Web-based accounts payable service Bill.com is partnering with accounting software developer Intacct to integrate their software-as-a-service financial applications.

A few years ago, someone performed an early exit from a Sunday session on marketing at the AIPCA’s Tech Conference. “What a waste of time,” he complained. “This is so basic.”

Software developer NetSuite reported that its third-quarter 2008 revenues rose 44 percent compared to the year-ago quarter, but its net loss increased.

Accounting firms have been doing write-up work since well before computers were available. When computers became affordable, many switched over to using general ledger applications, sometimes on time-shared mini and mainframe computers.Gradually, true write-up applications began to take hold, and this vertical application really started to take off with the advent of the IBM PC.

INTUIT BEEFS UP QUICKBOOKSIntuit has upgraded QuickBooks with a new client data review tool and other features for accountants to help their small business clients.

Accounting firms utilize some of the most complex and difficult information technology systems to integrate and manage. This results from:* IT governance and decision-making processes;

Intuit has been named a winner of the American Society of Women Accountants Educational Foundation 2008 Balance Awards.

Online sales tax management provider SpeedTax is partnering with consultancy TaxConnex to offer sales tax automation and consulting services to business clients.

Sage Software has begun selling a bundled version of its Peachtree small business accounting and payroll software.

Cougar Mountain Software has released an e-commerce product, CMS Total eCom.

Those who remember the concern over Year 2000—that when the clock struck Jan. 1 that year, computers would freeze, airplanes would crash and the world as we knew it would end, remember that a lot of that stuff didn’t happen and many people found that accounting software that worked on Dec. 31, 1999 still worked just fine.

Portals are an increasingly convenient and secure way of exchanging documents with clients.

The biggest obstacle for firms that have attempted to go paperless has been the resistance to a cultural change, according to Roger Mongeon, co-vice president of sales and marketing of document management provider Doc.It.

SAGE UPGRADES FIXED ASSETS

The recent news about the economy is not as significant as how you react to it in determining your future. CPAs are the most trusted business advisors, and clients look to them for leadership, relationships and creativity. They also look to you for confidence, direction and new capabilities.

Thomson Reuters’ Tax & Accounting business said it is offering single sign-on integration for its GoSystem Tax ES tax software and GoFileRoom ES document management software.

Bill.com has added QuickBooks synchronization and workflow features to the latest version of its eponymous service.

Document management systems can reduce invoice cycle times, boost productivity and cut exposure to fraud, among many other benefits.

While there was a minor flurry of fixed asset activity surrounding the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 and its depreciation and tax impact on businesses, the major focus in fixed asset software packages for 2008 continues to be in the areas of audit and compliance.The goal continues to be a melding of asset inventory, construction-in-process accounting and asset accounting into a cohesive and coherent application, but increasingly the demands of faster, easier and more sophisticated audit support are also garnering attention.

QUICKBOOKS OPENS TO IPHONE AND BLACKBERRYIntuit has added mobile access to its QuickBooks Online service via the Apple iPhone and RIM BlackBerry. The Web-based version of the company's small-business accounting software now has more than 130,000 small businesses as subscribers, and allows smartphone users to check their current bank and credit card balances; track accounts receivable and accounts payable; find vendor, employee and customer contact information; and run balance-sheet and profit-and-loss reports.