Accounting firms handle some of the most sensitive financial data in existence — and face compliance obligations most general-purpose IT providers don't know exist. Get matched with a provider who understands GLBA, IRS Pub 4557, and what tax season actually demands.
General-purpose MSPs can handle email and backups. What they often miss: the regulatory layer that applies specifically to accounting and tax professionals — and the operational realities of filing season.
Tax software has specific infrastructure requirements, licensing models, and remote access configurations. A provider who's never supported Drake or CCH will learn on your time — and potentially on your deadline.
| Software | Deployment | Key IT Requirements | Common Issues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drake Tax | Desktop / hosted | Local install or RDS/Citrix, annual license management, shared network paths | Print driver conflicts, network path failures, slow performance on large returns |
| ProSeries (Intuit) | Desktop / hosted | Windows workstation reqs, Intuit licensing portal, update management | Activation failures, update loops, PDF component conflicts |
| CCH Axcess | Cloud (browser-based) | Stable high-bandwidth internet, Wolters Kluwer SSO, MFA enforcement | Performance on slow connections, browser compatibility, session timeouts |
| UltraTax CS (Thomson Reuters) | Desktop / CS Cloud | CS Professional Suite infrastructure, SQL Server for larger deployments | Database corruption, slow file opens, CS Cloud latency |
| Lacerte (Intuit) | Desktop / hosted | High local storage, PDF integration, Intuit link configuration | Slow e-file queues, licensing conflicts during peak season |
| QuickBooks (Desktop / Online) | Desktop / cloud | Company file hosting, QBO API integrations, multi-user network setup | File corruption in multi-user mode, sync failures with QBO |
| Sage (50 / Intacct) | Desktop / cloud | Sage-certified SQL server config, Intacct SSO, API integration support | Data integrity errors, slow year-end processing, integration failures |
Not just an MSP in your zip code who says they support accounting firms. Providers we match you with have verifiable experience and the right compliance knowledge.
The FTC's Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act Safeguards Rule was significantly updated in 2023 and now explicitly includes tax preparers and CPA firms in its definition of "financial institutions." This isn't theoretical — the FTC has taken action against tax preparers for Safeguards Rule violations.
At minimum, the rule requires: a written Information Security Program (ISP), a designated Qualified Individual (QI) responsible for overseeing it, an annual risk assessment, MFA on all systems that access customer financial information, encryption of all customer data in transit and at rest, a vendor oversight program, and an incident response plan. Your IT provider should be helping you document and maintain every one of these controls.
IRS Pub 4557 is a set of data security guidance issued specifically for tax professionals. It includes requirements for: a written data security plan, strong authentication (including MFA on tax software accounts), employee security training, encrypted transmission of tax returns, physical security controls on devices, and a breach response procedure. While Pub 4557 doesn't carry direct legal penalties itself, the IRS uses compliance with these guidelines to assess preparer negligence in the event of a client data breach — and state attorneys general frequently do the same.
From January through April, accounting firms are operating at maximum capacity with minimum tolerance for downtime. Ransomware operators know this — attacks on accounting firms spike during Q1 precisely because firms are more likely to pay a ransom rather than miss filing deadlines. The solution isn't luck; it's tested backups, robust endpoint protection, and a provider with an explicit tax season response SLA.
Signs your current IT provider isn't built for accounting:
Yes. The FTC considers tax preparers and accounting firms that handle client financial information to be financial institutions under GLBA. The updated Safeguards Rule (effective June 2023 for smaller firms) requires a written Information Security Program, MFA, encryption, risk assessments, and vendor oversight — all documented and maintained. Your IT provider should be a partner in building and maintaining this program, not learning about it for the first time when you ask.
IRS Publication 4557 requires tax professionals to maintain a written data security plan covering password policies, MFA on tax software accounts, encryption of client data, secure device disposal, annual employee training, and a documented breach response procedure. The IRS treats Pub 4557 compliance as a factor in assessing preparer liability when client data is compromised. Your IT provider should help you document and maintain these controls — not just point you to the PDF.
Managed IT for accounting firms typically runs $110–$220 per user per month. A solo CPA with 2–3 workstations might pay $600–$1,200/month. A 15-person firm with compliance requirements can expect $2,500–$5,000/month including security monitoring, GLBA documentation support, and tax software support. Compliance tooling adds cost but is mandatory — a provider who quotes low without including compliance infrastructure is either cutting corners or doesn't know what's required.
The most common: remote access failures when staff work extended hours from home, tax software performance problems on large returns, backup failures discovered too late, ransomware attacks (Q1 is peak season for accounting firm attacks), and printing/scanning workflow failures. An MSP experienced with accounting firms does a December readiness review and maintains explicit SLAs through April 15.
You submit the form with your firm size, software stack, and compliance requirements. We review it and match you with a vetted MSP who has verifiable accounting experience — GLBA knowledge, tax software support, and a pre-season readiness process. No obligation, no data shared with unvetted providers.