Real Challenges Mini-Series #2: CPA Firm Needs IT Evolution

We're continuing our mini-series on real world cybersecurity and IT challenges. This week, we highlight the difficulties faced by a CPA firm who, during their transition to fully remote work, suddenly found themselves short an IT provider.

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How a CPA Firm Regained Stability, Security, and a Trusted Advisor

For many CPA firms, IT works best when it’s invisible. But when your previous IT provider is no longer available, the gaps become obvious.

That’s the situation a CPA firm we supported found themselves in. With a now fully remote team and no physical office, they needed more than just technical fixes—they needed guidance, advocacy, and someone they could trust to help manage IT risk.

The Problem: Navigating IT & Cybersecurity Change Management

The firm faced multiple challenges at once:

• Their existing IT provider was no longer operating

• There was no clear owner for IT risk or cybersecurity decisions

• Their Written Information Security Plan (WISP) needed updating

• Staff had transitioned to fully remote work, increasing reliance on cloud tools and device security

• Leadership wanted a knowledgeable resource they could call when questions or concerns arose

They wanted a clear path forward through a lot of IT unknowns.

The Process: Listening & Discovery

We began by listening and intentional discovery, reviewing software, tech stacks, configurations and current processes.

• Reviewing current cybersecurity posture and risk management practices

• Evaluating Microsoft licensing to ensure the firm was paying for and using the right features

• Assessing options for modern device and data management in a fully remote environment

The Solution: Clear, Time-bound Roadmap with Measurable Outcomes

From there, we outlined a four-month roadmap focused on cybersecurity risk and strengthening cybersecurity maturity by modernizing their work environment. The plan included:

• Reviewing current cybersecurity posture and risk management practices

• Evaluating Microsoft licensing to ensure the firm was paying for and using the right features

• Assessing options for modern device and data management in a fully remote environment

The focus was on quick wins and long-term planning.

Client Response: Confidence

Leadership expressed relief knowing they now had:

• A clear plan for improving cybersecurity

• A trusted advisor to help navigate decisions

• Someone to call when IT or security questions came up

Instead of reacting to problems, they could finally start planning ahead.

Close Collaboration Yields Meaningful Results

By the end of the engagement, the firm had a stronger, more modern security foundation, improved visibility into their IT risk, a clearer understanding of future technology needs, and greater confidence that their cybersecurity practices were moving in the right direction.

Most importantly, however, they no longer felt alone in managing IT risk — especially in a fully remote world.

Learn More

If your firm needs help navigating IT risk, cybersecurity planning, or simply wants a trusted advisor to lean on, we’re here to help. Schedule a conversation today.