Sage's pending purchase of Paychoice lays the ground for Sage to begin offering payroll services through its accountants network. The acquisition of the Mount Laurel, N.J-based company for $157 million in cash, announced this week, also provides Sage the opportunity to integrate its major accounting software packages with the Paychoice offerings and to cross sell payroll and human resource products.

H&R Block intends expand its retooled client accounting services program nationally after testing it in Kansas City, Mo., the tax preparation company's hometown. Block is talking to accounting firms that may wish to become franchisees and has a plan to buy firms. All of the candidates will have completed a program from BMRG Advisory Services in order to be considered.

Liberty Tax has reached an agreement with online vendor Kashoo to privately label that company's software for its tax customers. As part of a test program, the application will be offered as a recommended product for franchisees under the name Liberty Accounting, according to CEO John Hewitt.