April 28, 2026

Why Protecting Your Personal Information Is Non-Negotiable at Welgaard

Protecting Your Personal Information

 

When you work with an accounting firm, you are sharing more than numbers. You are sharing some of the most sensitive pieces of your identity.

At Welgaard, we understand that protecting your Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is not just an IT issue. It is a core responsibility of our firm and a key part of the trust you place in us.

In today’s environment of increasing cyber threats, safeguarding your data is more important than ever.

What Is Personally Identifiable Information (PII)?

Personally Identifiable Information, or PII, refers to data that can be used to identify an individual or business. In an accounting firm, this includes:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Bank account and routing numbers
  • Driver’s license information
  • Payroll and employee data
  • Addresses, birthdates, and phone numbers
  • Tax returns and financial statements

Because accounting firms handle a high concentration of financial and tax-related information, we are often targeted by cybercriminals seeking to commit identity theft or tax fraud.

Why Accounting Firms Are Prime Targets

Unfortunately, the data we work with daily is extremely valuable to attackers. A single compromised email account or improperly stored document can expose significant information.

Regulatory agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Trade Commission require firms like ours to maintain strong safeguards to protect client data. Beyond compliance requirements, we recognize that protecting your information is simply the right thing to do.

Common Vulnerabilities — and How We Address Them:

Email Risks

Email is one of the most common sources of data exposure. Sending documents with sensitive information as attachments, or leaving PII stored indefinitely in inboxes, increases risk.

At Welgaard, we encourage the use of secure client portals rather than standard email when sharing sensitive information. Portals are encrypted and designed specifically for secure document exchange.

Document Handling

Downloading files to unsecured locations or retaining unnecessary duplicate copies can create vulnerabilities.

We follow defined document management practices to ensure that sensitive data is stored only in approved, secure systems.

Access Controls

Not everyone needs access to everything. We apply the principle of least privilege, meaning team members have access only to the information necessary to perform their roles.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

We require multi-factor authentication for critical systems. This adds an extra layer of protection beyond just a password.

Staff Training

Cybersecurity is not just a technology issue — it is a people issue. Our team participates in ongoing security awareness training to recognize phishing attempts and follow best practices when handling client data.

How Clients Can Help Protect Their Information

Security works best when we work together. Here are a few simple steps clients can take:

  • Use our secure client portal to send documents
  • Avoid emailing Social Security numbers or bank information in plain text
  • Use strong, unique passwords
  • Notify us immediately if you receive a suspicious email claiming to be from our firm

Our Commitment to You

At Welgaard, protecting your information is foundational to our work. We take seriously the responsibility of safeguarding the financial and personal data entrusted to us.

Your trust is one of our most valuable assets. We are committed to earning and protecting it every day.