IT for accounting firms
Accounting firm IT support in Los Angeles
Accounting firm IT support that keeps the office running through busy season: backups, bandwidth, workstations, remote access, and Microsoft 365.
Tax season multiplies every weak link. We put in the network, the backups, and the security, then stay on it.
- On-site and remote
- Business IT since 1998
- Remote first, on-site when needed
What we handle
Backup & recovery
Encrypted backups and restore tests before the rush.
Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 and file access for the whole firm.
Cybersecurity
Network and security around client financial data.
Remote staff access
Staff reach the office securely from home.
Managed IT & support
On-site support at the firm.
On-site support
On-site at the firm when remote is not enough.
How it works
- We look at the officeNetwork, backups, Microsoft 365, and how the office runs.
- We put the structure inSecurity, encryption, infrastructure, and a restore path.
- You call a technicianRemote first. On-site when that is what it takes.
Accounting firm IT support for tax season and beyond
Accounting firm IT support has two jobs. Keep the office fast through the March, April, September, and October deadlines, and protect the taxpayer data the firm holds all year.
What’s included
What accounting firm IT support covers with us:
- MFA on email, remote access, and tax software accounts
- Encrypted laptops and backups
- Restore tests before busy season, not during it
- Secure file exchange instead of email attachments
- Seasonal staff set up fast and removed cleanly
- Email protection against fake client and IRS messages
- Help writing and keeping a WISP
How we start
- A call about how the firm works and when it is busiest
- A review of the network, accounts, backups, and workstations
- A short list of gaps, most urgent first
- Fixes done before the next deadline
The WISP and the FTC Safeguards Rule
Tax and accounting firms that handle client financial data fall under the FTC Safeguards Rule. It calls for a written information security plan, or WISP, MFA, encryption, and a named person in charge. IRS Publication 4557 and Publication 5708 explain it for tax pros. This is an IT view, not legal advice.
Built for the busy weeks
Most firm outages hurt most in March, April, September, and October. Accounting firm IT support should do the heavy work before those months.
Tax and accounting software we keep running
Most firms run one main tax package and QuickBooks, plus a document system and a client portal. We know how each one is installed and where it breaks.
- UltraTax CS and the rest of Thomson Reuters CS Professional Suite, including network installs and the shared data folders
- Lacerte network installs, option settings, and the yearly program installs each new tax year needs
- Drake Tax on a network share, with permissions and backups set correctly
- CCH Axcess and ProSystem fx, including browser, workstation, and sign-in setup
- QuickBooks Desktop and Online, including multi-user hosting and client file access
Each tax year brings new program installs and updates. We test them on one workstation first, then roll them out before staff need them, not during the first week of February.
FTC Safeguards Rule: the technical pieces
The FTC Safeguards Rule (16 CFR Part 314) sets specific technical requirements. The ones we handle directly:
- MFA for anyone accessing an information system that holds customer information
- Encryption of customer information at rest and in transit over outside networks
- Logging of user activity so unusual access can be spotted
- Either continuous monitoring, or a yearly penetration test plus a vulnerability scan at least every six months
- Secure disposal of customer data, generally within two years after it is last used
The rule also requires a Qualified Individual to oversee the program, a written risk assessment, and an incident response plan. Firms that hold data on fewer than 5,000 consumers are exempt from a few of these pieces, but not from MFA or encryption. Since May 2024, a breach involving 500 or more consumers must be reported to the FTC within 30 days of discovery. See our FTC Safeguards Rule compliance help and the CPA FTC Safeguards checklist.
Local challenges for Los Angeles CPA firms
Many firms here also serve entertainment clients through business managers, which means royalty statements, payroll, and wire activity moving through email. That makes them a target for fake invoices and IRS-impersonation messages. Seasonal staff and remote preparers add more accounts to manage. We set up seasonal accounts with the access each person needs, then remove them cleanly when the season ends.
What we do on-site at an accounting firm
- Workstation and second-monitor setup for preparers
- High-speed scanners that feed the document system
- Server or NAS care for firms that keep tax data on-premise, with encrypted backup and disaster recovery
- Firewall, switches, and WiFi with WPA2 and WPA3 security
FAQ
Do you support accounting firms through tax season?
Yes. The work is to have backups, access, and the office network ready before the rush.
Can you be on-site at the firm?
Yes. Remote first, on-site when the job needs hands.
Is there a ticket queue?
No. You call or text and reach a technician.
Do accounting firms need a WISP?
Tax preparers and many accounting firms do, under the FTC Safeguards Rule. IRS Publication 5708 has a sample plan. We help with the technical parts.
Can staff work from home in tax season?
Yes, with secure remote access and MFA on every account.
Do you support UltraTax, Lacerte, Drake, and CCH Axcess?
Yes. We handle network installs, yearly updates, workstation setup, and backups. The vendor supports problems inside the software.
Does the FTC Safeguards Rule apply to small firms?
Yes. Tax preparers are covered. Firms with fewer than 5,000 consumers skip a few requirements, but MFA and encryption still apply.
Can several people use the same QuickBooks file?
Yes. We set up multi-user hosting on a server or in the cloud, with backups and access control.