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Cybersecurity Alert
June 2, 2026 by EmailMeNow IT Consulting

Cybersecurity Audit of Top Texas Accounting Firms in 2026

Independent audits of leading Texas CPA and tax firms show significant variation in email security — scores run from 71% down to 38%, and none reach a strong posture. The IRS and FTC require a written security plan to protect taxpayer data.

CPAAccountingTaxIRS Pub 4557Email SecurityTexas
Digital audit dashboard showing cybersecurity scores of major Texas accounting and CPA firms

An independent cybersecurity review across leading Texas CPA and tax firms reveals a wide range of results. Firms that prepare returns hold extremely sensitive taxpayer data, yet many show significant gaps in basic email authentication.

Using data from audit.emailmenow.com, we evaluated each firm’s domain across SPF, DKIM, DMARC, transport security, and website security headers.

Cybersecurity Scores of Major Texas Accounting Firms

Overall compliance scores from audit.emailmenow.com, measured June 2, 2026. Re-run any domain at the link to verify.

RankFirmDomainOverall ScorePerformance Level
1Weaverweaver.com71%Strong
2Maxwell Locke & Rittermlrpc.com70%Strong
3ATKGatkgcpa.com64%Good
3Doeren Mayhewdoeren.com64%Good
5Lane Gorman Trubittlgt-cpa.com60%Above Average
5FORVIS Mazarsforvis.com60%Above Average
7Calvetti Fergusoncalvettiferguson.com58%Average
7Atchley & Associatesatchleycpas.com58%Average
9Carr, Riggs & Ingramcricpa.com55%Average
10Whitley Pennwhitleypenn.com54%Average
10Henry & Petershenrypeters.com54%Average
12PKF Texaspkftexas.com50%Below Average
12Savillesavillecpa.com50%Below Average
14Montgomery Coscia Greilichmcgcpa.com48%Below Average
15Goldin Peiser & Peisergppcpa.com44%Weak
16Sutton Frost Carysfcllp.com38%Weakest

What the Results Reveal

  • Weaver (71%) and Maxwell Locke & Ritter (70%) lead, but no firm reaches a strong (85%+) posture.
  • The majority sit in the 44–60% range — a sign that enforced DMARC (p=reject), strict SPF, and transport protections are widely missing, despite the sensitive taxpayer data these firms hold.
  • Weak email authentication fuels the tax-season phishing and client-payment fraud that increasingly target CPA firms.

Why This Matters for CPA & Tax Firms

The IRS (Publication 4557) requires every tax professional to maintain a written information security plan (WISP) to keep a PTIN, and the FTC Safeguards Rule backs it with enforcement. Tax season is also peak phishing season for tax pros. Weak email authentication makes client-payment and refund fraud far easier.

See also — national audit

Recommendations for Accounting Firms

  • Enforce DMARC (p=reject), strict SPF (-all), and DKIM signing.
  • Add MTA-STS and website security headers.
  • Document your WISP and run recurring security awareness training before filing season.

Protect your firm and your clients. Run a free Instant Cybersecurity Audit at audit.emailmenow.com/?industry=cpa-firms.

Contact EmailMeNow IT Consulting for help with your IRS-ready written security plan and email hardening.


Source & methodology: Overall compliance scores from the free scan at audit.emailmenow.com, measured June 2, 2026 — each domain checked for email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), transport security (MTA-STS/TLS), website security headers, and network security. Re-run any domain at the link to verify.