Irvine, CA, April 24, 2003 Best Software today announced a strategic reorganization designed to consolidate and strengthen its customer and channel-facing programs for its installed base of 1.7 million customers and 6,600 business partners.

The announcement follows the April 11 advisory from Best Software's parent company that U.S. revenues rose by 7% for the six-months ended March 31. More importantly, it supports the company's commitment to providing solutions for every stage of a company's growth, according to CEO Ron Verni.

"We have a successful history of acquiring both new companies and customer bases, and this new organization creates additional flexibility for us to maintain this core strategy so we can continue to adapt to changing markets, both today and in the future," said Verni. "Pooling our collective resources will enable us to better leverage efficiencies across the company and help drive business results, while presenting one face to our business partners and customers."

The new corporate structure, organized by market, customer size, and distribution channel, has been streamlined from six to two divisions comprising multiple business units. Doug Meyer will lead the new Small Business Division, which includes the Small Business Accounting and Contact Management business units. The division brings together for the first time all core infrastructure for Peachtree and ACT! to more fully leverage the strengths of Best Software's leading retail brands. Meyer will also leverage the company's new customer migration center to further expand up-selling opportunities for Peachtree customers moving to MAS 90, and ACT! users upgrading to SalesLogix.

CEO Ron Verni will serve as acting president for the new Mid-Market Division, which
Brings together the following business units under Executive VP Jim Foster:

• Accounting Solutions (MAS 90, MAS 200, MAS 500, Platinum for Windows by Best, BusinessWorks)
• NonProfit Solutions (MIP Accounting and Fundraising)
  
• CRM Solutions (SalesLogix)
  
• Specialized Business Solutions (FAS, Abra, Carpe Diem, CPASoftware, Timesheet Professional, Best Software Accountants Network)

Foster will oversee integrated technology and development initiatives in support of all Mid-Market products and services.
Executive VP David Butler will manage all customer-facing activities for the new Mid-Market Division, including installed base sales and support. He will ensure consistency and coordination of channel programs to maximize customer and business partner satisfaction, while cultivating additional cross-selling opportunities for the company's substantial installed customer base.

"Doug, Jim and Dave have all been instrumental in both establishing and strengthening Best Software's leadership in the SME market," said Verni. "Our new organization should enable us to even further capitalize on their proven track record of meeting the needs of our customers and business partners alike."

Each business unit will have overall P&L responsibility for their respective product lines, and will partner with four new "shared services" organizations managed by the following executives to drive operational efficiencies across the company: EVP & CFO James Eckstaedt, EVP of Human Resources Nicola Tidwell; EVP & CIO Alan Boehme; and EVP & CMO Nina Smith. All current business unit locations are unchanged.