The FTC Safeguards Rule applies to a broad range of financial institutions, including professional tax preparers and accounting firms, requiring them to develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive information security programs to protect customer information.
IRS Publication 4557 provides guidelines for tax professionals on safeguarding taxpayer data, emphasizing the necessity of creating a Written Information Security Plan (WISP). This publication outlines critical security measures and includes a checklist for developing and maintaining a security plan tailored to tax practices.
Therefore, if you are a tax preparer or part of an accounting firm handling client financial information, you are required to comply with both the FTC Safeguards Rule and the guidelines set forth in IRS Publication 4557.