As of 2026, the United States has approximately 30,000 to 35,000 managed service providers (MSPs), though exact counts vary depending on how providers are classified. This figure includes everything from one-person break-fix shops to national providers with hundreds of employees. The MSP market has grown significantly over the past decade as businesses increasingly outsource IT management rather than maintaining full in-house teams.
What Counts as an MSP in These Industry Estimates?
The 30,000-35,000 figure encompasses a wide range of IT service businesses. At one end are sole proprietors who manage a handful of small business clients part-time. At the other are multi-location providers serving hundreds of clients across multiple states.
Industry associations like CompTIA and research firms typically count any business offering ongoing IT management services under contract. This includes traditional MSPs providing managed IT services, break-fix shops that have added monitoring, and specialized providers focusing on specific verticals or services like cybersecurity.
The classification becomes murky with IT consultants, value-added resellers (VARs), and systems integrators who offer some managed services alongside project work. Many businesses straddle multiple categories, making precise counts difficult.
For CPA firms in Salt Lake City, this distinction matters because not all 35,000 providers are equipped to handle your specific needs around client data security, tax season uptime, and compliance requirements.
How Has the MSP Market Grown Over the Past Decade?
The MSP industry has experienced steady expansion since 2015, driven by cloud adoption, cybersecurity threats, and businesses recognizing that internal IT departments are cost-prohibitive for most organizations under 100 employees.
Ten years ago, industry estimates placed the MSP count around 20,000 to 25,000 providers. The 40-50% growth reflects both new market entrants and traditional break-fix shops transitioning to recurring revenue models.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this growth as businesses suddenly needed remote access, cloud infrastructure, and security solutions they couldn't deploy themselves. Many accounting firms shifted to remote work practically overnight and needed partners who could support secure file sharing and client portals.
Utah's MSP market mirrors this national trend, with Salt Lake City seeing particular growth as the state's technology sector and business-friendly environment attract companies needing sophisticated IT support.
The MSP market generates over $300 billion annually in North America, with average annual growth rates of 10-12%.
This growth creates both opportunity and challenge for buyers: more options exist, but differentiating between capable providers and those simply rebranding as "managed services" requires careful evaluation.
What Types of MSPs Serve the Salt Lake City Market?
Salt Lake City businesses can choose from several provider categories, each with distinct characteristics and trade-offs:
- Local independent MSPs like 911 IT, Executech, Wasatch I.T., Nexus IT Consultants, INTELITECHS, ProLink IT, and Qual IT serve the Utah market with teams ranging from a handful to several dozen technicians. These providers know the local business environment, Utah's regulatory landscape, and the specific challenges of serving industries prominent in the Mountain West region.
- Regional providers operate across multiple Western states, offering broader geographic coverage but often with less local presence. They may have offices in Salt Lake City but support staff distributed across larger territories.
- National MSP chains exist but rarely make sense for small to mid-sized CPA firms. At these large providers, your 15-person accounting practice is one account among thousands. You'll deal with ticket queues, rotating junior technicians who don't know your business, and slow escalation processes when critical issues arise during tax season.
- Specialized vertical MSPs focus exclusively on specific industries. Some providers work only with healthcare, legal, or financial services firms, developing deep expertise in compliance requirements and industry-specific software.
For CPA firms, the sweet spot is typically a local provider large enough to offer 24-7 support and enterprise-grade security, but small enough that you're known by name and your tax season deadlines genuinely matter to the team supporting you.
How Do You Evaluate MSPs When Thousands Exist Nationwide?
The sheer number of MSPs makes selection challenging, but most businesses only need to evaluate 3-5 serious candidates in their local market.
Start by filtering for providers who actually serve your area with local technicians, not just remote-only support. For Salt Lake City accounting firms, this means providers with Utah presence who understand state-specific considerations like Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing requirements and multi-state tax compliance for clients operating across Utah, Wyoming, and Arizona.
Verify industry experience by asking for references from other CPA firms. Generic "small business" experience doesn't translate to understanding engagement files, workpapers, e-file systems, and the absolute criticality of uptime during busy season. A provider who's supported accounting firms through multiple tax seasons knows what February through April looks like.
Examine their approach to client data security and compliance. CPA firms handle sensitive taxpayer data subject to IRS requirements and state breach notification laws. Your MSP should proactively address encryption, secure file sharing, two-factor authentication, and audit trails - not treat these as optional add-ons.
Assess their support model and response commitments. When your tax software crashes at 8 PM on April 14th, can you reach a live technician who knows your systems, or will you navigate an automated ticket system? 911 IT's 24-7 live support means you're never talking to voicemail during critical moments.
Review their service structure and pricing transparency. Flat-rate, predictable pricing lets you budget accurately, while hourly models create uncertainty. Ask what's included in base service versus charged separately - some providers advertise low per-user rates but nickel-and-dime for every security tool and support call.
Janet, a Salt Lake City attorney who works closely with financial professionals, captured the importance of the right fit: "911 IT is the absolute BEST company I have ever worked with. As a tech-impaired geezer, I struggle with most computer and online functions. However, as a lawyer, I must navigate the internet, log into legal research databases, operate the court's electronic filing system, manage my email, and download various documents." Her experience illustrates how the right provider becomes an essential partner, not just a vendor.
What Should Salt Lake City CPA Firms Look for in an MSP?
CPA firms have specific requirements that eliminate most of those 35,000 national MSPs from consideration.
Tax season reliability is non-negotiable. Your systems must stay operational from January through April 15th when you're processing the majority of annual revenue. This requires proactive monitoring, redundant systems, and guaranteed rapid response. An MSP that treats your February network issue as routine doesn't understand your business.
Client data security must be architectural, not an afterthought. This means data encryption at rest and in transit, secure client portals, MFA enforcement, regular security assessments, and documented policies that satisfy professional liability insurers. Your MSP should help you safeguard taxpayer data as an IRS requirement, not just a best practice.
Software expertise in accounting-specific tools matters. Your provider should understand tax software, practice management platforms, document management systems, and how these integrate. Generic IT support can't troubleshoot why CCH Axcess is running slowly or help optimize your workflow between tax prep and client portals.
Business continuity planning protects against the worst-case scenarios. What happens if ransomware encrypts your files two weeks before the deadline? Your MSP should provide robust backup and disaster recovery with tested restoration procedures - not just hope backup software is working.
Compliance support for multi-state operations helps Utah firms serving clients across state lines. With coverage across Utah, Wyoming, and Arizona, 911 IT understands the cross-border considerations that affect Mountain West accounting practices, from Wyoming's lack of state income tax to Arizona's different regulatory environment.
The provider should offer cybersecurity services that address the specific threats facing financial services firms, including phishing attacks targeting tax professionals, business email compromise, and credential theft.
Why Local Expertise Matters More Than National Scale
While 35,000 MSPs exist nationwide, your CPA firm needs one that understands Salt Lake City's business environment and the Mountain West financial services sector.
Local providers know the regional considerations that national chains miss. Utah's growing tech industry creates specialized tax planning needs. The LDS Church's significant presence generates substantial nonprofit accounting work requiring specific expertise. Real estate investment activity tied to population growth creates demand for cost segregation studies and 1031 exchange support. These local factors shape your clients' needs and your technology requirements.
Regional regulatory knowledge matters for compliance. Utah's data breach notification laws, state-specific professional licensing requirements, and multi-state tax compliance considerations across the Mountain West require familiarity that remote providers rarely develop.
On-site response capability provides peace of mind. When you need someone physically present - for network hardware issues, new office setup, or hands-on troubleshooting - a local provider can be there within hours, not days. Remote-only support has limits.
Relationship continuity comes from local teams. At national providers, you're assigned to whoever's available in the ticket queue. With a local MSP like 911 IT, the same technicians who know your systems, your staff, and your busy season patterns support you year after year.
Community investment and reputation matter. Local providers build their business on referrals within the Salt Lake City professional community. Poor service damages their reputation where they live and work, creating strong incentive for excellence that distant providers don't face.
911 IT's recognition as a 2024 MSP Titans award winner and Best of Salt Lake reflects this community-focused approach. These aren't purchased placements but recognition from clients and industry peers.
How 911 IT Stands Out Among Salt Lake City MSP Options
When evaluating local MSPs, 911 IT offers the combination of capabilities and client focus that CPA firms need.
Proactive support prevents problems rather than just reacting to them. Continuous monitoring, patch management, and security assessments catch issues before they impact your operations. Garry, an engineering firm client, noted: "We've had no major outages, and any minor issues were resolved quickly and effectively. Thanks to 911 IT, we've been able to focus on our core business without the burden of building an internal IT department."
True 24-7 availability means live support when you need it, not voicemail. During tax season's long hours and weekend work, you can reach knowledgeable technicians who access your systems and resolve issues immediately.
Transparent, flat-rate pricing eliminates billing surprises. You know exactly what IT support costs each month, making budgeting straightforward. No surprise invoices for support calls or security updates that should be included.
The 100% Satisfaction Guarantee backs up service commitments with accountability. If you're not satisfied, 911 IT makes it right - a promise that demonstrates confidence in service quality.
Industry-specific expertise across healthcare, engineering, construction, and financial services means understanding compliance requirements, specialized software, and industry workflows. This isn't generic small business IT adapted to your needs - it's purpose-built support for professional services firms.
Coverage across Utah, Wyoming, and Arizona serves CPA firms with multi-state operations or clients across the Mountain West. Whether your main office is in Salt Lake City, you have staff in Casper, or you're expanding to Phoenix, 911 IT provides consistent support across your footprint.
The choice isn't really among 35,000 national MSPs. It's among the handful of local providers who can genuinely support your firm's specific needs - and among those, finding the one that treats your success as their own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the largest MSPs in the US?
The largest national MSPs include companies like Kaseya-owned providers, ConnectWise partners, and enterprise-focused firms serving Fortune 500 clients. However, for small to mid-sized CPA firms in Salt Lake City, these national giants are typically poor fits. You'll be one account among thousands, dealing with ticket queues and rotating technicians rather than a dedicated team that knows your practice and tax season demands.
How many MSPs operate in Salt Lake City specifically?
Salt Lake City has approximately 50 to 75 businesses offering managed IT services, though the number of true MSPs with dedicated teams, 24-7 support, and proactive monitoring is considerably smaller - likely 15 to 20 serious providers. The local market includes established firms like 911 IT, Executech, Wasatch I.T., Nexus IT Consultants, and others serving Utah businesses with varying specializations and service models.
What percentage of businesses use MSPs for IT support?
Industry research suggests approximately 60-70% of small to mid-sized businesses now use some form of managed IT services, up from around 40% a decade ago. This percentage is higher in professional services sectors like accounting, legal, and healthcare where compliance requirements, data security concerns, and the cost of downtime make outsourced IT expertise more attractive than building internal departments.
How do MSP costs compare to hiring internal IT staff?
A single internal IT person in Salt Lake City costs $65,000 to $85,000 annually in salary plus benefits, payroll taxes, and overhead - totaling $90,000 to $120,000 for one person with limited expertise and no coverage during vacation or illness. Managed IT services typically cost $100 to $250 per user monthly, meaning a 15-person CPA firm pays roughly $18,000 to $45,000 annually for an entire team's expertise, 24-7 coverage, and enterprise-grade tools.
What should CPA firms prioritize when selecting an MSP?
CPA firms should prioritize tax season reliability, client data security expertise, accounting software knowledge, documented backup and disaster recovery, and proven experience supporting other accounting practices. Verify the provider offers true 24-7 support with live technicians, transparent flat-rate pricing, and understands IRS requirements for safeguarding taxpayer data. References from other CPA firms and demonstrated compliance expertise matter more than generic small business testimonials.
