Drake authenticator app

[Lee B]

6 minutes ago, Lion EA said:

. . . .  I can finally get into my software, prior years too. . . . 

Interesting, according to the Drake Community Board, Drake requires you to reload an authenticator app every year after you download the the nest years software ?

[jklcpa]

3 minutes ago, Lee B said:

Interesting, according to the Drake Community Board, Drake requires you to reload an authenticator app every year after you download the the nest years software ?

I have authentication going back to the 2018 software and have never had to "reload the app", whatever that means. It does require scanning the QR code for each year for the one-time setup to initially access the software though. Then use it as usual.

[Lee B]

21 minutes ago, jklcpa said:

I have authentication going back to the 2018 software and have never had to "reload the app", whatever that means. It does require scanning the QR code for each year for the one-time setup to initially access the software though. Then use it as usual.

Interesting, there a number of users posting on the Drake Board that they aren't able to do that?

[Lee B]

"Drake Software has been dedicated to protecting your and your clients’ data by automatically enabling MFA for preparers since Drake Tax 2021 and for all web-based applications thereafter (Drake Software single sign-on (SSO) accounts, including the Drake User Manager, Support site, Drake Portals (firms), Drake Zero, and Web1040). If tax professionals have other sufficient means of security that meet or exceed IRS MFA requirements, they may choose to disable MFA; however, those who disable MFA without adequate safeguards in place are in direct violation of FTC 16 CFR 314.4(c)(5). For this reason, Drake Software strongly recommends enabling MFA on all Drake Software"

According to this  excerpt from a Drake Knowledgebase article dated November 4, 2024,  Drake will still allow preparers to opt out of MFA.

[jklcpa]

3 hours ago, Lee B said:

Interesting, there a number of users posting on the Drake Board that they aren't able to do that?

Somehow we may be miscommunicating about this, and I'm not sure why you think I have the MFA turned off, if that other post was directed to me. I have turned on for all user accounts and for all years installed on my desktop, currently 2019 through 2023.  I also just checked each user log-in for each of those years, and I was able to log in and open the programs by entering my password and then entering the 6-digit authentication code from my phone.

In order to turn MFA on with the initial set up with my Google authenticator FOR EACH PROGRAM YEAR AND EACH USER: I had to scan each year's QR box once, get the initial 6-digit code setup code from my phone one time for Admin account, and enter it in the software. Then I had to repeat all of that to set up my individual user account.

AFTER THAT INITIAL SETUP, with each log in I have to open the authenticator every time I log in, get the 6-digit code that is displayed, and enter that into my program for it to open.

I will have to go through the initial setup of the authenticator again when I load the 2024 program, once for the admin account, and once again for my individual user account. 

Since starting to use the authenticator, I have never had to "reload" the app for any prior year; it just continues to work when I log in and open those old programs and enter the code.

[Tax Prep by Deb]

I believe what Judy says is correct.  I think you are reading a little too much into this.  What it means is that each year you will have to add that year to the app, not re-download the actual app.

[mcbreck]

When my 2024 software was installed, they unchecked the MFA requirement box. I'm guessing Drake doesn't require it or they wouldn't offer that option within the software.