IT Services for Houston Accounting Firms and CPA Practices
Accounting firms and CPA practices handle some of the most sensitive financial data in existence — tax returns, payroll records, financial statements, and Social Security numbers. A data breach doesn’t just expose your clients; it can end your practice. xS LLC (SpaceTown IT) provides secure, compliant managed IT services for Houston accounting professionals who can’t afford IT risk.
Why Accounting Firms Choose xS LLC
We’ve worked with CPA practices, bookkeeping firms, tax preparation offices, and financial advisors across Greater Houston. We understand the IRS safeguards requirements, the FTC Safeguards Rule (which applies to tax preparers), and the practical technology needs of accounting professionals during tax season and beyond.
IT Services for Accountants and CPAs
IRS Cybersecurity Safeguards Compliance
The IRS requires all tax preparers to implement a Written Information Security Plan (WISP) and specific technical safeguards to protect taxpayer data. Failure to comply can result in loss of e-file privileges. We help accounting firms implement the required technical controls — multi-factor authentication, data encryption, network firewalls, and access controls — and document them in a WISP that satisfies IRS requirements.
FTC Safeguards Rule Compliance
The FTC Safeguards Rule requires financial institutions — including tax preparers and accountants — to maintain a comprehensive information security program. The 2023 updates added specific technical requirements including encryption, multi-factor authentication, and penetration testing. We help you achieve and maintain compliance.
Tax Software Support
We support the major professional tax platforms used by Houston CPA firms including Drake Tax, Lacerte, ProConnect Tax Online, UltraTax CS, and Thomson Reuters products. When your tax software stops working in the middle of tax season, we’re there to fix it fast.
Secure File Sharing and Client Portals
Emailing client tax documents and financial records is a security risk and a compliance issue. We help accounting firms implement secure client portals and file sharing solutions that protect sensitive documents and satisfy client expectations for professional data handling.
Business Continuity for Tax Season
Tax season deadlines are immovable. If your server crashes on April 12th, you need it back immediately. Our backup and disaster recovery solutions include tested recovery procedures with RTO targets that keep your practice running through any disaster.
Cloud Migration for Accounting Firms
More accounting firms are moving to cloud-based workflows for flexibility and disaster recovery. We help practices migrate to Microsoft 365, cloud-hosted accounting applications, and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) that lets staff work securely from anywhere — including during Houston’s hurricane evacuations.
Protecting Client Data is Our Shared Responsibility
When a client hands you their tax return, they’re trusting you with some of their most private information. When you partner with xS LLC, you’re trusting us with the technology that protects that information. We take that responsibility seriously. Our cybersecurity services include regular security assessments, employee training, and dark web monitoring to detect if your firm’s credentials have been exposed.
We also serve other professional services firms including law firms and medical and dental practices.
Schedule a Free IT Security Review
Don’t wait for a breach to discover your vulnerabilities. Contact xS LLC today for a free IT security review tailored for accounting firms. We’ll assess your current controls against IRS and FTC requirements and give you a clear roadmap to compliance.