How the Cloud Enables CPA Firms to Continue Working Remotely

Like the rest of the U.S., CPA firms adapted to remote work in 2020 and 2021. Today, more than half of all CPA firms use a cloud provider to host their applications and nearly two-thirds hire outside experts to manage their networks. If precautions are taken, remote work can be more secure than working in the office. However, many CPA firms today are working remotely, but remain in a dangerous gray zone where they don’t have the protections of a cloud provider or in-office security measures. Previously, working from home was considered a temporary change. But now, many accounting firms are adopting permanent work-from-home or hybrid environments. However, they aren’t always thinking about cybersecurity when they transition to more permanent remote work arrangements. Cetrom works exclusively with CPA firms and specializes in hosting accounting-specific applications. Often, when CPA firms first come to us, we notice glaring security issues with remote work that went undetected by the firm and (fortunately) by hackers alike. Here’s our experience with how using the cloud better enables CPA firms to safely and securely continue to work remotely. 

What Are the Benefits of Using the Cloud?

The cloud offers something for everybody. Employees can easily telework with a similar desktop layout to what they had in the office. Owners and managers like the flexibility and scalability the cloud offers to quickly grow or scale back services. And security professionals understand how much more protected using the cloud can make the firm. According to Deloitte Insights, companies spent nearly $35 billion on cloud services in 2020, and most experts expect that figure to continue to grow.  Much of this growth is due to the advancing technology as well as clear benefits of using the cloud. Here are some of the benefits of cloud services for all members of an organization. 

1. Convenience: Simply put, most employees now expect an option to telework. And many clients choose remote meetings for ease and convenience sake. There’s still a time and place for face-to-face meetings, but using the cloud allows your employees and clients to work from anywhere at any time. What’s more, effective teleworking enables CPA firms to attract top talent from around the country and world. Remote work is a huge benefit for employees and clients alike. 
2. Security: Moving to the cloud may feel like a downgrade in security, but the reality is that with today’s technology the cloud offers the best cybersecurity for CPA firms. For example, at Cetrom some of the security benefits our cloud services offer include: off-site data storage at two SSAE 16 top-tier security data centers; multiple AI-based security projects; secure file sharing and remote desktop services; 24/7/365 expert support and monitoring; and downtime reduction. Read more about the specific benefits of our cloud-hosted IT solutions for accounting and CPA firms. Using cloud services enables your CPA firm to stay on the cutting edge of cybersecurity. 
3. Flexibility: Flexibility and scalability is often overlooked as a benefit of using cloud services. Using the cloud for cybersecurity and remote work enables CPA firms to quickly scale their services. With the cloud, there is no need for huge upfront investments in hardware, work space, and experts to implement changes and maintain hardware. The cloud enables CPA firms to grow their remote work capacity and hire new employees all over the country without any sacrifice in their services. With a cloud provider like Cetrom, you can almost immediately upgrade your security, increase your data storage ability, and access premier cybersecurity experts. Cloud services help CPA firms stabilize IT costs and be confident in their security system. Ultimately,  transitioning to the cloud allows CPA firms to focus on what they do best — safely and effectively offer financial services directly to their clients. 

How Can CPA Firms Start the Transition to Cloud Services and Semi-permanent Remote Work?

Using the cloud is the best way for CPA firms to continue working remotely. But we understand that different firms are in different transition stages. There are a few ways CPA firms who haven’t totally adopted cloud services can prepare for the change and increase their protection in the meantime. One of the best first steps any CPA firm can take is creating a culture of cybersecurity. Security is most effective when all members of an organization buy into it — and this is even more critical in a remote workplace. Building habits like secure file sharing and data security, protecting client data, and using work laptops exclusively for work are easy and important security actions. What’s more, formally committing to remote work, and the security required to safely accomplish it, through policies and procedures is an effective step toward transitioning more fully to cloud computing and remote work. Accounting firms can also start the process of choosing a cloud provider. Read more on our blog about moving your CPA firm to the cloud. 

The Future of Cloud Services

All signs point to cloud services becoming the norm for remote workplaces. With rapidly advancing technology and a business model that favors specialization and scalability, cloud providers need to be able to stay on the cutting edge of technology. At Cetrom, we offer an all-in-one IT hosting solution for CPA firms, and it’s 100% cloud-based. We’ve based our business on offering the most secure, reliable, and user-friendly cloud services for CPA firms. Our cloud services are administered by security experts and we offer around-the-clock support. Cloud services, just like remote work, are here to stay. And accounting firms that embrace the cloud and remote employees will have a clear advantage over their more traditional counterparts. If you have questions about how your CPA firm can use secure cloud services to continue working remotely, contact Cetrom today.