Through its powerful Web applications, designed specially for small- to mid-sized accounting and financial service firms, IntuitAdvisor allows users to create their own digital offices easily and cost-effectively. This anytime, anywhere access allows users to share data and collaborate, communicating internally with co-workers and externally with clients. In addition, the solutions are designed to work with Intuit's best-selling products, offering value-added functionality for QuickBooks® ProAdvisors and accountants using ProSeries® or Lacerte® tax preparation software.

"IntuitAdvisor helps accounting professionals transition from a paper, filing and faxing office system to an electronically efficient one that has the power to expand relationships with clients, increase revenue opportunities and more efficiently manage their time and businesses," said Steve Blundell, vice president, Professional Accountants Channel, Intuit Inc. "These solutions are specifically designed to help these professionals establish an internal online collaborative working environment and to enhance their client relationships through private, one-to-one communication and collaboration on the Internet. It's quite simply a more efficient way of doing business in today's digital world."

IntuitAdvisor connects professionals to their community through a dynamic Web site, and provides them with quick and easy access to relevant, industry-specific information, resources and the tools they need to help create their own digital offices. Through IntuitAdvisor.com, accounting professionals can access value-added services, such as IntuitAdvisor WorkSpace Pro, featuring online workflow and document management capabilities and internal and external client communication channels; and IntuitAdvisor Site Solutions, providing the ability to easily create and maintain a professional Web site.

IntuitAdvisor WorkSpace Pro, a subscription-based service, allows professionals to establish a robust online working environment in just minutes. Members of the firm can manage workflow processes; view and share files through a searchable document management system; collaborate with co-workers; track action items and discussions in the firm; find updated tax, accounting and financial news; conduct research or visit reference sites at any time via a secure Internet connection. In addition, the service includes powerful controls, which allow firms to control information access. With WorkSpace Pro's online document management system, users can publish, view, retrieve, share and archive any document, anywhere at anytime. The service includes Adobe® Acrobat® 4.0, which enables accountants to save documents as PDF (portable document format) files, which can be shared, viewed and annotated without the original file's required application, so there's no concern about software compatibility issues.

WorkSpace Pro also includes Private Client Sites. These personalized, password-protected Web sites allow accountants to serve their clients more effectively and provide them with a cost-effective way to exchange information and documents. These sites can be used to post and retrieve current and archived client files, such as tax returns, tax receipts, financial statements and more. In addition, ProSeries customers can link the Private Client Sites to the ProSeries Web Organizer for their client's convenience, then automatically download the clients' responses directly into ProSeries Tax Preparation software. The Private Client Site is an ideal year-round communications tool, allowing professionals to select various "Info Channels," which automatically provide valuable resources and tips - like an online newsletter - for their clients.

The accounting professional and his or her clients can also exchange personalized messages, send reminders, questions or answers and upload or download important documents, such as QuickBooks® data, source documents or tax returns.

Firms have the ability to offer employees full or limited access to company and client information. WorkSpace Pro and the Private Client Sites can be used in conjunction with IntuitAdvisor Site Solutions for seamless integration with the firm's Web site or with the firm's existing site. However, having a Web site is not required.

With IntuitAdvisor Site Solutions, a subscription-based service, accounting professionals can easily create an affordable, customized Web site that will give them a professional presence on the Internet. The site may include company descriptions of resources, services and specialties; maps and directions to the business location; contact information; and links to articles on tax, finance and other areas of interest. Professionals also may use their sites to endorse and sell products as an additional revenue opportunity. Sites include a new domain name, which is included in the price, or can be used with an existing name. Accounting professionals can easily create e-mail addresses based on their new domain name that will work with their existing e-mail accounts. In addition, they can automatically submit their site to Internet search engines and directories.

All of IntuitAdvisor products and services are accessible via IntuitAdvisor.com, a free, customizable accounting portal site that offers a comprehensive collection of productivity management, calculation and research tools, relevant news, research and the ability to search for answers to questions, events and continuing education course information. In addition to valuable resources and information, IntuitAdvisor.com will be a key source of information on Intuit products and services for accountants, offering them revenue-sharing opportunities directly through the professional's site.

Security
Intuit is a recognized leader in providing Web-based financial solutions and realizes the importance of protecting personal data on the Web. Last year alone, more than 9 million tax returns were filed across the Internet using Intuit's electronic filing systems. The same industry-standard levels of encryption are used to establish connections with IntuitAdvisor WorkSpace Pro and for the administration of IntuitAdvisor Site Solutions. IntuitAdvisor services support password-protected access over a secure Internet connection for secure and private communication between accounting firms and the servers upon which the data is stored. All information and data is stored on firewall-protected servers and is backed up nightly. Intuit and its partners abide by strict privacy standards.

Availability and Pricing
IntuitAdvisor.com and IntuitAdvisor Site Solutions are expected to be available December 4th, 2000. IntuitAdvisor.com will be free to all accounting professionals. Visitors may register with the site to personalize their user experience. IntuitAdvisor Site Solutions will be available at $19.95 per month, which includes domain name registration and Web hosting.

IntuitAdvisor WorkSpace Pro is expected to be available by mid-December for a one-time $95 activation fee and $19.95 per month thereafter (for up to 5 users) plus $3 per Private Client Site per month (based on one to five users). A Premium-priced package will also be available for $99.95 per month and includes up to 50 Private Client Sites.

System Requirements
IntuitAdvisor products and services are Web-based and do not require any special technology or equipment such as a network to run. The only requirement is Internet access and an appropriate browser. IntuitAdvisor Site Solutions requires Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or later version, and WorkSpace Pro requires Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator 4.0 or later.

Strategic Agreement with CoVia
CoVia^TM, a leader in business-to-business private label hosted Internet applications, is working with Intuit to integrate its application product suite, which consists of applications for employee portals, interactive selling and customer relationship management, project Intuit e-collaboration and intranet solutions into IntuitAdvisor WorkSpace Pro and IntuitAdvisor Site Solutions.