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How Much Does Managed IT Cost for a CPA Firm in Chicago?

How Much Does Managed IT Cost for a CPA Firm in Chicago?

Most CPA firms in Chicago with 10–50 employees spend between $150 and $225 per user, per month for fully managed IT services. For a typical 20-person CPA firm, that equals roughly $3,000 to $4,500 per month. The exact cost depends on security requirements, compliance expectations, response times, and how critical IT uptime is during tax season. Lower-priced options often exclude proactive monitoring,…

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How Fast Should IT Support Respond for a CPA Firm?

How Fast Should IT Support Respond for a CPA Firm?

For most CPA firms, IT support should respond within 15–30 minutes for critical issues and within 1 business hour for urgent problems. During tax season, response times slower than 60 minutes can significantly increase downtime risk, missed deadlines, and staff productivity loss. CPA firms with 10–50 employees typically require guaranteed response times, proactive monitoring, and priority support to keep systems running during…

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What IT security does a cpa firm need in Chicago

What IT Security and Compliance Requirements Do CPA Firms Need to Meet?

CPA firms are expected to meet 7–9 core IT security and compliance requirements to properly protect client financial and tax data. One of the most critical—and commonly overlooked—requirements is maintaining a Written Information Security Policy (WISP), which the IRS explicitly requires for firms that handle taxpayer information. Alongside a WISP, CPA firms typically need multi-factor authentication (MFA), email security, endpoint protection, secure…

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Cyber Insurance Trap

The Cyber Insurance Trap: How to Lower Premiums by Tightening Your Security

Cyber insurance has quickly gone from a “nice-to-have” to a business essential. For many small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), it provides a critical safety net against the rising tide of ransomware, phishing, and data breaches. But there’s a catch: premiums are rising, coverage is shrinking, and insurers are demanding more from applicants than ever before. At 3nerds, we call this the cyber insurance…

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Are You Audit-Ready? Why Every Accounting Firm Needs a Cybersecurity Plan

If you run an accounting firm, chances are you didn’t get into the business to worry about firewalls, endpoint protection, or data encryption. But here we are. In today’s landscape, cybersecurity and compliance aren’t “nice to have”—they’re baked into the cost of doing business. Whether you’re a solo tax preparer or a multi-partner firm, you’re handling highly sensitive client data every single…

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Four Big Ways Ignoring Your IT Strategy Can Hurt Your Business

IT issues rarely start big. Usually, it’s small annoyances—systems freezing up, integrations breaking down, or random outages here and there. You might see them as isolated frustrations, but they’re really symptoms of a deeper problem: a missing or outdated IT strategy. The truth is, most businesses don’t deliberately ignore IT planning. Instead, daily tasks and urgent issues crowd out the long-term view.…

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Why Rules Matter: From Soccer Fields to Business Compliance

I’ve always been a rules guy. There’s something satisfying about knowing the boundaries, understanding the expectations, and ensuring that things run smoothly. That’s probably why I enjoy refereeing my kids’ soccer games so much. On the field, rules are what keep the game fair, fun, and safe for everyone. Without them, it’s chaos. That doesn’t mean I’ve never bent or even broken…

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Why Choosing Local IT Experts Makes All the Difference

In today’s digital age, you have endless options for IT support. Between large global companies, remote-only providers, and automated tech solutions, it might seem like the world is at your fingertips. But sometimes, what your business needs isn’t just a solution—it’s a partner who knows you and your community. That’s where local IT experts come in, and here’s why they matter more…

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Compliance is important

The Importance of Compliance in IT Services: Protecting Your Business and Building Trust

In today’s digital landscape, compliance is more than just a checkbox—it’s a critical aspect of protecting your business, maintaining data security, and building trust with your clients. For many industries, staying compliant with regulatory standards such as HIPAA, GDPR, or PCI-DSS isn’t optional; it’s a legal requirement. At 3nerds Technology Group, we understand that navigating these complex regulations can be challenging, which…

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Your local MSP

What to Look for When Choosing a Managed Service Provider (MSP)

Choosing the right Managed Service Provider (MSP) is crucial for businesses looking to streamline their IT operations, enhance cybersecurity, and improve overall efficiency. But with so many providers out there, how do you know which one is the right fit for your business? To help you make an informed decision, we’ve outlined the key factors to consider when selecting an MSP. 1. Comprehensive…

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