Microsoft and American Institute of CPAs Make Available New Technology Certificate of Educational Achievement As Part of TAP Action Pak

NEW YORK, Nov. 24, 1997 — Delivering on their continued commitment to more than 130,000 CPAs in public practice, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and Microsoft Corp. today announced the availability of a new Microsoft® Action Pak offered with the Technology Advisor Program (TAP). This release follows the August release of the first offering of Core Technology Classes, included in the original Microsoft Action Pak, and is part of a long-term strategic initiative to help CPAs expand their services and assume a greater role as advisers to small businesses.

In the inaugural offering, Microsoft and the AICPA, in conjunction with Productivity Point International Inc. (PPI), delivered products and training focused on office productivity applications. The new Action Pak is geared toward small and medium-sized businesses and includes a discounted training offering on the new BackOffice® Small Business Server from Microsoft. Small Business Server provides an optimal platform for CPAs in consulting because it enables them to provide better customer service with reduced support costs, while taking full advantage of existing skills in BackOffice across their client base.

“The CPA profession is the trusted business adviser to small businesses throughout the world,” said Louis J. Matherne, director of information technology at AICPA. “Our strategic relationship with Microsoft continues to yield superior technology products, services and education that enhance CPAs’ ability to add value to small business client solutions.”

Microsoft Action Pak offers two training options. The first is the original format, which includes product for building hands-on experience and certification-level technology training on Microsoft Office 95 and Office 97 applications and the Windows® 95 operating system. The second includes certification-level training on the Windows NT® operating system. Both training options are provided exclusively by PPI and include either a two-day training session on Office 95 or Office 97 applications and a coupon for a discount on the course Installing and Supporting Windows 95, or a coupon for a discount on the course Administering Windows NT Server and Supporting Windows NT Server. The new Action Pak also includes a $99 (U.S) coupon for a one-day training session, Installing and Supporting BackOffice Small Business Server (product included).

Once they have completed the courses for Windows 95 or Windows NT and passed the respective Microsoft Certified Professional Exam, AICPA and state society members will upon request be granted a Technology Certificate of Education Achievement (TCEA).

The product component of the Action Pak, designed to provide a test bed for program participants to work with core technologies, includes the following products, manuals and technical support (for internal use only, not for resale):

  • New Microsoft Action Pak

  • Microsoft BackOffice 2.5

  • Windows NT Workstation

  • Microsoft Project

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0

  • Microsoft Office 97 VAR Edition (includes 10 user licenses)

  • Microsoft Site Server Enterprise Edition

“As the CPA profession experiences competitive challenges brought by the rapidly changing business environment, its clients, particularly small businesses, are in need of a trusted source of business and technology advice,” said Cory Linton, accounting industry marketing manager at Microsoft. “With the new Action Pak and TCEA training offering, the AICPA and Microsoft are continuing to provide CPAs with the technology and education needed by CPAs to provide added value to their small-business clients.”

Ordering Information

The new Microsoft Action Pak is immediately available, in the United States only, for $849 (U.S.) to AICPA and state society members in good standing who are engaged in public practice. Members may elect to purchase the training only, in which case the cost of the Microsoft Action Pak is $599 (U.S.). For more information on the Microsoft Action Pak, AICPA and state society members can call (800) 862-4272.

The AICPA is the national professional organization of CPAs, with more than 331,000 members in public practice, business and industry, government and education.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
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) 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, BackOffice, Windows and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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