Intuit CEO Brad Smith had a very good fiscal 2014 when it came to compensation. Smith received $16.5 million in total pay for the year ended July 31, up 33 percent from $12.5 million in fiscal 2013. The total was pushed up by option awards, which more than doubled to $3.5 million for the recently ended year, up from $1.6 million.

Tax preparation services are touting plans that will help customers cope with the Affordable Care Act. In the last month, H&R Block said it is providing free online tools and resources while Liberty Tax Service advised taxpayers to get a healthcare check up and TaxAct said its software generates a personalized HealthWatch report.

Cloud accounting vendor Xero has strengthened its management team in the United States with the hiring of three executives. The Australian company placed new leaders in key business areas as the it regroups from the departure of Peter Karpas in September as the CEO of the company's North America operations after seven months.