Microsoft Accounting App Hits 1 Million Downloads

Microsoft is touting its free accounting application, which it debuted last October for small businesses, as a success, announcing that it has been downloaded by 1 million people in just 3 months. Office Accounting Express 2007 is Microsoft's first shot across Intuit's bow.

The program is largely a basic accounting suite aimed at those who currently use pen and paper or a spreadsheet to manage their finances. Startups and eBay sellers are among the intended audience, Microsoft says. Accounting Express features and Outlook-like interface and Office integration.

"The response to the software and its suite of integrated web services has been overwhelming," a Microsoft spokesperson told BetaNews. "The great thing about the product is you don’t have to be an accountant to use it. In addition, Microsoft spent a lot of time studying small businesses and conducting market research to determine their needs."

Although the product itself is a free download, Microsoft has bundled seven third party services, some of which are available for additional fees. These include processing payroll through ADP, accessing reports from Equifax, and sharing of books with an accountant via Office Live.

For businesses needing more functionality, Microsoft has launched Office Accounting Professional 2007 -- a retail package -- at a cost of $149 USD. Inventory management, multicurrency invoicing, multiuser access and fixed asset management are among those featured added to the Professional version.

Microsoft Office Accounting Express 2007 is available for download now from FileForum.