James Harrington
Head of Engineering
Editorial Bio
James is Head of Engineering at Quire. He has spent twelve years building software in financial services, with the last four focused on security architecture for fintech products. He writes about the technical side of client data security — how magic link authentication works, what the FTC Safeguards Rule actually requires at a technical level, and why email is structurally inadequate for financial document collection. He translates compliance requirements into plain language for practitioners who need to understand them without a law degree.
Articles by James
How to Collect Crypto Tax Documents From Clients — A Bookkeeper's Practical Guide
Crypto clients are not harder to serve — they are just harder to onboard if you do not have a structured document request. Here is what to ask for, how to ask for it, and what to do when clients say they do not have records.
Read article → July 5, 2026E-Signatures for Accounting Firms — IRS Compliance, Form 8879, KBA, and the Best Tools in 2025
The IRS allows remote e-signatures on tax documents — but the rules around when Knowledge-Based Authentication is required, and when it isn't, are genuinely confusing. This guide explains exactly what is required and what tools meet those requirements.
Read article → May 14, 2026What Is a Magic Link? How Passwordless Client Access Works in Accounting Portals
A magic link is a one-tap URL that authenticates a specific person without requiring a password. Here is exactly how it works, why it is secure, and why it solves a specific problem that matters in client-facing accounting software.
Read article → May 13, 2026FTC Safeguards Rule Compliance for Accounting Firms in 2026
The updated FTC Safeguards Rule has been in full effect since June 9, 2023. Tax preparers, CPAs, and bookkeepers are covered. Civil penalties reach $50,120 per violation. This is what compliance actually requires.
Read article → May 7, 2026Secure Document Collection for Accounting Firms
Email is not a secure document transport. Accounting firms handling sensitive financial data need collection infrastructure that meets compliance requirements without adding client friction.
Read article →