An accounting firm cannot afford downtime in tax season, and it holds exactly the data criminals want — SINs, financial statements, bank details. IT support for an accounting firm has to keep tax and practice software running from February to April, protect client information to the standard PIPEDA and the CRA expect, and be there fast when something breaks. Scandifix does this for firms in Edmonton.
What accounting firms need from their IT
- Uptime when it counts — tax software, e-file and the document system available through the busy season
- Client data protection — encryption, access control and secure exchange of returns and statements
- Fast support — a workstation or printer down on April 28 is an emergency
- Records you can produce — working papers and returns retained, backed up and recoverable for the required years
Security, PIPEDA and CRA expectations
You hold personal and financial information, and the CRA requires safeguards around EFILE and client data. We put the technical controls in place:
- Encryption on servers, workstations, laptops and backups
- Multi-factor authentication on email, tax software, EFILE and remote access
- Secure client portals for exchanging returns and source documents — not email attachments
- Role-based access and same-day removal when staff or seasonal help leave
- Business-grade email filtering and firewall; monitored endpoint protection on every machine
- Staff security awareness training focused on the phishing and CRA-impersonation scams aimed at firms
Delivered through our cybersecurity service. We help you meet your safeguard obligations; the firm remains responsible for compliance.
The systems we support
- Tax — CaseWare, TaxCycle, ProFile, Taxprep, DT Max
- Accounting & bookkeeping — QuickBooks (desktop and online), Xero, Sage 50
- Practice management & workflow — Karbon, Jetpack Workflow, TaxDome and similar
- Document management — a structured Microsoft 365 / SharePoint setup or a dedicated DMS
- Microsoft 365, e-signature tools, portals and the firm’s line-of-business add-ins
Backup and busy-season continuity
Losing working papers mid-season is not survivable. We set up 3-2-1 backups — including a separate backup of Microsoft 365 — with one immutable copy, and we test restores before the season starts. We also agree recovery targets and a short downtime plan so a server failure in March is a few hours, not a few days.
Scaling for tax season
- Onboard seasonal staff quickly with a standard workstation image and pre-set access
- Add temporary workstations and licences for February to April, then scale back
- Confirm capacity — internet, server, licences — before the rush, not during it
Common IT problems we fix for firms
- Tax software slow, freezing or failing to open a file
- EFILE or a portal not connecting before a deadline
- A seasonal hire needs a full setup today
- Backups that quietly stopped running
- Ageing servers or workstations due for replacement — through our hardware and software service
How we work with accounting firms
- Assess — a short review of your systems, backups, security and network
- Plan — a prioritised list with clear costs; monthly managed support, block hours or a project
- Onboard — monitoring, backups, security baseline and documentation, with a confidentiality agreement in place
- Support — one helpdesk, proactive monitoring, and a roadmap reviewed each quarter
Managed plans start at $199/month — see our managed IT support page.
Serving Edmonton and the surrounding area
We work across Edmonton and the surrounding communities — Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Leduc, Nisku, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain and Fort Saskatchewan. Onsite when it needs hands on equipment, remote for everything else.
Frequently asked questions
Is client data safe in cloud tax and accounting software?
Yes, when configured correctly. Reputable vendors encrypt data and secure their infrastructure. You remain responsible for accounts, devices and multi-factor authentication — which is what we manage.
What does the CRA expect for data security?
Reasonable safeguards around EFILE credentials and client information — access control, encryption, secure transmission and staff who can spot a scam. We put those in place and help you document them.
Can you support us only during tax season?
We can scale support up for the season, but security, backups and monitoring need to run year-round. Most firms keep a base managed plan and add capacity from February to April.
How is IT support priced for a firm our size?
Usually a flat monthly fee based on staff and servers, covering helpdesk, monitoring, security and backups. See our managed IT services page.
Talk to us about your firm’s IT — call +1 (587) 400-9991 (also on WhatsApp) or send us a message.