IT Services for Accounting Firms in Calgary

AltaCom treats February through April as a critical period for accounting clients — we schedule all non-urgent maintenance and updates outside this window, increase monitoring frequency on key systems, and ensure backup systems are tested and verified before the season begins. Our helpdesk response SLA remains under one hour during busy season, and we have dedicated escalation paths for issues affecting tax software or client file access.

Client financial data requires encryption at rest and in transit, strict access controls so only the assigned accountant can access a client's files, audit logging of all file access, and monitoring for anomalous access patterns. AltaCom implements these controls through Microsoft 365 with SharePoint for file management, Entra ID for access control and MFA, and Microsoft Defender for endpoint and email protection. We also deliver phishing simulation training specific to accounting scenarios.

Yes. AltaCom configures secure remote access through Azure Virtual Desktop or VPN — allowing partners and staff to access tax software and client files from home or client offices without data residing on local devices. Azure Virtual Desktop is particularly suited to accounting firms because it centralises the tax software environment, simplifies licence management, and means a lost or stolen laptop doesn't compromise client data.

CPA Alberta members are subject to PIPEDA obligations for personal information and the Alberta Privacy Act. The CPA Code of Professional Conduct requires members to maintain client confidentiality, which extends to digital data. While CPA Alberta does not prescribe specific technical controls, the standard of care expected requires reasonable safeguards — encryption, access controls, and documented security practices. AltaCom's managed security service satisfies these obligations and our vCISO service can document your security posture for professional liability insurance purposes.