Cybersecurity, IT & Compliance for CPA Firms
Know the Risk
CPA firms are no longer just potential targets. They are actively under attack.
In just the past year:
• Accounting firms have been hit with ransomware targeting tax data and client financials
• Breaches involving CPA firms have exposed thousands of SSNs, tax returns, and financial records
• The IRS has repeatedly warned that tax professionals are a primary target for cybercriminals
Cyberattacks against accounting firms continue to rise, especially during tax season, when urgency and volume make firms more vulnerable.
Why CPA Firms Are Prime Targets
CPA firms carry a critical responsibility to safeguard highly sensitive financial and personal data. They handle tax returns, Social Security numbers, banking details, payroll data, and business financials, making them extremely valuable targets.
This isn’t just about best practices. it’s a compliance requirement.
Under IRS guidelines, firms must implement and maintain a Written Information Security Plan (WISP) to protect client data. This includes risk assessments, access controls, monitoring, incident response, and ongoing security management.
But in practice, many firms treat WISP as a document, not an operational process.
To truly comply, firms need continuous monitoring, timely patching, controlled access, and the ability to respond immediately to threats. Anything less creates real exposure.
Failure to meet these requirements doesn’t just increase risk, it can lead to regulatory penalties, liability, and serious reputational damage.
Espresso Labs: 24/7 Coverage
Espresso Labs replaces outdated, reactive IT with a fully operational, AI-powered IT, cybersecurity, and compliance team.
We don’t just alert you to problems. We detect, investigate, and fix them, automatically and continuously.
This allows your small team to do far more, without the need to dozens of IT tools and without the cost of additional headcount.
