Wiss Plots Paperless Path with ProSystem fx Engagement, Document

(RIVERWOODS, ILL., June 27, 2005) – Wiss & Company, LLP, a leading regional accounting and consulting firm, has chosen ProSystem fx Engagement and ProSystem fx Document from CCH Tax and Accounting (CCH), the nation’s premier provider of tax, audit and accounting information, software and services, as critical elements in their strategy of a paperless workplace.

Wiss has 18 partners, 65 staff and a total of over 100 personnel and serves clients up and down the eastern seaboard from its headquarters in New Jersey. Jeff Campo, Managing Partner, has focused Wiss toward expansion of the firm’s portfolio of services by offering a diversified business solutions model and through acquisition of other, complementary firms, while maintaining its core philosophy of providing effective client relationship management.

According to Campo, Wiss had been convinced of the potential benefits of paperless solutions for some time and had already been moving toward paperless engagements “on our own,” making do with available software.

But, they were not satisfied that what was available would be maintained and provide a path for growth to a totally paperless environment.

“ProSystem fx Engagement appealed to us for many reasons,” Campo said. “Simplicity of use was important, and the transition to Engagement was easy. In addition, as part of the ProSystem fx Office, it works seamlessly with our other applications, from tax to time and billing.”

It was the ability to go beyond paperless engagements to a totally paperless office with ProSystem fx Document that was “the icing on the cake,” according to Campo.

“Wiss is a model of where we see many firms heading,” said Mike Sabbatis, CCH Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “They want a suite of paperless applications that work well with one another and then are brought together in a paperless environment that can manage everything from word-processing files and e-mails to scanned handwritten notes.”

Campo noted that a commitment to a paperless office was also a commitment to the aspirations of the staff at Wiss.

Engagement Provides Efficiencies

Wiss evaluated and then phased in Engagement over a six-month period. They formed power user groups throughout the firm and made an up-front commitment to training. CCH set the tone for the transition, Campo said, and provided all necessary support.

As it was adopted throughout the firm, the advantages of Engagement became especially clear on out-of-town assignments. Wiss staff members no longer had to transport paper files and set up temporary storage for them.

The time-saving efficiencies of Engagement have brought benefits both to Wiss and to their clients.

“We take the hours we save and put them to more productive uses. We’re able to focus on our clients’ needs more, and work with them in a business advisory capacity,” Campo said.

Taking the Next Step: ProSystem fx Document

For Wiss, ProSystem fx Document was the “difference-maker” as they plotted their path to a paperless office.

“We want to grow our business, we want to increase our staff, but we don’t want to grow our file room,” Campo said.

Document’s advanced security features gave Wiss the confidence to move toward an environment in which they would no longer store hard copies of documents.

“You can see where everything is, who has checked out what and when the last modifications were made,” he said. “We see Document as stretching beyond our traditional service lines, including such areas as litigation support.”

“We can see everything related to a client in one shot – not just tax returns and trial balances, but permanent file items such as buy-sell agreements, as well. This fits with our strategy to work effectively and efficiently to meet client expectations and demands for timely service,” Campo added.

CCH’s Sabbatis notes, “Firms such as Wiss see the future clearly and want to capitalize on the phenomenal opportunities it holds. We’re committed to underpinning that vision with innovative products, comprehensive solutions and support that’s second to none.”

About CCH Tax and Accounting

CCH Tax and Accounting (www.tax.cchgroup.com), based in Riverwoods, Ill., is the nation’s premier provider of tax, audit, and accounting information, software and services. It has served tax, accounting and business professionals and their clients since 1913. Among its market leading products are The ProSystem fx® Office, CCH® Tax Research NetWork™, Accounting Research Manager™ and the U.S. Master Tax Guide®. CCH Tax and Accounting is a Wolters Kluwer company. Wolters Kluwer is a leading multinational publisher and information services company. Wolters Kluwer has annual revenues (2004) of €3.3 billion, employs approximately 18,400 people worldwide and maintains operations across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. Wolters Kluwer is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (www.wolterskluwer.com).

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