Intuit Launches Global Search for Firms of the Future

Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq:INTU) is calling accounting firms from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States to enter the 2016 search for Firms of the Future. The contest, an extension of last year’s successful Firm of the Future search in the US, will offer top accounting firms the chance to win over $100,000 USD in prizes, including multiple cash prizes and all-expense paid trips to Intuit’s® annual QuickBooks Connect conference, October 24-26, in San Jose, California.

“We’re pleased to expand the search for the Firm of the Future contest to accounting firms across the globe who have embraced change and implemented innovative processes that help fuel their clients’ success,” said Jim McGinnis, vice president, Intuit Accountant Segment. “Through this contest, Intuit is celebrating the accounting professionals, sole proprietors to large firms, whose forward thinking and willingness to embrace new technologies has transformed the way they collaborate with clients, elevated themselves to trusted advisors and grown their practices.”

McGinnis and a global panel of qualified judges from Intuit’s Small Business Group and Accountant Segment will select one finalist from each participating country, for a total of four finalists. There will also be an opportunity to reward up to 15 runners up from all entries who best embody the transformation from a traditional accounting or bookkeeping firm into a “Firm of Future.”

How to Enter

The call for entries runs from June 14, 2016 at 12:00 a.m. United States Eastern Time (ET), to July 31, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Accounting firms in Australia, Canada (except Quebec), the United Kingdom and United States can enter by filling out the registration form in their local Firm of the Future webpage:

• Australia: www.FirmOfTheFutureau.com.au
• Canada: www.FirmOfTheFuture.ca
• United Kingdom: www.FirmOfTheFuture.co.uk
• United States: www.FirmOfTheFuture.com/contest

Firms will need to answer questions (in 200 words or fewer) demonstrating that theirs is a “Firm of the Future:”

1. How many small business clients do you serve for accounting/bookkeeping needs?

2. What percentage of your small business clients use QuickBooks Online?

3. Explain how you save time for your firm and your clients by leveraging cloud-based accounting technologies, including QuickBooks Online and/or any third party applications.

4. Describe your value billing model. Explain how this pricing model enables your firm to serve as an advisor to your small business clients.

5. Tell us how your firm is leveraging the Web, digital marketing and social media to interact with clients, reach new prospects and grow.

Lastly, firms will be asked to upload one photo (collages including multiple images are permitted) that best exemplifies their firm’s future-forward business lifestyle.

Finalists, Voting and Prizes

Four finalists from each country will be announced in August 2016, where they’ll have the opportunity to bring their submission to life with a creative video detailing what makes their firm a Firm of the Future. Intuit will provide a videographer and producer for filming and work directly with each of the four finalists to create a high-quality video entry. Once complete, the videos will be available in an online gallery on each country’s contest site for public voting between October 3-15, 2016. Finalists will be encouraged to share their video on social media and ask voters and others to join in the conversation using the hashtag #QBFirmOfTheFuture.

The top four global finalists will receive a $5,000 USD cash prize and two tickets to attend QuickBooks Connect, October 24-26, in San Jose, California. The global Firm of the Future winner will then be revealed at QuickBooks Connect, Monday, October 24, 2016 and receive an additional cash prize of $10,000 USD. Up to 15 runner-up Firms of the Future worldwide will also be awarded a cash prize of $2,500 USD.

Firm of the Future Resource Center

The Firm of the Future website, which curates actionable step-by-step guides and resource links developed by Intuit and key industry leaders, is a platform of content where accounting professionals can start their journey toward becoming a Firm of the Future. The website also offers inspiration from the top 20 Firms of the Future in the US, including Chad Ridner, whose Knoxville, Tenn. firm Two Roads won last year’s grand prize.

To join the conversation, share on Facebook and Twitter using #QBFirmOfTheFuture.

About Intuit Inc.

Intuit Inc. creates business and financial management solutions that simplify the business of life for small businesses, consumers and accounting professionals.

Its flagship products and services include QuickBooks® and TurboTax®, which make it easier to manage small businesses and tax preparation and filing. Mint.com provides a fresh, easy and intelligent way for people to manage their money while ProSeries® and Lacerte® are Intuit's leading tax preparation offerings for professional accountants.

Founded in 1983, Intuit had revenue of $4.2 billion in its fiscal year 2015. The company has approximately 7,700 employees with major offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India and other locations. More information can be found at www.intuit.com.

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