Intuit hasn't officially launched its online practice management suite. However, the company has recently posted details about the upcoming product, ProLine Practice Management, on its Web site. Basic information on suite elements, but not proposed pricing, was made available, along with screen shots.

A mix of security issues topped the annual list of Top Technology Initiatives as selected by the American Institute of CPAs. The top issues selected encompassed security of data; code and communications; data security and document retention and security threats. Traditionally, the selection has been announced in January. However, this year, announcement was delayed as the AICPA considered changes to the selection process.

Intuit's planned practice management suite is going to be a completely Web-based entry. And although Intuit offered few new details, as it seems to be following a policy of dropping a few hints periodically about the package, the fact that the offering is a SaaS product marks a significant shift in the company's approach to the professional tax and accounting market.

With its tax season hurt by the inability to get funding for all its refund loan business, Jackson Hewitt saw 2.53 million tax returns prepared at its company-owned and franchised offices during this year's tax season, a drop of 14.4 percent from 2.955 million for the 2009 tax season. And that was actually an improvement from the 17-percent to 19-percent drop the company had predicted, since it had a better performance in the second half of the season than expected. Read more...