CPA & Financial Firm IT — Houston TX

IT Support for
Houston CPA
& Financial
Firms.
FTC Safeguards · Tax Season Ready · Flat Monthly Rate

Your clients hand you their most sensitive financial information. Since June 2023, the updated FTC Safeguards Rule holds CPA firms to strict cybersecurity standards — with penalties up to $100,000 per violation. Most Houston CPA firms don't know they're covered. Most don't know their IT isn't compliant. We fix both problems.

Free IT Security Assessment Schedule Discovery Call
2007
Serving Houston
$100K
Per FTC violation
24/7
SOC monitoring
Flat Rate
No surprise invoices
What We Cover for CPA & Financial Firms
  • FTC Safeguards Rule compliance & WISP
  • Client financial data encryption
  • QuickBooks, Drake Tax & Thomson Reuters support
  • MFA on all accounts & tax portals
  • Email encryption & anti-phishing
  • Tax season security & IRS e-file protection
  • 24/7 SOC endpoint monitoring
  • Ransomware-resistant backup
  • Written incident response plan
  • Staff security awareness training
  • Quarterly IT review & compliance reporting
Get a Free IT Assessment →
FTC Safeguards Compliance
Client Data Encryption
QuickBooks · Drake · Thomson Reuters
Tax Season Ready
24/7 SOC Monitoring
Houston Since 2007
The Law Most CPA Firms Don't Know About

THE FTC SAFEGUARDS RULE APPLIES TO YOUR FIRM.

In June 2023, the FTC's updated Safeguards Rule went into full effect. It applies to any "financial institution" that significantly engages in financial activities — which the FTC has confirmed includes CPA firms that prepare tax returns, provide financial planning, or process loan applications. That's most Houston CPA and accounting firms.

Non-compliance isn't just a risk on paper. The FTC actively enforces this rule. Penalties are serious. And your cyber insurance carrier may deny a claim if they determine you weren't meeting the required controls outlined in your policy. We implement every required element and keep the documentation that proves it.

  • 01
    Written Information Security Program (WISP)
    The Safeguards Rule requires a written, comprehensive information security program tailored to your firm's size and risk. We build and maintain this document for every CPA firm client — it's the foundation of your compliance posture and the first thing an auditor or insurer asks for.
  • 02
    Designated Information Security Officer
    You must designate someone responsible for overseeing your information security program. For most small CPA firms, this is effectively a shared role — we can serve as your outsourced information security oversight function, with documented accountability and quarterly reporting.
  • 03
    Encryption, MFA & Access Controls
    All customer financial information must be encrypted in transit and at rest. MFA is required on any system accessing customer information. Access controls must follow least-privilege principles. We configure and document all three for every workstation, account, and application in your environment.
  • 04
    Annual Risk Assessment & Incident Response Plan
    The Safeguards Rule requires a periodic risk assessment and a written incident response plan. The IRS also requires CPA firms to maintain a Written Information Security Plan specifically for tax data — the WISP covers both. We conduct the assessment, build the plan, and test it annually.
FTC Safeguards — What's at Stake
$100K
Per violation — FTC civil penalty
$43K+
Per day for ongoing violations
30 Days
To notify FTC after a breach of 500+ customers
IRS
Also requires a separate Written Information Security Plan (WISP) for all tax preparers

Bottom line: If your current IT provider has never mentioned the FTC Safeguards Rule or the IRS WISP requirement to you, your firm has gaps. Our free assessment will show you exactly where you stand.

Tax & Accounting Software We Support

YOUR STAFF CALLS US — NOT THE VENDOR HOLD QUEUE.

We provide first-level support for the platforms your firm runs on — troubleshooting issues directly and escalating to the vendor when needed.

📊
QuickBooks & QuickBooks Online

Workstation performance issues, network access problems, multi-user connectivity, data file troubleshooting, and QuickBooks Online connectivity and browser issues. We keep your team running during close and busy season when you can't afford downtime.

QuickBooks DesktopQBOMulti-User
📋
Drake Tax

Drake installation, network configuration for multi-workstation access, e-file transmission troubleshooting, and performance issues during peak filing season. We understand that a Drake problem in February or April is a 911 situation — we treat it that way.

Drake TaxE-FileTax Season
🔷
Thomson Reuters

UltraTax CS, CS Professional Suite, GoSystem Tax RS — workstation and server configuration, Citrix / remote access setup, performance troubleshooting, and network connectivity. We act as the liaison to Thomson Reuters support when escalation is needed.

UltraTax CSCS Professional SuiteGoSystem
What We Do

MANAGED IT FOR CPA & FINANCIAL FIRMS

Everything your firm needs — built around the compliance obligations and workflow demands of accounting and financial practice.

📋
FTC Safeguards & WISP Compliance

We build and maintain your Written Information Security Program, conduct annual risk assessments, document all required controls, and provide quarterly compliance reporting. The IRS WISP requirement for tax preparers is included. You always have the paperwork to back up your compliance posture.

WISPRisk AssessmentIRS Compliant
🔒
Client Financial Data Security

Encryption of all client financial data at rest and in transit, MFA on every account and tax portal, role-based access controls, and audit logging of all access to sensitive data. Configured and documented to satisfy both the FTC Safeguards Rule and your cyber insurance underwriter's requirements.

EncryptionMFAAccess Controls
📧
Email Security & Anti-Phishing

Enterprise email filtering blocks phishing, business email compromise, and malicious attachments. The IRS and state tax agencies warn every year about targeted phishing campaigns against CPA firms and their clients during filing season. We stop those attacks before they reach your inbox.

Anti-PhishingBEC ProtectionTax Season
🛡️
Cybersecurity & 24/7 SOC

24/7 SOC-backed endpoint detection and response on every device. Behavior-based threat detection catches attacks traditional antivirus misses. Zero trust access controls. Annual staff security awareness training — documented as required by the FTC Safeguards Rule.

EDR + SOCZero TrustStaff Training
💾
Backup & Disaster Recovery

Encrypted, immutable backup of all client files, tax data, and Microsoft 365. Ransomware can't corrupt your recovery copies. Tested restore procedures with documented recovery time objectives. Written incident response plan — including the 30-day FTC breach notification procedure for incidents affecting 500+ customers.

Immutable BackupM365 BackupIR Plan
🎧
Help Desk — Tax Season Ready

Responsive help desk year-round — but we know what February through April means for your team. A workstation down or a software issue during tax season isn't a normal priority ticket. We treat filing-season emergencies accordingly, with fast escalation and same-day resolution as the standard.

<15min ResponseTax Season PriorityRemote & On-Site
Threats Targeting CPA Firms

TAX SEASON IS HUNTING SEASON FOR ATTACKERS.

CPA firms hold Social Security numbers, bank account information, business financial records, and multi-year tax data for every client. Attackers know this — and they know your staff is at peak stress and volume during filing season, which makes them more likely to click the wrong thing.

📨 Tax Season Phishing
The IRS issues annual warnings about targeted phishing campaigns mimicking clients, the IRS, and state tax agencies. These attacks spike every January through April specifically targeting CPA firms.
💸 BEC & Wire Fraud
Attackers compromise email accounts to redirect tax refunds or intercept client payments. Business email compromise against financial firms results in millions in losses annually — and it starts with a single stolen password.
🔒 Ransomware
Ransomware during tax season is a catastrophic event — encrypted client files, missed deadlines, potential IRS penalties, and a breach notification obligation. Immutable backup and 24/7 monitoring are your primary defenses.
🕵️ Data Theft
Quiet exfiltration of client financial data — SSNs, account numbers, business records — often goes undetected for weeks. Attackers sell this data on dark web markets or use it for identity theft and fraudulent tax filings.
Tax Season IT Checklist
Is Your Firm Ready Before February?
All workstations patched and updated before filing season starts
MFA enabled on all IRS e-services, state portals, and tax software accounts
Email filtering updated with current tax-season phishing signatures
Backup verified and tested — immutable copies confirmed
Staff reminder on wire transfer verification procedures
Remote access secured for staff working evenings and weekends
IRS WISP updated and on file
Help desk escalation path confirmed for filing-season emergencies

We run this checklist with every CPA firm client before January. It's part of being a proactive partner, not just a help desk.

Why Scorpion Technology

THE IT PARTNER HOUSTON CPA FIRMS TRUST

  • 01
    We Know Financial Firm Compliance
    We know the FTC Safeguards Rule, the IRS WISP requirement, and what your cyber insurance underwriter needs to see. Most IT companies have never read those regulations. We have — and we build your compliance posture around them, not just around keeping your computers running.
  • 02
    Tax Season Is Not Business as Usual for Us Either
    We understand that February through April is not the time for slow response or "we'll get to it tomorrow." Filing deadlines are real and missed ones have consequences. We prioritize CPA firm support during tax season the same way you prioritize your clients' returns.
  • 03
    We Support Your Actual Software
    QuickBooks, Drake Tax, Thomson Reuters — we work with the platforms your team uses every day. You don't call us and then get told "that's a software issue, call the vendor." We own the problem and either resolve it or get the right vendor on the phone for you.
  • 04
    Flat Rate — No Billing Surprises
    One predictable monthly rate covers all your staff, all your devices, and all your IT needs. No per-incident billing that spikes during busy season. No invoices you have to decipher. Detailed, accurate documentation of everything we've done — and invoices that actually make sense.
Why Houston CPA Firms Choose Scorpion
2007
Serving Houston businesses
$100K
FTC penalty per violation — we prevent this
24/7
SOC monitoring on every endpoint
100%
Satisfaction guarantee
What Our Clients Say

HEAR FROM HOUSTON BUSINESS OWNERS

FAQ

COMMON QUESTIONS FROM CPA & FINANCIAL FIRMS

Does the FTC Safeguards Rule actually apply to CPA firms?
+
Yes — and most CPA firms don't know it. The updated FTC Safeguards Rule (effective June 2023) applies to any "financial institution" that significantly engages in financial activities — which the FTC has confirmed includes CPA firms that prepare tax returns, provide financial planning, or process loan applications. Non-compliance carries penalties of $100,000 per violation and over $43,000 per day. Required controls include a written information security program, access controls, encryption, MFA, staff training, and a designated information security officer.
Do you support QuickBooks, Drake Tax, and Thomson Reuters?
+
Yes. We provide first-level support for the tax and accounting platforms your firm runs on — workstations, servers, remote access, and network connectivity. We troubleshoot performance and access issues directly and act as the liaison to the software vendor when escalation is needed. We work with QuickBooks Desktop and QBO, Drake Tax, Thomson Reuters UltraTax CS and CS Professional Suite, and other platforms used by Houston CPA and accounting firms.
What is the IRS WISP requirement and does it apply to us?
+
The IRS requires all tax preparers — including CPA firms — to maintain a Written Information Security Plan (WISP) that describes how your firm protects client tax data. This is separate from but related to the FTC Safeguards Rule. We build and maintain both documents for CPA firm clients, so you satisfy the IRS requirement and the FTC requirement with a single, cohesive security program.
What's the biggest cyber risk for CPA firms?
+
Tax season phishing and business email compromise are the top threats. Attackers impersonate clients, the IRS, or state tax agencies to redirect refunds or payments, or compromise staff email to access client data. The IRS and state tax agencies actively warn CPA firms about these attacks every filing season. Email filtering, MFA, and staff training are the three most important controls — and the ones most commonly missing at firms we assess for the first time.
How do we handle a data breach under the Safeguards Rule?
+
The FTC Safeguards Rule requires you to notify the FTC within 30 days of discovering a breach affecting 500 or more customers. Texas breach notification law may also apply for smaller breaches. Your written incident response plan — which the Safeguards Rule requires — should specify exactly who is responsible and what steps to take. We build that plan for every CPA firm client and review it annually so you're not making those decisions under pressure.
Get Compliant. Get Protected.

YOUR CLIENTS TRUST YOU WITH THEIR FINANCES. TRUST US TO PROTECT THEM.

FTC Safeguards compliance IRS WISP included QuickBooks · Drake · Thomson Reuters Tax season priority support Houston since 2007
Free IT Security Assessment Schedule Discovery Call

Or call us: 713-623-1266  ·  info@scorpionitsupport.com

IT Support for CPA & Financial Firms — Houston TX

Scorpion Technology provides managed IT support for CPA firms and financial practices in Houston TX. We've been serving Houston businesses since 2007, with deep experience in the compliance and cybersecurity requirements that govern client financial data — including the FTC Safeguards Rule, the IRS Written Information Security Plan (WISP) requirement, and Texas breach notification law.

Our CPA firm IT services cover the full compliance and technology stack: Written Information Security Program (WISP) development and maintenance, annual risk assessments, client financial data encryption, MFA enforcement, email security and anti-phishing, 24/7 SOC-backed endpoint security, immutable backup and disaster recovery, and first-level support for QuickBooks, Drake Tax, Thomson Reuters (UltraTax CS, CS Professional Suite), and other accounting and tax platforms.

We understand that tax season creates unique IT demands — we prepare every CPA firm client before filing season with updated patching, verified backups, refreshed staff training, and confirmed escalation paths so a technology problem never becomes a missed deadline.

Firm Types: CPA firms · Tax practices · Accounting firms · Bookkeeping firms · Financial planners · Enrolled agents · Multi-partner and solo practices

Service Areas: Houston TX · Spring TX · The Woodlands TX · Katy TX · Sugar Land TX · Greater Houston Metro