Microsoft 365 for Accountants
Secure, Compliant Cloud Productivity, Set Up Properly the First Time
Your team needs to collaborate on client files, access email from anywhere, and work securely, without IT headaches. Microsoft 365 delivers all of this, but only when it is configured properly for accounting practices. We have already built and run this setup for firms like yours, so you get the shortcut past the usual mistakes, not an experiment on your practice.
Not sure which tier fits your practice? Book a 20-minute scoping call - we will look at what you have now and tell you what actually fits. No pressure, no sales pitch.
Why Accounting Practices Choose Microsoft 365
Work From Anywhere
Access Outlook, Excel, and client files from office, home, or client site. Full desktop apps plus web and mobile versions included.
Real-Time Collaboration
Multiple team members working on the same spreadsheet simultaneously. No more emailing "Final_v3_FINAL.xlsx" back and forth.
Secure Client Communication
Encrypted email, secure file sharing via SharePoint, and Teams for client meetings - all GDPR compliant when properly configured.
Automatic Backup
OneDrive automatically syncs and versions your files. Accidentally delete something? Restore from version history or recycle bin.
Reduced IT Costs
No on-premise Exchange server to maintain. No file server hardware. Microsoft handles the infrastructure, you focus on clients.
Always Up-to-Date
Latest versions of Word, Excel, Outlook included. No more paying for Office upgrades every few years - always current.
What's Included in Microsoft 365 Business
Core Productivity
- Outlook - Professional email with 50GB+ mailbox
- Word - Document creation and collaboration
- Excel - Spreadsheets (your bread and butter)
- PowerPoint - Presentations for client pitches
Collaboration
- Teams - Video calls, chat, client meetings
- SharePoint - Secure document libraries and client portals
- OneDrive - 1TB personal cloud storage per user
- Planner - Task management for engagements
Security (Business Premium)
- Intune - Mobile device management
- Defender - Advanced threat protection
- Conditional Access - Control who accesses what, from where
- Data Loss Prevention - Prevent accidental data leaks
Ready to See What This Looks Like for Your Practice?
Choose your starting point:
How We Configure M365 for Accounting Practices
Anyone can sell you Microsoft 365 licences. The difference is in the configuration. We have already built this out for firms elsewhere, so here is what we set up specifically for accountants, including the groundwork Copilot needs before it goes near client data:
Email Security
DMARC, DKIM, and SPF configured to prevent email spoofing. Anti-phishing policies tuned for finance-targeted attacks. Quarantine policies that catch threats without blocking legitimate client emails.
Secure External Sharing
SharePoint configured for secure client document sharing. Expiring links, password protection, and audit trails. Clients can access their files without you emailing sensitive documents.
Data Retention
Retention policies aligned with accounting record-keeping requirements. Deleted emails retained for compliance. Litigation hold capability if ever needed.
Mobile Security
Intune policies ensuring firm data stays protected on personal phones. Remote wipe capability if a device is lost. PIN/biometric requirements for Outlook mobile.
Conditional Access
Block logins from high-risk countries. Require MFA for all users. Restrict access to compliant devices only. Prevent data download on untrusted machines.
Teams for Client Meetings
Branded meeting experience. Lobby controls to prevent uninvited guests. Recording and transcription for meeting notes. Screen sharing configured securely.
Copilot Readiness & Governance
Data classification and sensitivity labels set up before Copilot ever sees a client file. Access boundaries checked so it cannot surface something it should not. We know what needs to be in place first, so you are not finding out the hard way after client data has already moved.
Integrations With Your Accounting Software
Microsoft 365 works alongside your practice management and accounting software:
Sage
Outlook add-ins for Sage, OneDrive backup of Sage data files, Teams integration for Sage notifications.
Xero
Email integration for invoice sending, SharePoint for receipt storage, Power Automate workflows for notifications.
QuickBooks
Outlook integration, OneDrive sync for backup, Excel exports and reporting.
Practice Management
Integration with CCH, Iris, Wolters Kluwer and other practice management systems. Single sign-on where supported.
Our Microsoft 365 Migration Process
Discovery
Audit your current email, file storage, and collaboration setup. Identify what's moving, what's staying, and potential challenges.
Planning
Design your M365 tenant structure. Plan user licensing, security policies, and migration timeline. Avoid tax season.
Setup
Configure tenant, security policies, and integrations. Set up SharePoint structure. Test everything before touching user data.
Migration
Move mailboxes, files, and data. Usually done over a weekend to minimise disruption. Historical emails and files preserved.
Training
Team training on new tools. Quick reference guides. Ongoing support as people get comfortable.
Microsoft 365 Licensing for Accountants
Microsoft licensing is separate from our management services. Here's what the licenses cost:
Business Basic
Web and mobile apps only
- Outlook, Word, Excel (web only)
- Teams
- SharePoint
- 1TB OneDrive
Suitable for: Reception, admin staff
Business Premium
Full desktop apps + security
- Everything in Basic, plus:
- Desktop Word, Excel, Outlook
- Intune device management
- Defender for Office 365
- Conditional Access
- Azure AD Premium P1
Suitable for: Fee earners, partners
E3/E5
Enterprise features
- Everything in Premium, plus:
- Advanced compliance tools
- Unlimited archive mailbox
- Advanced eDiscovery
- Power BI Pro (E5)
Suitable for: Large practices, compliance-heavy
Our recommendation for most practices: Business Premium for fee earners and partners, Business Basic for support staff. This balances security, functionality, and cost. *Note: prices correct at time of writing, Microsoft reserve the right to update their licensing cost and product entitlement
Ongoing Management Options
Migration Only
We set up and migrate you to Microsoft 365, then hand over the keys. You manage it yourself or with your existing IT.
One-time project fee
H-Protect Managed
Migration included, plus ongoing management as part of H-Protect. We handle user adds/removes, security monitoring, policy updates, and support.
From £55/user/month (includes M365 management + full security stack)
Co-Managed
Your IT handles day-to-day. We manage the security configuration, monitor for threats, and handle the complex stuff.
Custom pricing based on scope
Common Questions About Microsoft 365 for Accountants
We're currently using on-premise Exchange. Can you migrate us?
Yes. We migrate from on-premise Exchange, hosted Exchange, POP/IMAP email, Google Workspace, or any other email system. Historical emails, calendars, and contacts all come across.
Will we lose any emails during migration?
No. We use Microsoft's migration tools that sync everything before cutover. On migration day, we do a final sync and switch DNS. Typically less than an hour of "emails might be slightly delayed" - and even then, nothing is lost.
What about our files on the server?
We can migrate file server data to SharePoint and OneDrive. Folder structures preserved. Permissions mapped across. You get the benefit of anywhere-access plus automatic backup.
Is Microsoft 365 secure enough for client data?
Yes - when configured properly. Microsoft 365 is ISO 27001 certified and GDPR compliant. The key is configuration: encryption, access controls, DLP policies, and monitoring. That's what we do.
We want to roll out Copilot. Are we ready?
Probably not yet, and that is worth knowing before you switch it on rather than after. Copilot surfaces whatever your permissions already allow, so if sharing and access are loose, Copilot will find that. We check and tighten this as part of the setup, so governance is in place before Copilot is, not bolted on afterwards.
Ready to Move Your Practice to Microsoft 365?
Start with a scoping call. We will review your current setup, recommend the right licensing mix, and outline a migration plan that avoids your busy periods, including what needs to be in place before you switch on Copilot.
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