News and updates from the world of accounting resellers

CCH Small Firm Services released ATX 2012, the latest version of the company’s tax software, designed to offer improved efficiency, expanded client customization options and a new user interface.

Intuit has released several updates to QuickBooks Online, including improved online banking features, income transaction tracking, and an Intuit App Center for third-party applications that integrate with QuickBooks Online.

Cloud accounting software developer FreshBooks is now offering an iPhone app, which will include many key features of the Web version.

OrangeScape Inc. has added its KissFlow workflow creation application to the Google Apps Marketplace and unveiled new features for the product, which include improved sign-on, group assignment and email integration.

Cloud-based document storage and sharing service provider SmartVault has released an Apple iPad app that allows users to browse, search, view, and share documents on the go from their tablet.

The Tax & Accounting business of Thomson Reuters has added support for the new medical device excise tax from the health care reform law to its tax compliance software.

Intuit Inc. posted fourth quarter revenue of $651 million, up 14 percent from a year ago, with 64 percent of its overall revenue coming from connected services, compared to 50 percent during the year-ago period in 2011.

After 10 years of growing the business, FreshBooks is now adding Cloud Accounting to its brand and marketing efforts to help better define the company’s direction for accountants and customers.

Cloud-based enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management software provider Acumatica previewed on Monday its upcoming version 4.0 release, which will boast new financial, customer relationship management and supply chain features as well as integration tools.

Cloud accounting and financial technology provider FinancialForce.com has added social relationship management service Jobscience and fixed and remote asset tracking application provider AccountAbility Solutions Inc. as alliance partners.

“I’m not sure Sage is really innovating right now, but at least they are showing signs of change.”

Travel and expense management service provider Concur has improved offerings for its now 3,000-member Advisor Program for accounting professionals and SMB consultants, as well as enhancing its Small Business Edition product.

Accounting and business software vendor Sage North America is holding its annual Sage Summit with thousands of its partners in Nashville, Tenn.

Sage North America is not formally endorsing a Master VAR-type program anytime soon — yet similar alliance programs are being established within Sage’s ecosystem.

Numbers Agent has released the first generation of its Software-as-a-Service accounting and bookkeeping service.

Thomson Reuters announced that it will be holding two Payroll Summits to show accounting firms how offering payroll processing to their clients can add to their profits.

One year after announcing major rebranding plans for all of its products, Sage North America executives are now touting innovation -- particularly around cloud and mobile offerings -- all while still recognizing some partner discontent.

Top Sage North America partner Net@Work has formed a new program geared toward accounting firms, Sage value-added resellers and other professional service firms looking to partner with the company, share resources and possibly align for a future merger or acquisition if applicable.

The tax preparation software industry experienced minimal overall growth over the past five years, averaging only 0.1 percent annually to reach an estimated $2.4 billion in 2012, according to new research.