Accounting firms have to manage a lot of sensitive data and keeping that data secure is vitally important. One way to ensure the security of accounting firm's data is by outsourcing their IT management to a trusted source, such as Swizznet, and opting in for their Managed Services offering.

More than ever, accounting professionals are responsible for handling significant volumes of sensitive data through financial and personal pipelines, any of which could create a data leak if your firm falls prey to a cybersecurity attack. The time is now to prevent such a breach before it has devastating effects on your firm and your clients.

We’re coming up on almost six months since the last Scaling New Heights conference, but I still vividly remember the moment at that event when my entire view of how to secure my own firm and handle data security requirements changed for good, and for the better. It was during a keynote given by Swizznet’s Chief Technology Officer Wes Stillman when the a-ha moment happened.

October may be over, but cybersecurity awareness and the National Cyber Security Alliance’s (NCSA) theme of “Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart” applies year round. At Swizznet, we’re happy to join in and continue the theme throughout the year. This isn’t the first time we’ve shared tips to help firms improve accounting data security.

As accountants and their clients evolve their businesses to support the next normal, cyber threats are close behind. Even small firms are a prime target due to the sensitive financial data they can access. The potential cost of a data breach is far-reaching, both in terms of direct costs and indirect impact to a firm’s reputation.

With 72% of tax-filing adults in the US expressing some level of concern over their personal data being compromised when they file taxes, accounting professionals need to carefully consider threats connected to software, hardware, and communications channels.

With all the news about accounting cybersecurity threats, there’s another angle that’s less talked about: the opportunity these breaches create for CPAs and accountants. Clients increasingly see accountants as trusted advisors for all aspects of finance. By developing a comprehensive security plan, you’ll increase the value you bring to your relationship with clients.

It’s no secret that the way accountants engage with their clients has shifted dramatically over the last several years, and for the better. In-person meetings are no longer the norm, and paper documents are also falling by the wayside.  Accountants are embracing new technology to be able to interact with their clients because if they don’t, they risk lose clients.

With 72% of tax-filing adults in the US expressing some level of concern over their personal data being compromised when they file taxes, accounting professionals need to carefully consider threats connected to software, hardware, and communications channels.

It’s been nearly a year of running your business or accounting practice from home. It’s required a lot of adjustments, particularly in the technology realm, as business processes moved to the cloud. Video conferencing, collaboration tools, accounting software — welcome to the virtual world. But in light of news about ongoing hacks in both industry and government sectors, you’ve likely wondered just how secure your new digital workflows really are.