{"id":2603,"date":"2026-08-12T05:10:31","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T10:10:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/?p=2603"},"modified":"2026-08-10T05:20:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T10:20:41","slug":"the-complete-it-checklist-every-cpa-firm-should-follow-before-tax-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/blog\/the-complete-it-checklist-every-cpa-firm-should-follow-before-tax-season\/","title":{"rendered":"The Complete IT Checklist Every CPA Firm Should Follow Before Tax Season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tax season leaves no room for technology surprises. A slow network, a failed backup, or an overlooked software update in January can turn into a full-blown crisis in March, right when clients need answers fastest and staff have the least time to troubleshoot. The firms that sail through filing season calmly are almost always the ones that did their technology homework months in advance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This checklist walks through the technical, operational, and security items CPA firms in Bothell and Renton should confirm before the rush begins. Some of these steps take an afternoon. Others take a few weeks to properly test. Either way, working through this list now is far cheaper than discovering a gap in the middle of April.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why Pre-Season IT Preparation Matters So Much for Accounting Firms<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Accounting firms operate on a compressed, high-stakes calendar unlike almost any other small business. A retailer that experiences a brief outage during a slow Tuesday afternoon loses relatively little. A CPA firm that experiences the same outage three days before a filing deadline could face missed submissions, frustrated clients, and potential penalties passed on to those clients.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A few reasons this preparation deserves dedicated time on the calendar:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Staff volume and system usage spike dramatically during filing season<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Client document exchange increases significantly, creating more opportunities for phishing and file transfer issues<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Software vendors often push critical updates in the weeks leading up to major deadlines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Any downtime during peak season carries a much higher cost than the same downtime during a quieter month<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Staff have far less bandwidth to troubleshoot problems themselves once the season is underway<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Step One: Audit Your Current Network Performance<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Before anything else, firms should confirm their network can actually handle the increased load that tax season brings. A network that felt adequate in October may struggle once every workstation is running tax software, client portals, e-filing systems, and video calls simultaneously.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Items to check:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Internet bandwidth capacity relative to the number of staff working simultaneously<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Wi-Fi coverage throughout the office, particularly in areas added since the last review<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Backup internet connectivity in case the primary connection fails<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Firewall performance under higher-than-normal traffic loads<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Firms working with a partner offering<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/managed-network-services-bothell\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">network upkeep services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> can request a load test simulating peak season conditions before committing to the current setup for another year.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Step Two: Confirm Backup Systems Are Actually Working<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Every firm believes their backups are working until the moment they need to restore something and discover otherwise. Confirming backup integrity before season starts is one of the highest-value items on this entire checklist.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Checklist items:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Verify that backups are running on schedule without silent failures<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Test a full restore, not just a partial file recovery, to confirm the process works end to end<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confirm backup retention periods meet both firm policy and any applicable regulatory requirements<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Verify that backups are stored securely off-site or in the cloud, separate from the primary network<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Document exactly how long a full restore would take, so expectations are realistic if it&#8217;s ever needed<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Understanding the practical difference between<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/blog\/data-backup-vs-disaster-recovery-what-bothell-businesses-must-understand\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">backup versus recovery<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> helps clarify why simply having backup files isn&#8217;t the same as having a tested, reliable path back to full operations after an incident.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-2605\" src=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2026\/08\/36-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"896\" height=\"468\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2026\/08\/36-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2026\/08\/36-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2026\/08\/36-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2026\/08\/36.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 896px) 100vw, 896px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>Step Three: Update and Patch Every System<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Outdated software is one of the most common entry points for attackers, and vulnerabilities discovered late in the year often don&#8217;t get addressed until it&#8217;s convenient, which sometimes means right in the middle of the busiest weeks of the year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Checklist items:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confirm all operating systems are running current, supported versions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Apply all pending security patches across servers, workstations, and network devices<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Update tax preparation software to the latest version well before the season&#8217;s first major deadline<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Review firmware on routers, firewalls, and other network hardware<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Retire or isolate any systems still running unsupported software<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Step Four: Review Multi-Factor Authentication Coverage<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Multi-factor authentication should already be standard across a CPA firm&#8217;s systems, but pre-season is the right time to confirm coverage hasn&#8217;t quietly slipped as new accounts, tools, or staff were added throughout the year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Checklist items:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confirm MFA is enabled on all email accounts, without exception<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Verify MFA coverage on client portals, tax software logins, and cloud storage platforms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check that any new employees or contractors added since last season have MFA properly configured<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Review whether any accounts have MFA exceptions and confirm those exceptions are still justified<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Step Five: Verify Secure Client File Transfer Systems<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Client document exchange volume increases dramatically during filing season, and firms still relying on email attachments for sensitive files face significantly higher exposure during exactly the period when the volume of that risky activity is highest.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Checklist items:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confirm the client portal is functioning correctly and accessible to all clients who will need it<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Test the upload and download process from a client&#8217;s perspective, not just internally<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Review encryption standards used for both file storage and transfer<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Communicate clearly to clients how documents should be submitted this season, ideally before the rush begins<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Step Six: Conduct Refresher Security Awareness Training<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Even well-trained staff benefit from a refresher immediately before the period when they&#8217;ll face the highest volume of phishing attempts and suspicious requests all year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Checklist items:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Run a phishing simulation specifically modeled on tax season scam patterns<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Review verification procedures for any request involving banking details or wire instructions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Remind staff of the exact escalation process if something looks suspicious<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cover any new scam tactics that have emerged since the previous training session<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Step Seven: Review and Test the Incident Response Plan<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A plan that exists only on paper and has never been tested often falls apart under real pressure. Pre-season is the ideal time to walk through the plan with key staff to confirm everyone understands their role.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Checklist items:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confirm the designated security contact and backup contact are both current employees<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Walk through the exact steps for containing a suspected breach<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confirm legal counsel and any required regulatory contacts are up to date<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Review client notification templates and timelines required under current regulations<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Firms with an outdated or informal plan should treat building a proper one as an urgent priority, since a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/blog\/how-to-build-a-ransomware-response-playbook-before-you-need-one\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">ransomware response plan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> developed calmly in advance is far more effective than one improvised during an actual crisis.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Step Eight: Confirm Adequate Help Desk Support Capacity<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Technical issues during tax season need to be resolved quickly, not queued behind lower-priority requests from other times of year. Firms should confirm their support arrangement can actually deliver the response speed the season demands.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Checklist items:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confirm expected response times for urgent issues during peak season<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Verify after-hours or weekend support availability if staff work extended hours during filing deadlines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Review historical ticket volume from previous seasons to anticipate likely demand<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confirm the support team has already been briefed on the firm&#8217;s specific software and systems<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/expert-it-helpdesk-team-in-bothell\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">dedicated helpdesk crew<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> familiar with the firm&#8217;s environment resolves issues far faster than a generic support queue starting from scratch on every ticket.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Step Nine: Review Remote Access and Work-From-Home Capabilities<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Many firms now support at least some remote or hybrid work, and tax season often means staff working extended or unusual hours from home. Confirming remote access works reliably before the season starts avoids frustrating delays later.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Checklist items:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Test VPN or remote desktop access from outside the office network<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confirm remote access requires MFA just like on-site systems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Verify that home network security expectations have been communicated to remote staff<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check that any personal devices used for work meet the firm&#8217;s security requirements<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-2606\" src=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2026\/08\/37-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"418\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2026\/08\/37-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2026\/08\/37-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2026\/08\/37-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2026\/08\/37.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>Step Ten: Confirm Adequate Hardware Capacity<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Aging or underpowered workstations slow staff down at exactly the time speed matters most. A pre-season hardware review helps avoid mid-season slowdowns or failures.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Checklist items:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Identify any workstations approaching end of life or showing performance issues<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confirm printers and scanners used for client documents are functioning reliably<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Verify sufficient monitors and peripherals for any seasonal or temporary staff<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check server capacity if tax software or client databases are hosted internally<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Step Eleven: Review Software Licensing and Renewals<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nothing derails a busy week like discovering a critical software license expired without anyone noticing. A licensing review well before season start avoids this entirely preventable disruption.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Checklist items:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confirm tax software licenses are current and cover the expected number of users<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Review renewal dates for any other critical business applications<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Verify sufficient licenses for any seasonal or temporary staff being added<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check whether any software needs to be upgraded to a version compatible with current tax year requirements<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Step Twelve: Confirm Phone and Communication Systems Are Reliable<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Client communication volume rises significantly during filing season, and firms should confirm their phone systems, whether traditional or VoIP, can handle the increased call volume without dropped calls or long hold times.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Checklist items:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Test call quality and capacity under simulated high-volume conditions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confirm voicemail and call routing are set up correctly for the season<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Verify backup communication options in case the primary phone system experiences issues<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Review any automated messages or hold music to ensure information is current<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Step Thirteen: Review Data Retention and Disposal Practices<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Firms accumulate client documents rapidly during tax season, and having a clear policy for how long data is retained and how it&#8217;s securely disposed of afterward reduces long-term risk and storage costs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Checklist items:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confirm retention periods align with applicable regulatory requirements<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Review how physical documents are securely destroyed once no longer needed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Verify digital files are properly archived or deleted according to firm policy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check that any decommissioned hardware has data properly wiped before disposal<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Step Fourteen: Confirm Cyber Insurance Coverage Is Current<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cyber insurance requirements have become more specific in recent years, and firms should confirm their coverage still matches their actual security posture before relying on it during peak season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Checklist items:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Review policy requirements against the firm&#8217;s current security controls<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confirm coverage limits are still adequate given the firm&#8217;s client volume and data exposure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Verify the claims process and required documentation in case an incident occurs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check whether any recent security improvements should be reported to the insurer for potential premium adjustments<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Step Fifteen: Review Compliance Documentation<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Regulatory expectations around data security continue to expand, and firms should confirm their documentation is current before facing any potential audit or review during or after the season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Checklist items:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confirm the written information security plan is up to date and reflects current practices<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Review risk assessment documentation for any changes since the last update<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Verify employee training records are current and properly documented<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check that any required notifications or disclosures to clients are accurate and current<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Working with a partner familiar with<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/it-compliance-in-bothell-secure-business-solutions\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">compliance readiness support<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> helps ensure this documentation actually reflects current practices rather than sitting untouched since the last review cycle.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Step Sixteen: Confirm Vendor and Third-Party Access Is Appropriate<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Firms often work with external vendors, payroll processors, or software providers who have some level of access to firm systems or client data. Pre-season is a good time to confirm that access remains appropriate and necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Checklist items:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Review the list of all third parties with system or data access<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confirm access levels match current, actual business needs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Remove access for any vendor relationships that have ended<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Verify vendor security practices for any new partnerships established during the year<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Step Seventeen: Plan for Seasonal Staff Onboarding<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Many firms bring on temporary or seasonal staff specifically for tax season, and rushing their technology onboarding creates both security risk and productivity delays.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Checklist items:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Prepare accounts and access credentials in advance rather than on their first day<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confirm seasonal staff receive the same security training as permanent employees<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Set appropriate access levels based on their specific role rather than granting broad access by default<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Plan for prompt account deactivation once the season ends and their role concludes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Step Eighteen: Test Everything Together, Not Just Individually<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Individual systems can each test successfully on their own while still revealing problems when used together under real conditions. A combined test, ideally simulating a realistic busy day, catches issues that isolated testing often misses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Checklist items:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Run a simulated high-volume day with multiple staff using all major systems simultaneously<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confirm the network, software, and phone systems all perform adequately under combined load<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Identify any bottlenecks before they become a live problem during an actual deadline crunch<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Document any issues discovered and confirm they&#8217;re resolved before season begins in earnest<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Building This Checklist Into an Ongoing Process<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Firms that treat this checklist as a genuine annual habit, rather than a one-time emergency response to a bad previous season, consistently report smoother filing periods with fewer technology-related disruptions. Building a calendar reminder well before the season starts, ideally with enough lead time to address anything discovered, turns this from a stressful scramble into a routine, manageable process.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/ai-readiness-assessment\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">tech evaluation session<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> conducted with an experienced IT partner well ahead of the season provides an objective outside perspective that&#8217;s often harder to achieve when reviewing internally, especially for firms without dedicated technical staff.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Common Mistakes Firms Make When Preparing for Tax Season<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A few recurring mistakes show up across firms of every size, and avoiding them proactively saves significant stress later.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Waiting until the first week of the season to test backup restores<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Assuming last year&#8217;s setup will automatically handle this year&#8217;s higher volume<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Skipping refresher security training because staff &#8220;already know&#8221; the basics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Onboarding seasonal staff with rushed, incomplete access setup<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Overlooking phone and communication system capacity until call volume actually spikes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Why This Checklist Matters Beyond Just Avoiding Problems<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A firm that walks into tax season with confidence in its technology isn&#8217;t just avoiding disaster. It&#8217;s creating a smoother, faster experience for clients and staff alike, which translates directly into better service, fewer frustrated phone calls, and a calmer, more professional environment during what&#8217;s already a demanding period. Clients notice when their accountant&#8217;s systems work reliably, and that reliability becomes part of the reason they stay with a firm year after year.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How CMIT Solutions of Bothell and Renton Helps Firms Prepare<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">CMIT Solutions of Bothell and Renton works with accounting firms to run through exactly this kind of pre-season preparation, identifying gaps early and addressing them well before the pressure of filing deadlines sets in. From<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/it-services\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">complete IT lineup<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> support covering daily operational needs to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/managed-it-services\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">flat rate IT<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> plans that make budgeting predictable across the year, the goal is helping firms walk into tax season with confidence rather than crossed fingers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Firms curious about the team&#8217;s background can review<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/about\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">our firm story<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, or reach out directly to schedule a pre-season technology review.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Practices considering their broader technology relationship may also want to explore<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/managed-network-security-bothell\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">shielded network setup<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> options, a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/network-security-services-bothell\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">network defense package<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> suited to sensitive client data, or<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/managed-security-services-bothell\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">watchful security operations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> support that continues monitoring throughout the season and beyond. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Firms in specific areas may prefer<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/cybersecurity-protection-in-issaquah\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Issaquah defense services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, an<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/it-security-services-issaquah\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Issaquah safeguard team<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/managed-it-support-renton\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Renton IT provider<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> support, or a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/business-it-helpdesk-services-in-renton\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Renton client desk<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for local, responsive help.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Firms weighing whether to bring support in-house or work with an outside partner can review<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/it-support-outsourcing-bothell\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">contracted IT resource<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> options, a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/business-it-support-in-bothell-trusted-local-it-services\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">hometown IT provider<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> relationship, or<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/trusted-it-support-for-bothell-companies\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">reliable firm partner<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> support built specifically around accounting practice needs. Those managing school-related client work may also find<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/it-support-for-schools-trusted-its\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">campus IT assistance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> or<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/managed-education-it-bothell\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">school tech oversight<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> relevant, while growing practices can explore<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/bothell-tech-support-for-businesses\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">firm tech backing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/expert-managed-it-services-in-bothell\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">qualified managed providers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> who scale alongside the business.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Firms wanting<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/trusted-it-support-services-bothell\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">consistent IT assistance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/fast-it-support-services-in-bothell\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">swift support response<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/business-network-and-it-support-bothell\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">unified IT network<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/bothell-technology-support\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bothell IT resources<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/business-it-solutions-washington\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">regional IT offerings<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> across Washington, a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/bothell-managed-it-services-experts\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">knowledgeable IT crew<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, or<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/cloud-managed-services-experts\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">managed cloud oversight<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for platforms hosted off-site are welcome to explore these options further before the season begins.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If your firm hasn&#8217;t run through a full technology check recently, now is the time, well before the first filing deadline puts pressure on every system at once.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/contact-us\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Contact our team<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to schedule a pre-season IT review.<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%;background: #f4f8fa;padding: 60px 20px;font-family: 'Segoe UI',Arial,sans-serif\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;color: #000;font-size: 40px;line-height: 1.2;font-weight: 800;margin: 0 0 45px\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div style=\"width: 100%;max-width: 1100px;margin: 0 auto\">\n<details style=\"width: 100%;background: #fff;border-radius: 14px;margin: 0 0 18px;padding: 0 28px;overflow: hidden\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer;position: relative;padding: 24px 48px 24px 0;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.5;font-weight: 600;color: #111\">1. When should a CPA firm start its pre-tax-season IT checklist?<br \/>\n<span style=\"position: absolute;top: 50%;right: 0;color: #f46048;font-size: 28px;line-height: 1;font-weight: bold\">+<\/span><\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding: 0 0 24px;color: #444;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.7\">Ideally several weeks to a couple of months before the season begins, giving enough time to address any issues discovered without last-minute pressure.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"width: 100%;background: #fff;border-radius: 14px;margin: 0 0 18px;padding: 0 28px;overflow: hidden\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer;position: relative;padding: 24px 48px 24px 0;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.5;font-weight: 600;color: #111\">2. What&#8217;s the most commonly overlooked item on a pre-season IT checklist?<br \/>\n<span style=\"position: absolute;top: 50%;right: 0;color: #f46048;font-size: 28px;line-height: 1;font-weight: bold\">+<\/span><\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding: 0 0 24px;color: #444;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.7\">Testing a full backup restore rather than simply confirming that backups are running is one of the most frequently skipped but important steps.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"width: 100%;background: #fff;border-radius: 14px;margin: 0 0 18px;padding: 0 28px;overflow: hidden\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer;position: relative;padding: 24px 48px 24px 0;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.5;font-weight: 600;color: #111\">3. How often should security awareness training happen before tax season?<br \/>\n<span style=\"position: absolute;top: 50%;right: 0;color: #f46048;font-size: 28px;line-height: 1;font-weight: bold\">+<\/span><\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding: 0 0 24px;color: #444;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.7\">A refresher session close to the start of tax season is recommended, even if staff completed general security awareness training earlier in the year.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"width: 100%;background: #fff;border-radius: 14px;margin: 0 0 18px;padding: 0 28px;overflow: hidden\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer;position: relative;padding: 24px 48px 24px 0;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.5;font-weight: 600;color: #111\">4. Does multi-factor authentication really need to be checked every year?<br \/>\n<span style=\"position: absolute;top: 50%;right: 0;color: #f46048;font-size: 28px;line-height: 1;font-weight: bold\">+<\/span><\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding: 0 0 24px;color: #444;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.7\">Yes. New accounts, applications, vendors, and employees added throughout the year can create MFA gaps that may go unnoticed without a regular review.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"width: 100%;background: #fff;border-radius: 14px;margin: 0 0 18px;padding: 0 28px;overflow: hidden\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer;position: relative;padding: 24px 48px 24px 0;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.5;font-weight: 600;color: #111\">5. What should firms check regarding their internet and network capacity?<br \/>\n<span style=\"position: absolute;top: 50%;right: 0;color: #f46048;font-size: 28px;line-height: 1;font-weight: bold\">+<\/span><\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding: 0 0 24px;color: #444;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.7\">Firms should confirm bandwidth, Wi-Fi coverage, network hardware capacity, and backup connectivity can support the higher simultaneous usage that tax season brings.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"width: 100%;background: #fff;border-radius: 14px;margin: 0 0 18px;padding: 0 28px;overflow: hidden\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer;position: relative;padding: 24px 48px 24px 0;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.5;font-weight: 600;color: #111\">6. Why does software licensing matter for a pre-season checklist?<br \/>\n<span style=\"position: absolute;top: 50%;right: 0;color: #f46048;font-size: 28px;line-height: 1;font-weight: bold\">+<\/span><\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding: 0 0 24px;color: #444;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.7\">Expired or insufficient licenses discovered mid-season can interrupt access to critical applications, making early renewal and capacity checks an important part of preparation.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"width: 100%;background: #fff;border-radius: 14px;margin: 0 0 18px;padding: 0 28px;overflow: hidden\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer;position: relative;padding: 24px 48px 24px 0;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.5;font-weight: 600;color: #111\">7. How should firms handle seasonal staff technology onboarding?<br \/>\n<span style=\"position: absolute;top: 50%;right: 0;color: #f46048;font-size: 28px;line-height: 1;font-weight: bold\">+<\/span><\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding: 0 0 24px;color: #444;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.7\">Prepare accounts and devices in advance, apply the same security controls and training used for permanent staff, limit access based on job responsibilities, and plan for prompt account deactivation once the season ends.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"width: 100%;background: #fff;border-radius: 14px;margin: 0 0 18px;padding: 0 28px;overflow: hidden\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer;position: relative;padding: 24px 48px 24px 0;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.5;font-weight: 600;color: #111\">8. What&#8217;s the value of testing systems together rather than individually?<br \/>\n<span style=\"position: absolute;top: 50%;right: 0;color: #f46048;font-size: 28px;line-height: 1;font-weight: bold\">+<\/span><\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding: 0 0 24px;color: #444;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.7\">Combined testing under realistic, high-volume conditions can reveal network, software, hardware, or workflow bottlenecks that individual system checks may miss.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"width: 100%;background: #fff;border-radius: 14px;margin: 0 0 18px;padding: 0 28px;overflow: hidden\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer;position: relative;padding: 24px 48px 24px 0;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.5;font-weight: 600;color: #111\">9. Should firms review their cyber insurance policy before tax season?<br \/>\n<span style=\"position: absolute;top: 50%;right: 0;color: #f46048;font-size: 28px;line-height: 1;font-weight: bold\">+<\/span><\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding: 0 0 24px;color: #444;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.7\">Yes. Firms should confirm their coverage, security requirements, exclusions, and current controls still align with policy conditions before the busiest part of the year.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"width: 100%;background: #fff;border-radius: 14px;margin: 0 0 18px;padding: 0 28px;overflow: hidden\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer;position: relative;padding: 24px 48px 24px 0;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.5;font-weight: 600;color: #111\">10. What role does client file transfer play in pre-season preparation?<br \/>\n<span style=\"position: absolute;top: 50%;right: 0;color: #f46048;font-size: 28px;line-height: 1;font-weight: bold\">+<\/span><\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding: 0 0 24px;color: #444;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.7\">Confirming secure client portals and approved file-sharing systems work correctly reduces reliance on risky email attachments during the period when document volume is highest.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"width: 100%;background: #fff;border-radius: 14px;margin: 0 0 18px;padding: 0 28px;overflow: hidden\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer;position: relative;padding: 24px 48px 24px 0;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.5;font-weight: 600;color: #111\">11. How does an incident response plan help during tax season specifically?<br \/>\n<span style=\"position: absolute;top: 50%;right: 0;color: #f46048;font-size: 28px;line-height: 1;font-weight: bold\">+<\/span><\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding: 0 0 24px;color: #444;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.7\">A tested incident response plan gives staff clear roles, escalation steps, communication procedures, and recovery actions so the firm can respond quickly without improvising during a time-sensitive period.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"width: 100%;background: #fff;border-radius: 14px;margin: 0 0 18px;padding: 0 28px;overflow: hidden\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer;position: relative;padding: 24px 48px 24px 0;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.5;font-weight: 600;color: #111\">12. What hardware issues should firms check before the season starts?<br \/>\n<span style=\"position: absolute;top: 50%;right: 0;color: #f46048;font-size: 28px;line-height: 1;font-weight: bold\">+<\/span><\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding: 0 0 24px;color: #444;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.7\">Aging workstations, printer and scanner reliability, storage capacity, network hardware, and enough equipment for seasonal staff should all be reviewed before workloads increase.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"width: 100%;background: #fff;border-radius: 14px;margin: 0 0 18px;padding: 0 28px;overflow: hidden\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer;position: relative;padding: 24px 48px 24px 0;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.5;font-weight: 600;color: #111\">13. Why is phone system capacity part of an IT checklist?<br \/>\n<span style=\"position: absolute;top: 50%;right: 0;color: #f46048;font-size: 28px;line-height: 1;font-weight: bold\">+<\/span><\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding: 0 0 24px;color: #444;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.7\">Client call volume often increases during tax season, so firms should confirm their phone and communication systems can handle higher traffic without dropped calls or other reliability problems.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"width: 100%;background: #fff;border-radius: 14px;margin: 0 0 18px;padding: 0 28px;overflow: hidden\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer;position: relative;padding: 24px 48px 24px 0;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.5;font-weight: 600;color: #111\">14. Should firms review vendor and third-party access as part of this checklist?<br \/>\n<span style=\"position: absolute;top: 50%;right: 0;color: #f46048;font-size: 28px;line-height: 1;font-weight: bold\">+<\/span><\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding: 0 0 24px;color: #444;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.7\">Yes. Reviewing third-party accounts and permissions helps ensure external access remains necessary, properly secured, and limited to the systems or data required for the relationship.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"width: 100%;background: #fff;border-radius: 14px;margin: 0 0 18px;padding: 0 28px;overflow: hidden\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer;position: relative;padding: 24px 48px 24px 0;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.5;font-weight: 600;color: #111\">15. What happens if a firm skips this kind of pre-season preparation?<br \/>\n<span style=\"position: absolute;top: 50%;right: 0;color: #f46048;font-size: 28px;line-height: 1;font-weight: bold\">+<\/span><\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding: 0 0 24px;color: #444;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.7\">The firm increases the risk of technology failures, security incidents, licensing problems, and recovery delays during its busiest and most deadline-sensitive period.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"width: 100%;background: #fff;border-radius: 14px;margin: 0 0 18px;padding: 0 28px;overflow: hidden\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer;position: relative;padding: 24px 48px 24px 0;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.5;font-weight: 600;color: #111\">16. How does remote access fit into tax season preparation?<br \/>\n<span style=\"position: absolute;top: 50%;right: 0;color: #f46048;font-size: 28px;line-height: 1;font-weight: bold\">+<\/span><\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding: 0 0 24px;color: #444;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.7\">Firms supporting remote or extended-hours work should verify secure remote access, MFA, endpoint protection, VPN or approved cloud access, and home-work security expectations before tax season begins.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"width: 100%;background: #fff;border-radius: 14px;margin: 0 0 18px;padding: 0 28px;overflow: hidden\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer;position: relative;padding: 24px 48px 24px 0;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.5;font-weight: 600;color: #111\">17. What documentation should firms review for compliance purposes?<br \/>\n<span style=\"position: absolute;top: 50%;right: 0;color: #f46048;font-size: 28px;line-height: 1;font-weight: bold\">+<\/span><\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding: 0 0 24px;color: #444;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.7\">Written information security plans, risk assessments, employee training records, incident response procedures, access reviews, and other required documentation should be current and reflect actual firm practices.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"width: 100%;background: #fff;border-radius: 14px;margin: 0 0 18px;padding: 0 28px;overflow: hidden\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer;position: relative;padding: 24px 48px 24px 0;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.5;font-weight: 600;color: #111\">18. Can a firm complete this checklist without outside IT help?<br \/>\n<span style=\"position: absolute;top: 50%;right: 0;color: #f46048;font-size: 28px;line-height: 1;font-weight: bold\">+<\/span><\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding: 0 0 24px;color: #444;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.7\">Some items can be handled internally, but an experienced IT partner can provide an independent review and may identify technical or security gaps that firms without dedicated IT staff could overlook.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"width: 100%;background: #fff;border-radius: 14px;margin: 0 0 18px;padding: 0 28px;overflow: hidden\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer;position: relative;padding: 24px 48px 24px 0;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.5;font-weight: 600;color: #111\">19. How does data retention policy relate to tax season preparation?<br \/>\n<span style=\"position: absolute;top: 50%;right: 0;color: #f46048;font-size: 28px;line-height: 1;font-weight: bold\">+<\/span><\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding: 0 0 24px;color: #444;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.7\">Reviewing retention and disposal practices before tax season helps ensure growing document volumes are handled consistently and that records are kept or securely removed according to applicable requirements and firm policy.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"width: 100%;background: #fff;border-radius: 14px;padding: 0 28px;overflow: hidden\">\n<summary style=\"cursor: pointer;position: relative;padding: 24px 48px 24px 0;font-size: 19px;line-height: 1.5;font-weight: 600;color: #111\">20. What&#8217;s the best way to make this checklist a consistent habit?<br \/>\n<span style=\"position: absolute;top: 50%;right: 0;color: #f46048;font-size: 28px;line-height: 1;font-weight: bold\">+<\/span><\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding: 0 0 24px;color: #444;font-size: 16px;line-height: 1.7\">Schedule the review as a recurring annual task well before tax season begins, assign clear ownership, and treat it as routine operational preparation rather than a last-minute emergency project.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/contact-us\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-978\" src=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2025\/04\/Blue-and-White-Bold-Call-To-Action-LinkedIn-Banner-1200-x-300-px-6-1024x256-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"820\" height=\"205\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2025\/04\/Blue-and-White-Bold-Call-To-Action-LinkedIn-Banner-1200-x-300-px-6-1024x256-1.png 1024w, https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2025\/04\/Blue-and-White-Bold-Call-To-Action-LinkedIn-Banner-1200-x-300-px-6-1024x256-1-300x75.png 300w, https:\/\/cmitsolutions.com\/bothell-wa-1091\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/105\/2025\/04\/Blue-and-White-Bold-Call-To-Action-LinkedIn-Banner-1200-x-300-px-6-1024x256-1-768x192.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tax season leaves no room for technology surprises. 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