The IT challenges accounting and tax firms face
Tax season leaves no room for downtime. Client financial data and taxpayer information make firms an attractive target, and staff often work long hours from home in the busiest weeks. The FTC Safeguards Rule adds formal security requirements on top.
Security and compliance
The FTC Safeguards Rule applies to most tax preparers and accounting firms that handle customer information, regardless of size. It requires a written information security program with controls such as MFA, encryption, access controls and staff training. We secure access, encrypt devices, manage backups and alert on suspicious activity to support your written plan, and we follow the safeguards in IRS Publication 4557.
Software we work with
We keep the systems behind QuickBooks, Sage, tax preparation software and client portals running: servers or hosted platforms, workstations, access and backups. We support the software you already run without making you replace it, and we work with each vendor when an issue sits inside their product. Common examples include tax and accounting software such as UltraTax CS, Lacerte, ProSeries, Drake and CCH Axcess, along with QuickBooks, Sage and client portals like SmartVault and ShareFile.
How we help
- QuickBooks and Sage support without replacing your tools.
- MFA and secure remote access ready before tax season.
- Backups and recovery for client files.
- Monitoring for suspicious sign-ins and mailbox changes.
- Security training on the fake IRS and client emails that circulate every season.
If data is exposed
Tax and accounting firms must report certain breaches to the FTC under the Safeguards Rule, and to clients under the law of each state where they live. Encryption, multi-factor authentication and good logging make a breach less likely and much easier to scope. Our guide to data breach notification laws explains the deadlines and who to notify.
Getting a quote
Every quote is written for your environment after a short call about your users, devices and the systems you rely on. Agreements are longer-term rather than month to month, which gives us time to document your systems and close security gaps properly. Request a quote.