📊 CPA & Accounting IT · Orlando, FL

IT Security & Compliance
for Orlando CPA Firms

IRS Pub 1075 violations can trigger $50,000+ penalties and loss of e-file privileges — before a single client sues. NodePoint handles network security, compliance audits, and secure remote access so your firm can focus on clients, not breaches.

CPA firms are high-value targets — and most aren't ready

$50K+

IRS Penalties for Taxpayer Data Breaches

The IRS can revoke your e-file authorization and impose civil penalties starting at $50,000 for firms that fail to safeguard Federal Tax Information (FTI) under IRS Publication 1075. A single incident can end your ability to file returns electronically — permanently.

3.4×

More Ransomware Attacks During Tax Season

Threat actors know exactly when your firm is busiest and most vulnerable. Ransomware attacks against accounting practices spike 3x in January–April. When your systems go down during peak filing season, every hour of downtime translates directly to missed deadlines and client loss.

89%

Of Accounting Firms Use Remote Access

Remote staff, offsite partners, and cloud accounting software have made unsecured remote access the biggest attack vector for CPA firms. Without proper VPN, MFA, and endpoint controls, one compromised laptop hands an attacker the keys to every client's financial records.

$6.9M

Average Cost of a Financial Sector Data Breach

The financial and accounting sector has the second-highest average breach cost of any industry. Client trust erosion, breach notification requirements, regulatory fines, and litigation costs compound fast. Small firms don't survive the reputational hit — most close within two years of a major breach.

Built around how CPA firms actually work

Generic IT providers don't understand IRS requirements, tax software dependencies, or the compliance obligations that come with handling client financial data. NodePoint does.

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Network Security

Protecting client financial data starts at the network layer. We design and manage secure accounting office networks with proper segmentation, access controls, and continuous monitoring — meeting the technical safeguards required by IRS Pub 1075 and PCI-DSS.

  • Business-grade firewall configuration and management
  • Staff vs. guest Wi-Fi network segmentation
  • 24/7 network monitoring and intrusion detection
  • Endpoint detection and response (EDR) on all workstations
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Compliance Audits (IRS Pub 1075 / PCI-DSS)

IRS Publication 1075 requires any firm handling Federal Tax Information to maintain a documented security program. We assess your current posture, produce a gap report aligned to IRS Pub 1075 and PCI-DSS requirements, and build the documentation package that satisfies IRS scrutiny.

  • IRS Pub 1075 security controls assessment
  • PCI-DSS gap analysis for firms handling card payments
  • Written Security Plan (WSP) documentation
  • Annual risk analysis and remediation roadmap
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Encrypted File Transfer Setup

Emailing tax documents is not secure. We implement proper encrypted file transfer workflows for sharing sensitive client documents — eliminating email-based data exposure and meeting the transmission security requirements of IRS Pub 1075 and applicable state regulations.

  • Secure client document portal setup and management
  • End-to-end encrypted file transfer for tax documents
  • Staff training on secure document handling workflows
  • Audit trail for all sensitive file transfers
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Secure Remote Access

With distributed teams, offsite partners, and cloud tax software now standard, remote access security is non-negotiable. We implement properly configured VPN, multi-factor authentication, and endpoint controls so your team can work anywhere without exposing client data.

  • Business VPN deployment and management
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all systems
  • Endpoint compliance checks before remote access grants
  • Zero-trust access controls for partner and contractor logins

One consultant. Total accountability.
No ticket queues.

Large IT providers rotate technicians who don't know your firm's compliance requirements or software stack. NodePoint is one person who knows your systems, your staff, and your regulatory obligations inside out.

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Compliance-First Approach

We understand IRS Pub 1075, PCI-DSS, and Florida data protection requirements. Your IT setup won't just work — it'll meet the specific standards that govern how accounting firms handle client data.

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Same-Day Response

When your tax software goes down on April 14th with returns due tomorrow, you need someone who picks up. One call, one person, no hold queues, no escalation tiers, no waiting for a technician dispatch.

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Written Reports, Always

Every assessment, audit, and quarterly review produces written documentation. IRS scrutiny, state examinations, or a client asking about your security posture — you'll have the paper trail to answer confidently.

Start with the free IT Security Checklist

10 questions covering network security, access controls, backups, and compliance basics. See exactly where your firm stands in 3 minutes. No email required to see your score — just your honest answers.

CPA firm IT questions, answered

What IT security does my CPA firm need?
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At minimum: a business-grade firewall (not a consumer router), multi-factor authentication on all systems that hold client financial data, encrypted storage and transmission of sensitive documents, a documented backup and disaster recovery plan, and role-based access controls so staff only see client data relevant to their work. If your firm handles Federal Tax Information for government clients, IRS Publication 1075 adds formal requirements: a written security plan, annual risk assessment, incident response procedures, and physical security controls. Most CPA firms we assess are running consumer-grade equipment with no documented policies — which creates significant liability exposure.

How do accounting firms protect client tax data?
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Protecting client tax data requires layered controls: (1) network security — firewalls, intrusion detection, and Wi-Fi segmentation to keep unauthorized users off systems holding financial records; (2) access controls — each staff member should only access the client records they need, with all access logged; (3) encrypted file transfer — client documents should never travel over unencrypted email; use a secure portal with end-to-end encryption; (4) endpoint security — every workstation and laptop accessing client data needs EDR software, full-disk encryption, and automatic screen lock; (5) backups — encrypted, offsite, tested quarterly, with a documented recovery procedure; and (6) staff training — phishing is the most common entry point; your team needs to recognize it. We handle all of this as an ongoing managed service.

Do CPA firms need SOC 2 compliance?
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SOC 2 compliance is not legally required for most CPA firms — it's a voluntary framework. However, larger enterprise clients and financial institutions are increasingly requiring SOC 2 reports from their accounting providers before signing engagement letters. If you're targeting Fortune 500 clients or regulated industries (banking, healthcare, government), SOC 2 Type II certification gives you a competitive advantage and demonstrates your security posture formally. For most small and mid-size CPA firms in Orlando, the more pressing requirement is IRS Publication 1075 compliance (if you handle any government FTI) and maintaining a documented information security program that satisfies Florida's data protection statute. We help firms build the security foundation that makes a future SOC 2 audit achievable — without overcounting the cost today.

What are the IRS data security requirements for tax preparers?
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The IRS requires all professional tax preparers to create and maintain a Written Security Plan (WSP) as part of the FTC Safeguards Rule. Your WSP must: designate a qualified individual responsible for your information security program; identify and assess risks to client data; design and implement safeguards to control those risks; train staff on security; oversee third-party service providers; keep the plan current as your firm changes; and monitor and test your safeguards. For firms handling Federal Tax Information under IRS Publication 1075, the requirements go further — including specific technical controls, audit logging, incident response procedures, and physical security measures. Many tax preparers have no WSP at all, which is an FTC violation. We help firms document, implement, and maintain compliant security programs.

What happens during the free IT assessment for our accounting firm?
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It's a 30-minute call — no on-site visit required to start. We walk through your current setup: how many workstations, what tax software you're running (Drake, Lacerte, ProConnect, UltraTax), how your network is structured, what backups exist, who has access to client records, whether you have a Written Security Plan, and how your staff handles client document transfers. You'll get a written report within one business day with a clear picture of where you're exposed and what to prioritize. No pitch, no pressure — take the report and do what you want with it.

Get a free CPA firm IT assessment

We'll review your network, tax software setup, remote access posture, and compliance gaps — then give you a written report within 1 business day. No cost, no commitment.

We'll be in touch

Expect a personalized assessment within 1 business day. We'll reach out to the email you provided with next steps.