CCH Small Firm Services and Burlington, Vt.-based Evolution by iSystems have partnered to offer payroll services to tax and accounting professionals using the Evolution Payroll, HR and tax management system.

The two companies plan a phased approach. Initially, CCH SFS will work with CCH to bring Evolution's current payroll products to midsized and large tax and accounting firms, then reach out in 2013 to smaller tax and accounting firms and sole practitioners with payroll services "tailored specifically to meet the needs of this traditionally underserved segment of the market."

"We have always wanted to expand the relevance and reach of our products within the tax and accounting segment," said Evolution CEO Michael Trahan.

CCH SFS said that the deal gave it an opening to expand the range of products it offers to core customers. "Recent market data indicates more and more accountants are searching for a way to respond to increasing client demand for payroll services," said Jairam Padmanabhan, SFS vice president of strategy.