NJSCPA Selects ECI As Its Technology Partner To Deliver New Jersey CPA License Renewal Continuing Education Programs

Business Wire, Sept 22, 2004

WAYNE, N.J. -- ECI Conference Call Services, the largest, privately-held full-service audio and web conferencing provider, has partnered with the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA) in a program to provide audio and web conferencing services to individuals required to take The New Jersey Law and Ethics course as part of their mandatory CPE requirements.

Thousands of accounting professionals licensed in New Jersey are geographically dispersed and need to take the four-hour New Jersey Law and Ethics course as part of their continuing education requirements for the triennial registration period ending December 31, 2005. The NJSCPA sought to make it easier for remote licensees to participate in the course and subsequent testing while at the same time, making it cost-effective. To make this happen, past NJSCPA President, Michael A. Polito, CPA and course instructor, and James Hardenberg, CPA, CAE - Director, NJSCPA Education Foundation, Inc., identified a conferencing technology partner, ECI, and sought acceptance from the NJ State Board of Accountancy to change the course format from an in-person, live course to a virtual, live course.

ECI's PowerCall(SM) Web Conferencing, combined with ECI's Event Audio Conferencing was identified as the solution that gives participants the ability to take the four-hour course from any telephone and Internet-enabled personal computer, while meeting state requirements for attendance, testing and security. "The added benefit of working with ECI also includes significant cost savings and reduced travel time for our members," according to James Hardenberg. The structured, operator-managed conference was piloted on June 10th and involved participants as far away as Switzerland.

The success of the pilot program has resulted in the course being formally rolled out using ECI's solution, with additional courses scheduled through the rest of the year. "We're extremely pleased to partner with the NJSCPA to deliver such an important program for the CPA continuing education program," said Stephen J. Pook, Vice President of Sales for ECI. "This project illustrates our unique ability to team with customers to develop conferencing solutions to meet their business needs."

For more information on the program and registration dates, contact the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants at www.njscpa.org/ethics.> About NJSCPA

The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants is a non-profit, professional business organization, comprised of more than 14,000 Certified Public Accountants. Founded in 1898. The NJSCPA is one of the largest and oldest state CPA societies in the nation.

Four accountants who worked in public practice to secure a solid position for their profession founded the NJSCPA in Newark and to increase public awareness about the value provided by CPAs. Today, the increasingly diverse membership consists of CPAs who work in business and industry, in government, education, and at accounting firms ranging in size from sole practitioners to large international organizations.

From its administrative headquarters in Roseland, the NJSCPA provides members with a broad range of opportunities for their volunteer involvement and professional development. There are 11 chapters throughout the state and 39 statewide committees focusing on areas ranging from accounting, taxes and legislation to sports and entertainment, human resources and community affairs.

A 31-member Board of Officers and Trustees, elected each year by the membership, oversees and manages the NJSCPA, while an Executive Director and professional staff conduct daily activities.

About ECI

ECI Conferencing Services makes conference calling powerfully simple. ECI simplifies the meeting experience through its broad range of easy-to-use web and audio conferencing services and is redefining how businesses can improve communications, creativity and costs through the use of simple, leading-edge conferencing services.

Headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey, ECI was founded in 1991 and provides its services to thousands of organizations operating across a diverse group of industries in various sectors. ECI, the largest privately held company conferencing company in North America, is majority-owned by Investcorp, a global investment firm. To learn more about ECI, visit the company Web site at www.calleci.com or call 1-888-405-6400.