Microsoft discontinues Office Accounting

Office Accounting

Microsoft is discontinuing its Office Accounting software, in yet another indication that the company is giving up on financial software.

In an email sent today to customers, Microsoft said it will no longer distribute the Office Accounting product, and will start pulling key features within six weeks.

"We are writing to let you know that we will no longer distribute Microsoft Office Accounting after 16 November 2009," the email stated.

"On 30 October 2009, Microsoft will transfer customer support for Office Accounting in the UK to Mamut Software Ltd. Product support for Office Accounting will continue in accordance with the published Microsoft product support life cycle."

Customers are being offered a "free upgrade" to Mamut Business Software.

Microsoft said customers can continue to use the Office Accounting software, but add-on features such as payroll and ePayments will be discontinued from 15 December, giving companies only six weeks to make alternative arrangements. A Microsoft support notice said the company is in discussions with ePayments provider, Albany, to help customers migrate.

Last year, Microsoft caused enormous upset after it dropped support for its Money product, which many people rely on for online banking.

Barry Collins

Barry Collins is an experienced IT journalist who specialises in Windows, Mac, broadband and more. He's a former editor of PC Pro magazine, and has contributed to many national newspapers, magazines and websites in a career that has spanned over 20 years. You may have seen Barry as a tech pundit on television and radio, including BBC Newsnight, the Chris Evans Show and ITN News at Ten.