Sage Group Plc is hoping to bring accountants into closer contact with their clients’ software needs with the launch of its Accountants’ Programme at Softworld late last month. The firm has also launched a computerised auditing package to bring accountants up to speed with their clients. Over 200 accountants have already chosen to sign up for the accountants’ programme, which offers them a hotline, unlimited technical support worth 250, and links with local Sage dealers – the firm is to turn up to 50 dealers into Accountancy Centres, providing Sage-sponsored software seminars to accountants. Members will also get discounts on some products; they can get over 90% off the MS-DOS or Windows version of Financial Controller, and 25% off the new Auditor’s Toolkit. Also available under the scheme are bureau licences. Accountants can put data for a number of companies on their Sterling software, as can businesses that wish to consolidate figures for a number of companies. Membership of the Accountant’s Club costs 250 per annum. The Auditor’s Toolkit, also launched at Softworld, is designed to prevent accountants having to re-input their clients’ results at the end of an accounting period. The product – costing 200 for a single-user version and 450 for unlimited users, links into proprietary accounts production software, such as Auditman. Features include audit trial reconstruction and auditors’ journals. Currently running under MS-DOS only and designed to work with the mid-range Sterling software, a version compatible with the Newcastle company’s high-end Sovereign package will also be released. A Windows version is also planned.
