Industries · Financial services

Managed IT and security for financial services firms

Financial advisers, mortgage and insurance brokers, accounting practices and investment firms hold sensitive client data. We run the IT with security built in, and help finance-led groups with ERP and reporting.
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Financial services: where SyncBricks fits

Financial services firms are attractive targets: client identity documents, account details and payment instructions are exactly what fraudsters look for. Business email compromise and invoice redirection are common risks, and licensees and clients increasingly ask how a firm protects the information it holds.

SyncBricks provides managed IT with the security baseline as part of the service, not an add-on. For groups with several entities, trusts or funds, we also help with finance processes, consolidation and the move from accounting software to an ERP when it is warranted.

Where each service fits in a financial firm

For advice, broking and accounting practices, managed IT and security is usually the main need. ERP work becomes relevant for multi-entity groups, investment and property groups, or firms whose finance team spends days each month consolidating spreadsheets.

Common problems we see in financial services

  • Email impersonation and payment redirection attempts
  • Client documents shared by email attachment or personal file-sharing tools
  • Staff and authorised representatives working from many locations and devices
  • Questions from licensees, insurers or clients about cyber controls
  • Multi-entity groups consolidating accounts in spreadsheets at month end
  • Records retention requirements that are hard to meet with ad hoc storage

Managed IT

Managed IT for financial services

Day-to-day support and security, delivered remotely and on site when needed.

Security baseline as standard

Multi-factor authentication, conditional access, email protection, patching and backup, aligned with the Essential Eight.

Email and payment fraud controls

Email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), impersonation protection and a simple process for verifying changed bank details.

Secure client file handling

Client portals or SharePoint sharing set up properly, so documents are not sent around as attachments.

Evidence for questionnaires

Documentation of the controls in place, so you can answer licensee, insurer and client security questions accurately.

Devices and remote access

Managed, encrypted devices and secure access for staff working in the office, at home or with clients.

ERP and business processes

ERP and process work for financial services

Process first, then system. We map how work flows before recommending software.

Finance process mapping

Map month end, intercompany, approvals and reporting, and find where time goes.

Multi-entity ERP

Select and implement finance-led ERP for groups that need consolidation, intercompany and entity-level reporting.

Integration

Connect CRM, practice or platform data to the ledger so fees, commissions and payments flow without re-keying.

Systems and integrations we often see

Platforms we commonly work with in this sector. We are vendor neutral and are not a reseller for any of them.

Systems

Microsoft 365XeroMYOBXplanSalesforceBusiness CentralNetSuiteERPNext

Common integrations

AccountingCRMCommission and fee dataPayrollDocument management

How we usually start

  1. 01

    Security and IT review

    Accounts, email, devices, backup and how client documents move.
  2. 02

    Close the high-risk gaps

    Usually MFA everywhere, email authentication and a payment verification process.
  3. 03

    Agree the managed service

    What is included, how support works and what is reported to you.
  4. 04

    Review finance processes

    For groups, map month end and consolidation and decide whether ERP is warranted.

FAQ

Financial services questions

Are you a specialist APRA or AFSL compliance provider?

No. We provide managed IT and security and document the technical controls in place. Regulatory and licensing obligations remain with your firm and your compliance advisers. We work with them on the technical side.

Can you help us answer a cyber security questionnaire?

Yes. We can help you answer accurately based on what is actually in place, and close gaps that the questionnaire reveals. We will not help claim controls you do not have.

When does a financial services group need an ERP?

Usually when there are several entities, intercompany transactions and a month end that relies on spreadsheets to consolidate. A single practice is generally well served by accounting software and good integration.

Do you work with our existing software vendors?

Yes. We support the environment your advice, CRM and accounting software runs in and coordinate with those vendors when changes are needed.

Related

Talk to us about IT or systems in financial services

Tell us how the business runs today and what is getting in the way. We will tell you plainly whether and how we can help.

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