By Ella Carter — Trusted IT Voice for Metro Atlanta CPA Firms
In the heart of tax season, even a 30-minute outage can feel like a disaster. But what happens when the power’s out for a day… your server crashes… or your building floods? If you think backups are enough, think again.
For CPA firms in Metro Atlanta, where everything from storms to ransomware can grind operations to a halt, the real question is:
Can your firm keep running if everything suddenly goes wrong?
Most firms think a backup file is their safety net. But real resilience? That comes from a business continuity plan — and it’s something your IT provider should already be managing for you.
🔌 Backups Alone Don’t Keep You in Business
Let’s get something straight: backups matter. But restoring files isn’t the same as staying operational.
- If your team can’t access the tax software they need…
- If your client portal goes offline during filing season…
- If no one can log in from home because your VPN is down…
That’s not a “glitch.” That’s a business emergency.
📊 Backups vs. Business Continuity: What’s the Difference?
Too many providers stop at “we’ve got your data backed up.” But CPA firms need more than that.
🔁 Backups = data restoration.
⚙️ Continuity = full operational recovery.
A solid business continuity plan answers questions like:
- How fast can we recover if ransomware hits?
- Where can staff work if the Buckhead office is inaccessible?
- Which systems must come online first — QuickBooks-hosted or CCH Axcess?
- Who on your team calls the shots in a disaster?
🧩 What Should Your Continuity Plan Include?
If your IT provider can’t confidently explain each of these, it’s time to ask why:
✅ Encrypted, off-site, and immutable backups
✅ Clear RTO/RPO goals (how fast and how much data you can recover)
✅ Remote work readiness (including secure remote access and VPNs)
✅ Redundant systems and failovers
✅ Regular testing and disaster simulations
Because when chaos hits, you shouldn’t be Googling “what’s our backup password.”
🌪 Real Disasters. Real Firms. Real Losses.
Still think this is just theoretical?
- Atlanta firms have lost thousands in productivity due to unplanned outages during tax deadlines.
- CPA offices from Savannah to Sandy Springs faced total shutdowns after storms knocked out local servers.
- In 2024, a Peachtree-area firm hit by ransomware couldn’t access client files for 9 days — because no one had tested the backups.
These aren’t Fortune 500 nightmares. They’re stories from firms like yours — in neighborhoods like yours.
❓ Ask These Questions Before Disaster Strikes
Pull these out in your next IT meeting or vendor review:
- If we’re hit by ransomware, what’s our timeline to be fully operational?
- When were our backups last tested — and what’s not included?
- Can our team go fully remote within 2 hours if the office floods?
- Is our plan compliant with IRS, GLBA, and FTC regulations?
- How will we communicate with clients if our systems are down?
If you’re not sure? That’s your answer.
✅ Disasters Happen. Downtime Doesn’t Have To.
You can’t prevent every flood, fire, or data breach. But you can decide how fast you bounce back.
A good IT provider helps you recover.
A great one ensures you never miss a beat.
Let’s make sure your firm is protected — not just backed up.
🎯 Book your FREE Network Continuity Assessment today.
We’ll identify your gaps, walk you through your recovery timeline, and give you the confidence to keep going — no matter what comes your way.
