

Alpha NetMailer. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... Alpha Software's NetMailer for Accountants automates the process of sending invoices and customer specific emails to recipients, based on the information in an accounting system. Messages incorporate data extracted from an Alpha Five...

Fraud Detection Guide. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... PPC's Guide to Fraud Detection helps accountants find fraud by providing practical guidance, checklists, and practice aids. The Guide offers materials for identifying fraud exposures, detecting fraud schemes, reporting the results of the fraud...

Snap To software. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... SnapTo software saves hundreds of snapshots of financial data to give users of Great Plains software integrated data protection. The snapshots can be scheduled by users prior to each posting. A ClickBack feature takes Great Plains users to...

Billing Matters. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... Billing Matters users can select either a timesheet or a single time-entry interface. The package also offers unlimited rates, codes, timekeeper/billing staff, clients, and includes a no-compromise bill and report designer. Productivity...

Cost Basis Solver overview. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... The Cost Basis Solver (CBS) resolves the problem of calculating accurate cost basis for stock and mutual fund transactions. The utility instantaneously calculates securities payment and cost basis information needed to complete Schedules B...

FAS Construction in Progress. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... The Construction in Progress module from Best Software records and tracks details regarding manufacturers' fixed assets before they are placed in service through multiple levels of detail tracking and built-in reports. The application can...

HP Platinum Calculator. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... The Hewlett Packard 12c Platinum Calculator features the Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) entry, unique to HP calculators, but also offers the ability to use traditional algebraic entry. The unit can handle up to 30 cash flows. Keystroke...

Radio Beacon: picky, picky, picky. (Channels).
June 1, 2003... Radio Beacon is transmitting a clear message--it's more technically sophisticated than the normal third party, and supports a variety of accounting applications. And it's very picky--its systems are designed for warehouse operations that employ...

Practical and innovative resources from AccountantsWorld. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... www.AccountantsWorld.com Join the 60,000 strong community of independent accountants. Receive the widest array of free tools, services, training, education and other innovative solutions to completely manage and grow your practice. ...

ACCPAC. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... www.accpaconline.com ACCPAC International, Inc. provides mid-market businesses a complete range of end-to-end business management applications designed to enhance competitive advantage and increase profitability. ACCPAC offerings include...

AccountMate. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... www.accountmate.com AccountMate provides real-time, integrated, source code modifiable business management and accounting solutions to fit any type of business. Learn more about our Business Partner opportunities from our website or (800)...

BusinessVision. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... www.businessvision.com BusinessVision has been creating real-time, fully integrated, affordable business management and accounting solutions for over 17 years. Learn more about dealer opportunities and our CPA Recommender Program: (800)...

Online resources from Practitioners Publishing Company. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... 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 helpful views on the latest news; and access many of PPC's...

CaseWare International, Inc. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... 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...

Creative Solutions. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... www.creativesolutions.com Creative Solutions offers a complete line of seamlessly integrated write-up, payroll, trial balance/audit, client accounting, depreciation, tax, tax planning, and practice management software for practicing...

CPA transitions. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... www.CPAtransitions.com Buying or Selling your business? We offer a national marketplace: Confidential listings; instant notification of listings, personal guidance; financing; contract package; closing/escrow services.

CrossLink Tax Software. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... 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)...

Drake software. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... 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.

Database Creations, Inc. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... www.accessaccountingsolutions.com Customizable accounting software for Microsoft Access - includes source codel Exchange data with other Office applications. As good as the $20k packages at 1/20th the cost. FREE trial version - visit our...

Financial MicroSystems. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... 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. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... 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.

Intacct. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... www.intacct.com Intacct Corporation is the leading developer of webbased professional accounting solutions for CPAs, accounting outsourcers, solution providers, and small and midsize enterprises.

MicroMash CPE and exam reviews. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... www.MicroMash.com MicroMash otters over 100 CPE courses wit me ultimate flexibility and portability. Download your selection; take a course over the Internet; have a disk delivered to your door! Visit our web site and preview Capital Gains...

New Horizon Technologies. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... www.planguru.net Expand your business advisory services with PlanGuru, the most complete business planning system available. Projections, cash flow analysis, benchmarking and performance measurement. For free trial visit our website....

PenSoft. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... www.pensoft.com/accountants.asp Expand your profit center with PenSoft[R)]Payroll Accounting Edition. Features tax tables for all 50 states, FREE unlimited program support, plus additional features including invoicing and Certified...

Phoenix Phive Software Corporation. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... 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.

WebCPA. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... WebCPA is the premier Internet resource for tax and accounting professionals. WebCPA offers you the profession's only source for daily news written exclusively by accounting editors. www.webcpa.com

ProSystem fx Site Builder. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... tax.cchgroup.com/sitebuilder Build a professional web site with ProSystem fx Site Builder and provide clients 24/7 access to financial information and tools, including CCH's Premium Content and Tax Notebook online tax organizer. Take a...

ProSystem fx. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... www.prosystemfx.com The ProSystem fx Off ice is an award-winning suite of integrated tax and accounting software from CCH. Visit our web site for product information, demos, free downloads, and more, or call us at 1 (800) PFX-9998.

STFB Inc. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... 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

Accounting Technology. (Internet Directory).
June 1, 2003... www.accountingtechnology.com AccountingTechnology.com treats readers to articles from the premier publication covering the accountant's world of technology tools. It addresses the use of technology within an accounting practice; and...