Category: Home

Categories
Home Tax Preparation

The 5 Essential Cybersecurity Investments Every CPA Firm Needs Before Tax Season

Every year, as Tax Season approaches, cybersecurity specialists and practicing CPAs issue the same warning: January through April is the peak season for cyberattacks on accounting firms. IRS Security Summit reports show that ransomware, phishing, and credential-theft attempts spike nearly 50% during this window. Meanwhile, AICPA technology committees note that many firms still rely on outdated cybersecurity controls that attackers can bypass within minutes.
For CPA firm leaders, this isn’t just an IT risk — it’s a direct threat to client trust, firm reputation, business continuity, and compliance. With more client data moving through systems than at any other time of year, the need for strong CPA firm cybersecurity becomes non-negotiable.
Experts from MSSPs, regional-firm CIOs, and CPA-focused IT providers consistently highlight five cybersecurity investments that deliver the highest protection and the highest ROI before Tax Season. These are the tools and frameworks that move firms beyond basic antivirus and into true accounting firm data protection.
Below is the full, expert-aligned breakdown with real tools and practical guidance.

1. Managed Detection & Response (MDR): Your Firm’s 24/7 Cyber Defense Layer

Before diving into tools or tips, it’s important to understand why MDR has become the #1 recommended cybersecurity investment for CPA firms. Unlike traditional antivirus, MDR combines advanced detection technology with human-led analysis and real-time incident response — essential during a period where tax season security risks are highest.

What MDR Actually Does (in practical CPA terms)

MDR closes the dangerous gap between basic security tools and modern threats. Instead of waiting for an attack, MDR proactively hunts for anomalies, flags unusual behavior, and neutralizes threats before they disrupt tax workflows — one of the most powerful defenses against tax season ransomware protection.
  • 24/7 Monitoring by a Dedicated SOC Team. A professional Security Operations Center continuously watches your environment for suspicious activity, ensuring threats are detected even outside business hours.
  • Proactive Threat Hunting. Human analysts look for early warning signs—unusual logins, unexpected data movement, or access attempts in tax workflow areas.
  • Rapid Containment & Remediation. If a threat surfaces, MDR can isolate affected devices instantly, stopping ransomware or data theft before it spreads.

Expert-Recommended MDR Tools​

Before selecting an MDR solution, it helps to understand the differences between enterprise-grade tools and budget-friendly alternatives. Premium MDR platforms offer deeper visibility, more experienced SOC analysts, and faster containment—qualities that matter during high-pressure Tax Season when attacks multiply.

Premium, High-Reliability MDR Solutions

  • CrowdStrike Falcon Complete — Market leader in threat detection and ransomware prevention
  • Arctic Wolf MDR — SOC-as-a-Service with strong support for small and mid-sized CPA firms
  • Sophos Managed Threat Response (MTR) — Robust protection with excellent value for remote and hybrid teams

Budget-Friendly / Entry-Level Alternatives

(These improve security but do not replace full MDR.)

  • Microsoft Defender for Business
  • Bitdefender GravityZone
  • Malwarebytes EDR
These tools are frequently recommended by Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) for CPA firms because they deliver enterprise-grade protection without requiring an in-house SOC.

How CPA Firms Should Choose the Right MDR Solution

Selecting the right MDR tool comes down to evaluating how well it fits your firm’s size, workflow complexity, staffing model, and remote-access needs. During Tax Season, speed, clarity, and human response matter more than features on paper.
Tips 1: Choose human-led MDR, not automated-only EDR. Human analysts catch advanced attacks that automated systems consistently miss.
Tips 2: Ensure protection extends to remote & seasonal staff devices. Temporary workers and remote logins create risk pathways that attackers love to exploit.
Tips 3: Prioritize ransomware rollback capabilities. CrowdStrike and Sophos can “undo” an attack by restoring systems to a clean state.
Tips 4: Request monthly/quarterly threat reports. These reports strengthen insurance applications, IRS compliance, and client trust.
Tips 5: Verify compatibility with your accounting tech stack. MDR should integrate smoothly with CCH Axcess, UltraTax, CaseWare, ShareFile, Suralink, and other tax/audit systems.

2. Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA): Modern Access Control for a High-Risk Tax Season

Zero Trust has become the new standard for accounting firm compliance security, recommended by IRS Security Summit advisors and CIOs across the profession. It operates on one principle: never trust, always verify — exactly what a CPA firm needs when dozens of seasonal, remote, and hybrid staff access sensitive tax data.
This matters profoundly for CPA firms because Tax Season introduces more logins, more devices, more staff, and more external access points than any other time of year. Zero Trust ensures that even if an attacker steals a password or compromises a device, they cannot freely move inside your systems or reach sensitive client data.

What Zero Trust Actually Does (in practical CPA terms)

ZTA prevents attackers from moving laterally inside your network — even if they steal a password. This is why Zero Trust is one of the most effective frameworks for preventing client data breaches and securing remote access for growing firms.

  • Enforces Strict Identity Verification for Every Login. Every sign-in must pass multiple checks—password, device health, location, and MFA—significantly reducing credential-theft risk.
  • Limits Access on a Need-to-Know Basis. Seasonal staff, junior accountants, and remote contractors only get access to specific folders, apps, or client groups—not the entire system.
  • Blocks Lateral Movement of Ransomware or Attackers. Even if a hacker compromises one device, Zero Trust prevents them from jumping to other systems or client data.
  • Adapts to Risky Behavior in Real Time. Suspicious login patterns (e.g., midnight logins, foreign IPs, unknown devices) trigger automatic restrictions or full lockouts.

Expert-Recommended Zero Trust Tools​

Zero Trust is not a single product — it’s a security framework supported by identity tools, access controls, and device validation systems. Below are tools widely used and recommended in the accounting industry.

Enterprise-Grade Zero Trust Solutions

  • Duo Security (Cisco) — Most popular Zero Trust + MFA solution among CPA firms
  • Okta Identity Cloud — Strong for multi-office firms with complex access needs
  • Azure AD Conditional Access — Ideal for firms already using Microsoft 365

Low-Cost / Entry-Level Zero Trust Options

(These offer partial Zero Trust benefits.)

  • Google Advanced Protection
  • LastPass MFA (starter edition)
  • Microsoft Authenticator + Conditional Access basic rules

How CPA Firms Should Choose the Right Zero Trust Solution

Choosing a Zero Trust tool comes down to how your firm manages remote work, seasonal hiring, tax software, and cloud access. A good ZTA solution should strengthen access control without disrupting productivity during your busiest months.
Tips 1: Prioritize Conditional Access Policies. Your tool should automatically block risky logins based on device, location, or behavior.
Tips 2: Ensure the solution validates device health and compliance. Only updated, secure, firm-approved devices should be allowed to access tax and audit systems.
Tips 3: Look for seamless integration with your tax stack. Duo, Okta, and Azure AD integrate well with:
  • CCH Axcess
  • Thomson Reuters products
  • QuickBooks Online
  • Practice management portals
  • Document exchange platforms
Tip 4: Choose a platform with granular user permissions. You should be able to restrict access by:
  • Client group
  • Job role
  • Department
  • Engagement type

This is essential for seasonal and offshore teams.
Tips 5: Ensure the tool can enforce MFA across every application. Many breaches happen because firms protect email with MFA but ignore portals, workflow tools, or tax software.

Want to strengthen your firm’s cybersecurity
and capacity before Tax Season?

Unison Globus can help.

Contact Us

3. Advanced Cloud Access Security: Protecting Remote, Hybrid & Seasonal Teams

As CPA firms expand remote work and seasonal hiring, cloud access has become one of the most exploited attack vectors. Most successful breaches in the accounting sector now involve compromised credentials, unsecured remote devices, or unmonitored cloud access.

This is why cloud access security is considered a core part of modern CPA firm cybersecurity investments.

What Advanced Cloud Access Security Actually Does (in practical CPA terms)

CASB tools monitor every login, device, and data movement across your cloud apps — from tax platforms to file-sharing systems. This level of oversight is key to protecting firms relying heavily on remote access during the busiest workload months of the year.
  • Monitors and Controls Access Across All Cloud Apps. Tracks every user’s activity across portals, file-sharing platforms, email, tax software, and document systems—flagging or blocking unusual behavior.
  • Enforces Security on Remote and Personal Devices. Only compliant, secure, and updated devices can access client information—even if an employee uses a home laptop.
  • Blocks Unapproved Apps and Shadow IT. Prevents staff from using risky file-sharing apps (e.g., Dropbox personal, WhatsApp, WeTransfer) to move client documents.
  • Detects Abnormal Access Patterns in Real Time. Large late-night downloads, foreign IP logins, or repeated credential attempts trigger automatic alerts or lockouts.
  • Protects Data Even if a Device Is Lost or Stolen. Admins can remotely wipe access tokens, block sessions, or disable app connections instantly.

Expert-Recommended Tools for Advanced Cloud Access Security ​

These tools are widely used in industries where confidentiality is critical — banking, insurance, consulting, and increasingly, mid-sized CPA firms.

Enterprise-Grade Cloud Access Security Tools (CASB + Zero Trust + Monitoring)

  • Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps (CASB) — Best for firms on M365, deep visibility across cloud usage, excellent threat analytics
  • Netskope Security Cloud — Powerful CASB and data-loss prevention, ideal for larger CPA firms with high data volume
  • Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange — Strong for multi-office and offshore teams, excellent for securing remote access

Low-Cost / Lighter Alternatives

(Not full CASB, but improves cloud access control.)

  • 1Password Business with SSO
  • Google Endpoint Management
  • Microsoft 365 Conditional Access (basic rules)

How CPA Firms Should Choose the Right Cloud Access Security Solution

The right solution depends on your firm’s size, remote-work model, tech stack, and client workflow. Focus on visibility, control, and seamless integration with tax and audit systems.
Tip 1: Choose a tool that integrates with your entire cloud environment. Your solution must cover:
  • Email
  • Portals
  • File-sharing systems
  • Tax platforms
  • Document storage
  • Client communication apps
Tips 2: Look for automated blocking, not just alerts. During Tax Season, nobody has time to react to every alert. Your tool should block suspicious actions immediately.
Tips 3: Ensure device compliance checks are included. Firms often discover that seasonal staff use unpatched laptops or personal devices. This is one of the biggest cloud security risks.
Tip 4: Prioritize visibility into file-sharing and data movement. Look for tools that show:
  • Who downloaded what
  • When
  • From where
  • On which device

This protects against accidental leaks and malicious insiders.
Tips 5: Make sure the tool can prevent the use of unauthorized cloud apps. Shadow IT is a real problem in accounting firms. Your tool should block unsanctioned apps with one click.

4. Data Encryption & Secure File Exchange: The Non-Negotiable Shield for Client Information

Client data — SSNs, W-2s, 1099s, payroll reports, bank statements — is the most valuable target for cybercriminals. Encryption is both a compliance expectation and a frontline defense in accounting firm data protection. IRS Publication 4557, the FTC Safeguards Rule, and several state privacy laws explicitly emphasize encryption as a foundational expectation for tax professionals.

During Tax Season, when document exchange volume explodes, encryption tools and secure portals prevent accidental leaks, malicious access, and email-based exposures. Strong encryption and secure file exchange tools ensure that even if data is intercepted, stolen, or accessed improperly, it remains unreadable and unusable.

What Data Encryption & Secure File Exchange Actually Do (in practical CPA terms)

Encryption protects client data by scrambling it so that only authorized users—with the right keys—can access it. Secure file exchange tools add an additional layer by ensuring documents travel safely between the firm and clients, without exposure to risky email attachments or unprotected cloud links.
  • Encrypts Sensitive Data at Rest and in Transit. Files remain protected whether they’re stored on a laptop, uploaded to a portal, emailed, or moved across cloud systems.
  • Protects Client Documents from Unauthorized Access. Even if a device is stolen, hacked, or compromised, encrypted files cannot be opened without the proper credentials.
  • Replaces Email Attachments with Secure Client Portals. Tax season’s biggest leaks often originate from unencrypted PDF attachments sent via email.
  • Ensures Compliance with IRS, FTC, and State Data Security Rules. Encryption is now a regulatory expectation for firms handling taxpayer data.
  • Tracks and Logs Document Access for Audit Trails. Provides visibility into who accessed what, when, and from where—critical for compliance and cybersecurity insurance claims.

Expert-Recommended Encryption & Secure File Exchange Tools ​

These tools are widely used by CPA firms, audit practices, and financial institutions where confidentiality is non-negotiable.

Leading Secure File Exchange & Encryption Tools for CPA Firms

  • Citrix ShareFile
    • Most popular among CPA firms
    • Easy client experience
    • Strong encryption & access controls
  • Liscio
    • Combines secure messaging + file exchange
    • Designed specifically for accountants
    • Great for eliminating email
  • Suralink
    • Excellent for audit request lists
    • Built for multi-round document exchange
    • Provides strong logging & audit trails
  • Adobe Acrobat Pro Encryption
    • Useful for protecting individual PDFs
    • Good for firm-level PDF workflows

Low-Cost / Built-In Encryption Options

(Not a replacement for secure portals, but helpful as part of a layered approach.)

  • Windows BitLocker — full-disk encryption
  • Mac FileVault — full-disk encryption
  • Microsoft 365 Message Encryption — for secure email messages
  • Google Workspace Trusted Tester Encryption — basic document protection
These tools directly support data encryption for CPA firms — a long-tail keyword now integrated naturally.

How CPA Firms Should Choose the Right Encryption & Secure File Exchange Solution

Choosing the right encryption and file exchange tools depends on your staff workflow, client behavior, and the types of documents your firm handles during Tax Season.
Tip 1: Select a portal or file exchange tool that clients will actually use. If it’s confusing, clients return to email — undoing your security investment.
Tip 2: Choose tools that integrate with your tax and audit software. Look for compatibility with:
  • UltraTax
  • CCH Axcess
  • Drake
  • CaseWare
  • QuickBooks
  • Practice management systems
Tips 3: Prioritize solutions that enforce MFA for client access. This significantly reduces the risk of compromised client accounts.
Tip 4: Look for expiring links, download restrictions & user-level permissions. These controls prevent unauthorized sharing and limit data exposure.
Tips 5: Ensure the tool provides strong logging + access tracking. Audit trails are essential during a breach investigation or compliance review.

5. Incident Response & Business Continuity: Your Firm’s Survival Plan When (Not If) an Attack Happens

Even with strong controls, breaches happen. What separates resilient firms from vulnerable ones is how quickly they respond, contain, and recover. During Tax Season, even one hour of downtime can derail deadlines and damage client trust. What separates resilient firms from vulnerable ones is not the absence of incidents, but the preparedness to respond quickly and recover without business interruption.
An IR plan is required under IRS, FTC, and cyber insurance mandates — making it a core part of CPA firm cybersecurity.. During Tax Season—when every hour of downtime risks missed deadlines, financial penalties, and reputational damage—these plans become essential.

What Incident Response & Business Continuity Actually Do (in practical CPA terms)

Your IR and continuity plans serve as a step-by-step playbook for what to do when something goes wrong. Instead of scrambling in panic, the firm follows a predetermined, rehearsed strategy that limits damage and speeds recovery.
  • Provides a Clear, Predefined Response Workflow. Who does what? Which systems get shut down? Who contacts clients? IR plans answer all of this before chaos begins.
  • Ensures Rapid Containment of Cyber Incidents. The firm can isolate infected devices, disable compromised accounts, and block malicious traffic immediately.
  • Enables Fast Restoration of Systems and Data. Backups, redundancies, and failover systems get your tax and audit workflows running again with minimal downtime.
  • Meets Legal, Insurance, and IRS Reporting Expectations. A well-documented IR plan helps fulfill FTC, IRS Pub 4557, and cyber insurance requirements.
  • Guides Client Communication During a Crisis. Pre-approved templates and messaging prevent miscommunication and panic.
  • Reduces Financial, Operational & Reputational Damage. Firms with strong IR plans recover in hours.
    Firms without them often lose weeks — and sometimes clients.

Expert-Recommended Tools for Incident Response Business Continuity

These are tools widely used in accounting firms, financial institutions, and other industries where uptime is critical.

Enterprise-Grade Backup, Recovery & IR Tools

  • Acronis Cyber Protect
    • Backups + ransomware defense + rapid recovery
    • Excellent for hybrid or remote work environments
  • Datto SaaS Protection
    • Protects Microsoft 365 + QuickBooks Online
    • Strong continuity features
  • Barracuda Backup
    • Simple and reliable
    • Good for small and mid-sized CPA firms
  • Sophos Rapid Response
    • On-demand IR team for active attacks
    • Ideal if a firm has no internal security lead

Low-Cost / Helpful Alternatives

(Not full continuity solutions but valuable additions.)

  • Backblaze — affordable cloud backup for desktops
  • OneDrive / Google Drive version history — basic file recovery
  • NIST Incident Response templates — free, high-quality IR frameworks
  • IRS Security Summit checklists — helpful for tax-focused controls

How CPA Firms Should Choose the Right Incident Response & Continuity Solution

Because CPA firms face regulatory, client, and deadline pressures, the solution must go beyond simple backups — it must support fast, controlled, and compliant recovery during peak periods.
Tip 1: Test backups regularly — especially before and during Tax Season. Many firms believe they have good backups until they attempt recovery. Testing is critical.
Tip 2: Choose tools with fast Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs). If the recovery time is measured in days, it’s not suitable for Tax Season workflows.
Tip 3: Select platforms that protect cloud apps, not just local servers. Most CPA firms now use:
  • Microsoft 365
  • QuickBooks Online
  • CCH Cloud
  • Tax portals

These must be backed up too.
Tip 4: Ensure the IR plan includes communication templates. Clients expect transparency — but not panic. Prepared scripts prevent missteps.
Tips 5: Partner with an MSSP or IT provider capable of leading IR execution. In the middle of an attack, your team shouldn’t be the one diagnosing and repairing.
Tip 6: Make sure your plan satisfies insurance requirements. Carriers increasingly require documentation of:
  • IR procedures
  • Backup frequency
  • Multi-layer security controls

Failing this may impact claims.

Conclusion: Building a Future-Ready HNW Advisory Model

Tax Season puts every CPA firm under extraordinary pressure. With more data moving across systems, more remote access points, and less time to react, cybersecurity becomes a leadership decision — not an IT upgrade.
By strengthening these five areas — MDR, Zero Trust, cloud access security, data encryption, and incident response — firms protect themselves against the most common tax season security risks while safeguarding client trust and ensuring regulatory compliance.
The firms that invest early stay protected. The ones that delay often discover vulnerabilities at the worst possible time.
If your firm wants to expand capacity for Tax Season without increasing risk, Unison Globus helps CPA firms build secure offshore teams with strict access controls, encrypted workflows, and IRS-aligned safeguards built into the operating model.

Strengthen your capacity without
compromising security.

Connect with Unison Globus to get started.

Categories
Accounting Home Uncategorized

Stop the CPA Turnover Cycle: How ‘True Global” , “Deep Local’ Talent Delivers Loyalty That Money Can’t Buy

Every few months, another CPA firm loses a senior associate or tax manager. The exit interviews sound familiar: long hours, limited career growth, and mental fatigue. And so begins the cycle again: hire, train, replace, repeat.
The profession has been caught in this loop for years. In response, firms have turned to one quick fix: bigger paychecks. But even after record compensation increases, turnover has not slowed. Burnout and disengagement continue to rise, suggesting that this is not a money problem but a model problem.
What is breaking is not the workforce. It is the way work is distributed. Local teams are overloaded with repetitive compliance tasks, while firms struggle to deliver the kind of advisory value that clients truly seek.
The answer lies in a smarter, two-part approach that blends global efficiency with local purpose.
This is the idea behind the “True Global, Deep Local” model — a framework that allows CPA firms to scale sustainably, retain top talent, and build loyalty that no salary war can buy.

The Real Problem: Why the CPA Profession Is Losing Its People

The CPA turnover cycle isn’t just a staffing headache — it’s a design flaw. Firms keep raising salaries, hiring faster, and offering new perks, yet experienced accountants continue to leave. What’s breaking isn’t motivation or loyalty. It’s the way work is structured, shared, and valued.

A Cycle That No One Can Afford​

It often starts the same way. A senior associate walks into a partner’s office, quiet but firm. “I’ve decided to move on.” There’s no frustration, just fatigue.

“I can’t maintain 65-hour workweeks. It’s impacting my health,” one accountant admitted in an industry interview. Her story echoes across firms everywhere — not a lack of ambition, but the exhaustion of doing too much of the wrong kind of work.

Each resignation sparks a familiar loop: scramble, hire, train, repeat. The CPA turnover cycle continues — costly, predictable, and avoidable.

The Numbers Behind the Story​

The profession’s data tells a clear story: this is not a talent shortage; it’s a CPA talent shortage solution problem.
  • 39% of accounting professionals under 40 changed employers in the past two years.
  • 8% are considering leaving the profession altogether. (Institute of Management Accountants)
  • The average annual turnover rate is 15%, with three-quarters of departures within the first six years. (Illinois CPA Society)
  • Replacing one experienced CPA can cost 50–60% of their annual salary.

Every departure means more than lost capacity — it drains culture, continuity, and client trust.

What Accountants Are Actually Saying

Public accounting is tough. It’s the nature of the business.


— Sholly Nicholson, HR Director, San Francisco

That line once explained everything. Now it explains why so many leave.

Accounting firms have been espousing work-life balance for decades,
but many fail to live up to expectations.


— Scott MacEachern, CPA, former Big 4 professional

Money can’t buy meaning. In national surveys:
  • 92% mention pay as a factor, but
  • 49% cite burnout, and
  • 48% cite lack of work-life balance as reasons for quitting.

“I was earning more each year, but I wasn’t growing,” shared a senior accountant from California.
“The work didn’t change, only my pay did.”

These voices reveal what data can’t: professionals don’t want to leave accounting.
They want to leave a version of it that no longer aligns with their values.

The Real Issue: Design, Not Discipline

The CPA turnover cycle persists because firms are trying to fix a design problem with HR solutions. Traditional workflows were built for volume, not value. Local teams carry the full weight of compliance, while advisory and strategic work — the kind that retains people — keeps getting pushed aside.

Result
  • Overloaded local staff and constant burnout.
  • Partners trapped in capacity management.
  • Clients feeling inconsistency.
  • Firms chasing short-term fixes instead of long-term design.

One former CPA summarized it simply: “I didn’t leave accounting. I left the version of accounting that left no room for me to think.”

This is why modern firms are rethinking their outsourcing strategy for CPA firms — not as a cost-saving measure, but as a design strategy. When routine, high-volume work is supported by offshore or distributed teams, local professionals gain space for advisory, relationship-building, and growth. That shift becomes a true talent solution, not a stopgap.

The Shift Begins

Forward-thinking firms are no longer asking how to find more people — they’re asking how to improve CPA staff retention by redesigning work itself. Cloud technology and global collaboration have opened the door to a smarter, cloud accounting talent model — one that blends global efficiency with local expertise.

At Unison Globus, we saw this change before it became urgent. We recognized that real loyalty comes from structure, not sentiment — from creating capacity where it’s needed and purpose where it matters.

That philosophy evolved into a model designed for sustainability rather than survival.
A model where every professional — wherever they work — can contribute meaningfully and grow with the firm.

That model is True Global, Deep Local — the next chapter in how firms escape the CPA turnover cycle for good.

Want to see how your firm’s current structure
impacts retention and capacity?


Connect with us NOW!

Get to Know the Model: True Global, Deep Local

Every firm claims to have a plan for stopping the CPA turnover cycle. Few are redesigning how the work itself gets done.

The True Global, Deep Local framework created by Unison Globus does exactly that — it rebuilds workflow design so that people stay not because they must, but because they want to.

True Global: Expanding Capacity Through Connection

“True Global” is the foundation of the model. It uses a cloud accounting talent model to give firms flexible capacity, operational continuity, and peace of mind during peak seasons.

This isn’t traditional outsourcing. It’s a structured, process-led outsourcing strategy for CPA firms that turns global collaboration into a long-term talent solution.

Here’s how it works in practice:

  • Global teams manage recurring compliance, bookkeeping, and tax preparation tasks.
  • Secure cloud platforms ensure transparency, accuracy, and real-time review.
  • Local CPAs are freed to focus on advisory, business consulting, and client relationships.

The results speak for themselves.

A Texas-based firm partnered with Unison Globus to address ongoing CPA turnover during tax season. Within 12 months:

  • Partner review hours dropped by 40%.
  • Project turnaround improved by 32%.
  • Staff retention rose from 68% to 92%.

The True Global layer doesn’t just relieve pressure — it builds rhythm, giving local teams the space to think strategically while clients enjoy faster, more consistent service. It’s a modern CPA talent shortage solution rooted in design, not desperation.

Deep Local: Restoring Meaning to the Work

The “Deep Local” side focuses on what can’t be outsourced — trust, context, and connection.
 Once high-volume tasks move to the global layer, local professionals can focus on advisory work, strategic insights, and long-term client partnerships.

This is where real staff retention happens.
 It’s not about retention bonuses or time-off policies. It’s about improving CPA staff retention by giving people back the work that engages their minds and grows their careers.

A Midwest firm of 25 professionals experienced this shift firsthand. By adopting the Unison Globus model, they transitioned over 60% of routine tax prep work to offshore teams. Within one year:

  • Advisory billings rose 20%.
  • Employee engagement scores increased by 17 points.
  • The firm recorded zero voluntary departures during the busy season.

That’s the Deep Local effect — restoring purpose and creativity at the core of the profession. It turns “retention” from a target into a culture.

Start your transition today.

Connect with Unison Globus to learn how the True Global, Deep Local framework can help your firm grow capacity, strengthen culture, and end the CPA turnover cycle for good. Contact Us

Conclusion

Together, True Global and Deep Local form more than a workflow shift — they are a reimagined operating model for the modern accounting firm. A system where work moves smarter, people work happier, and growth stops depending on how many hours your team can endure.

They transform what was once an endless CPA turnover cycle into a sustainable rhythm — one where global efficiency and local excellence reinforce each other. It’s not about hiring more. It’s about designing better.

Categories
Home Tax Preparation

Tax Extension 2025: IRS Guidelines and CPA Strategies Before September 15

As the 2025 tax season moves into its final phase, CPAs and accounting firms are preparing for one of the most critical deadlines of the year: the IRS tax extension deadline on September 15, 2025, applies to partnerships and S corporations that filed Form 7004. For individuals and corporations, this date also marks the third quarter estimated tax payment deadline not the extension filing deadline. While extensions give taxpayers more time to file, they also come with strict requirements, evolving IRS guidelines, and increased compliance risks.
For firms, this period is not just about paperwork. It is about safeguarding clients from late filing penalties, ensuring compliance with both federal and state tax rules, and staying ahead of IRS notices such as CP59 and CP59SN. With new provisions like disaster relief tax extensions, CPAs must approach this season with precision.
This guide from Unison Globus provides a clear breakdown of the IRS tax extension process for 2025, covering forms like Form 4868 for individuals and Form 7004 for businesses, key deadlines, common mistakes to avoid, and best practices for firms managing heavy extension workloads.
By following these guidelines, CPAs and EAs can ensure clients file accurately, minimize penalties, and maintain peace of mind before September 15.

What Is a Tax Extension?

A tax extension gives taxpayers additional time to file their return, but it does not extend the deadline for paying taxes owed. This distinction is where many clients get confused, and CPAS must explain the difference clearly.
The IRS provides two primary forms for filing an extension in 2025:
  • Form 4868: For individual taxpayers who need extra time to file their personal income tax return.
  • Form 7004: For businesses such as S-Corporations, Partnerships, and certain trusts that require more time to submit their returns.
When approved, an extension typically grants up to six additional months to file. However, all tax payments are still due by the original deadline, which is April 15 for individuals and March 17 for most businesses.
Failing to pay by the original deadline can trigger late payment penalties and interest, even if the return is filed on time after the extension. This is why CPAs should guide clients to make estimated payments alongside the extension request.
Read Also: CPA Tax Calendar: Key Deadlines for Estimated Payments and Extensions 

Key IRS Guidelines for 2025

Here are the critical updates CPAs and accounting firms must keep in mind for the 2025 extension season:

01. Final Federal Filing Deadlines

  • October 15, 2025: Last date for individual taxpayers who filed Form 4868 to submit their extended 2024 income tax returns.
  • September 15, 2025: Deadline for extended business returns filed with Form 7004, which applies to entities such as S Corporations and Partnerships.

02. Filing Preferences and Payment Reminders

  • The IRS recommends e-filing with direct deposit because it reduces errors, shortens refund times, and provides digital confirmation of filing.
  • An extension gives more time to file but not more time to pay. Taxes owed are still due by the original deadline of April 15, 2025, for individuals and March 17, 2025, for most businesses. Payments made after these dates may incur penalties and interest.

03. IRS Notices and Compliance Checks

  • The IRS has started sending Notice CP59SN to taxpayers whose returns are not on file. CPAs should help clients verify whether their extension was received and respond quickly if action is required.
  • In some cases, taxpayers may receive notice despite having filed correctly. CPAs can assist by checking IRS transcripts or e-Services and responding with proof of extension filing.

04. Disaster Relief Extensions

  • The IRS continues to provide extra time for taxpayers in federally declared disaster areas. For instance, some affected regions now have deadlines extended into early 2026.
  • A July 2025 tax relief law introduced a streamlined process that allows eligible individuals and businesses in disaster areas to automatically receive a 120-day postponement of filing and payment deadlines.

05. Heightened IRS Scrutiny

  • The IRS has increased its focus on non-filers and late payers for the 2025 season. Penalties for late payment are typically 0.5 percent of the unpaid tax per month, up to 25 percent, and interest accrues until the balance is settled.
  • CPAs should advise clients to make estimated tax payments when filing for an extension. Paying as much as possible by the original deadline helps reduce both penalties and interest.

Clarifying the September 15 Deadline: Extension vs. Estimated Payments

  • For Businesses: September 15, 2025, is the final deadline for S Corporations and Partnerships that filed Form 7004 to submit their extended 2024 tax returns.
  • For Individuals: This date is not the extension deadline. It is the third quarter estimated tax payment deadline for self-employed individuals, freelancers, and others with income not subject to withholding.
  • For Corporations: Calendar-year C Corporations must also make their Q3 estimated tax payment by this date.

Reminder: The deadline to file an extended individual tax return is October 15, 2025, if Form 4868 was submitted by April 15.

Read Also: S Corporation vs C Corporation: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Updated IRS Deadlines for 2025: What CPAs Must Know

The IRS has made key adjustments to 2025 tax deadlines that CPAs should be aware of:
Entity Type Form Original Deadline Extension Deadline Change/Note
S Corporations 1120-S March 15, 2025 September 15, 2025 March 15 is a Saturday → deadline moved to March 17, 2025
Partnerships 1065 March 15, 2025 September 15, 2025 Same as above
C Corporations 1120 April 15, 2025 October 15, 2025 No change
Individuals 1040 + 4868 April 15, 2025 October 15, 2025 No change
Multi-member LLCs 1065 March 15, 2025 September 15, 2025 Deadline moved to March 17
Single-member LLCs 1040 + Sch C April 15, 2025 October 15, 2025 No change
Note: These deadlines apply to calendar-year filers. Fiscal-year filers may have different due dates.

Also, under the July 2025 tax relief law, taxpayers in federally declared disaster areas automatically receive a 120-day extension for both filing and payment.

Read Also: Key IRS Tax Forms and Updates for Smooth Filing

How CPAs Can Prevent Common Mistakes During Tax Extension Season

During extension season, errors are less about forms and more about habits. CPAs can prevent costly missteps by:
  • Setting clear expectations: Many clients believe an extension solves everything. A quick upfront explanation prevents surprises about payments or penalties later.
  • Providing estimated tax guidance: Even when documents are incomplete, offering a payment estimate reduces penalty exposure and eases client anxiety.
  • Encouraging early action: Proactive outreach helps avoid the last-minute rush that often leads to missed deadlines or overlooked details.
  • Standardizing communication on notices: A simple process for uploading IRS letters into a secure portal keeps nothing from slipping through the cracks.
  • Monitoring multi-state clients: Centralized checklists help ensure that state-level filings and payments are handled alongside federal obligations.
Implementing these proactive steps can ensure smoother filing and prevent surprises for clients – making CPAs an indispensable resource during tax extension season. Reframing extension season as a proactive process helps CPAs keep clients compliant and reinforce their role as trusted advisors.
Read Also: Avoid 10 Common Accounting Mistakes with Expert Tips USA

IRS Payment Options for Clients Who Owe

For many taxpayers, filing under extension does not eliminate the need to pay. If clients still owe taxes, CPAs can guide them through the following IRS-approved payment solutions:

01. IRS Direct Pay

  • A secure online tool that allows direct payments from a checking or savings account.
  • No fees and immediate confirmation provided.

02. Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)

  • A reliable option for businesses and frequent payers.
  • Requires enrollment but allows scheduling future payments.

03. Online Payment Agreements

  • Ideal for taxpayers unable to pay in full.
  • Installment plans spread payments out and reduces the risk of enforced collection.

04. Short-Term Payment Extensions

  • The IRS may grant up to 120 extra days to pay in full.
  • Interest still accrues, but late payment penalties are reduced.

05. Credit or Debit Card Payments

  • Payments can be made via IRS-authorized processors.
  • Transaction fees apply but offer flexibility when other funds are tight.
Encouraging clients to pay as much as possible by the original deadline helps reduce penalties and interest. CPAs can play a proactive role by matching the right payment method to each client’s financial situation.

Need expert help with
your extension workload?

Unison Globus offers tailored CPA tax extension support with secure, scalable offshore staffing designed to ease peak-season pressures.

Contact Unison Globus today to discover how our offshore solutions can help your firm stay compliant, efficient, and stress-free this extension season. Get in touch now

State vs. Federal Tax Extensions: What You Need to File on Time

A federal tax extension does not automatically apply at the state level. CPAs should be aware of the key differences:
Aspect Federal Tax Extension State Tax Extension
Forms Form 4868 (Individuals) and Form 7004 (Businesses) Many states require their own extension forms, or accept the federal form (e.g., Form 4868 for individuals), but state-specific forms and processes must be checked.
Deadlines September 15, for businesses (Form 7004) and October 15, for individuals (Form 4868) State deadlines vary. While some states align with federal deadlines (e.g., September 15), others may have earlier or later due dates. CPAs should verify state-specific deadlines.
Payments Taxes due by April 15 (individuals) or March 15 (businesses), even with an extension State balances are calculated separately. Payments are generally due by the state’s original deadline, although some states may offer different rules for payment extensions or allow grace periods.
Automatic Coverage Federal extension applies nationwide Federal extension applies nationwide, but not all states accept it automatically. Separate state extension forms may be required.
Multi-State Clients Single federal extension covers all taxpayers CPAs must track each jurisdiction’s rules to ensure full multi-state tax compliance, as states may have different forms, deadlines, or rules.

CPA Tip: Avoid confusion between the September 15 estimated tax payment deadline and the October 15 individual extension deadline. Many clients mistakenly believe they have until September 15 to file their personal returns, when in fact, this is the deadline for estimated tax payments for individuals. The actual deadline to file an extended individual return is October 15, 2025. Clear communication with clients is essential to prevent penalties for late filing or missed payments.

Best Practices for Accounting Firms During Extension Season

Managing the September 15 deadline can feel like a second peak of tax season. Firms that stay proactive and organized can reduce stress while improving client service. Here are key strategies:
  • Communicate early and often: Remind clients about the upcoming deadlines and clarify what an extension does and does not cover.
  • Use secure portals: Collect and share documents through encrypted platforms to avoid delays and protect client data.
  • Standardize checklists: Maintain an internal CPA checklist for September 15 deadlines to track forms, payments, and state-level requirements.
  • Prioritize complex clients: Handle multi-state or high-liability cases first to avoid bottlenecks later in the season.
  • Leverage technology: Automation tools for reminders, e-filing, and document tracking can help streamline your accounting firm extension strategy.
  • Consider outsourcing: Offshore tax preparation services allow firms to manage high volumes without sacrificing accuracy, especially when deadlines converge.
By following these best practices, firms can turn the extension season from a stress point into an opportunity to reinforce client trust and efficiency.

How Unison Globus Supports CPAs During Tax Extension Season

Tax extension season often feels like a second busy season, with heavy workloads and tight deadlines converging in August and September. This is where Unison Globus steps into provides comprehensive support for CPA firms across the U.S.

Our offshore teams specialize in:

  • Expert tax preparation for forms including 1040, 1120, 1065, 1041, and 1099
  • IRS-compliant documentation that minimizes errors and ensures smooth audits
  • Secure, paperless workflows with encrypted client portals to streamline communication
  • Scalable staffing models to help firms handle seasonal surges without increasing overhead

With offshore tax support for CPAs, firms gain the capacity to:

  • Meet the September 15 tax extension deadline with confidence
  • Reduce turnaround times during peak filing periods
  • Stay compliant with both IRS extension filing 2025 requirements and state-level rules
  • Focus more on advisory and client strategy instead of routine paperwork
At Unison Globus, we act as an extension of your firm, delivering the accuracy, efficiency, and peace of mind you need during one of the most demanding times of the year.

Final Thoughts: Preparing for a Stress-Free Extension Season

As the September 15, 2025 tax extension deadline rapidly approaches, CPAs and accounting firms must act quickly to ensure clients remain compliant and avoid penalties. Staying ahead of IRS guidelines, tracking state-specific requirements, and advising clients on payment options are critical to managing this busy season effectively.
By focusing on clear communication, secure workflows, and well-organized checklists, firms can turn this high-pressure period into an opportunity to build stronger client relationships. Leveraging expert support, whether through advanced technology or specialized offshore teams – ensures that no return is missed and compliance remains intact.