Arthur Andersen Virtual Learning Network Offers Continuing Education and Exam Preparation to Accounting, Financial and Legal Professionals--The MicroMash Way

VLN and MicroMash Increase Availability of Computer-Based Continuing Professional Education and Exam Preparation for Accounting, Financial and Legal Professionals

September 2, 1999

ATLANTA--Arthur Andersen Virtual Learning Network (VLN), the first comprehensive Web-based learning solution for business and industry, today announced that MicroMash exam preparation and continuing professional education for accounting, financial and legal professionals are now available in the VLN library in CD-ROM and Intranet deliverable format. MicroMash pioneered computer-based Continuing Professional Education (CPE) courses and brings over 100 computer-based CPE titles and 6 comprehensive certification exam reviews to the VLN library.

"We are pleased to join with MicroMash to provide continuing professional education and exam reviews in the VLN library," said Brenda Wisniewski, Managing Director of VLN. "VLN is committed to providing our customers with a broad library of courses in the most critical training areas: Finance and Accounting; IT Skills for Professionals and End Users; Management, Supervisory and Employee Development; and Sales and Marketing. Our relationship with MicroMash provides VLN customers with quality accounting and financial training products."

A growing acceptance for computer-based testing is fueling an increase in demand for exam reviews and continuing education that allows students to practice and learn in computer-based environments. Accounting and financial professions are adopting computer-based testing for their certification exams. The Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified in Financial Management (CFM) exams are currently computer-based, and the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam is slated for computer-based delivery by the year 2000.

"All courses selected for the VLN library are developed in accordance with proven instructional design principles for online learning," said Wisniewski. "Our goal is to make it easy for employees to get on-the-job learning to increase skills and productivity. MicroMash products customize each student's learning path, providing an efficient and effective learning experience to each and every learner."

MicroMash is a leading provider of computer-based training products that offer interactive and challenging learning experiences to accounting, financial, and legal professionals. MicroMash offers more than 100 Continuing Professional Education topics covering the areas of: Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Management, Advisory Services, Personal Development, and Specialized Knowledge and Applications. Their Continuing Professional Education products are self-paced, highly efficient and cost-effective solutions for professionals who need to stay current in their field and receive CPE credits. MicroMash also offers certification exam Review products for the following exams: CMA/CFM, CPA, Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and the Multi-state Bar Exam (MBE) plus 29 state reviews. Each MicroMash Review product follows the content specification outline of its respective Exam, covering all four parts of the Exam.

All MicroMash training products contain proprietary technologies that provide each student with a custom learning experience that includes support and guidance. Their advanced teaching engine-The MicroMash Way(R), provides a personal instructor that analyzes student strengths and weaknesses, to provide customized study sessions based on the individual's needs. This unique feature ensures that each student receives the individualized training they require. Support and guidance is provided through immediate performance feedback and access to special on-screen features. TexTutor(R) provides guidance to students by supplying definitions of terms and phrases as they relate to the material being covered. The REFERENCE feature also leads students to more in-depth information on key concepts.

"MicroMash is extremely pleased with our strategic alliance with Arthur Andersen's Virtual Learning Network," said Richard F. Duffy, President of MicroMash. "This alliance gives MicroMash greater exposure both to Arthur Andersen's internal network of financial and legal professionals, and their extensive customer base as well. VLN's delivery of our content through their easy-to-navigate system will further enhance the effectiveness of Web-based training."

About MicroMash MicroMash, located in Englewood, CO, is a subsidiary of Harcourt, Inc. (NYSE:H). Harcourt is a leading global multiple-media publisher and service provider to established educational, trade and professional markets as well as to emerging for-profit educational, career training and assessment markets. MicroMash is a leading provider of computer-based training products for accounting and legal professionals, with more than 100 Continuing Professional Education topics covering: Accounting, Taxation, Personal Development, Advisory Services, Management, and Specialized Knowledge. MicroMash also offers Review products for the following Exams: CMA, CFM, CPA, CFE, CIA, CISA and MBE. For more information on MicroMash, call (800) 272-7277. MicroMash is located on the World Wide Web at http://www.micromash.com.

About Arthur Andersen Virtual Learning Network Arthur Andersen Virtual Learning Network (VLN) provides comprehensive Web-based learning solutions to business and industry that combine quality courseware, a leading-edge delivery and learning management system, and support services focused on performance improvement. VLN offers an extensive library of interactive multimedia content from leading courseware developers in four critical areas: Finance and Accounting; IT Skills for Professionals and End Users; Management, Supervisory and Employee Development; and Sales and Marketing. VLN also provides support services to help clients integrate Web-based learning into their overall training objectives. Companies which want to learn more about Arthur Andersen Virtual Learning Network should visit the VLN website at http://www.aavln.com, call 800-278-4871, or e-mail aavlninfo@arthurandersen.com.

Arthur Andersen is a global professional services organization consisting of over 100 member firms and more than 61,000 people united by a single worldwide operating structure and a common culture of innovation and knowledge sharing. This unique "one-firm" approach qualifies the people of Arthur Andersen to serve clients by bringing together any of more than 40 competencies in a way that transcends geographic borders and organizational lines. Arthur Andersen's people provide effective business solutions to over 100,000 clients in 81 countries around the world. Since its beginning in 1913, Arthur Andersen has realized 85 years of uninterrupted growth. With revenues of more than US$6 billion, it stands today as a world leader in professional services. Arthur Andersen is a business unit of Andersen Worldwide.