IT services built for accounting firms that can't afford downtime
Your clients trust you with their most sensitive financial data. Your IT should protect it.
One82 has partnered with CPA firms for over 26 years. We know your software, your deadlines, and your compliance requirements. From tax season surge support to IRS Publication 4557 compliance, we handle your technology so you can focus on your clients.
One82 has served CPA firms and accounting practices across the San Francisco Bay Area since 1999 — 26 years of working alongside tax professionals who run QuickBooks, Lacerte, CCH Axcess, ProSystem fx, and Drake on networks that cannot afford downtime during filing season. That longevity means One82 understands the specific obligations your firm carries: IRS Publication 4557 data security requirements for tax preparers, the FTC Safeguards Rule that now extends to accounting firms holding client financial records, and the pressure of March and April when every system must perform without exception.
The threat landscape facing accounting firms is significant. According to the IRS Criminal Investigation Annual Report (2023), tax-related identity theft resulted in $5.7 billion in fraudulent refunds. The AICPA's 2024 Cybersecurity Survey found that only 52% of CPA firms with fewer than 50 employees had a documented information security plan. And with the IBM/Ponemon 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report placing the average breach cost at $4.88 million for professional services organizations, the financial stakes of inadequate IT security have never been higher.
One82 provides Bay Area accounting firms with managed IT services, cybersecurity, and compliance support designed around the realities of public accounting — not generic small-business IT. When a managing partner at a CPA firm calls One82, they speak with an engineer who knows that a ProSystem fx server outage at 3pm on April 14th is not a help desk ticket. It is a firm-wide emergency. One82's role is to make sure that call never has to happen.
IT challenges cpa & accounting firms face every day
Tax Season Downtime Is Not an Option
When your systems go down during tax season, every hour costs thousands in missed deadlines, overtime, and client frustration. Your IT provider needs to understand that January through April is your Super Bowl.
Client Data Is a Prime Target
CPA firms hold Social Security numbers, financial records, and tax returns for hundreds of clients. A single breach doesn't just violate trust — it triggers mandatory IRS notification and potential malpractice liability.
Your IT Provider Doesn't Know Your Software
Generic IT companies don't know QuickBooks from Lacerte, or why CCH Axcess behaves differently than ProSystem fx. You need a team that speaks your software stack fluently.
Compliance Requirements Are Growing
IRS Publication 4557, FTC Safeguards Rule, state board requirements — the regulatory burden on accounting firms is increasing. Your technology must demonstrate compliance, not just promise it.
Regulatory requirements we help you meet
Your firm operates in a regulated environment. We understand the rules — and we make sure your technology complies.
IRS Publication 4557
Data security guidelines for tax professionals. Requires written security plans, employee training, and incident response procedures.
FTC Safeguards Rule
Requires non-bank financial institutions (including CPA firms) to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive information security program.
State Board of Accountancy
State-specific technology requirements for maintaining CPA licensure, including data retention, client confidentiality, and peer review standards.
AICPA SOC 2
Service Organization Control reports that demonstrate your firm's commitment to security, availability, and confidentiality — increasingly requested by larger clients.
PCI DSS
If your firm processes credit card payments for client invoices, PCI DSS compliance is mandatory to protect cardholder data.
Cyber Insurance Requirements
Insurance carriers now require MFA, endpoint detection, email filtering, and documented incident response plans. We ensure you meet every requirement.
IT services built for cpa & accounting firms
Every service we offer is tuned for the specific needs of your industry.
Managed IT for Accounting Firms
Proactive monitoring, help desk, and infrastructure management tuned for tax season peaks. We guarantee under 3-minute response times — even during April rush.
Learn More →Cybersecurity for CPA Firms
Multi-layered protection for your client's most sensitive financial data. EDR, email filtering, dark web monitoring, and security awareness training for your entire team.
Learn More →Compliance & Regulatory
We implement and maintain IRS 4557, FTC Safeguards, and SOC 2 frameworks. Get a compliance roadmap, documentation, and audit-ready reports.
Learn More →AI Integration for Accountants
Leverage AI for document processing, data entry automation, and client communication — without exposing sensitive data to unauthorized AI tools.
Learn More →Trusted by cpa & accounting firms across the Bay Area
"The single largest benefit I've experienced with One82 is control. They provide a controlled work environment to protect the company from cybersecurity threats and downtime."
Common questions from cpa & accounting firms
We support all major accounting platforms including QuickBooks (Desktop and Online), Lacerte, ProSystem fx, CCH Axcess, Sage, Thomson Reuters UltraTax, Drake, and Microsoft Dynamics GP. We handle installation, updates, integration, and troubleshooting.
We staff up for tax season and guarantee under 3-minute response times year-round. During peak periods (January–April and September–October), we provide extended support hours and proactive system health checks to prevent downtime when you can least afford it.
IRS Publication 4557 outlines data security guidelines for tax professionals. It requires a written information security plan, employee training, and specific technical safeguards. We implement all required controls, document your compliance, and provide audit-ready reports.
Yes. The FTC Safeguards Rule applies to non-bank financial institutions, which includes CPA firms that handle financial data. We conduct gap assessments, implement required safeguards, designate a qualified individual as required, and maintain ongoing compliance documentation.
Our pricing is per-user per-month with fixed monthly fees — no surprise invoices. Cost depends on firm size, complexity, and service level. Most firms with 5-50 employees invest between $150-$300 per user per month for comprehensive managed IT, cybersecurity, and compliance. Book a free 15-minute discovery call for a custom quote.
Absolutely. We ensure your firm meets every common cyber insurance requirement: multi-factor authentication, endpoint detection and response, email filtering, encrypted backups, security awareness training, and documented incident response plans. We also assist with the application process and technical questionnaires.
We implement layered security: encrypted data at rest and in transit, role-based access controls, endpoint detection and response (EDR), email phishing protection, dark web monitoring for leaked credentials, and 24/7 security operations center monitoring. All measures align with IRS, FTC, and AICPA standards.
Typical onboarding takes 2-4 weeks. We audit your current environment, migrate systems with zero downtime, document everything, and train your team. We intentionally avoid onboarding during tax season — we schedule transitions for May through December.
Yes. Many accounting firms still run on-premise servers for specific applications. We support both environments and can plan a strategic cloud migration on your timeline. We never force a migration — we help you move when it makes sense for your firm.
We specialize exclusively in professional services firms. We've supported CPA firms for over 26 years. We know QuickBooks, Lacerte, tax season timelines, IRS requirements, and the unique compliance landscape accountants face. Most MSPs serve everyone — we serve firms like yours.
Ready to get IT that understands your firm?
Join the cpa & accounting firms across the Bay Area that trust One82 to protect their clients, their data, and their reputation.
No obligation • No pressure • Just a 15-minute conversation about your firm's IT