You set up secure home and hybrid working for an accountancy practice with cloud-based systems, managed and protected devices, multi-factor authentication, and secure access to your practice software. Done properly, the whole team works the same way from the office or home, with no drop in security and no loss of access to CCH, payroll, QuickBooks or your client files.
Hybrid working is now normal for accountancy practices, and the firms that do it best treat home working as a first-class way of working, not a compromise. Here’s how to get there.
1. Put the foundations in the cloud
Email, files and collaboration in Microsoft 365 mean your team reaches the same up-to-date information wherever they are, with one version of every document. Where your practice software allows, making it reachable from anywhere completes the picture.
2. Manage and protect the devices
Home working is only safe on trusted devices. Managed laptops with endpoint protection, encryption, application allowlisting and prompt patching mean a machine is just as secure at the kitchen table as in the office.
3. Secure the way in
Multi-factor authentication on everything is essential when staff connect from outside the office. Sensible access policies, including restricting access by location where it suits you, keep the door tightly controlled while letting your team get on with their work.
4. Make support feel the same at home
Good hybrid working includes support that reaches people wherever they are. A responsive remote helpdesk and proactive monitoring mean a problem at home is fixed just as quickly as one in the office.
A real example: a London music accountancy firm
We support a London music and entertainment accountancy firm whose whole team works securely from home with no disruption, running CCH, document management (FYI and INVU), QuickBooks and payroll software day to day. Security is layered with ThreatLocker application allowlisting, access restricted by location, managed email filtering and proactive patching, so the practice stays focused on a busy, growing client book instead of on IT.
“We’re all up and running from home, everything’s ticking over nicely. Downtime costs us money, and First Stop IT get us back up and running whenever we get stuck.”
Practice manager, a London music and entertainment accountancy firm
For most music and entertainment accountancy firms, this sits within fully managed IT at about £45 to £100 per user per month, billed per user, with secure remote access and the protection client data needs built in.
Why London music accountancy firms choose First Stop IT
First Stop IT has supported businesses since 2002, including London music and entertainment accountancy firms, and we know the software your practice runs every day: CCH, QuickBooks, payroll software (including QTAC), and document management with FYI and INVU. Our credentials include:
- Cyber Essentials Certified
- IASME Cyber Assurance (Gold)
- NCSC Assured Service Provider (Cyber Advisor for Cyber Essentials)
- Microsoft Partner
- Crown Commercial Service Supplier (G-Cloud)
- Quality Principles Certified
We look after more than 2,000 endpoints across 50 companies, we’ve been named a Top 50 UK MSP for three years running, and we support practices across Essex, Hertfordshire and London, including Harlow and Bishop’s Stortford.
Book a free IT and cyber security review
Want secure, smooth hybrid working for your practice? Book a free IT and cyber security review with First Stop IT and we’ll set it up properly.