Industry Solutions

Managed IT Services For Accounting Firms

Protect client financial data, maintain IRS compliance, and scale your infrastructure for tax season with managed IT built by cybersecurity specialists who understand CPA workflows.

CMMC Registered Practitioner Org | BBB A+ Since 2003 | 23+ Years Experience
Why Petronella

IT Services Designed for CPAs

Accounting firms operate under IRS Publication 4557, FTC Safeguards Rule, and GLBA requirements. Generic IT providers miss these obligations. We build around them.

Managed IT & Cloud

  • Full-service managed IT with 24/7 monitoring and proactive maintenance
  • Secure cloud hosting optimized for QuickBooks, Drake Tax, Lacerte, and CCH Axcess
  • Encrypted client portals replacing insecure email for document exchange
  • Automated backup and disaster recovery with hourly snapshots during tax season

Security & Compliance

  • Multi-layered cybersecurity with endpoint detection, email filtering, and threat monitoring
  • IRS Publication 4557 and FTC Safeguards Rule compliance programs
  • WISP development, risk assessments, and ComplianceArmor documentation
  • Security awareness training for staff on phishing and IRS-required procedures
What We Deliver

Managed IT Services for Accounting

Every service addresses the specific workflows, software platforms, and seasonal demands of accounting professionals.

Complete IT Management

24/7 monitoring, patch management, help desk, and strategic technology planning. We handle your entire stack so your team focuses on client work.

Cloud Hosting for Accounting Software

High-availability hosting for QuickBooks, Sage, Xero, Drake Tax, Lacerte, ProSeries, and Thomson Reuters UltraTax with multi-user access and automatic updates.

Tax Season Capacity Planning

Infrastructure scaling, temporary staff provisioning, VPN configuration for seasonal workers, and system stress testing -- all prepared before January 1.

Email Encryption & Security

IRS-compliant email encryption with automatic policies, advanced phishing protection, and staff training to prevent social engineering attacks.

Compliance Consulting

Expert guidance building your WISP, conducting risk assessments, and documenting compliance for IRS Publication 4557, FTC Safeguards Rule, and GLBA requirements.

Remote Work Security

Enterprise VPN, cloud-hosted desktops, endpoint protection, and mobile device management for CPAs working from home offices and client sites.

The Transformation

Generic IT vs. Accounting-Focused IT

Before

Tax Season Failures

Systems buckle under peak-season demand, causing file corruption and missed deadlines when it matters most.

Compliance Exposure

No documented WISP, no encryption policies, and IRS field agents finding gaps during office visits.

Unprotected Client Data

Tax returns via email, no access controls, and no monitoring -- one breach exposes hundreds of clients to identity theft.

After

Tax Season Ready

Infrastructure stress-tested in November, scaled for peak demand, with extended-hours support through April 15.

Audit-Ready Programs

Complete WISP, documented controls, staff training records, and evidence packages ready for any regulator.

Encrypted and Monitored

Full-disk encryption, role-based access, secure portals, and continuous monitoring for every client file.

Process

How We Work with Accounting Firms

01

Discovery and compliance assessment against IRS and FTC requirements

02

Critical security remediation and WISP development in 30 days

03

Infrastructure optimization, cloud migration, and software configuration

04

Staff training on phishing, secure document handling, and compliance procedures

05

Ongoing managed services with 24/7 monitoring and quarterly reviews

06

Annual tax season capacity planning, stress testing, and seasonal provisioning

Who This Is For

Built for Accounting Professionals

Solo Practitioners to Multi-Partner CPA Firms Tax Preparation Services Bookkeeping & Accounting Firms Audit & Assurance Practices Payroll Processing Companies Financial Advisory Firms Forensic Accounting Firms Outsourced CFO Providers
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What IT compliance requirements apply to accounting firms?

Accounting firms must comply with IRS Publication 4557 (requiring a WISP), the FTC Safeguards Rule under GLBA, and state accountancy board requirements. Firms handling payment card data may also need PCI DSS compliance. Our compliance team helps navigate all of these.

How do you protect firms from ransomware during tax season?

We deploy endpoint detection and response, email filtering, network segmentation, and continuous monitoring. We also implement immutable backups that cannot be encrypted by ransomware. Our cybersecurity services are specifically tuned for threats targeting accounting firms.

Can you support QuickBooks, Drake Tax, and other accounting software?

Yes. We support all major platforms including QuickBooks Desktop/Online/Enterprise, Sage 50, Sage Intacct, Xero, Drake Tax, Lacerte, ProSeries, CCH Axcess, and Thomson Reuters UltraTax -- including cloud hosting, multi-user configuration, and third-party integrations.

What is a WISP and does my firm need one?

A Written Information Security Plan describes how your firm protects client data. IRS Publication 4557 requires every tax preparer to have one. Your WISP must cover risk assessment, access controls, encryption, training, and incident response. Our ComplianceArmor platform maintains your WISP alongside all supporting evidence.

How quickly can you respond to IT emergencies during tax season?

During tax season, we provide enhanced support with response times under 15 minutes for critical issues. Our monitoring detects most problems before staff notices them. After-hours on-call engineers can connect remotely within minutes.

What does managed IT for accounting firms cost?

We price per user on a monthly basis with all monitoring, support, security, and compliance services included. Most firms find professional managed IT costs less than break-fix support plus the risk exposure from inadequate security. Contact us for a customized quote.

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