The headline here should probably have the word 'Again' as software vendors have generally prized accountants for their ability to influence the buying decision of clients. But with the growth of cloud computing, we appear on the verge of a new era of firm enlistment. In a webcast of his presentation at the 31st Nasdaq Investor Program in London this week, Intuit CFO Neil Williams said Intuit has done about all it can in terms of product enhancements to encourage desktop users to migrate to QuickBooks Online.

The Information Technology Alliance has formed the CIO Academy. ITA is an association whose members including technology professionals, consultants and product/service providers such as resellers. The Academy, which will meet twice a year during ITA meetings, will host industry experts to have in-depth presentations on issues of concern to CIOs and those with similar roles who work in the 30 largest CPA firms outside of the Big Four.

In his first earnings webcast, Sage's new chief executive Steve Kelly, declared that the strategy set by his predecessor, Guy Berruyer, is working. While discussing results for the year ended, September 30, Kelly also said the company needs to accelerate execution and  that means the company needs to increase the "pace of execution" and his comments about elements that will be continued include "product rationalization and shift in investment towards investment in growth."