Atlantic Software Alliance Introduces Revenue-Sharing Program to Area CPA Firms

Gone are the days of the one-dimensional accounting client. Today’s client wants advice on everything from filing taxes to appropriate and affordable accounting software. Members of the Christian, Kelly, Thigpen & Co. CPA staff realized early that in order to meet growing client needs, it was necessary to partner with a company as knowledgeable about software as the firm was with accounting. With that in mind, staff members began an earnest search for a reputable software program they could, in good faith, recommend to clients without personally bearing the responsibility for inventory and technical support.

Having discovered one of the most popular low-cost, off-the-shelf programs had serious operational flaws including allowing users to inadvertently overwrite payroll data, erase entries and produce erroneous reports, staff members discovered the benefits of the Best Software Accountant Alliance Program. Designed to enable accounting firms to offer clients accounting software and support without becoming the technical “go-to” person, the Alliance Program aligns CPA firms with a local software reseller and makes them eligible for revenue sharing opportunities.

Christian, Kelly, Thigpen immediately realized the value of the Alliance Program and contacted Atlantic Software Alliance, their local reseller. Headquartered in Monroe, North Carolina, Atlantic Software Alliance is in the top one percent of Best Software resellers, offering small and mid-sized businesses integrated accounting software and support solutions at affordable prices. Atlantic Software Alliance’s experience with the Alliance Program surpasses other top resellers. They signed more than 40 accounting firms up for the program in its first four months of existence, including Christian, Kelly, Thigpen.

“One of my responsibilities is to show smaller resellers, including accounting firms, how to build their business by offering additional services to their clients while creating a new revenue stream for themselves,” said David Brannan, vice president of sales and marketing for Atlantic Software Alliance.

Atlantic Software Alliance recommended Sage BusinessWorks, an accounting program that would serve the internal needs of Christian, Kelly, Thigpen as well as those of its key clients, enabling both to exchange data electronically. Sage BusinessWorks met the stringent criteria of the firm and was well established, flexible, easy to learn and operate and insured the integrity of the data.

Atlantic Software Alliance’s accounting solution provided accurate data information resulting in time savings for the firm and cost savings for the client. “Working with Atlantic Software Alliance eliminates the need for us to carry inventory, and when one of our clients needs technical support, Atlantic Software Alliance is always there,” said Michael Thigpen, partner in the firm. “The Alliance Program permits accounting firms like ours to concentrate on our strengths, while giving us an added dimension in client support services through resellers that are experts in the use of software.”

Atlantic Software Alliance maintains a long-term relationship with clients. They provide instruction on program processes and continually work to educate accounting firms and their clients about the power of accounting programs like Sage BusinessWorks and MAS 90. Their 4,300 square-foot facility makes them one of only three Best resellers in the nation to offer a training center and seminar schedule for both MAS and Sage BusinessWorks products.
 

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