For a London music and entertainment accountancy firm, managed IT support usually costs between £45 and £100 per user per month. Where you sit in that range depends on how many people you have, the security and compliance you need around sensitive client data, the practice software you run, and how much proactive support and strategic guidance you want.
Music and entertainment accountancy is a busy, deadline-driven world with high-profile clients and confidential financial data. When IT fails, the cost isn’t only inconvenience. It’s downtime that stops billing and client work, and it costs you money. Here’s what you’re paying for and how to judge value.
What drives the price
Number of users
Pricing is per user, so headcount is the starting point. A small practice of a dozen people and a larger firm have very different needs in devices, Microsoft 365 accounts, monitoring and helpdesk demand. It’s worth pricing for where you’ll be in two years.
Security around client data
You hold sensitive financial and personal data for well-known clients. Strong security, including multi-factor authentication, application allowlisting, endpoint protection, email filtering and backups, is now a core part of the service and feeds into the monthly figure.
Your practice software
Whether you run CCH, QuickBooks, payroll software or document management with FYI and INVU, your IT partner needs to keep these performing and available, especially through year-end and filing deadlines. Supporting that stack adds value beyond generic IT.
Support level and strategy
Reactive break-fix looks cheaper up front but costs more in downtime. Proactive monitoring, fast response and strategic guidance deliver far better value over time. The cheapest provider is rarely the most cost-effective.
What’s usually included
- User support for everyday IT, Microsoft 365 and practice software issues
- Device management: monitoring, updates and maintenance
- Cyber security management as standard
- Microsoft 365 support: administration, security and licensing
- Vendor coordination with your software and connectivity suppliers
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. When something does come up, it’s resolved on a single phone call.
“We have a problem, we call, and it gets sorted. That’s what we need and that’s what we’re getting. 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
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 to know what IT support should cost for a practice your size? Book a free IT and cyber security review with First Stop IT and we’ll give you a clear, honest picture.