How Much Do Managed IT Services Cost for a CPA Firm in New York? 2026 Pricing Guide

By Yiddy Lemmer, CEO – CompuConnect, Inc.

Most certified public accounting firms, commonly called CPA firms, in New York can expect to invest between $175 and $325 per user per month for fully managed IT services.

A 20-person accounting firm will typically spend approximately $3,500 to $6,500 per month, depending on its cybersecurity requirements, compliance needs, cloud infrastructure, applications, locations, and support expectations.

Larger firms with multiple offices, complex tax software environments, or more demanding security requirements may invest more.

The lowest-priced managed services provider is not always the least expensive over time. Downtime, recurring technical problems, slow support, weak cybersecurity, and unexpected project fees can all increase the firm's true technology costs.

This guide explains what determines managed IT pricing, what a comprehensive agreement should include, and how CPA firm leaders can compare proposals more accurately.

Published 2026 market guides place comprehensive managed IT services within a broad range of approximately $110 to $400 per user per month. Compliance-focused financial environments generally fall toward the higher end because they require more security, monitoring, documentation, and support.

Planning note: The figures in this guide are estimated budgeting ranges, not fixed quotes. Actual pricing should be based on a review of the firm's users, devices, applications, locations, security controls, and support requirements.

Managed IT Pricing by Number of Employees

The number of employees is usually the starting point for managed IT pricing because most providers use a per-user, per-device, or blended pricing model.

Using an estimated range of $175 to $325 per user per month, a New York CPA firm might budget as follows:

Number of Users	Estimated Monthly Investment	Estimated Annual Investment
10 users	$1,750 to $3,250	$21,000 to $39,000
25 users	$4,375 to $8,125	$52,500 to $97,500
50 users	$8,750 to $16,250	$105,000 to $195,000
100 users	$17,500 to $32,500	$210,000 to $390,000
250 users	$43,750 to $81,250	$525,000 to $975,000

These figures are useful for initial planning, but employee count alone does not determine the final price.

A 25-person CPA firm with one location, standardized laptops, Microsoft 365, cloud-based tax software, and limited infrastructure may cost less to support than a 20-person firm with aging servers, remote employees, several offices, complex permissions, and inconsistent security controls.

Smaller firms may also pay a higher per-user rate because every managed IT relationship includes fixed costs for documentation, monitoring, security tools, account management, vendor coordination, and strategic planning.

The Five Factors That Determine Managed IT Pricing

1. Number of Employees and Devices

Most managed IT providers begin by counting the people and technology they will support.

The assessment may include:

• Full-time employees
• Partners and owners
• Seasonal tax preparers
• Remote employees
• Administrative staff
• Workstations and laptops
• Servers
• Mobile devices
• Office locations
• Network equipment

CPA firms should ask whether seasonal users can be added and removed throughout the year. A firm that expands significantly during tax season may need a pricing model that accommodates temporary users without creating long-term licensing or support expenses.

The provider should also explain whether pricing is based on users, devices, locations, or a combination of all three.

2. Cybersecurity Requirements

Cybersecurity is one of the largest variables in managed IT pricing.

A basic support plan may include antivirus software and patching. A comprehensive CPA IT support plan should generally include a layered cybersecurity program with controls such as:

• Microsoft 365 security management
• Multi-factor authentication
• Endpoint detection and response
• Managed detection and response
• Email security and phishing protection
• Security awareness training
• Dark web monitoring
• Privileged account protection
• Vulnerability management
• Device encryption
• Secure backups
• Security monitoring
• Incident response planning

These services require licensing, configuration, monitoring, maintenance, documentation, and ongoing review. Some providers include them in the monthly agreement. Others sell them as separate add-ons.

CPA firms generally require stronger protection than an unregulated business because they manage tax returns, Social Security numbers, payroll records, bank information, financial statements, business records, and other confidential client data.

The question is not simply whether the provider includes "cybersecurity." The firm needs to understand which controls are included, who monitors them, and what happens when suspicious activity is identified.

3. Compliance Requirements

CPA firms may have several overlapping data protection responsibilities.

FTC Safeguards Rule

The Federal Trade Commission identifies tax preparation firms as financial institutions that may be subject to the Safeguards Rule. Covered organizations are expected to maintain a written information security program with administrative, technical, and physical safeguards appropriate to their circumstances.

Compliance-related work may include:

• Designating responsibility for the security program
• Conducting risk assessments
• Implementing appropriate safeguards
• Monitoring and testing security controls
• Reviewing service providers
• Maintaining an incident response plan
• Updating the security program as risks change

A managed IT provider can help implement and document technical controls, but the CPA firm remains responsible for its legal and regulatory obligations.

IRS Publication 4557

IRS Publication 4557, Safeguarding Taxpayer Data: A Guide for Your Business, provides tax professionals with guidance for protecting taxpayer information and developing a security plan. The IRS states that professional tax preparers are required under FTC regulations to create and maintain data security plans.

An MSP serving CPA firms should understand how identity management, email security, access controls, backups, endpoint protection, employee training, and incident response support the firm's written security program.

New York SHIELD Act

New York's SHIELD Act requires businesses that maintain private information belonging to New York residents to develop, implement, and maintain reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards.

For a CPA firm, this can affect how systems, client information, employee access, vendors, backups, and security policies are managed.

Cyber Insurance Requirements

Cyber insurance requirements vary by carrier, industry, policy, and organization. Applications may ask whether the firm uses controls such as:

• Multi-factor authentication
• Endpoint detection and response
• Security awareness training
• Patch management
• Segregated or protected backups
• Incident response planning
• Privileged access controls
• Email security
• Vendor risk management

New York financial-sector guidance consistently identifies controls such as MFA, endpoint detection, tested backups, incident response, and business continuity planning as important parts of a strong cybersecurity program.

CPA firms should confirm that the controls described on an insurance application are fully implemented and continuously maintained. A checkbox on an application should match the firm's actual technology environment.

Compliance support can raise the monthly managed IT investment because it requires more than installing software. It may involve assessments, documentation, policy coordination, evidence collection, access reviews, reporting, and regular meetings.

4. Cloud Environment and Business Applications

The complexity of the firm's cloud and software environment also affects pricing.

A CPA firm may rely on:

• Microsoft 365
• Microsoft Azure
• Azure Virtual Desktop
• Hosted desktops
• Remote Desktop Services
• QuickBooks
• QuickBooks hosting
• CCH applications
• Thomson Reuters applications
• Drake Tax
• Lacerte
• Document management systems
• Client portals
• Secure file-sharing platforms
• Payroll platforms
• Practice management software
• Tax research tools
• Third-party cloud applications

The provider may need to manage licensing, user permissions, integrations, performance, updates, vendors, remote access, backups, and security configurations across these platforms.

A cloud-first environment is not automatically simple. Poorly configured Microsoft 365 permissions, unmanaged applications, inconsistent user access, and weak vendor coordination can increase both support requirements and business risk.

Pricing may also increase when the MSP is responsible for:

• Cloud migrations
• Server hosting
• Virtual desktop infrastructure
• Data migrations
• Application integrations
• Legacy server maintenance
• Multi-location connectivity
• Advanced identity management
• Cloud backup
• Software vendor coordination

Before comparing quotes, confirm which cloud licenses and hosting costs are included in the monthly fee.

5. Support Expectations

Support quality is often where two similar-looking proposals become very different.

CPA firms should evaluate:

• Whether calls are answered by a live person
• Whether the help desk is local, domestic, or outsourced
• Whether users must first interact with a chatbot
• Average response time
• Support hours
• After-hours availability
• Onsite support
• Escalation procedures
• Tax-season support
• Whether support is unlimited
• Whether recurring issues are reviewed
• Whether the provider understands accounting applications
• Whether the provider coordinates with software vendors

CompuConnect's model is built around 100% live human support. During business hours, clients reach a live person who connects them to the appropriate technician. The company provides US-based support, local onsite service, and a team serving businesses throughout New York City, New Jersey, and the Tri-State Area.

CompuConnect's current service benchmark is an average response time of approximately 30 minutes.

That difference matters during tax season. When an employee cannot access a tax application, retrieve a client document, open email, or connect remotely, the firm needs accountable support from someone who understands the business impact.

A lower-cost provider may rely heavily on automated ticket routing, outsourced help desks, limited onsite service, or slower response targets. Those models are not always unsuitable, but the differences should be clear before the firm signs an agreement.

What Should Be Included in a Good Managed IT Agreement?

A strong managed IT agreement should define exactly what the provider manages, what the firm is responsible for, and which services cost extra.

A comprehensive agreement for a CPA firm may include:

Managed Support

✓ Unlimited remote help desk support
✓ Live phone support
✓ User troubleshooting
✓ Workstation and laptop support
✓ Printer and peripheral support
✓ Remote access support
✓ Onsite support terms
✓ Escalation procedures

Microsoft 365 and Cloud Administration

✓ User account administration
✓ License management
✓ Multi-factor authentication management
✓ Email administration
✓ SharePoint and OneDrive support
✓ Permission management
✓ Security configuration
✓ Cloud application coordination

Cybersecurity

✓ Endpoint detection and response
✓ Managed detection and response, when required
✓ Email security
✓ Anti-phishing protection
✓ Security awareness training
✓ Dark web monitoring, when included
✓ Device encryption
✓ DNS or web filtering
✓ Vulnerability management
✓ Security monitoring
✓ Incident response planning

Backup and Business Continuity

✓ Workstation or server backup
✓ Microsoft 365 cloud backup
✓ Backup monitoring
✓ Restore testing
✓ Disaster recovery planning
✓ Recovery procedures
✓ Business continuity guidance

IT Operations

✓ Patch management
✓ Network monitoring
✓ Server management
✓ Firewall management
✓ Asset inventory
✓ Technology documentation
✓ User onboarding
✓ User offboarding
✓ Vendor management
✓ Software support coordination

Strategy and Compliance Support

✓ Strategic IT planning
✓ Technology budgeting
✓ Equipment lifecycle planning
✓ Cybersecurity risk reviews
✓ Compliance-aligned technical guidance
✓ Written security plan support
✓ Cyber insurance application coordination
✓ Regular technology review meetings

Not every provider includes every service. The purpose of this checklist is to make hidden differences visible.

A proposal that appears to cost $190 per user may become more expensive than a $240-per-user proposal after adding Microsoft 365 licenses, cybersecurity tools, cloud backup, onsite visits, after-hours support, and strategic consulting.

Questions Every CPA Firm Should Ask Before Comparing MSP Quotes

CPA firm leaders can use the following questions to compare proposals more accurately.

Is cybersecurity included in the base price?

Ask the provider to identify every security product, license, monitoring service, and management responsibility included in the agreement.

Do not accept "enterprise-grade cybersecurity" as a complete answer. Request a written list.

Are Microsoft 365 licenses included?

Some MSPs include Microsoft 365 licensing. Others charge separately.

Confirm which license is proposed, how accounts are managed, and whether Microsoft 365 backup is included.

Are IT projects billed separately?

Ask how the provider defines a project.

Common separately billed projects may include:

• Office moves
• Cloud migrations
• Server replacements
• Major network upgrades
• New office openings
• Large software deployments
• Cabling
• Acquisitions and mergers

A good agreement should explain where routine support ends and project work begins.

Are onsite visits included?

Ask whether onsite service is included, limited, discounted, or charged hourly.

Also confirm how quickly a technician can reach each office location.

Is the help desk outsourced?

Ask whether the people answering calls are employees, domestic contractors, overseas contractors, or representatives of another MSP.

The firm should know who will have access to its systems and client information.

Will our employees speak with live humans?

Ask whether employees can call a real person directly or must begin with a portal, chatbot, phone menu, or automated ticketing system.

Automation can help organize support, but it should not create a barrier when an urgent business problem requires human attention.

What is your average response time?

Ask for the provider's actual average response time, not only the maximum response time stated in the service-level agreement.

Also ask how response time is measured and how urgent requests are prioritized.

Do you have experience supporting CPA firms?

Ask about experience with:

• Tax season
• Accounting applications
• Tax applications
• QuickBooks
• Secure client portals
• Seasonal employees
• Remote access
• FTC Safeguards Rule requirements
• IRS cybersecurity guidance
• Confidential financial information

Industry experience can reduce the amount of time your employees spend explaining why an issue matters.

How do you support compliance?

An MSP should not promise to make the firm legally compliant.

It should be able to explain how its technical controls, documentation, monitoring, planning, and reporting support the firm's compliance program.

What is excluded?

Request a written exclusions list covering:

• Projects
• Hardware
• Microsoft licenses
• Cloud hosting
• Cybersecurity products
• After-hours service
• Onsite visits
• Cabling
• Software training
• Compliance consulting
• Incident response
• Data recovery
• Third-party fees

The exclusions list is often as important as the services list.

Who owns our documentation and credentials?

The CPA firm should retain appropriate access to its administrative credentials, licenses, documentation, network diagrams, vendor records, and technology inventory.

The firm should not become operationally trapped because its provider controls essential information.

How CompuConnect Approaches Managed IT Pricing

CompuConnect uses a proactive, business-first approach to managed IT services for CPA firms.

Pricing is based on the actual environment, including users, devices, applications, infrastructure, locations, cybersecurity requirements, compliance needs, and support expectations.

The goal is to create a predictable monthly plan that supports:

• Reliable daily operations
• Cybersecurity
• Staff productivity
• Compliance readiness
• Tax-season stability
• Business continuity
• Long-term technology planning

CompuConnect's managed services include flat monthly pricing options, proactive monitoring, live support, cybersecurity, backup and recovery, cloud services, and strategic IT planning.

What Makes the Support Model Different

CompuConnect provides:

• 100% live human support
• Real people rather than chatbot gatekeepers
• US-based support
• An in-house support team
• Local technicians
• Remote and onsite support
• An approximately 30-minute average response time
• Flat-rate managed IT options
• CPA industry experience
• Cybersecurity and compliance-focused planning
• Coverage across New York City, New Jersey, and the Tri-State Area

When clients call during business hours, a live receptionist connects them to the appropriate technician. CompuConnect's website describes its team as local, in-house, and available for onsite assistance when needed.

The objective is not to wait for something to break. It is to provide a stable technology foundation that helps the CPA firm operate securely, meet deadlines, protect client information, and plan future investments with confidence.

Real CPA Client Scenario: Waldman Hirsch & Co. LLP

Waldman Hirsch & Co. LLP, a CPA firm in Jersey City, worked with CompuConnect to strengthen its cybersecurity and IT foundation.

The engagement included:

• A risk assessment and compliance review
• Endpoint protection and advanced threat detection
• Managed data backups
• Disaster recovery planning
• Cybersecurity awareness training
• Continuous monitoring
• Responsive IT support

According to CompuConnect's published case study, the firm reported greater confidence in its system security, a stronger compliance posture, stable performance during peak periods, and faster access to knowledgeable support.

Steven Hirsch, Managing Partner at Waldman Hirsch & Co. LLP, also described security as a priority rather than an afterthought and said the firm's servers, workstations, and data felt more secure after moving to CompuConnect.

This scenario illustrates why managed IT pricing should not be evaluated only as a help desk expense. The investment may also support data protection, recovery readiness, staff productivity, compliance planning, and business continuity.

Trust Signals CPA Firms Should Review

Before selecting a managed services provider, CPA firms should verify its experience, service model, credentials, client history, and geographic coverage.

Relevant CompuConnect trust signals include:

• More than 18 years of hands-on technology experience
• Microsoft and CompTIA certifications
• Certified incident response training
• Experience supporting CPA and accounting firms
• Experience supporting compliance-driven organizations
• Published CPA client testimonials
• Published case studies
• Five-star Google reviews
• Local offices in Brooklyn, New York, and Brick, New Jersey
• Service throughout Brooklyn, Manhattan, New York City, South Jersey, and the Tri-State Area
• 100% live human support
• Local and US-based technicians
• Remote and onsite service

CompuConnect's founder and CEO, Yiddy Lemmer, has more than 18 years of hands-on experience and holds multiple Microsoft and CompTIA certifications. The company also publishes CPA-specific case studies and client testimonials.

Is Managed IT Worth the Cost for a CPA Firm?

Managed IT services can be worth the investment when they reduce operational disruption, strengthen cybersecurity, improve staff productivity, create predictable costs, and help the firm prepare for tax season and other deadline-heavy periods.

The value should be measured through business outcomes such as:

• Less employee downtime
• Faster response to support requests
• Fewer recurring issues
• More reliable applications
• Better onboarding and offboarding
• Stronger access controls
• Tested backups
• Better recovery readiness
• Clearer technology budgeting
• Better documentation
• Improved cybersecurity
• More confident compliance planning

A managed services agreement should give firm leadership greater visibility and control over technology, not simply transfer invoices from one vendor to another.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should a 20-person CPA firm budget for managed IT?

A 20-person New York CPA firm should generally plan for approximately $3,500 to $6,500 per month for comprehensive managed IT services.

The final price will depend on cybersecurity, Microsoft licensing, applications, infrastructure, compliance support, onsite service, and support hours.

Why do CPA firms pay more for managed IT than some businesses?

CPA firms often require more advanced cybersecurity, access management, email protection, backup, monitoring, documentation, and compliance support because they maintain confidential taxpayer and financial information.

Should cybersecurity be included in managed IT pricing?

Core cybersecurity services should be clearly included or separately identified.

The proposal should explain which endpoint, email, identity, backup, training, monitoring, and incident response services are part of the monthly fee.

Is Microsoft 365 included in managed IT pricing?

Sometimes.

Some providers include Microsoft 365 licenses and administration. Others include administration but bill the licenses separately. CPA firms should request a complete licensing schedule before comparing prices.

Are hardware upgrades included?

Hardware is usually billed separately, although monitoring, planning, installation labor, or procurement assistance may be included depending on the agreement.

Can a CPA firm reduce its managed IT costs?

Yes. Standardizing devices, retiring aging servers, consolidating applications, improving documentation, managing seasonal accounts carefully, and moving to a well-designed cloud environment may reduce complexity and support costs.

The goal should not be to remove necessary protection. It should be to eliminate unnecessary complexity and recurring problems.

Build a More Predictable IT Budget

The right managed IT investment gives a CPA firm more than technical support.

It creates a stable foundation for productivity, cybersecurity, client service, compliance planning, and business continuity.

CompuConnect helps CPA firms throughout Brooklyn, Manhattan, New York City, New Jersey, and the Tri-State Area manage technology proactively with predictable pricing, strategic guidance, cybersecurity expertise, and 100% live human support.

Schedule a conversation with CompuConnect to review your current technology environment, identify gaps, and develop a practical managed IT budget for your firm.