If the only time you talk to your IT provider is during contract renewal, here’s a harsh truth: You’re gambling with your firm’s security, compliance, and uptime.
As a Salt Lake City CPA, your firm handles highly sensitive financial data. You’re bound by IRS regulations, AICPA standards, and client trust. That means your IT strategy can't be “set it and forget it.”
Quarterly check-ins with your Managed IT Services Provider aren’t just smart—they’re non-negotiable.
Not sure what to ask? Start with these seven straight-shooting questions that every CPA firm should be asking their IT partner—especially if you care about cybersecurity, compliance, and business continuity.
1️⃣ Are There Any Security Vulnerabilities in Our Network Right Now?
Translation: Are we protected today—or just lucky?
Ask your IT partner:
- Is our antivirus and anti-malware software current?
- Are all systems and accounting tools patched and secured?
- Have there been any recent attempted breaches or red flags?
For CPA firms in Salt Lake, one unpatched vulnerability could lead to a data breach that costs you more than just money—it could wreck your reputation.
2️⃣ What’s the Status of Our Data Backups—and Have They Been Tested?
Backups aren’t a checkbox. They’re your last line of defense against ransomware, accidental deletion, or server failure.
Ask:
- When was the last full recovery test?
- Are we backing up the right data—client records, tax files, payroll logs?
- Are backups encrypted, secure, and stored off-site or in the cloud?
If your IT provider hasn’t tested your backups recently, you’re not protected. Period.
3️⃣ Are Our Staff Following CPA-Specific Cybersecurity Best Practices?
Let’s be blunt: Humans are still the weakest link in your cybersecurity chain.
Ask:
- Are our employees trained on phishing scams and password hygiene?
- Is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) mandatory for all cloud apps?
- Are we seeing any risky user behavior?
If your IT team isn’t keeping your employees sharp and accountable, they’re not doing their job.
4️⃣ What’s Slowing Down Our Systems—And How Do We Fix It?
If your team is complaining about slow QuickBooks sessions or laggy remote desktops, it’s more than annoying—it’s lost billable hours.
Ask:
- Are there recurring system bottlenecks or server slowdowns?
- Is our network infrastructure still fit for our firm’s size and growth?
- Can we optimize our cloud or VPN setup for better speed and uptime?
CPA firms in Salt Lake City can’t afford downtime during busy season. Neither should you.
5️⃣ Are We Fully Compliant With IRS and AICPA IT Regulations?
Your firm is one audit away from disaster if your tech isn’t buttoned up.
Ask:
- Are we aligned with current IRS data security protocols?
- Are we meeting AICPA cybersecurity framework standards?
- Do we need policy updates or new encryption tools?
Failing a compliance audit could cost your firm thousands—or worse, your license.
6️⃣ What’s the IT Budget Forecast for Next Quarter?
No one likes surprise expenses—especially CPAs.
Ask:
- Are any licenses or software tools expiring?
- Is any hardware reaching end-of-life?
- What proactive upgrades should we plan for next?
Budget clarity = operational control. It’s how smart Salt Lake firms stay ahead.
7️⃣ Are We Behind on Cybersecurity or Tech Trends?
Technology doesn’t stand still—and neither do hackers.
Ask your MSP:
- Are we missing any essential security tools or upgrades?
- What are top-performing CPA firms doing that we’re not?
- Are there emerging threats we need to prepare for?
Your IT provider should guide you—not just react.
🚨 If You’re Not Having These Conversations, That’s a Red Flag
If your IT provider can’t confidently answer these questions—or hasn’t already brought them up—it’s time for a change.
📌 Salt Lake CPAs: You’re too busy to babysit your IT. We’ll handle it—proactively.
Book your FREE CPA IT & Security Assessment today
We’ll audit your current systems, flag any compliance risks, and create a customized action plan for rock-solid security, performance, and uptime.
