Sage Launches Financial Professional Certification Program for Nonprofits

AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwire - October 27, 2009) - Sage North America today announced the launch of a new certification program for its Sage MIP Fund Accounting customers that helps nonprofit professionals enhance their skills and gain recognition for their expertise through CPE-eligible workshops. Nonprofits can attain certification in any of 10 high-demand disciplines, such as Accounts Payable, Controller, Financial Reporting, or Senior Accountant.

Through either one- to three-day workshops, or one- to three-hour Web-based sessions, Sage MIP Fund Accounting customers can become certified in less time, and at less cost, than many other certification programs. Sage solutions for nonprofits and small and mid-sized businesses are used by 2.9 million businesses and organizations throughout North America.

"In today's competitive nonprofit environment, with increasing government regulation and oversight, the need for skilled nonprofit financial professionals has never been greater," said Krista Endsley, senior vice president and general manager for Nonprofit Solutions at Sage. "Certification can allow our Sage MIP Fund Accounting customers to not only increase their value as nonprofit professionals, but also demonstrate their commitment to their profession and to furthering their organizations' missions."

Course requirements vary by certification goal. Certification options include: Accounts Payable, Account Receivable, Budget Analyst, Controller, Financial Manager, Financial Reporting, Payroll, Procurement, Senior Accountant, or Technical. To attain the desired certification, program participants must take the required workshops or Web-based classes, and pass the certification exam. All courses are eligible for continuing professional education (CPE) credit.

Sage helps more than 2.9 million small and mid-sized businesses and nonprofits in the U.S. and Canada, like the American Lung Association and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas, increase efficiency and more easily manage their operations -- from fund accounting, fundraising, and donor management, to online donation processing, human resources, health care, and payroll -- through the use of technology. For more than 30 years, the company has been helping nonprofit organizations further their missions and better serve constituents through the use of technology.

For more information about the Sage MIP Fund Accounting Customer Certification Program or Sage's Nonprofit Solutions, please visit http://www.sagenonprofit.com and http://www.sagenorthamerica.com, or call 800-647-3863.

About Sage MIP Fund Accounting

Available as licensed software or in a remotely hosted environment, Sage MIP Fund Accounting is Sage North America's award-winning software for nonprofit financial management. It is part of a broad portfolio of Sage business management software and services that support accounting, ERP, CRM, human resources and other operations. First introduced in 1982, Sage MIP Fund Accounting has been honored with numerous industry awards, including three consecutive Campbell Awards from Campbell Rinker for exceptional ratings in the Nonprofit Accounting Software Survey, a nationwide survey of accounting software users.

About Sage North America

Sage North America is part of The Sage Group plc, a leading global supplier of business management software and services. Sage North America employs more than 4,100 people and supports nearly 2.9 million small and medium-size business customers. The Sage Group plc, formed in 1981, was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and now employs 14,500 people and supports 5.8 million customers worldwide. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.sagenorthamerica.com.

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Contact Information: Press Contact: Cynthia Sutton Sage North America (703) 793-2700 x 3032 cynthia.sutton@sage.com