FSN: Microsoft Office Accounting Suite enters UK retail market

Microsoft Office Accounting Suite enters UK retail market

7th April 2008
Microsoft UK has announced the retail availability of Microsoft Office Accounting as from last week. Users will be able to buy Office Accounting Professional, Office Accounting 3 user addition and Office Accounting Professional Plus, which includes 12 month subscription to Microsoft's payroll service from a wide range of UK retail outlets.

The retail launch of the Microsoft Office Accounting Suite follows the successful online availability of Microsoft Office Accounting Professional which has resulted in 40,000 downloads to date. Launched in November 2007, Microsoft Office Accounting 2008 enables small businesses, from sole traders to businesses with up to 25 employees, to more effectively manage their business finances.

“The response we've had to the Office Accounting launch has been outstanding” said Gareth Arnold, Head of Microsoft Office Accounting “Since November, nearly 40,000 users have downloaded the product and we've received some great feedback about it, particularly around its ease of use, affordability and integration with Microsoft Office. As a result, we feel it's time the full suite of Microsoft Office Accounting products enters the retail market and offers consumers the opportunity to buy the full range off the shelf.”

“Today many small business owners manage their business with a simple spreadsheet or have a shoebox of receipts, so they lack a comprehensive picture of their finances.” Arnold continued. “Office Accounting brings this data together in one place, giving them far better control over their finances and cashflow.”

Microsoft Office Accounting Express is still available free of charge for startups and small businesses and can be downloaded from http://www.msofficeaccounting.co.uk . Those businesses that require a more sophisticated Accountancy package, with enhanced functionality and additional features, will now be able to buy Office Accounting Professional and Professional Plus from retail stores including Dixons Store Group, Staples as well as online retailer Amazon. Suggested Retail Price of the product is as follows: Office Accounting Professional is £149.99, Office Accounting 3 user addition is £349.99 and Office Accounting Professional Plus, which includes 12 month subscription to Microsoft payroll service, is priced at £249.99

Duncan Reid, Partner of Icelantic, a small independent IT reseller has been using Office Accounting 2008 for the past 18 months. He said: “We run our entire business on Office Accounting and it's been a breath of fresh air. We can now manage all sales, POs, VAT and payroll easily and it has made a big difference to the time we spend doing the books. If you took it away from us the business would grind to halt.”

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