FIDUCIAL ROLLS OUT NEW SERVICES TO U.S. NETWORK

Fiducial, one of the nation's largest networks of advisors serving the tax, financial and business needs of middle- to upper-income families and small businesses, has introduced a series of new services designed to benefit both its members and their respective clients. The new programs were rolled out at Fiducial's post-tax-season convention in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Created specifically to enhance Fiducial's core practice areas - tax, financial and business services - new and improved features have been added to every component of the Fiducial system, from marketing to technology to other back office support systems and services. They include:

• A larger, more comprehensive marketing department, charged with enhancing the national Fiducial brand and offering rapid-response support in implementing Fiducial's Local Marketing System and in personalizing Fiducial's extensive library of marketing templates promoting all areas of service;
• Fiducial's Tax Office Manager (TOM) Software, a time-saving, user-friendly program designed to handle tax data processing and allow data sharing;
• Advantage^sm, a multi-client tax-processing software program designed for high-speed data entry, with analytical management reporting, standard reporting and practice-management features, as well as import/export capabilities linking to popular software such as QuickBooks, Business Works and others;
• A strategic partnership with WebEx, a provider of Internet-based training solutions,
• Additional purchasing advantages through newly forged nationwide relationships,
• A new Human Resources division providing members and their clients services including consulting, customizable employee manuals, guidance, preventative education and standardized forms for worker's compensation and OSHA issues, group purchasing of employee benefits, and recruiting services; and
• A more streamlined regional management structure providing hands-on support including training, networking events and operational support.

In introducing these new programs and presenting his plans for the future, Fiducial Founder and Chairman Christian A. Latouche said, "implementing and supporting the nationwide Fiducial brand through marketing and member support is paramount to the company's success.

"As we push forward into a new season with a spirit of teamwork and celebration, Fiducial's support systems will keep all of us competitive," he continued. "We will work hand-in-hand with you to develop these tools and products to secure Fiducial's position as the No. 1 provider of tax, financial and business services."

About Fiducial
Fiducial is an international service provider for tax, financial and business services serving small businesses, entrepreneurs, and middle- to upper-income individuals. Fiducial consists of a network of business advisors located in nearly 800 U.S. offices incorporating the former Century Small Business Solutions, E.K. Williams, General Business Services, Comprehensive Business Services and Triple Check Income Tax Service Franchise networks. Each company-owned and member office operates under the "Fiducial" brand and is committed to uniform quality standards. This professional services network is supported by Fiducial Support Systems, which provides assistance in marketing, human resources, research and development, technical applications and services and other non-core business areas.

Through its entry into the U.S. market in 1999, Fiducial has become the largest network of professional services advisors. Founded in 1970, the privately held company has annual revenues in excess of $300 million. Fiducial owns an additional 450 European offices throughout France, Belgium and Switzerland and employs 4,500 employees.