Your CPA is probably using AI. Is your data safe?
77% of accounting firms now use AI, and 44% of those don't run it in a setup built to protect sensitive client data yet. That's from Rightworks' 2026 survey of 507 firms, taken in July. Your tax returns, payroll and bank statements sit with one of those firms.
Five questions for your next check-in
So at your next check-in, ask your CPA these five questions:
- Which AI tools does your team use on my files?
- Do any of them train on what you type in? Is that turned off?
- Where is my data stored, and for how long?
- Are those tools listed in your Written Information Security Plan? The IRS requires every tax preparer to have one.
- What will you never put into an AI tool? My Social Security number? My bank account numbers?
A good CPA can answer all five in a few minutes. If yours can't, that tells you something, and it's better to find out before tax season.
Business owners: have you ever asked your CPA how they use AI?
Sources
- Rightworks, 2026 Accounting Firm Technology Survey (507 firms, July 2026; the secure-setup question went to the 390 firms using AI).
- IRS news release IR-2026-92, Aug. 18, 2026.
- Rightworks sells hosting and AI tools to accounting firms.