Keep client work moving while protecting sensitive financial information
Stratiis helps accounting firms across Scotland improve IT support, Microsoft 365, cybersecurity, backup, device management and technology planning—so partners and teams can focus on clients and deadlines.
What IT support does an accounting firm need?
An accounting firm needs responsive user support, secure Microsoft 365 administration, protected devices and identities, reliable backup and recovery, managed suppliers and a technology plan aligned with deadlines, compliance, client confidentiality and growth. The service should reduce disruption while making cyber risk and future investment easier for partners to understand.
IT support built for the way modern accountancy practices work
Accountants rely on email, document access, cloud applications and secure collaboration throughout the year—and especially when client and statutory deadlines are close.
Reliable daily work
Keep users, devices, email, networks and cloud services available when the practice needs them.
Protected client data
Strengthen identity, email, endpoint, sharing and recovery controls around sensitive information.
Productive collaboration
Give office, home and client-site teams secure access to the right files and applications.
Planned improvement
Forecast licensing, lifecycle, security and project investment instead of reacting to problems.
Technology challenges facing accounting firms
The service should address business impact, not just individual technical symptoms.
| Challenge | What it can affect | How Stratiis helps |
|---|---|---|
| Cyber threats | Client confidentiality, funds, reputation, regulatory response and business continuity. | Layer identity, email, endpoint, awareness, backup and monitoring controls. |
| Reactive support | Productivity, deadlines, client service and confidence in technology. | Provide structured helpdesk support, monitoring, maintenance and clear responsibility. |
| Microsoft 365 gaps | Account security, guest access, document control, collaboration and licensing cost. | Review, configure and manage Microsoft 365 around users and risk. |
| Hybrid working | Secure access, device compliance, file sharing and consistent employee experience. | Manage identities, devices, applications, cloud services and access policies. |
| Ageing equipment | Reliability, security, supportability and unplanned capital expenditure. | Track lifecycle and build replacements into a practical technology roadmap. |
| Unclear recovery | Access to email, documents and systems after deletion, attack or service failure. | Align backup, recovery testing and continuity plans with business priorities. |
| Growth and change | Onboarding, new offices, acquisitions, supplier complexity and IT budgets. | Coordinate projects and give partners clearer strategic guidance. |
Core IT services for accountancy practices
Support, security and planning are most effective when responsibilities and outcomes connect.
Managed IT support
Helpdesk, monitoring, patching, user administration, vendor liaison and remote or onsite support.
Cybersecurity
Identity, endpoint, email, awareness, monitoring and governance controls focused on client-data risk.
Microsoft 365
Secure administration of Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Intune, Entra ID and Defender.
Cloud, backup and recovery
Protect critical information and clarify how email, files and services will be recovered.
Hybrid working
Provide controlled access across offices, homes and client sites using managed identities and devices.
vCIO guidance
Give partners a roadmap, technology budget, lifecycle plan, supplier oversight and security reporting.
Projects and change
Plan and deliver office moves, cloud migrations, system transitions and collaboration improvements.
Communications and connectivity
Connect offices and remote teams with managed internet, networking and business communications.
Co-managed IT
Add specialist security, Microsoft 365, project or escalation capability around an internal IT resource.
Why are accounting firms targeted by cybercriminals?
Valuable data and trusted communications
Accounting practices hold financial, personal, payroll and commercial information. Their email accounts may also be trusted by clients, employees and suppliers, making compromised identities useful for fraud, phishing and data theft.
Security should be layered
No single product removes risk. A stronger position combines multi-factor authentication, Conditional Access, secure administration, device protection, email security, awareness, backup, monitoring and an understood response plan.
Secure collaboration without uncontrolled sharing
Microsoft 365 can support flexible working, but Teams, SharePoint and OneDrive need a structure that reflects clients, departments, permissions and information ownership.
| Capability | Accounting-firm use | Management priority |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange Online | Business email, calendars and shared mailboxes. | Protect identities, email authentication, permissions, retention and leaver processes. |
| Teams | Internal communication, meetings and project collaboration. | Control team creation, guests, file sharing and ownership. |
| SharePoint | Shared documents, policies, knowledge and controlled workspaces. | Design clear libraries, permissions, retention and information ownership. |
| OneDrive | Individual work files and secure access from managed devices. | Set sharing, synchronisation, device and recovery policies. |
| Intune and Entra ID | Device management, authentication and access decisions. | Enforce MFA, compliance, encryption and Conditional Access. |
| Defender | Protection for devices, email and collaboration services. | Configure policies, monitor alerts and define response responsibilities. |
From technology review to continuous improvement
The process creates a clear route from the current position to a more secure, reliable and planned environment.
Review
Assess support, Microsoft 365, devices, infrastructure, suppliers, security and recovery.
Prioritise
Separate urgent risk and reliability work from longer-term improvements.
Stabilise
Resolve immediate issues, establish ownership and improve service consistency.
Secure
Implement agreed identity, device, email, backup and governance controls.
Improve
Maintain a roadmap, lifecycle plan, budget view and regular strategic reviews.
Support
Help users day to day and adapt the plan as the practice and risks change.
How much should an accounting firm budget for IT support?
The existing Stratiis guidance is retained below as an indicative starting point. A proposal should confirm exactly what is included, excluded and dependent on licensing, security and infrastructure requirements.
| Practice size | Indicative managed-support range | What can change the total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Per user | Approximately £35–£60 per user per month. | Support scope, response commitments, onsite requirements and included management. |
| 20-person practice | Approximately £700–£1,200 per month. | Microsoft licensing, cybersecurity, backup, connectivity and project requirements may be additional. |
| 50-person firm | Approximately £1,750–£3,000 per month. | Multiple offices, application complexity, compliance needs and service coverage affect pricing. |
What should be included in an accounting firm’s IT proposal?
Look for clear service scope, support hours, response targets, user and device coverage, Microsoft 365 administration, security responsibilities, monitoring, backup and recovery, reporting, project rates, pricing assumptions, contract terms and exit arrangements. Compare accountability and outcomes as well as headline price.
A technology partner for daily support, cyber risk and future decisions
Cybersecurity first
Security considerations are built into support, Microsoft 365 and strategic recommendations.
Joined-up expertise
Bring support, cloud, Microsoft 365, projects, communications and vCIO guidance together.
Business-focused advice
Explain risk, priorities and investment in language partners and managers can use.
Support across Scotland
Work with single-office and multi-site firms through remote and onsite service.
IT support for accounting firms across Scotland
Stratiis supports practices operating from one location, multiple offices and hybrid working arrangements.
Glasgow
Managed IT, cybersecurity and Microsoft 365 support for firms across Glasgow and the west.
Edinburgh & Lothian
Support for professional teams, offices and hybrid workers in Edinburgh and Lothian.
Lanarkshire
Local and remote support for practices across North and South Lanarkshire.
Ayrshire
Secure IT services for accountancy teams working across Ayrshire.
Dumfries & Galloway
Remote and planned onsite support for firms across the south of Scotland.
Perthshire
Managed support and strategic guidance for practices in Perthshire.
Multi-site firms
Consistent support, access, security and lifecycle standards across locations.
Hybrid teams
Secure access and managed devices for employees working between office, home and client sites.
IT support for accountants explained
Why are accounting firms targeted by cybercriminals?
They hold valuable financial and personal information and maintain trusted communications with clients and suppliers. Compromised email or accounts can be used for fraud, phishing, extortion and data theft.
Do accounting firms need Cyber Essentials?
It is not universally mandatory, but it can help demonstrate baseline cyber controls and may be requested by clients, insurers or supply chains. Suitability depends on contracts, risk and business goals.
Can Stratiis support cloud accounting applications?
Stratiis can support the devices, identities, Microsoft 365, connectivity, security and integrations around cloud accounting applications, while coordinating with the relevant software vendor when application-specific support is required.
How often should accountants replace laptops and PCs?
There is no universal date. Replacement should consider warranty, performance, operating-system support, security, condition and the cost of disruption. A lifecycle plan makes replacements predictable.
Can Stratiis support firms with multiple offices?
Yes. Support can cover users, devices, networks, Microsoft 365, cybersecurity and common standards across multiple offices and remote locations.
Can you support accountants during busy periods?
The service can be planned around known peaks and deadlines, with proactive maintenance, clear escalation and lifecycle work scheduled to reduce avoidable disruption.
Can Microsoft 365 help accountants work securely from home?
Yes, when identities, devices, access, file sharing and security controls are configured correctly. MFA, Conditional Access, Intune, SharePoint and OneDrive can form part of the solution.
What happens during an accounting firm technology review?
Stratiis reviews the current support model, Microsoft 365, devices, infrastructure, security, backup, suppliers, lifecycle and business priorities, then explains risks and recommended next steps.
Book an accounting firm technology review
Understand the gaps in support, cybersecurity, Microsoft 365, backup, infrastructure and future technology planning.
Book a technology reviewExplore managed IT services
Call 0141 348 7960 or email hello@stratiis.com.
