Microsoft, AICPA and Partners Sponsor Internet Web Development Conference for CPAs

REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 13, 1996 — Microsoft Corp. and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) today announced they will host the Internet Conference for State CPA Societies ’96, a two-day event that will provide state CPA societies with the tools and knowledge they need to give their members immediate, low-cost access to valuable accounting industry information on the World Wide Web.

Cosponsored by accounting and technology experts Microsoft, the AICPA, Faulkner & Gray, K2 Enterprises, Dell Computer Corp., Netcom Inc. and U.S. Robotics Corp., the conference will take place Aug. 20 and 21 at the Bellevue Hyatt in Bellevue, Wash. During the conference, attendees will learn how to create informative and useful Web sites for their organizations and will be given all the software and hardware tools necessary to establish and maintain their sites.

“Technology will be one of the driving forces behind the changes taking place in the accounting profession in an information-driven business environment,”
said Barry Melancon, president and CEO of the AICPA.
“The conference will provide state CPA societies with critical resources and necessary training to tap into the immense potential of Internet technology and to better serve their members. We’re pleased to be working with Microsoft to offer this unique program to the state CPA societies and their members.”

Web Sites to Help CPAs Build Their Businesses

The role of CPAs has evolved beyond traditional financial auditing and tax compliance to include business systems consulting, which has become a major area of growth for small and medium-sized firms. Increasingly, CPAs are being called upon to help their clients better understand their business processes and how they can become more efficient and profitable. By hosting Web sites, state CPA societies can aid their members in their expanded roles by disseminating information quickly and inexpensively.

“CPAs are experiencing increasing competition to their core business from nontraditional sources,”
said Matt Davis, accounting industry marketing manager for Microsoft.
“And members are now turning to the AICPA and state societies for advice on how to overcome these competitive threats, become more cost-efficient, increase their skills and expand into related fields of business. We are excited to be sponsoring this conference along with the AICPA to help state CPA societies respond to their members’ needs.”

Building Web Sites: A to Z

The conference sponsors will host two members of each state CPA society, which together represent about 400,000 CPAs nationwide. Conference subjects will include the following:

  • Hands-on demonstrations on how to create a low-cost, flexible and easily maintainable Web site that will help state societies save money by reducing marketing expenses, postage and publishing costs and more

  • Instruction from industry experts on how a Web site can market and add value to the societies’ services by providing members with convenient, immediate access to important information, and by allowing options such as online membership and course registration

  • Tutorials on security, electronic mail, intranets and database management as well as advice on the right computer hardware and software needed to do everything from building a Web site to hosting and maintaining one

“Our goal is to see the state societies leave Bellevue not only with a good start on their own Web sites, but also with ideas on how they can help their members take advantage of the Internet,”
said Val Steed, CEO of K2 Enterprises (a technology training firm for CPAs) and a member of the AICPA’s Strategic Planning Committee and Information Technology Executive Committee.
“As CPAs begin adopting Internet technology, state societies want to be able to provide their members with as many tools as possible to help make them successful.”

Full Range of Products, Services Provided

After participating in hands-on demonstrations, attendees will receive products including a Dell Pentium® -based server; Microsoft® Windows NT® Server; and a complete suite of Microsoft Internet, network and desktop software as well as a customized Microsoft Internet Explorer Web browser. Internet services will be provided by Netcom, and attendees will learn the benefits of maintaining their Web site either with the hardware and software provided or through the AICPA’s hosting service.

“This conference brings together leaders in the fields of computer technology and publishing to help state CPA societies throughout the country understand the substantial benefits of the Internet,”
said Jack Love, president and CEO of Faulkner & Gray.
“Together, we are committed to the accounting profession and united in our belief that technology can advance the interests of accounting and tax professionals.”

For more information about the Internet Conference for State CPA Societies ’96, please call (800) 282-5988 or visit the World Wide Web site at http://microsoft.com/industry/acc .

The AICPA is the national professional organization of CPAs with more than 333,000 members in public practice, business and industry, government and education.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corp.

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