Improved ease and new features make Canada's No. 1 Small Business Accounting Software even better EDMONTON, Feb. 13 /CNW/ - Intuit Canada's small business customers are delighted with the recent release of QuickBooks 2008. The 2008 version of Canada's best selling small business accounting software focuses on ease-of-use improvements for important day-to-day tasks with more than 100 new features. With enhanced management and administration tools, the latest features truly extend the power of QuickBooks beyond accounting to make important everyday tasks faster and easier. Making critical jobs easier than ever QuickBooks 2008 makes day-to-day tasks easier, with faster workflows, straightforward navigation, and simple data search and management.It also provides a big picture view of essential business tasks, so users know how their business is running with a single glance at the screen. Major developments include a new homepage and navigation bar, improved set-up for new users, flexible sales tax model as well as new Customer, Vendor and Employee Centres that keep vital business information just a click away. QuickBooks 2008 lets Canadian small business owners focus on their business by helping them efficiently manage their accounting and business activities. "In a recent survey, two thirds of small business owners said accounting and financial planning software gives them the confidence to build and manage a successful business," said Barb Anderson, group marketing manager, Intuit Canada. "We continually work with our customers to address their small business challenges. Improvements in QuickBooks translate into time-saving and greater productivity for Canadian small businesses, and lets them focus on what they are passionate about - their business." Key information just two clicks away with new Home Page The new QuickBooks 2008 Home Page makes navigation more intuitive and provides easy access to essential business tasks and information from a single location. Users are never more than two clicks away from customer invoices, vendor accounts payable, sales tax information and critical data. The Customer Centre lets users view all customer transactions, including invoices, refunds and sales orders, through a single pane in the Customer Centre window. The Vendor Centre gives users quick access to a complete picture of where their money is going, from a full view of supplier-related transactions to detailed payroll schedules and more. The Employee Centre provides easy access to employee contact details and transactions on a single screen. In a separate Payroll Centre, users can easily process and prepare cheques and tax forms. QuickBooks Payroll is offered through a convenient subscription service. Additional improvements include: --------------------------------- The EasyStep(R) start-up interview has been streamlined, moving from over 100 screens to 28, simplifying the set up process for new customers and reducing the likelihood of errors during setup or data entry. - An integrated version of Google Desktop Search makes it easy to search by key word to quickly retrieve items such as customer details, invoices, supplier/vendor information and other relevant data."The new user interface for QuickBooks is a great addition. The Home page has all the applications in one area and makes it easier to (navigate) them," said Philip Kane, director, Kane Enterprise Solutions Inc. "Everything I need is right in front of me. Great job!" Easier interaction with your accountant QuickBooks 2008 features many enhanced tools that allow accountants to work more efficiently with clients, while securely e-mailing data back and forth. With an always-on audit trail to ensure accuracy, QuickBooks automatically tracks all additions, deletions and modifications made in the company file. In addition, accountants are now able to toggle between multiple editions of QuickBooks, making it easier to see what the client sees when troubleshooting remotely. "This is clearly the biggest new QuickBooks release in years," said Michael Di Lauro, CMA, of Di Lauro & Company. "We see this as an excellent way to bolster our working relationship with clients and to bring new small businesses into the fold." Product Lineup QuickBooks offers a range of products with the right solution for every small business:- QuickBooks EasyStart 2008 is the easiest way to accurately track money coming in and out of new and home-based businesses. - QuickBooks Pro 2008 quickly and easily manage accounting tasks, inventory and purchase orders. More than 100 customizable reports help track and show business performance. - QuickBooks Premier 2008 delivers comprehensive financial management with tools and functionality, including many tailored to specific industries such as contractors and accountants, with familiar terminology, forms & reports as well as custom tools to forecast sales/expenses and analyze performance. Premier also includes a one- year subscription to QuickBooks Remote Access, providing secure access to QuickBooks and other data stored on the user's business computer. - QuickBooks Payroll 2008 works with QuickBooks Pro or Premier 2008 to create an in-house payroll solution that performs automatic calculations, includes up-to-date tax tables & forms, produces T4s and calculates due dates for each upcoming pay period.In addition to the full range of QuickBooks software, resources, and training offered by Intuit Canada, users also have access to the QuickBooks Community online forum that covers business and technical topics, plus access to thousands of QuickBooks ProAdvisors across Canada who offer local accounting support. Schools and community colleges also offer QuickBooks courses as part of their continuing education curricula. Pricing and Availability The complete 2008 QuickBooks product lineup includes:- EasyStart ($79.99) - Pro ($199.99) - Premier Accountant Edition ($499.99 each) - QuickBooks Payroll, starting at $16.67 per monthAll prices are MSRP. Details are available at quickbooks.ca/news or by calling 1-888-333-8580. Intuit Canada products are available at all major software retailers, including Staples, Best Buy, Future Shop, London Drugs and Office Depot. About Intuit Canada Intuit Canada is a leading provider of business, financial and tax management solutions for small- and mid-sized businesses, consumers and accounting professionals. Key products and services include Quicken(R), QuickBooks(R), QuickBooks(R) Succès PME, QuickTax, and ImpôtRapideMC. Intuit Canada directly, or through its partners, offers ProFile(R), a professional tax preparation software suite, the QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program, the Intuit Developer Network for professional users and developers and other products and services. Intuit Canada and its partners enable individuals, small businesses, retailers and financial professionals to better manage their financial lives and businesses. Visit Intuit Canada's partner sites at www.intuit.ca and www.accountant.intuit.ca Intuit Canada is headquartered in Edmonton with employees located in Calgary, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. Intuit Canada a subsidiary of Intuit Inc., and is listed on the Nasdaq stock market under the symbol INTU.