THE PROBLEM

A Security Incident During a Deadline Is More Than an IT Problem

Financial and accounting firms hold exactly the kind of information cybercriminals target most: client funds, tax records, and identity information. When a security incident or outage hits during a filing deadline, the cost is more than downtime — it is disrupted client work at the worst possible time.

  • Business email compromise and wire-fraud attempts that specifically target firms handling client funds
  • Phishing and credential-theft attempts aimed at accessing sensitive financial and tax information
  • Deadline-driven downtime that can't wait for a slow response during filing season
  • Remote and seasonal staff who need secure access to client files without exposing sensitive data
  • Sensitive client files that require consistent protection across every device and connection
  • Regulatory and cyber-insurance requirements that demand documented, defensible security controls
Accounting professionals addressing a security concern during a filing deadline
IT advisor working with financial and accounting firm leadership
THE GUIDE

Your Team Should Be Serving Clients — Not Coordinating IT Vendors

You're focused on client deadlines, accurate filings, and protecting the trust clients place in your firm — not troubleshooting a router, chasing a software vendor, or wondering whether your systems are secure enough.

Innovative acts as the accountable partner managing your users, endpoints, networks, identity, Microsoft 365, security, backup and cloud services as one connected foundation — coordinating with your tax, accounting and financial software vendors when specialized support is needed, so nothing falls through the cracks.

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HOW IT ALL CONNECTS

Your Tax and Accounting Applications Depend on the Technology Around Them

Financial and accounting firms may rely on platforms such as QuickBooks, Intuit Accountant Suite, CCH Axcess, CCH ProSystem fx, Drake Tax and Drake Accounting. Those applications still depend on the same underlying workstations, network, identity security, email and backups. Innovative manages the technology foundation around those systems and coordinates with the application vendor when product-specific expertise is required.

Connected financial firm technology environment across workstations, network and cloud systems
MANAGED TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

Everything Your Firm Depends On, Managed Together

Firm technology is an interconnected environment: networks, identity, applications, email and cloud services all depend on one another. Innovative manages that environment as a coordinated system rather than a collection of unrelated fixes.

KEEP THE FIRM PRODUCTIVE
01

Managed Workstations & Firm Technology

Keep every workstation and firm system running reliably with proactive monitoring and lifecycle planning.

  • Proactive endpoint monitoring
  • Patching and software maintenance
  • Hardware lifecycle planning
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02

Tax, Accounting & Practice Application Coordination

Innovative manages the technology surrounding your tax and accounting applications and coordinates with the software vendor when product-specific support is required.

  • Vendor troubleshooting coordination
  • Workstation, server and connectivity dependencies
  • Printing, scanning and integration support
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03

Help Desk, Remote & Seasonal Staff Support

Support your full team, including remote staff and seasonal hires, through one responsive, coordinated service relationship.

  • Responsive help desk
  • Seasonal onboarding and offboarding
  • Coordinated on-site support
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04

Network, Firewall & Secure Office Infrastructure

Design and manage the connectivity underneath your firm with requirements-based firewalls, switching and Wi-Fi.

  • Firewall and switching design
  • Secure employee and guest Wi-Fi
  • Segmentation and monitoring
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PROTECT CLIENT & FINANCIAL DATA
05

Email Security & Business Email Compromise Defense

Protect your team against phishing, impersonation and the wire-fraud attempts that specifically target firms handling client funds.

  • Phishing and impersonation protection
  • Malicious-link filtering
  • Account-compromise risk reduction
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06

Identity, MFA & Access Management

Control who can access firm systems and client data with multi-factor authentication and least-privilege foundations.

  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Least-privilege access foundations
  • Joiner/mover/leaver management
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07

Endpoint Detection, Ransomware & Threat Protection

Monitor and defend firm workstations and servers against ransomware and other active threats.

  • Endpoint detection and response
  • Ransomware protection
  • Continuous security monitoring
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08

Secure Client Files, Portals & Remote Access

Give staff secure, identity-controlled access to client files and remote systems without exposing sensitive data.

  • Secure remote access
  • Identity-controlled file access
  • Client-data workflow protection
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PREPARE FOR COMPLIANCE, DEADLINES & GROWTH
09

Backup, Recovery & Business Continuity

Protect firm systems, cloud data and client information with managed backup and recovery built around your recovery requirements.

  • Server and endpoint backup
  • Microsoft 365/cloud-data protection
  • Recovery and continuity planning
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10

Microsoft 365 & Secure Cloud Collaboration

Manage Microsoft 365, identity and collaboration so your team can work securely from any office or location.

  • Microsoft 365 administration
  • Secure collaboration
  • Cloud identity and access
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11

Compliance, Cyber-Insurance & Security Readiness

Get technical safeguards and documentation that support your firm’s compliance and cyber-insurance readiness.

  • Security-control reviews
  • Technical documentation
  • Remediation planning
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12

Strategic Technology Planning, Standards & Vendor Management

Plan your firm’s technology roadmap, lifecycle and budget with one accountable partner coordinating every vendor.

  • Technology roadmaps
  • Lifecycle and budget planning
  • Vendor coordination
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The Technology Around Your Accounting Applications Matters Too

Tax & Accounting Applications
Microsoft 365
Firm Workstations
Secure Networks
Identity & MFA
Client File Access
Email Security
Backup & Recovery

One technology partner responsible for the foundation connecting them all.

Financial & Accounting IT at a Glance

Innovative Network Solutions provides managed IT, cybersecurity, network infrastructure, Microsoft 365, backup and compliance-readiness support for financial and accounting firms. We help protect client information, secure email and identities, support tax and accounting application environments, manage seasonal and remote users, and coordinate the technology and vendors the firm depends on.

CYBERSECURITY

Protecting Every Entrance to Your Firm

Client information can enter and leave through email, portals, remote access, Microsoft 365, tax applications, shared files and employee devices. Innovative protects those entrances with layered endpoint, identity, email, network and backup controls.

Secure financial firm environment with protected client data and identity controls
THE ANALOGY

You Wouldn't Reconcile an Account Without Verifying the Details

Financial professionals rely on controls, reconciliations and documented processes because small errors can become larger problems when they go unchecked. Technology should operate with the same discipline.

Accounts, endpoints, backups, firewall policies and access permissions should not accumulate without review. Innovative helps establish standards, monitoring and documentation so technology controls can be reviewed and managed instead of assumed.

THE PLAN

Assess. Secure. Standardize. Manage.

1

Assess the Environment

We review your firm’s systems, applications and existing security controls to understand what is actually in place today.

2

Secure the Foundation

We address the highest-priority security and operational gaps first, from identity and email to endpoints and backup.

3

Standardize the Firm

We apply consistent technology and security standards across users, devices and offices.

4

Manage & Evolve

We manage, monitor and evolve the environment on an ongoing basis as your firm and its requirements grow.

THE OUTCOME

Protect the Firm Without Slowing Down the Work

When your technology and security controls just work, you can focus on clients and deadlines — not troubleshooting or wondering if you're protected.

Financial firm leadership reviewing technology and security standards for growth

More Reliable Deadline-Driven Operations

Proactive monitoring and lifecycle planning help reduce avoidable downtime during your busiest, most deadline-sensitive periods.

Stronger Email and Identity Protection

Layered email security, MFA and identity controls help reduce the risk of business email compromise and credential theft.

Consistent User and Device Security

Every workstation and user account follows the same security standards, regardless of office or season.

Recoverable Client and Business Data

Managed backup and recovery planning help protect client and firm data against loss or disruption.

Secure Remote and Seasonal Access

Remote and seasonal staff get the access they need through identity-controlled, monitored connections.

Documented Technology and Security Standards

Clear documentation supports compliance conversations, cyber-insurance applications and internal accountability.

CLIENT SUCCESS

Business Continuity When It Mattered Most

When a financial services call center with 50+ employees needed to shift to remote operations overnight in March 2020, we activated their business continuity plan, enabled secure VPN access, and mobilized additional equipment. Within about 72 hours, the organization was fully operational with no material interruption to business operations.

"It saved our business. Innovative isn't just an IT provider, they're a trusted partner when it matters most." — Managing Partner, Financial Services Call Center

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SEASONAL & MULTI-OFFICE SUPPORT

Built for Busy Seasons, Remote Staff and Multiple Offices

Running one office or several shouldn't mean juggling different technology setups, security standards or support contacts. Innovative brings consistent network standards, security practices and support to every office and every season.

We provide nationwide remote support with coordinated on-site assistance when required, so every office and every seasonal hire gets the same level of protection and responsiveness.

  • Standardized seasonal onboarding and offboarding
  • Standardized workstations and security across every office
  • Secure remote access with multi-factor authentication
  • Multi-office network standards
  • Nationwide remote support
  • Coordinated on-site assistance when required
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Common Questions From Financial and Accounting Firms

Do you support our tax and accounting software?

Innovative manages the workstations, servers, networks, identity, security and connectivity surrounding your tax and accounting applications. Examples may include QuickBooks, Intuit Accountant Suite, CCH Axcess, CCH ProSystem fx, Drake Tax and Drake Accounting. When an issue requires product-specific expertise, we coordinate with the appropriate application vendor while continuing to own the surrounding IT problem.

How do you protect firms against business email compromise and wire fraud?

We use layered email security, impersonation protection, MFA, identity controls, endpoint protection and staff security awareness training to reduce risk. Payment and wire procedures should also include independent verification and firm-defined approval steps. We cannot guarantee prevention of fraud, but layered controls meaningfully reduce exposure.

Can you support seasonal tax staff?

Yes. We standardize onboarding, accounts, MFA, devices, permissions and offboarding so seasonal staff can be brought on and off securely and efficiently.

Can you help us meet cyber-insurance or security requirements?

We provide technical safeguards and documentation that support your firm’s security and cyber-insurance readiness. Final legal or compliance interpretation of any requirement remains with your firm and its advisors.

Can you support multiple offices and remote accountants?

Yes. We provide standardized networking, secure remote access, identity and endpoint management, nationwide remote support and coordinated on-site support across every office.

How do you protect client tax and identity information?

We use layered endpoint detection and response, email security, MFA, identity management, network segmentation, secure remote access and managed backup and recovery, sized to your environment and risk.

What happens if our systems fail during tax season?

Proactive monitoring, lifecycle planning, backup and recovery, and defined support processes are designed to reduce avoidable downtime and improve preparedness. We cannot promise zero downtime, but these processes are built to minimize disruption when issues occur.

Can you work with our internal IT staff?

Yes. Innovative can operate co-managed, supplying cybersecurity, infrastructure, project, escalation and continuity resources with clearly defined responsibilities alongside your internal team.

Ready for Technology That Protects Client Trust?

Schedule a conversation with Innovative and get a clear, practical plan for strengthening security and supporting your compliance-readiness efforts.