IT Support for Accountants

The accountancy sector in the UK is undergoing a significant digital evolution, mirroring broader trends across industries. Modern accountancy firms increasingly depend on sophisticated digital tools to manage their core operations, including bookkeeping, tax preparation, financial reporting, and client management.

Cloud-based accounting software platforms, advanced data analytics tools, and efficient digital communication channels have become indispensable. While having numerous advantages and streamlining workflows, this technological shift also introduces inherent vulnerabilities that accountancy firms must address with proactive and robust IT and cyber security measures.

The importance of robust IT infrastructure for accountants

According to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024, 50% of UK businesses reported some form of cyber security breach or attack within a 12-month timeframe. Accountancy firms occupy a particularly sensitive position within the financial ecosystem, making them prime targets for cyber criminals.

Estimates from PwC suggest that financial institutions are over 30% more likely to be targeted by cyber attacks compared to any other sector. Accountancy firms, by their very nature, handle highly sensitive financial and personal data belonging to both individuals and businesses, inherently placing them within this elevated risk category.

The sheer volume of client data, often distributed across numerous digital files and systems due to large caseloads, increases the potential attack surface and makes securing every point of access a significant challenge. This data often includes confidential banking details, comprehensive tax returns, sensitive payroll information and privileged client communications.

The concentration of such valuable and confidential information makes accountants exceptionally lucrative targets for cyber criminals seeking financial gain through various means, including direct theft, ransomware attacks, or the exploitation of personal data for identity theft and other fraudulent activities.

Accountancy firms have a legal and ethical responsibility to protect the data they handle, and failure to do so adequately can result in hefty regulatory fines imposed by governing bodies such as the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) under General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

Confidentiality is also outlined as one of the fundamental accountancy principles in ICAEW’s Code of Ethics. Specifically, it notes that accountants must keep sensitive client information confidential and take appropriate action to protect said confidentiality of information during its collection, transfer, use, storage, dissemination and lawful destruction. The risk of legal action from affected clients whose data has been compromised is also a significant concern for accountancies.

We offer specialist IT services for accountants and the financial industry, helping businesses craft strong and reliable defences in the face of ever-evolving cyber threats.

Our service offerings

Our comprehensive IT support for accountants ranges from responsive on-site and remote support to proactive remote management, robust backup and recovery solutions, and flexible co-managed support options. We understand the critical nature of data security and operational efficiency in the accountancy sector, and we are committed to providing reliable, uninterrupted IT operations. Discover how we can help you below:

End-user IT support for financial services

Accountants rely on a distinct and specialised suite of software applications to perform daily tasks efficiently and accurately. Tailored end-user support is essential to ensure you experience seamless access to your critical IT systems and the vast amounts of data you handle. Uninterrupted access is particularly vital during peak periods such as tax season and financial reporting deadlines, when time is of the essence.

Our end-user IT services for accountants address common technical challenges including software integration problems, slow system performance and secure remote access difficulties.

On-demand technical support

In the fast-paced environment of accountancy, the availability of prompt and reliable technical support is essential for maintaining business continuity. Our on-demand technical support services are designed to provide you with rapid and efficient assistance to address IT issues precisely when they arise. Our IT support for financial services ensures the following:

• Prompt resolution of technical issues to prevent delays in meeting regulatory deadlines and potential penalties from authorities such as HMRC.
• Implementation of secure IT solutions to protect sensitive data and uphold client confidentiality.
• Optimised support during peak periods such as tax filing and financial reporting to ensure seamless operations.

Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM)

As part of our IT support for accountants, we can employ sophisticated Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) software to deliver proactive device management and comprehensive maintenance services. A key benefit of this remote management is the continuous monitoring for any potential security threats and vulnerabilities that may target the firm’s IT infrastructure.

This proactive surveillance enables our expert team to respond rapidly to any security incidents that may arise, effectively safeguarding sensitive client data from potential cyber attacks and data breaches.

This service also enables the automation of the following IT tasks:

• Timely installation of software updates
• Application of critical security patches
• Regular execution of comprehensive antivirus scans

Back-up and recovery solutions

The implementation of robust backup and recovery solutions is an absolute necessity for protecting the financial data entrusted to you by your clients. The potential for data loss in the accounting profession is significant, stemming from a variety of threats including unexpected hardware failures that can render data inaccessible, unintentional data deletion caused by human error, and increasingly sophisticated malicious cyber attacks, such as ransomware, that can encrypt or corrupt critical financial records.

We can help mitigate these risks through:

• Automated, off-site backups to safeguard against hardware failures, human error, and cyber threats like ransomware. We employ advanced encryption and data redundancy measures to ensure your data remains secure and accessible.
• We help you develop and test effective recovery plans, ensuring preparedness for any event. We work closely with your firm to create tailored disaster recovery strategies, conducting regular simulations to validate their effectiveness and ensure readiness.
• Our solutions are designed to adhere to stringent data retention policies, facilitating seamless compliance audits and ensuring you can readily access data when required for legal or regulatory purposes.

Co-managed IT support for financial services

For larger businesses, our co-managed IT support provides a strategic partnership, seamlessly integrating with your existing internal IT team to elevate your firm’s technological capabilities.

This collaborative approach allows you to bridge critical skills gaps in specialised areas like advanced cyber security protocols, complex cloud infrastructure deployments, and the nuanced support requirements of industry-specific accounting software, ensuring your firm remains at the forefront of technological advancement.

This model allows for tailored IT support for financial industry operators during peak workloads, specialised projects, or when addressing unique technical challenges. We offer:

• Flexible and cost-effective IT management which leverages your existing IT resources while strategically supplementing them with our expertise.
• Expert assistance with the configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of your essential accounting platforms. Our in-depth knowledge ensures optimal performance and minimises disruptions to your daily operations.

How to take a proactive cyber security stance as an accountancy firm

There are several proactive measures you can take yourself as a business to strengthen your accountancy’s cyber security posture. These include:

• Develop and enforce a comprehensive cyber security policy that outlines acceptable use of technology, data handling procedures, and incident response protocols.
• Perform periodic security audits to identify vulnerabilities and assess existing security measures.
• Invest in cyber security training to educate employees about common cyber threats, such as phishing and social engineering, and provide regular training on best security practices.
• Create a detailed plan outlining the steps to take in the event of a data breach, including communication protocols and legal obligations.
• Ensure all software and operating systems are regularly updated with the latest security patches.
• Restrict physical access to servers and other sensitive equipment to authorised personnel only.

Our Business Resilience as a Service offers a comprehensive approach to cyber security and strengthened IT. This service provides a turnkey solution, eliminating up-front costs and ensuring continuous operations.

Our service directly addresses proactive cyber security, including facilitating achieving certifications like Cyber Essentials and IASME Cyber Assurance, demonstrating your accountancy firm’s commitment to security standards and compliance with UK regulations, which is crucial for maintaining client trust.

Why choose Net-Defence?

Net-Defence stands as a recognised leader in providing specialised IT support for accountants across the UK. Our deep understanding of the financial sector’s unique demands, coupled with our commitment to proactive cyber security and stringent compliance, positions us as a trusted partner. We possess a proven track record of delivering tailored IT solutions that seamlessly integrate with existing accounting workflows, ensuring uninterrupted operations and robust data protection.

Our team’s expertise extends beyond basic IT support; we are dedicated to implementing industry-leading security protocols to help build your accountancy’s resilience.

By choosing Net-Defence, your accountancy firm gains access to a wealth of knowledge and experience, allowing you to confidently navigate the complexities of modern IT infrastructure.