Accountancy firms usually switch IT provider for one reason: their old IT company has stopped moving with the times. Support gets slow, the same problems keep recurring, and the security setup quietly falls behind the threats, until a review shows the firm is years out of date. A specialist managed service provider that knows accountancy software and stays current is what most practices move to.
Changing IT provider feels like a hassle, which is why many firms stay put longer than they should. Here are the signs it’s time, and what a better partner looks like.
1. Your security hasn’t kept up
Threats change constantly, and an IT company that keeps things at a comfortable status quo can leave you exposed. If no one has reviewed your security in years, or your setup is essentially the same as it was in 2015, you’re likely behind. A provider who actively tracks new threats pulls you back up to date.
2. Support has gone stale
If issues take too long, recur, or you feel like you’re chasing your provider, the relationship has drifted. You should be able to call, get a person, and have it sorted. Slow, impersonal support costs you time and money every week.
3. They don’t really know your software
A generalist who treats CCH, payroll or your FYI and INVU document management as someone else’s problem can’t support you properly. A specialist who knows accountancy practices keeps your core software fast and available and understands your deadlines.
4. No one is planning ahead
Good IT support looks forward, with regular reviews, a roadmap and honest advice. If your provider only ever reacts, you’re missing the strategic value a modern MSP brings.
Switching is smoother than you think
A good provider manages the move carefully, with no loss of access to your software or data and minimal disruption. 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, with layered security and issues resolved on a single phone call. That’s what a well-run move leads to.
For a London accountancy practice serving music and entertainment clients, this is part of managed IT and security that usually costs about £45 to £100 per user per month, scaling with headcount, your hosted desktop or CCH setup, and the security your high-profile clients expect.
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
Wondering if your current IT is keeping up? Book a free IT and cyber security review with First Stop IT and we’ll give you an honest view of where you stand.