As part of its previously announced Power to Get More Done Initiative, which aims to help firms deal with the shaky economy by giving them money to hire extra staff and invest in their business, financial and tax software provider Intuit has announced the co-sponsors and judges for the effort.

The four co-sponsors for the effort, which will run from May through July, will work  with Intuit to help promote the availability of the stimulus grants and are each providing a representative to sit on the panel of judges that will determine the winners.

Intuit said that “stimulus” grants totaling $200,000 will be awarded to 10 firms and professionals.
The event co-sponsors are the National Society of Accountants, the National Association of Enrolled Agents and the National Association of Tax Professionals.

Judges for the competition include a mix of renowned industry professionals and executives from Intuit’s Accounting Professionals division.
The judges for the competition include:

• Astrid M. Arola, CPA, member of the NSA Education Committee, she is the owner and operator of Kelly’s Tax Service.

• Sally A. Fahey, EA, a member of the NATP and owner-operator of Fahey Associates Tax Service.

• Dave Levine, EA, a former IRS revenue officer and owner, of D.M.L. Consulting, a tax practice in Reno, Nev.

• L. Gary Boomer, CPA, CEO of Boomer Consulting Inc. and a recognized speaker and author on technology and firm management.

• Randolph P. Johnston, executive vice president of technology consultant K2 Enterprises, a recognized authority in strategic technology planning, systems and network integration.

• Steve Blundell, CPA, senior manager of vendor/partner relations for Intuit Inc.

• Georg Gerstenfeld, vice president of marketing, Accounting Professionals Division Intuit.

To enter the Power to Get More Done Stimulus Grant competition, accounting professionals can download the entry form at http://accountant.intuit.com/GetMoreDone and prepare a brief, high-level business plan that explains how the money will be used to stimulate growth. Entries are due by 9:30 p.m. Pacific time on April 30, 2009.