Cyberattacks. Server crashes. Power outages during tax season. They never come with a warning—and when they do hit, they can paralyze your CPA firm if you’re not ready.
And let’s be honest: most Salt Lake City firms think they’re fine because they have a "backup." But ask yourself this: if your team couldn’t access QuickBooks Online, your document portal, or your secure client e-mail during a disruption, how long could you function?
Here’s the truth: a file backup isn’t the same as being able to keep working.
If your IT provider isn’t talking about continuity—not just data recovery—they’re not doing enough.
Why Business Continuity Matters More Than Ever For CPA Firms
Backups are non-negotiable. But they’re just step one. Business continuity is the full plan for keeping your operations running, your clients informed, and your team productive when disaster hits.
And let’s be real—tax deadlines, audit filings, and payroll runs don’t pause for server outages.
You need a strategy that includes remote access, system redundancy, and clear response protocols to keep everything moving.
Backups vs. Continuity: A Real-World Difference
Here’s where Salt Lake City CPA firms often get burned:
- Backups get your data back.
- Continuity keeps your operations running.
A solid business continuity plan addresses:
- How fast can we recover key systems like tax prep software, QuickBooks, and SharePoint?
- Can our staff work securely from anywhere if the office is down?
- Which apps, files, and communications are mission-critical?
- Who triggers the plan, and who handles what?
A strong plan includes:
- Encrypted, off-site backups with immutability for ransomware protection
- Defined Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPO)
- Cloud-based infrastructure and remote work readiness
- Redundant systems and internet failovers
- Annual disaster simulation testing and documented response roles
If your current IT services provider can’t walk you through this—in CPA-specific language—you’re gambling with your uptime.
Real Disasters, Real CPA Firm Consequences
This isn’t just fear-mongering.
A Utah firm lost access to five years of client data because their on-prem server failed—and their IT provider never tested the backup. It took weeks to restore what little they could. Clients left. Their reputation took a hit.
Another firm in Sugar House had no remote access setup. When a windstorm knocked out power for three days, staff couldn’t file returns, and a key client deadline was missed.
It doesn’t have to be a hurricane. It could be a simple outage during audit season that costs your firm tens of thousands.
Questions Every Salt Lake City CPA Firm Should Be Asking
- If a cyberattack hits, how fast can we get back online?
- Are our backups tested regularly and protected from ransomware?
- What’s the continuity plan if our office is flooded or evacuated?
- Can we remain IRS and AICPA compliant during a disruption?
- Will our staff have secure access to the tools they need from home?
If you’re not sure of the answers, the risk is already there.
Downtime Isn’t a Given—It’s a Choice
Disasters happen. But downtime? That’s preventable with the right IT partner.
At Qual IT, we specialize in managed IT services for Salt Lake City CPA firms, including true business continuity planning, compliance-aligned solutions, and 24/7 IT support.
Let’s take a real look at your firm’s readiness—before the next disruption hits.
