CPA Firms

Managed IT support built for small CPA firms that cannot afford a technology problem during tax season.

Your IT Should Be the Last Thing You Worry About in April

CPA firms run on client data, filing deadlines, and tax software that has to work. When your computers are slow, your e-file credentials get compromised, or your network goes down during busy season, the consequences are real: missed deadlines, stressed staff, and clients who notice.

ACS manages IT for CPA firms in Carteret, Onslow, and Craven counties. We keep your systems running, your data protected, and your IRS data security plan current so you can focus on your clients.

What Our IT Services Do for CPA Firms

Keeps your tax software and workstations running through the entire busy season.
Protects client tax data and e-file credentials from theft and unauthorized use.
Maintains the written IRS data security plan your firm must have on file.
Handles day-to-day IT so your staff can focus on clients, not computer problems.
Keeps your firm connected and working when you shift to remote or hybrid setups.

What Clients Say About Us

Reliable IT Support Through Every Crisis

“Highly responsive and available. Protecting our computers with managed security solutions keeps our employees productive instead of dealing with viruses. Installing and managing Office 365 increases productivity by having consistent versions of programs used every day. After our dealership was flooded out by Hurricane Florence ACS was instrumental in helping us rebuild and get operational in record time. Best computer service I have used in my 30 years in the automotive business.”

Rob Van Doren

Service and Parts Director - Lookout Ford, Morehead City NC

Responsive Support That Keeps Us Working

ACS's remote support fixes our issues allowing us to continue working. Their expertise in multiple technologies is effective, they provide rapid resolution to issues. I love the remote support capability allowing them to quickly fix issues, even if they are my mistake, without making me feel bad about it. With over 18 years of great service, ACS takes care of everything so we can concentrate on our daily business without worrying about the security or operation of our hardware and software. If you are looking for a company, responsive to change and knowledgeable to provide value for planning technology in any business, call ACS.”

Neil Whitford

Attorney - Kirkman, Whitford, Brady, Berryman & Gordon, P.A.

Local Experts With A Long-Term Vision

“Since going to Office 365 at the recommendation of ACS, it has been great for training to have everyone on the same version of Office. We look forward to using all of the advantages that Office 365 has to offer.
I value being able to speak to a local live person when I have a question or concern. ACS is prompt in responding to my questions and concerns. I depend on their expertise and appreciate them considering not only what we need now, but also a plan going forward. If you want the excellent level of service we have, call Stefan today.”

Christi Wood

Finance Director - Town of Beaufort

Professional Support That Goes Above and Beyond

“Go. Here. First. Zachary just fixed my computer in less than half an hour and charged me a very reasonable amount for labor. But more than that - he did it right in front of me while keeping up a stream of witty banter and explaining everything he was doing in terms I could understand (no back room shadiness at this place; it is completely transparent). I could literally do this particular repair myself next time, because he taught me. This is what a truly good business looks like, folks. Could not recommend more highly.”

Clara Louise

North Carolina

Restoring Trust with Expert Computer Repair

“I did not and went to a computer place in Newport. After having my laptop for a month they lost all my files to include pictures of deceased loved ones and then lied to me about my laptop being fixed. I then came to ACS Computer Services for help and they fixed my laptop at a reasonable price and in a timely manner. They were even able to find out that the other computer shop had put another persons hard drive in my computer with their personal information on it. After ACS fixed my old laptop I purchased a new one from them as a Christmas gift at a great price. Trust me you'll be sorry if you don't do business here!!”

Lonnie Ward

North Carolina

How We Support CPA Firms Through Tax Season (and All Year Long)

CPA firms have a different IT rhythm than most businesses. The stakes in February through April are higher than the rest of the year. We build our support around that cycle so your systems are ready before busy season and stay that way through the deadlines.

Ready Before Busy Season

We review your workstations, network, and tax software before the season begins. If something will cause a problem in March, we find it in January, not when it matters most.

Protect Client Tax Data

Tax returns contain some of the most sensitive personal data your clients have entrusted you with. We protect your email, your file storage, and your network day in and day out.

Keep E-File Credentials Safe

IRS e-file credentials are a high-value target for attackers. We configure multi-factor authentication, monitor for unusual login activity, and make sure your credentials are protected the way the IRS requires.

Manage the IRS Security Plan

The IRS requires every tax preparer to have a written data security plan; do you? If not, we can help. We build it, keep it current, and make sure your IT setup reflects the plan.

Critical Technology Challenges Businesses Like Yours Face

Outdated systems, security risks, and downtime create significant barriers to running an efficient business. Many organizations struggle with stretched internal resources, limited expertise, or uncertainty about which technologies best support growth.

Reliable IT services relieve that burden by providing expertise, monitoring, and clear planning. They reduce stress for your staff, strengthen resilience against risk, and position your business to succeed in North Carolina.

Choosing The Right IT Services Partner

Not every IT services provider understands the importance of building relationships. Many focus on tools instead of outcomes, leaving you to handle communication gaps and unclear results while your team needs stability and security.

ACS Computer Services provides IT services built around transparency, communication, and responsiveness. We give you confidence that issues will be resolved quickly and systems will be maintained for both immediate performance and long-term security.

Managed IT for CPA Firms

IT That Runs the Way Your Firm Runs All Year

CPA firms have different IT demands in February than they do in June. During busy season, your workstations, tax software, and network need to perform without interruption. The rest of the year, the priorities shift to maintenance, planning, and making sure next season starts in better shape than the last one. ACS manages your IT around that cycle, with proactive work between seasons and responsive support when filing deadlines are on the line.

Managed IT for a CPA firm means staying ahead of the busy season rather than reacting during it. We do the maintenance work during the off-season, review your setup before the filing windows open, and provide the responsive support your staff needs when things move fast. Here is what our managed IT service covers for CPA firms in your area:

Monitors and maintains your workstations, network, and tax software all year round.
Performs a pre-season review before busy season to catch issues before they cost you.
Provides responsive support during filing season when your team needs help fast.

IRS Data Security Compliance

Your IRS Data Security Plan, Built and Maintained

The IRS requires every tax preparer to have a written data security plan under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. Most small CPA firms either don't have one or have a document that was created years ago and never updated. The plan must describe how you protect client data, who has access to it, how you respond to a breach, and how you train your staff. ACS builds this plan to reflect your actual setup and keeps it current so you're never caught without it.

Having the written plan is only part of the requirement. The plan has to reflect what you actually do. If your plan describes controls you haven't implemented or procedures nobody follows, it doesn't protect you in an audit or after an incident. ACS makes sure your written plan and your actual IT setup match, and reviews both every year to keep them current. Here is what our IRS data security compliance service covers for your firm:

Builds your written IRS data security plan from the ground up to meet requirements.
Ensures your actual IT setup matches what the written security plan actually describes.
Reviews and updates the plan annually to reflect any changes in your firm.

Cybersecurity for CPA Firms

Protecting the Client Data Your Firm Is Trusted With

Tax returns contain Social Security numbers, income data, bank accounts, and business financials. That combination makes CPA firms a specific target for credential theft and business email compromise. Attackers know that tax season creates urgency and that smaller firms are less likely to have strong security controls in place. ACS builds the cybersecurity layer your firm needs to protect client data and keep your e-file credentials out of the wrong hands.

Cybersecurity for a CPA firm focuses on the specific threats your industry faces: phishing emails designed to look like IRS communications, credential theft targeting your e-file login, and business email compromise aimed at your client relationships. We configure the controls that address these specific risks and keep them current through the year. Here is what our cybersecurity service covers for CPA firms:

Protects e-file credentials with multi-factor authentication and continuous account monitoring.
Filters phishing and IRS-impersonation emails before they ever reach your staff's inboxes.
Monitors your accounts for unusual activity during and outside of tax season.

Why CPA Firms Choose ACS

Most IT companies treat all small businesses the same way. ACS understands that a CPA firm's busiest days are the exact days when an IT problem is most costly, and we build our entire service model around your calendar rather than a generic support approach.

We Know the Season

We understand that February through April is different. Our pre-season process, our response priorities during filing deadlines, and our off-season maintenance work are all built around the CPA firm calendar, not a standard IT support schedule.

We Handle the Plan

Your IRS data security plan is a compliance obligation. We build it, keep it current, and verify your IT setup reflects it. You always have an accurate plan on file without having to track it yourself.

Plain IT, No Jargon

Your team members are accountants, not IT professionals. When something goes wrong, we explain what happened and what we did in plain language. No one needs to understand IT jargon to follow what is going on.

Local and Available

ACS is based in Morehead City and serves CPA firms across the Crystal Coast. When you have a problem, you call us and reach someone who already knows your firm, your setup, and your tax software.

FAQs About Our CPA Firms IT Services

Does every small CPA firm really need a written data security plan?

Yes. The IRS requirement under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act applies to all tax preparers regardless of firm size. The requirement has been in place for years and the IRS has become more active in enforcement. Having a current, accurate plan on file is both a legal obligation and your best protection if a breach or complaint occurs.

What happens if our firm's e-file credentials get stolen during tax season?

The IRS requires you to report a credentials compromise immediately through a specific process. Depending on the situation, your e-file access may be suspended while the IRS investigates. The disruption to your ability to file returns electronically can be significant. Strong credential protection, including multi-factor authentication, is the most effective way to prevent this from happening.

How do we protect our clients from tax-related phishing and identity theft?

The most direct protection is making sure your own systems and credentials are secure, since many tax-related phishing attacks target the preparer rather than the client directly. Beyond that, email filtering to catch IRS-impersonation messages before they reach your staff, and basic security awareness training for your team, significantly reduce your firm's exposure.

Can ACS work around our schedule during tax season if something goes wrong?

Yes. We understand that the last week of March or the first days of April are not good times for extended downtime. Our support model for CPA firm clients accounts for the heightened urgency during the filing windows, and we prioritize accordingly when issues come up during busy season.