Introduction

All CPAs and Tax Practitioners deal with very sensitive client data. Cybercriminals are highly sophisticated, well-funded, and technologically adept at hacking computers and sealing information. CPAs and tax practitioners are some of their most highly desired targets. Cybercriminals desire the client data of all CPAs and tax practitioners. If these cybercriminals can successfully obtain the client information of CPAs and tax practitioners, they can file fraudulent tax returns for refunds or commit identify theft. As a result, all CPAs and tax practitioners must protect their client’s information by protecting their computers, networks and by taking some simple safety approaches. This course will define information security, describe the numerous types of threats that exist today and define how to protect your computer systems and networks to keep client data safe.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify the importance of information security for CPAs and Tax Practitioners,
• Define the term “identify theft” and recognize how identify theft most commonly occurs,
• Recognize why CPAs and Tax Professionals are being targeted by cybercriminals,
• Recognize the importance of encrypting client data,
• Identify the importance of creating internal controls and a security plan to protect client data, and
• Recognize the actions that must be taken in the event of a breach

CPE Credit: 6 CPE for CPAs and EAs

Level: Intermediate

Instructional Method: Self-Study

NASBA Field of Study: Information Technology

Program Prerequisites: None

Advanced Preparation: None