Financial software and the ability to access the internet have made it easier for small business owners to spend more time on growing their businesses. According to AMI-Partners 2005 data there are about 19.5 million small businesses in the U.S. A majority of these millions of small and home-based businesses in the U.S. are still using the shoebox-and-paper accounting method instead of software.

Microsoft has now provided such small business owners with a complete portfolio of easy-to-use and affordable accounting software and services that can increase their business efficiency and expand their customer base.

Rajat Taneja, general manager of Microsoft's Small Business Applications and Services organization, spoke with PressPass about the release of Microsoft Office Accounting Express 2007 – available as a no-charge download, and Office Accounting Professional 2007 – available for a trial period as a download through Office Accounting Express and available at retail in early 2007.

Taneja also discussed how each of these products fits within the company’s strategy for addressing the changing needs of small businesses.