Intuit Inc. has restructured its accountant-focused QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program, which will now incorporate a three-tiered structure with access to more benefits for members to increase their knowledge of QuickBooks and other Intuit small business solutions through Intuit's certification process.
The news was announced via newswire and at the Midwest Accounting & Finance Show.
Under the new tiered program, ProAdvisors who progress through Intuit’s QuickBooks Certification and Advanced Certification training receive additional program benefits to recognize their deeper knowledge of QuickBooks. These include larger product discounts that can be passed onto their clients and differentiated support options.
As members advance from tier to tier to achieve the status of QuickBooks Certified and QuickBooks Advanced Certified, they also receive unlimited U.S.-based phone support in addition to the unlimited U.S.-based chat support. Current, non-certified ProAdvisors receive unlimited U.S.-based phone support for one year from their upcoming renewal date, giving them additional time to become QuickBooks Certified or Advanced Certified.
"Since its inception, the focus of the QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program has been to provide accounting professionals with the tools they need to be successful in their practices and with the clients they serve," said Ian Vacin, leader of the QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program. "By developing a tiered structure, we are recognizing accounting professionals in the program who spend the time to become proficient in QuickBooks and other Intuit products and services geared toward small businesses."
The ProAdvisor Member Web site has also been completely transformed and will launch in early September. Accountants will be able to access their benefits and tools to set and achieve their professional and business goals. The Web site will continue to act as a portal to the online community of more than 60,000 QuickBooks ProAdvisors.
In addition, starting Sept. 13, the QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program will be priced at $599 annually for new members. The QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program plus Payroll Program will be $799. For current members, starting Nov. 1, the QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program will be $549 annually. The QuickBooks ProAdvisor Membership plus Payroll option will be $749.
All members will receive for free QuickBooks Accountant Plus, Intuit Statement Writer, QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Enterprise, QuickBooks for Mac, Intuit GoPayment, Intuit Payment Network, and Intuit Check Solutions for QuickBooks.
4 Comments
It is not only a matter of trust and but also of paramount importance that both parties - both Intuit and their accountant partners - perceive their relationship, as defined by the QuickBooks Pro Advisor Program as being symbiotic. However, as the AICPA and CPA State societies, have come to learn that there are limitations as to the perceived value added (or not) to their respective constituencies from either establishing or maintain a relationship and/or membership. There has to be a definitive and clear cost benefit relationship and when it appears all one sided - there is a sense of resentment and frustration. Being a member of an organization or part of a program does not define a professional. Some of the more competent and ethical CPAs that I have had the privilege of knowing and working with have for gone membership in professional organizations. I can see the same reaction to QuickBooks Pro Advisor program. Would it not be refreshing for an organization, in true recognition of their symbiotic relationship to announce increased benefits and actually reduce the cost of a program? Now that is really a man bites dog story. As opposed to - here we go again!!!
Posted by: Donsec | August 29, 2011 9:36 AM
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The issue lies with Jill Ward (Director of the "Accounting Professionals" division) who, many of have come to see, views CPA's as a merely yet another profit center instead of partners. This is so short sighted. And their actions speak louder than their PR words. Intuit needs a new Director of this division. But the reality is that we're just not so important; they are big we are small, we only "matter" when we pay.
Posted by: ProCouncil founder a | August 24, 2011 11:47 AM
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Ditto comment from Frankcpa. Not only is it costing us more, since we have to keep versions back as far as 2007, it is costing our clients more to keep their version current. I have told clients that do not use QBooks for payroll not to upgrade until support ceases. It costs them less to have us do payroll for them as opposed to pay an increased cost each year to keep up with minimal increase in value for the "upgrades."
Posted by: Dibra | August 24, 2011 11:43 AM
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Ponder this!
There always seems to be some means that Intuit takes to increase the cost of the products that we use. As a 25 year customer of Intuit, I have seen numerous improvements in the product line as the software has evolved. I realize that all businesses are responsible for making a return on their stockholders' investments but, I get outraged at the company gouging the practitioners. It goes without saying that we are the marketing representatives for their products and without us they may not have the volume of sales that they do.
Posted by: Franklcpa | August 24, 2011 9:49 AM
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