cybersecurity exemptions for orgs with less than 5,000 clients

you may be off the hook, but not out of the woods.

by donny shimamoto

management consulting company aon described an exemption for some of the ftc requirements for firms that handle the personal identifiable information (pii) of less than 5,000 consumers.[i]

the safeguards rule provides an exception from certain requirements if the covered financial institution maintains customer information concerning fewer than 5,000 consumers. a consumer is defined in section 314.2(b)(1) of the safeguards rule as “an individual who obtains or has obtained a financial product or service from the financial institution that is used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, or that individual’s legal representative.”

more:  how hacker-proof is your firm? | unleashing the power of technology: transforming accountants into trusted advisors | future firm growth requires a mindshift | ai, ocr, nlp & cpas: oh my!   |  accounting nerds, unlock your super powers  | early adopters gain an edge in audit | dustin wheeler: for serious cas success, hire tech teams | csr for cpas: the missing ingredient | donny shimamoto explains how ‘agile’ applies to cpa firmsstaff retention for remote workers | why the future is in risk advisory |  ready for non-cpa “cpa” firms?
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essentially if you handle less than 5,000 social security numbers, then it would appear that you can take advantage of this exemption. aon went on to report that if you fall under this exemption, then you do not need to address the following requirements:

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safe harbor compliance reduces risk of fines and penalties

protect your clients–and your firm–by being proactive.

by donny shimamoto, cpa, citp, cgma

in the last few years, we’re starting to see state legislatures and attorney generals recognizing that tax practitioners are trying to protect their clients. they are formalizing this recognition with changes to regulations or laws to include “safe harbor” provisions that limit or eliminate the fines and penalties for tax practitioners who take proactive action to manage their cybersecurity risks.

more:  how hacker-proof is your firm? | unleashing the power of technology: transforming accountants into trusted advisors | future firm growth requires a mindshift | ai, ocr, nlp & cpas: oh my!   |  accounting nerds, unlock your super powers  | early adopters gain an edge in audit | dustin wheeler: for serious cas success, hire tech teams | csr for cpas: the missing ingredient | donny shimamoto explains how ‘agile’ applies to cpa firmsstaff retention for remote workers | why the future is in risk advisory |  ready for non-cpa “cpa” firms?
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as of december 2022, the following states have some type of safe harbor provision in place:

in contrast, states like california and colorado are taking the opposite approach and penalizing organizations that have data breaches.[iv]

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unleashing the power of technology: transforming accountants into trusted advisors



the smartest route to advisory:
join the survey. get the roadmap

imagine the possibilities.

by donny shimamoto, cpa, citp, cgma
the center for accounting transformation

in today’s rapidly evolving world, technology is revolutionizing the way we work and live. accountants and cpas are no exception.

more donny shimamoto:  how trusted advisors transform businesses | the future of accounting: a vision of trust, clarity, and hope | donny shimamoto: future firm growth requires a mindshift | ai, ocr, nlp & cpas: oh my!   |  accounting nerds, unlock your super powers  | early adopters gain an edge in audit | dustin wheeler: for serious cas success, hire tech teams | csr for cpas: the missing ingredient | donny shimamoto explains how ‘agile’ applies to cpa firmsstaff retention for remote workers | why the future is in risk advisory |  ready for non-cpa “cpa” firms?
goprocpa.com exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

we need to embrace the power of technology to enhance our services and better serve our clients as advisors. by leveraging technology and focusing on the complicated work that bots can’t do, accountants become trusted advisors, building deeper relationships and unlocking their full potential.

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overcoming the five hurdles to advisory services

face these issues to achieve firm growth.

the smartest route to advisory:
join the survey. get the roadmap

by donny shimamoto, cpa, citp, cgma
the center for accounting transformation

are you tired of feeling overwhelmed and stuck in the compliance workload, unable to provide valuable insights to your clients? do you feel that your firm has the potential to grow and create a lasting impact, but capacity issues hinder your progress? 

more donny shimamoto:  how trusted advisors transform businesses | the future of accounting: a vision of trust, clarity, and hope | donny shimamoto: future firm growth requires a mindshift | ai, ocr, nlp & cpas: oh my!   |  accounting nerds, unlock your super powers  | early adopters gain an edge in audit | dustin wheeler: for serious cas success, hire tech teams | csr for cpas: the missing ingredient | donny shimamoto explains how ‘agile’ applies to cpa firmsstaff retention for remote workers | why the future is in risk advisory |  ready for non-cpa “cpa” firms?
goprocpa.com exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

you’re not alone. many accounting firms are struggling with the same challenges. but what if there was a way to break through these barriers and elevate your firm to new heights? read on to discover how to overcome the challenges associated with providing advisory services and transform your firm into a thriving, client-centered business.
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how tax practitioners became cybersecurity risks

tax professionals are a hacker’s dream.  

by donny shimamoto, cpa, citp, cgma
on cybersecurity for accountants
center for accounting transformation

in 2015 the u.s. internal revenue service (irs) held its first security summit[i]. by creating a public-private partnership via the summit, the irs is seeking to protect more taxpayers and more tax dollars from tax-related identity theft.

more: how hacker-proof is your firm?donny shimamoto: future firm growth requires a mindshift | ai, ocr, nlp & cpas: oh my!   |  accounting nerds, unlock your super powers  | early adopters gain an edge in audit | dustin wheeler: for serious cas success, hire tech teams | csr for cpas: the missing ingredient | donny shimamoto explains how ‘agile’ applies to cpa firmsstaff retention for remote workers | why the future is in risk advisory |  ready for non-cpa “cpa” firms?
goprocpa.com exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

partners in the summit included the irs, state tax agencies and the private sector tax industry—for example, financial institutions, cybersecurity practitioners and tax practitioners.

the summit brought together people from the full value chain of tax compliance. taxpayers submit information to tax practitioners, who prepare the returns and submit them to the tax authorities.

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why compliance still matters. but it’s not enough.

resistance is futile… and silly because it’s necessary for the profession.

the smartest route to advisory:
join the survey. get the roadmap

by donny shimamoto, cpa, citp, cgma
the center for accounting transformation

in the world of accounting, compliance work is often seen as the unglamorous side of the profession. but what if i told you that compliance is the heart and soul of accounting, the unsung hero that makes advisory work possible?

more donny shimamoto:  how trusted advisors transform businesses | the future of accounting: a vision of trust, clarity, and hope | donny shimamoto: future firm growth requires a mindshift | ai, ocr, nlp & cpas: oh my!   |  accounting nerds, unlock your super powers  | early adopters gain an edge in audit | dustin wheeler: for serious cas success, hire tech teams | csr for cpas: the missing ingredient | donny shimamoto explains how ‘agile’ applies to cpa firmsstaff retention for remote workers | why the future is in risk advisory |  ready for non-cpa “cpa” firms?
goprocpa.com exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

let’s explore the importance of compliance work in the accounting profession and why it’s time for us to stop minimizing its significance. read more →

how hacker-proof is your firm?

thieves always build a better mousetrap, so stay vigilant.

by donny shimamoto, cpa, citp, cgma
on cybersecurity for accountants

in 2018, fraudsters posed as tax authorities and state accounting and tax professional associations. these were simple phishing attacks trying to get tax practitioners’ email usernames and passwords, allowing fraudsters to obtain client contact information and perform email-based password resets for other systems.

more:  future firm growth requires a mindshift | ai, ocr, nlp & cpas: oh my!   |  accounting nerds, unlock your super powers  | early adopters gain an edge in audit | dustin wheeler: for serious cas success, hire tech teams | csr for cpas: the missing ingredient | donny shimamoto explains how ‘agile’ applies to cpa firmsstaff retention for remote workers | why the future is in risk advisory |  ready for non-cpa “cpa” firms?
goprocpa.com exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

the irs reported seeing threats specifically targeting preparers in illinois, iowa, new jersey and north carolina. additionally, the irs received reports tied to a canadian accounting association.[i]

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it takes a village to stop cybercrime

we’re all in this together.//www.g005e.com/2021/11/09/russian-solarwinds-hackers-at-it-again/

by donny shimamoto, cpa, citp, cgma
on cybersecurity for accountants
center for accounting transformation

i’ve been warning accountants about the treasure trove of taxpayer information they are entrusted with since 2014. that was the first year i spoke at an aicpa conference about it risk management and the need to self-assess information security risks. every year since then, via numerous conference sessions and webinars, i’ve taught both non-techie accountants and it professionals about the cybersecurity jargon, key threats, how to understand the risks, and how various types of administrative and technical controls help mitigate those risks.

more:  donny shimamoto: future firm growth requires a mindshift | ai, ocr, nlp & cpas: oh my!   |  accounting nerds, unlock your super powers  | early adopters gain an edge in audit | dustin wheeler: for serious cas success, hire tech teams | csr for cpas: the missing ingredient | donny shimamoto explains how ‘agile’ applies to cpa firmsstaff retention for remote workers | why the future is in risk advisory |  ready for non-cpa “cpa” firms?
goprocpa.com exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

as quickly as cybersecurity practices mature, new threats, threat delivery vectors and other schemes arise. what many people don’t realize is that identity theft is a lucrative business. whether taxpayer identification (e.g., social security numbers), bank account information, credit card information or healthcare information—these records have value on the dark web. fraudsters will pay handsomely for this type of information.

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how to transform your team into trusted advisors

woman ladder binoculars city view outlook vision success climb adobestock_57204649.jpegare you looking in the wrong place?

the smartest route to advisory:
join the survey. get the roadmap

or scan this:

launch survey

by donny shimamoto, cpa, citp, cgma
the center for accounting transformation

there’s a secret lurking in the depths of the public accounting world. a hidden treasure, a powerful weapon that can catapult your firm to new heights of success. it’s called “advisory services.” and yet, despite its immense potential, many firms are not yet experiencing its transformative power. why? because they’re looking in the wrong place.

more donny shimamoto:  how trusted advisors transform businesses | the future of accounting: a vision of trust, clarity, and hope | donny shimamoto: future firm growth requires a mindshift | ai, ocr, nlp & cpas: oh my!   |  accounting nerds, unlock your super powers  | early adopters gain an edge in audit | dustin wheeler: for serious cas success, hire tech teams | csr for cpas: the missing ingredient | donny shimamoto explains how ‘agile’ applies to cpa firmsstaff retention for remote workers | why the future is in risk advisory |  ready for non-cpa “cpa” firms?
goprocpa.com exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

the truth is, advisory services are not just about technical skills and compliance knowledge. it’s a whole different game. and if you want to play and win, you need to invest in your team’s development and give them the tools they need to become trusted advisors.
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family business needs real advisors

can you be more than just an accountant? //www.g005e.com/2023/05/21/advisory-work-for-family-businesses/

discover today’s best strategies for advisory services
join the 10-minute survey. get the results.
launch the advisory services success survey here

by donny shimamoto, cpa, citp, cgma
center for accounting transformation

the world of accounting is more than just crunching numbers and balancing the books. for those who have chosen this profession, there is a calling to be more than just an accountant. the calling is to be a trusted advisor, to be someone who is impactful and rewarding, and to be a problem solver.

more:  the future of accounting: a vision of trust, clarity, and hopedonny shimamoto: future firm growth requires a mindshift | ai, ocr, nlp & cpas: oh my!   |  accounting nerds, unlock your super powers  | early adopters gain an edge in audit | dustin wheeler: for serious cas success, hire tech teams | csr for cpas: the missing ingredient | donny shimamoto explains how ‘agile’ applies to cpa firmsstaff retention for remote workers | why the future is in risk advisory |  ready for non-cpa “cpa” firms?
goprocpa.com exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

one of the most meaningful transformations that accountants can bring about is with family-owned businesses. these businesses often face unique challenges that can be difficult to navigate. as trusted advisors, accountants and cpas can help provide guidance on stabilizing cash flow, transitioning the business to the next generation, and even having difficult conversations with family members who may not be equipped to run the business.

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[survey] how trusted advisors transform businesses

join the survey. get the results.

be at the forefront of a business revolution.


discover today’s best strategies for advisory services
join the 10-minute survey. get the results.
launch the advisory services success survey here

donny shimamoto, cpa, citp, cgma
center for accounting transformation

imagine this: you’ve just started your dream business. the entrepreneurial fire is burning bright within you, and you’re filled with ambition, passion, and excitement. but then, reality hits, and you find yourself overwhelmed by the financial complexities, growing pains, and myriad questions that come with running a business. who do you turn to for help? who can you trust to lead you down the path of success?

more:  donny shimamoto: future firm growth requires a mindshift | ai, ocr, nlp & cpas: oh my!   |  accounting nerds, unlock your super powers  | early adopters gain an edge in audit | dustin wheeler: for serious cas success, hire tech teams | csr for cpas: the missing ingredient | donny shimamoto explains how ‘agile’ applies to cpa firmsstaff retention for remote workers | why the future is in risk advisory |  ready for non-cpa “cpa” firms?
goprocpa.com exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

enter the trusted advisor – a new breed of accountant and cpa who does more than just crunch numbers and fill out tax forms. these advisors are game-changers, and they are redefining the way businesses operate and grow.

read more →

menlo innovations: improve office culture by overhauling internal reviews

focus on strengths and talents to determine areas of growth.

click to play video | > play the podcast and follow 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 podcasts on apple podcasts here or grab the rss feed here.

transformation talks
with donny shimamoto
center for accounting transformation

center for accounting transformation
center for accounting transformation

staff and employee annual reviews help assess where teams need additional help, guidance and development. if only they weren’t so painful…

more: dustin verity: keep an open mind and constantly learnsecret to success? a growth and abundance mindset | o.d. lanier: stepping into advisory | from tax to transformation | early adopters gain an edge in audit | why the future is in risk advisory | four strategies for a future ready firm
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

enter menlo innovations, an it consulting firm and custom software development firm that appears to have found a better way to analyze team performance and deliver constructive feedback. in the latest episode of transformation talks, dan roman and andy burns discuss menlo innovation’s prosperity project, an innovative employee-driven performance review process.

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the future of accounting: a vision of trust, clarity, and hope

//www.g005e.com/2023/05/08/the-future-of-accounting-a-vision-of-trust-clarity-and-hope/let’s own the unknown.

donny shimamoto, cpa, citp, cgma
center for accounting transformation

in a world where trust and integrity are more valuable than ever, the accounting profession stands tall as a beacon of hope. it’s a field where ethics and client interests reign supreme, and these core values set accountants apart from other business consultants. but the future of accounting is evolving, and as we embrace this change, we must not betray the very trust that forms the foundation of our profession.

more:  donny shimamoto: future firm growth requires a mindshift | ai, ocr, nlp & cpas: oh my!   |  accounting nerds, unlock your super powers  | early adopters gain an edge in audit | dustin wheeler: for serious cas success, hire tech teams | csr for cpas: the missing ingredient | donny shimamoto explains how ‘agile’ applies to cpa firmsstaff retention for remote workers | why the future is in risk advisory |  ready for non-cpa “cpa” firms?
goprocpa.com exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

the future of accounting is about more than just crunching numbers and balancing books. it’s about transforming the role of accountants into business service providers, offering comprehensive solutions that go beyond the traditional realm of accounting. it’s about helping clients find peace of mind, vision, clarity, and hope in the face of uncertainty.

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