Automatic Data Processing gave its top executive a generous increase in pay last year. But it was stingier with two other named executives. Carlos Rodriguez, CEO of the payroll processing giant, received a 16-percent increase in compensation, for the year ended June 30 as increases in base salary and stock awards more than made up for drops in option awards and deferred compensation.

Drake Software has placed its entire product line in the cloud via hosting. The Franklin, N.C.-based company said the platform is supporting the Drake Professional Tax Solution, Client Write-Up, Payroll and Document Manager, as well as hosting important Microsoft applications.

Two tax preparation companies that specialize in serving the elder, and their owner, have been barred from preparing tax returns for others. A court in Columbus, Ohio, issued the order against Tobias Elsass and his companies, Fraud Recovery Group and Sensible Tax Services. The parties were taking 30 percent to 35 percent of some clients' refunds.