New York — Most business and information technology executives in the United States expect IT expenditures to rise over the next three years, according to the results of an online survey released by consulting giant Accenture.

INTUIT NAMES VP OF INVESTOR RELATIONS: Mountain View, Calif.-based Intuit has named Jessica Kourakos vice president of investor relations. In that capacity, Kourakos will work closely with Intuit’s senior management team to develop investor relations strategies and serve as the company’s liaison with the financial analyst and investor communities.

by L. Gary Boomer

by Ted Needleman

Pittsburgh — Invesmart Inc., a Pittsburgh-based retirement services firm, has kicked off a nationwide rollout of its new Partner Program to banks and investment advisors.

by Robert Scott

by Gail Perry

RIA ENHANCES CHECKPOINT: RIA, a provider of high-end tax research and compliance software and products, has added a series of upgrades to its Checkpoint online platform.

New York — The American Institute of CPAs, through its Accounting and Review Services Committee, has issued Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services No. 10, Performance of Review Engagements, amending Statement on Standards No. 1, Compilation and Review of Financial Statements.

by L. Gary Boomer

by Dave McClure

The Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking public comment on the costs and benefits associated with “tagged” data, and is considering a staff proposal to accept voluntary supplemental filings of financial data using the Extensible Business Reporting Language, or XBRL.

by Gail Perry

by Paul R. Brazina and Bruce A. Leauby

by Ted Needleman

STUDY SAYS 2004 TO SEE SURGE IN IT UPGRADES: Nearly eight of 10 businesses polled in a recent survey by information technology consultant and researcher Yankee Group said that they will have undertaken a major software upgrade by the end of 2004. According to the survey of some 1,100 network administrators worldwide, the planned upgrades would encompass everything from client/server upgrades and new off-the-shelf applications to custom applications.

by James Boomer

by Bill Carlino

E-mail is a mission-critical application in most accounting firms.

By Seth Fineberg