Why Now’s the Right Time for Accountants to Move to the Cloud

The start of the financial year is usually a good time for a review—but it doesn’t just apply to balance sheets. Many accounting firms across the UK are still running on ageing infrastructure, juggling multiple IT providers, and dealing with support that feels more reactive than reliable. If that sounds familiar, it may be time to take stock of your IT setup.

The Cost of Holding On to Traditional IT

Legacy systems might seem like the safer option—familiar, paid for, already integrated. But they come with hidden costs:

• Hardware Maintenance – On-site servers require constant upkeep, energy, and physical space. Repairs and upgrades add up.

• Disjointed Systems – Many firms use separate vendors for email, security, data backups, and accounting platforms. This creates inefficiencies and often leads to billing overlaps.

• Inconsistent Support – If you’re waiting days for a response or paying extra for priority service, you’re not getting value.

• Security Risks – Older systems are more vulnerable to cyber threats. Without constant patching and monitoring, your client data is at risk.

According to a 2024 report by TechMarket Insights, 44% of UK accountancy firms still run at least part of their operations on out-of-date or unsupported infrastructure.

Why Cloud IT Makes More Sense in 2025

Cloud computing gives accountants a more efficient, secure, and cost-effective way to manage IT. Everything runs from a secure data centre, with no servers to maintain or patch.

Here’s why it’s worth considering:

🔹 Centralised Infrastructure – Manage email, files, accounting software, and backups from one platform.

🔹 Predictable Pricing – No surprise bills for callouts, upgrades, or storage. Just one clear monthly cost.

🔹Better Security – Built-in encryption, user access controls, multi-factor authentication, and 24/7 monitoring.

🔹Anywhere Access – Log in securely from the office, home, or client meetings without losing functionality.

🔹Reliable Backups – Automated daily backups reduce risk of data loss from ransomware, hardware failure, or accidental deletion.

A 2023 Gartner study reported that firms moving their operations to cloud-based IT cut infrastructure and support costs by up to 30% in the first 12 months.

🔗 Read more on how AI and cloud computing help cut IT costs

A Step-by-Step Reset for Accountants

1. Audit Your Current IT Setup – List systems, subscriptions, providers, and what they cost you in time and money.

2. Identify Gaps – Are your backups reliable? Are your systems secure? Can your staff work remotely without hassle?

3. Consolidate Providers – Shifting to a single cloud platform avoids duplication and simplifies management.

4. Prioritise Data Security – Choose services that include encryption, monitoring, and secure data centres.

5. Future-Proof Your Setup – Look for scalability, so your IT grows with your firm, not against it.

Why Now?

With tax deadlines out of the way and new compliance requirements looming, there’s no better time to clean out legacy systems and put something more efficient in place. Modern cloud IT gives accountancy firms better performance, lower costs, and fewer IT headaches.

If your systems are patched together with old hardware, outdated licences, and slow support, it might be time to make a clean break.

🔗 Find out how virtual desktops support secure, modern accounting operations