Industries · CPA & Accounting Firms

Technology Leadership for CPA & Accounting Firms

Protected client financial data, secure client collaboration and dependable systems through every deadline season, with governed AI that gives your team time back.

Industry Challenges

Built for Confidentiality and Deadlines

Accounting firms hold some of the most sensitive data their clients have, and their busiest periods leave no room for outages.

Deadline Season Reliability

Systems, remote access and support must perform at peak load during tax and year-end seasons.

Client Data Confidentiality

Tax, payroll and financial records require strong access control and encryption.

Secure Client Exchange

Clients need a safe alternative to emailing returns, statements and identity documents.

Practice and Tax Applications

Tax, practice management and document systems need to be updated, integrated and backed up.

Seasonal Staff and Remote Work

Temporary staff and remote partners need secure, controlled access quickly.

Responsible AI Adoption

Teams want AI for research and drafting without exposing client information.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Concerns for Accounting Firms

Accounting firms are targeted for the client identity and financial data they hold, especially during tax season.

Tax-season phishingTargeted phishing impersonating clients, tax authorities and software vendors.
Client identity dataTheft of SINs, banking information and identity documents.
Email account takeoverCompromised mailboxes used to send fraudulent requests to clients.
Insecure file sharingSensitive documents sent by unencrypted email or personal file-sharing services.
Ransomware at peak seasonEncryption of client files when the firm can least afford downtime.
Unmanaged AI useClient data pasted into consumer AI tools without controls.
Platforms

Microsoft, Google and AWS Use Cases

Platform-agnostic guidance: we design each environment around how CPA and accounting firms actually work.

Microsoft

Microsoft 365

  • Secure client portals and encrypted sharing with SharePoint and OneDrive
  • Data loss prevention and sensitivity labels for client records
  • Copilot readiness with permission cleanup and governance
Google

Google Workspace

  • Drive sharing controls and client-specific shared drives
  • Data loss prevention rules for financial identifiers
  • Gemini adoption with governed access to client data
Amazon Web Services

AWS

  • Secure hosting for tax and practice management applications
  • Encrypted, long-term backup for retention requirements
  • Recovery environments for deadline-critical systems

NetSuite: Multi-entity financials and consolidated client reporting in one system for growing firms. Explore NetSuite

AI & Automation

AI Use Cases for CPA Firms

Practical, governed AI that saves time without exposing sensitive information. Platforms include Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity.

Research and Summaries

Summarize standards, guidance and client correspondence for faster review.

Engagement Letters and Memos

Draft engagement letters, planning memos and client communications.

Document Intake

Classify and extract data from client-provided statements and slips.

Review Support

Highlight anomalies and questions for reviewers to investigate.

Case Study

How an Engagement Works

Example Engagement

Preparing a Mid-Sized CPA Firm for Busy Season

Illustrative scenario based on common CPA and accounting firms requirements. It does not describe a specific client. Client references are available on request.

The Situation

A mid-sized accounting firm shares client files by email, relies on a single on-premises server and has staff experimenting with consumer AI tools. Remote access slows down during peak season.

Our Approach

  • Assess data handling, access and peak-season capacity
  • Deploy secure client exchange and data loss prevention
  • Move critical applications to resilient cloud hosting with tested backup
  • Introduce an AI acceptable-use policy and governed AI tools

Outcomes We Target

  • Client data protected in transit and at rest
  • Reliable performance through deadline periods
  • Reduced phishing and account takeover risk
  • Productive, governed use of AI
Services

How OurIT Supports CPA Firms

Managed IT

Proactive management, monitoring and support.

Cybersecurity

Protection, detection, response and recovery.

Cloud & Collaboration

Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and AWS.

Business Applications

NetSuite and line-of-business systems.

AI & Automation

AI strategy, governance and automation.

FAQ

CPA Firms Technology Questions

How do you protect client financial data?

With encryption, multi-factor authentication, data loss prevention, secure client exchange, access reviews and monitored backups.

Can you support our tax and practice management software?

Yes. We support, update and back up common tax, practice management and document management applications.

Is it safe for our staff to use AI?

It can be, with the right governance. We help firms select approved tools, configure data protection and train staff on what can and cannot be shared.

How do you prepare firms for tax season?

We review capacity, remote access, backups and security controls ahead of peak periods and prioritize support during deadlines.

Where does OurIT support accounting firms?

OurIT is headquartered in British Columbia and supports CPA and accounting firms throughout Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, the Fraser Valley and the Okanagan, and across Canada as they expand into Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and beyond.

Protect Client Trust Through Every Deadline

A CPA firm technology assessment reviews data protection, deadline readiness and AI governance.