Techiebytes

Microsoft’s Professional Accountants’ Network (MPAN) is free for accounting professionals and offers a plethora of benefits ranging from training and events, products and services, references and resources, and free unlimited product and program support through 2009.

MPAN membership provides online CPE training and the MPAN Consultant Exam are offered. Users will also receive local MPAN member contact information with an Office Accounting registration, and a subscription to Accounting Network News e-mail newsletter.

Membership in the MPAN also gets you one free downloadable license of Microsoft Office Accounting Professional, and access to discounted software through the Microsoft Action Pack subscription (MAPS). An optional membership into the Microsoft Partner Program allows members to gain access to the internal-use, full-version software.

The MAPS software subscription includes:

• A Welcome Kit and Quarterly Update Kits as new software releases become available. The Welcome Kit uses Demo Showcase to obtain product demos as downloads or as DVDs.
• Web Solutions Toolkit software, with a chance to receive a Special Edition Web Solution Toolkit twice a year. Qualifications for the Special Edition Toolkit require members to pass an associated assessment with at least a 70%.
• Small Business Specialist Community Toolkit is available to all members of the Microsoft Small Business Specialists and provides guidance in Microsoft technology and products, training resources, sales and marketing tools, and promotional efforts.

More information on the MAPS can be found on their FAQs page.

Microsoft Office Accounting Express customization is targeted toward small business accounting and designed for entry-level users to promote your firm and its services.