Access Accounting releases practical solution for measuring carbon emissions

Press Release - Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Business software house Access Accounting has today unveiled new functionality from its Access Dimensions accounting package that provides the first truly practical solution for organisations looking to measure their carbon footprint. The launch took place at London’s Softworld Exhibition and was attended by Tim Yeo, MP, Chairman of the Commons Environmental Audit Committee.

The combination of Access Dimensions and figures from DEFRA and the Carbon Trust enables organisations to account for their carbon emissions as part of normal day-to-day operations. It adds no cost or complexity, making the figures as easy to access as financial reports.

John Beech, Managing Director for Access Accounting, commented, "There is a growing financial and moral imperative to reduce carbon emissions. Increasingly taxes are being levied on high carbon emitting business activities, so the ability to manage them down makes financial sense. There are softer benefits to reducing carbon emissions too. Companies are more attractive to their multi-national customers, employees and the communities in which they operate. The challenge has always been where to start. The answer is measurement; after all you can’t manage what you can’t measure."

Since 1996, Access Dimensions has served mid-market organisations with real-time information aimed at helping them make better business decisions. The carbon emission functionality will bring clarity to managers looking to understand which business activities are generating the most carbon and so make informed decisions on strategies to reduce them.

Access Accounting is offering the new accounting for carbon emissions functionality within the latest version of its Access Dimensions software at no extra charge. The initiative was part of the company’s ongoing strategy to help reduce business complexity and extend the reach of its solutions.

John Beech explains: "When we looked at the means by which customers could easily and cost effectively measure carbon emissions, it was clear there was a lack of practical tools out there. It soon became apparent that the existing infrastructure of Access Dimensions offered a perfect solution, as it already held most of the data necessary to calculate the carbon footprint. All that was needed was for our development teams to incorporate the DEFRA and Carbon Trust figures to close the loop on measurement. As with all great ideas, it sounds far simpler than it was."

For more information on Access Accounting or its software portfolio, contact Mike Redmon on 0845 3453300 or visit www.access-accounts.com .

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Notes to Editors:

Access Accounting is the UK’s leading business software house serving the mid-market. Its solutions have been chosen by over 13,000 UK companies - helping them to achieve business success.

A subsidiary of Access Technology Group Ltd, Access Accounting was the first UK vendor to recognise the potential of Windows and create a mid-range accounting platform based on this technology. Today it offers four scalable, web-enabled systems including its flagship solution, Access Dimensions. The company also offers Access Payroll, a combined payroll/personnel suite, which is fully compliant with the latest CIS regulations.

Access Accounting is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and a member of the Business Application Software Developers Association (BASDA). It has also received accreditation from major authorities including the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and the HM Revenue & Customs’ rigorous Payroll Standards Scheme. In 2007, the company won ’Financial Software Provider of the Year’ in the Real FD/CBI FDs’ Excellence Awards and ’Mid-range accounting Software Provider of the Year’ in the Sift Media Business Software Satisfaction Awards – both voted for by customers.

Media information:

Helen Carpenter
Head of Group PR
Access Accounting Ltd
T: 01206 322575 / 07833 936311
F: 01206 322956
E: helen.carpenter@access-accounts.com
W: www.access-accounts.com