Whether you operate a CPA firm, public accounting firm, tax preparation firm, bookkeeping firm, or outsourced accounting/CFO firm, one of the biggest questions when evaluating a new IT provider is: "What should we budget?"
The best time to ask that question is usually after tax season, when there's time to evaluate providers, strengthen cybersecurity, replace aging computers, or complete an IT transition before next year's busy season.
To provide a realistic starting point, the pricing examples in this article are based on a typical 10-user Accounting & Tax firm. For that example, firms should expect to invest approximately $900-$2,100 per month for professionally managed IT Services and Cybersecurity Services. The lower end generally represents a cloud-first environment with no on-premises servers, while the higher end reflects firms with one or two servers and more complex infrastructure.
As your firm grows, your investment will typically scale based on the number of users, technology environment, support requirements, and cybersecurity needs.
What Affects the Cost?
Every Accounting & Tax firm is different, but most pricing is influenced by:
- Number of employees
- Cloud-only versus on-premises servers
- Number of office locations
- Complexity of your technology environment
- The level of Managed IT Services and Cybersecurity Services your firm requires
Rather than offering one bundled package, MicroNet separates Managed IT Services from Cybersecurity Services, allowing firms to choose the level of IT support and cybersecurity that best fits their needs.
Managed IT Services
What Should Be Included?
- Proactive monitoring and maintenance
- Remote help desk support
- Remote troubleshooting
- Routine administration and patch management
- Strategic technology planning
- Hardware lifecycle guidance
Engage IT
Illustrative pricing for a typical 10-user Accounting & Tax firm: $300-$600 per month.
Includes proactive monitoring and maintenance, remote help desk support, remote troubleshooting, routine administration, and Technology Business Reviews (TBRs).
Does not include on-site support visits, new computer deployment, projects, or complex implementation work.
Manage IT
Illustrative pricing for a typical 10-user Accounting & Tax firm: $600-$1,200 per month.
Includes everything in Engage IT, plus on-site support visits and on-site deployment and installation of new computers.
Cybersecurity Services
Why It Matters
Accounting & Tax firms manage highly sensitive client information, including tax returns, payroll records, Social Security numbers, banking information, and financial statements. Protecting that information helps maintain client trust and reduce operational risk.
What Should Be Included?
- 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC) monitoring
- Managed Detection and Response (MDR)
- Microsoft 365 identity and email protection
- Endpoint protection
- Vulnerability management
- Security awareness training
- Ongoing security planning
Putting It Together
The following examples illustrate common service combinations for a typical 10-user Accounting & Tax firm.
| Recommended Solution | Illustrative Monthly Investment |
|---|---|
| Engage IT + Cybersecurity Services | $900-$1,500 |
| Manage IT + Cybersecurity Services | $1,200-$2,100 |
Technology Planning Around Tax Season
Technology Business Reviews (TBRs) are intentionally scheduled around your firm's calendar. Rather than interrupting owners during Q1 tax season, reviews are typically held in mid-Q2, Q3, and Q4.
Ready to Plan Before Next Tax Season?
If you're evaluating a new IT provider, now is the ideal time to assess technology, improve cybersecurity, and complete changes before next year's busy season. MicroNet can help you determine the right combination of Managed IT Services and Cybersecurity Services for your firm.
