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IT support for accounting, tax, finance and insurance firms

Northwind protects the tax returns, statements and policy records your firm holds for clients. We document each safeguard we set up for your written information security plan (WISP).

Book a consultationCall (208) 424-0125

Included for financial firms

  • Safeguards Rule controls
  • Written security plan records
  • Staff changes
  • Cyber insurance documentation

Federal rules cover client financial data

The FTC Safeguards Rule treats accountants and tax preparers as financial institutions that must protect customer information.

  • FTC Safeguards Rule

    The rule requires a written information security program, a Qualified Individual to oversee it, MFA and encryption of customer information.

    Northwind sets up MFA and encryption and gives your Qualified Individual a record of both.

  • IRS Publication 4557 and the WISP

    The IRS states that federal law requires tax and accounting professionals to create and maintain a written information security plan.

    Northwind keeps the records behind your plan current as your firm changes.

  • NAIC Insurance Data Security Model Law

    The NAIC model law requires insurance licensees in adopting states to keep a written, risk-based security program.

    Agencies licensed in those states get the same controls and written records from Northwind.

Last reviewed . This section summarizes the rules and is not legal advice.

What Northwind provides for financial firms

Northwind builds managed IT for accounting, tax, finance and insurance firms around the safeguards these rules describe.

  • Safeguards Rule controls

    Lock down the systems that hold customer information with MFA, encryption and access controls.

    • Multi-factor authentication
    • Encryption
    • Access control

  • Written security plan records

    Northwind records each safeguard as it goes in, which keeps your WISP current.

    • Control records
    • Policy updates
    • Incident records

  • Staff changes

    New staff have working accounts and devices on their first day. Northwind removes their access the day they leave.

    • Account setup
    • Device setup
    • Same-day removal

  • Cyber insurance documentation

    Northwind puts the controls insurers ask about in place and helps you answer the questionnaire at renewal.

    • Insurer questionnaires
    • Control evidence
    • Renewals

Benefits across your firm

The same controls serve firm owners, staff and clients in different ways.

  • Firm owners

    Northwind keeps a written record of each control that protects client data. Your WISP and your cyber insurer both rely on those records.

  • Accountants, preparers and agents

    Your staff have one number to call for IT help, including in the busiest weeks of tax season.

  • Clients and policyholders

    Clients can see in writing how their information is protected. Northwind backs up client files offsite and tests the restores.

Questions about IT support for accounting firms

Northwind also supports nonprofits, construction companies, law firms, local government and schools.

Does Northwind’s IT support for accounting firms cover the FTC Safeguards Rule?

Yes. Northwind puts the rule’s technical safeguards in place, including MFA and encryption of customer information, and documents each one. Your Qualified Individual still owns the program.

Will you help with our written information security plan (WISP)?

We cover the controls a WISP describes and keep a written record of each. For the plan itself, IRS Publication 5708 is the IRS guide for tax and accounting practices.

Does Northwind provide IT support for insurance agencies?

Insurance agencies get the same MFA, encryption and documentation as our accounting clients. If you are licensed in a state that adopted the NAIC Insurance Data Security Model Law, the records match its written program requirement.

Do you back up client files?

Yes. Northwind backs up client files offsite and tests the restores.

Do you support tax software like Drake and Lacerte?

Yes. Northwind supports all of the software your firm runs, including Drake, Lacerte and QuickBooks, and keeps it updated.

What is IT support for accounting firms?

IT support for accounting firms is managed IT built around the client financial data that tax, accounting, finance and insurance firms hold. Alongside the help desk and backups, Northwind provides Safeguards Rule controls, WISP records and cyber insurance documentation.

Prepare your firm for its next security review

Contact our team to review your Safeguards Rule controls and WISP records.

Book a consultationCall (208) 424-0125

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