H&R Block says the number of Block Advisors offices reached 347, up 21 percent, over the first year of operation. The offices, which provide tax services, are also offering outsourced accounting through the use of Xero under an agreement reached in December to enable Block Advisors to use the cloud-based software.

Serenic Software, which markets accounting software for nonprofit organizations, has absorbed Bellamy Software. Both companies are owned by Sylogist, a publicly held Canadian business.

Tax agencies are warning professionals about scam emails from people posing as clients soliciting their services. Accounting and tax preparation firms are being solicited nationally in an attempt to collect information for preparing fake returns.