Accountancy practices depend on reliable technology to meet filing deadlines, protect client records and keep work moving during busy periods. ESP Projects provides IT support for accountants in Sheffield, helping local firms maintain their servers, accounting applications, networks and cloud services without forcing them into a one-size-fits-all setup.
We have worked with accounting practices and other professional services businesses across the Sheffield City Region since 2002. Whether you use an on-premise server, cloud accounting software or a combination of both, we start by understanding how your practice works and what needs protecting.
IT support for your practice, at a glance
- £25 per user per month for practices with Sheffield addresses, excluding VAT.
- Remote and on-site assistance included within your agreed support scope, with no additional charge for on-site attendance.
- Support for existing server, cloud and mixed environments.
- Experience since 2002.
- A User Management Portal for joiners and leavers.
Discuss your practice's IT support or call 0330 202 0118. Tell us which accounting systems you use and where your team needs help.
IT Support Built Around Accountancy Practices
Support that understands your deadlines
January self-assessment deadlines, VAT submissions, payroll runs and year-end accounts all put pressure on an accounting practice. A failed connection or inaccessible client file can delay work at precisely the wrong moment. Our support services focus on the IT infrastructure your team relies on, with clear routes for reporting faults. Remote and on-site assistance are included within your agreed support scope, with no additional charge for on-site attendance.
On-premise, cloud or a practical mix of both
Many accountancy firms use a combination of desktop software, locally hosted databases and cloud platforms. Tools such as IRIS, Sage, QuickBooks and Xero are often required within an accountancy practice as your clients could be running any mix of those products. Keeping an on-premise server can be sensible where applications or workflows depend on it. Equally, cloud services can make collaboration and remote access easier. We assess your software dependencies, backup requirements and existing equipment before suggesting changes; a cloud migration is not automatically the right answer.
Local help when remote support is not enough
Remote support can resolve many everyday issues, from email problems to access requests. When a server, network or workstation requires hands-on attention, our Sheffield location makes on-site support a practical option, subject to your agreed support arrangements. Our IT support in Sheffield page explains our wider local coverage.
Accounting Software and Practice Systems
Sage, Xero, IRIS, QuickBooks and other applications
Accounting software is central to client service. ESP has experience working with practices that use packages such as Sage, Xero, QuickBooks and IRIS. We investigate device, network, access, server and installation issues that affect accounting software, and coordinate with the software publisher where an application-specific fix is needed. When we review your requirements, we agree the support arrangements for your products, versions and integrations, so you know who to contact and what is covered.
Updates, integrations and software dependencies
A routine operating-system update can expose a compatibility problem with older accountancy software, a database or a connected service. We help plan changes, review software dependencies and troubleshoot the IT environment around your applications. Where practices use Xero, cloud tax software or bridging software, we can help check connectivity, access and device readiness, working alongside your team and your software providers' support teams.
Making Tax Digital and reliable access
Making Tax Digital makes reliable access to digital records and compatible software important for your practice and its clients. We support the devices, systems and connections your team relies on for record keeping and submissions. Your practice remains responsible for confirming its tax obligations; the HMRC guidance on Making Tax Digital for Income Tax explains current requirements for sole traders, landlords and their agents.
Cyber Security and Data Protection for Accountants
Protecting client financial data
Accountants handle client financial data, payroll details, tax records and other sensitive information. That makes account access, secure data storage and reliable backups important. We can help review practical security controls such as device protection, software updates, account permissions and secure remote access. Your firm remains responsible for its data protection decisions and any relevant professional or regulatory obligations.
Multi-factor authentication and access management
Multi-factor authentication adds a valuable layer of protection to email, cloud services and supported accounting platforms. It should sit alongside strong account management, prompt removal of leavers' access and staff awareness of phishing and payment-diversion scams. We can discuss suitable cyber security options and help identify where existing controls need attention.
Simpler management of joiners and leavers
As part of onboarding, we introduce a User Management Portal to help your practice manage joiners and leavers. It gives your team a clear place to manage these changes, helping you keep track of who is joining or leaving so that access requirements are not overlooked.
Cyber Essentials and professional guidance
Cyber Essentials support may be useful for practices seeking to strengthen baseline security or meet a client requirement. Certification is not a guarantee against attacks, and whether it is contractually required depends on the client or tender. The National Cyber Security Centre's small business guidance offers practical advice on cyber risks and protection.
Backup, Recovery and Business Continuity
Backups that reflect your actual systems
Backup and disaster recovery arrangements need to reflect where your client files and databases are stored. A local accounting server, Microsoft 365 and a cloud accounting platform may each have different retention and recovery options. We can review those arrangements, identify gaps and discuss suitable cloud backup services where appropriate. That includes checking which restore capabilities your cloud subscriptions provide and where your practice needs additional protection.
Testing restores and planning for deadlines
A successful backup notification is only part of the picture. Restore testing checks whether your data can actually be recovered. Documented responsibilities and realistic recovery targets help your practice prepare for disruption. We can help accountancy firms plan for a server fault, accidental deletion or loss of access during tax season, with the scope and frequency of recovery testing agreed in your support contract.
How Much Does IT Support for Accountants Cost?
Transparent support pricing
Unlimited IT support costs £25 per user per month for practices with Sheffield addresses and £30 per user per month for practices with addresses outside Sheffield. Our security packages are available at £5, £15 or £25 per user per month, in addition to your IT support charges. We help you choose the appropriate level based on your systems, the client information you handle and your practice's security requirements. All prices quoted on this page exclude VAT. Check out our ESP Projects pricing calculator and obtain a tailored proposal for your practice.
What is included and what costs extra?
We provide IT support and maintenance of the existing network. Remote and on-site assistance are included within your agreed support scope, with no additional charge for on-site attendance. Requested network changes such as adding devices are excluded. Standard support hours are 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. We can provide extended cover up to 24×7 by agreement. Your quote will make clear the support hours, response arrangements, covered users and devices, security services, software licensing, project work and any additional charges.
Moving Your Accountancy Practice to ESP Projects
Review your existing environment
We begin by learning which accounting platforms you use, where data is held, how staff connect, what needs backing up and which deadlines matter most. This helps identify risks and avoids making changes to critical systems without understanding their dependencies.
Agree a realistic support plan
From there, we can propose a support arrangement covering everyday requests, maintenance, security priorities and any agreed improvement projects. We coordinate the handover with your existing IT provider and software vendors, agreeing the access and documentation they need to supply. With those dependencies identified, we plan the transition around your practice's workload to keep the process organised and disruption to a minimum.
Why Choose ESP Projects?
Your practice needs IT support that fits its applications, deadlines and budget. Here is what ESP Projects offers:
- Experience since 2002. We have worked with accountancy practices and other professional services businesses across the Sheffield City Region since 2002.
- Local support, including on-site assistance. Remote and on-site assistance are included within your agreed support scope, with no additional charge for on-site attendance.
- Clear pricing and responsibilities. IT support costs £25 per user per month for practices with Sheffield addresses or £30 for practices with addresses outside Sheffield, excluding VAT. Security packages cost extra, and your proposal sets out what is covered and any additional charges.
- Recommendations that fit your practice. We assess your existing applications and equipment before recommending changes, whether you use a local server, cloud services or both. A replacement server or cloud migration is not the default answer.
- A clearer process for joiners and leavers. We introduce a User Management Portal during onboarding to help your practice manage staff changes and keep track of access requirements.
Discuss IT support for your accountancy practice. We'll talk through your current setup, support priorities and the next steps towards a tailored proposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we change IT provider without replacing our existing systems?
Changing provider does not automatically mean replacing your server or moving to the cloud. We review your existing systems, security, backups and compatibility, then explain what can stay and any changes we recommend before agreeing the handover.
Who do we contact if an accounting application stops working?
Contact us through the agreed support route. We investigate issues within your IT support scope and coordinate with the software publisher where an application-specific fix is needed. We agree those responsibilities when we review your requirements.
Is help available outside standard support hours?
Standard cover is 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. Extended cover up to 24×7 is available by agreement. Tell us which deadlines or working hours you need covered so we can set out suitable arrangements and any additional charges in your proposal.
Will IT support make us compliant with Making Tax Digital or UK GDPR?
IT support can help keep relevant systems available and strengthen technical controls, but it cannot by itself establish tax or data protection compliance. Your practice should confirm its obligations with appropriate professional guidance.
Get IT Support for Your Accountancy Practice in Sheffield
Tell us how many people work in your practice, which accounting systems you use and what you would like to improve about your current IT support. We'll discuss your existing setup, security needs and priorities, explain what can be maintained and what needs attention, and agree the next steps towards a tailored support proposal.
Book a consultation with ESP Projects or call 0330 202 0118.
