Accounting software is the first strategic business application that many small firms purchase, making it an important on-ramp for other business applications, which need to integrate with the accounting solution, and a first step towards higher end financial solutions. Intuit has long been the undisputed leader in the small business accounting space with its QuickBooks product line. But Microsoft, which has a solid base in the mid-market financials arena, wants to build volume in the small business accounting market. Laurie McCabe