Privacy Policy

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

We are committed to protecting your personal information and handling it responsibly. As an Australian accounting services provider, we comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the 13 Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) in the way we collect, use, disclose, and store your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines what information we collect about you (and, if applicable, your business), how we use and disclose that information, and the measures we take to keep it secure. We encourage you to read this policy carefully and contact us if you have any questions or concerns about our privacy practices.

Scope

This Privacy Policy applies to all personal information we handle when providing our accounting, tax, and advisory services to our clients (including prospective and former clients). It covers information collected through all means – in person, via our website and online services, email or phone communications, and any mobile applications that reference this policy. Please note that this policy does not apply to information handled by any independent affiliates or third-party partners we may work with; those entities will have their own privacy policies. By using our services or providing your information to us, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

Anonymity and Pseudonymity

Where lawful and practicable, you have the option to interact with us anonymously or under a pseudonym. However, due to the nature of the services we provide, it is often not feasible for us to serve you without knowing your identity. For example, we usually need your correct personal and financial details to prepare tax filings or provide tailored financial advice. If you choose not to provide certain information requested, we may be unable to offer some of our products or services.

Information We Collect

We collect various types of personal and business information so that we can deliver our services to you and comply with legal requirements. Personal information generally means any information or opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable. The types of personal information we may collect include, but are not limited to, the following:

Contact Details

Your name, mailing address, email address, phone number, and other contact information.

Identity Verification Details

Information used to verify your identity or meet government requirements, such as date of birth, Tax File Number (TFN) or other government-issued identification numbers (e.g. driver's licence or passport), and, if relevant, business identifiers like ABN/ACN.

Financial and Tax Information

Detailed information needed to provide accounting or tax services. This may include your income, expenses, credits and deductions, assets and liabilities, bank account details, superannuation details, investment information, past and current tax records (such as tax returns or notices of assessment), and other accounting or financial information. For business clients, this can include company financial statements, employee payroll data, and other business records necessary for our services.

Payment Data

If you engage our services, we might collect payment information such as your bank account details or credit/debit card numbers for billing purposes (e.g. to process service fees or refunds). We also record payment history and transactions with us.

Demographic Information

Details like your age or date of birth, gender, occupation, and other demographic details you might provide to us (for example, in a client intake form or survey).

Online Usage Data

When you interact with our website, portals or mobile applications, we collect certain technical and usage information automatically. This may include your device's Internet Protocol (IP) address, device identifiers, browser type, operating system, referring website, pages you viewed, the dates/times of visits, and actions you take on our site (such as links clicked). If you receive emails from us, we may use technology to track when you open them or click on links.

Login and Account Information

If we provide you with an online account or portal (for example, to upload documents or view reports), we collect the username, password, or other login credentials you create. We also log activities within your account (such as when you last logged in).

Other Information You Choose to Provide

You may provide additional personal information when communicating with us (for example, in emails or phone calls), responding to optional surveys or feedback forms, or using interactive tools on our website. Any such information will also be collected and stored as part of your client record.

Some of the personal information we collect may be considered "sensitive information" under the Privacy Act. This can include details about your health (e.g. if you provide medical expense information or insurance details for tax purposes), membership of professional or trade associations, or criminal record (e.g. if relevant for certain financial matters). We only collect sensitive information where necessary for our services and with your consent, or otherwise in accordance with the law.

How We Collect Personal Information

Directly from You

In most cases, we collect personal information directly from you or your authorized representative. You provide information to us when you fill out our forms or questionnaires, submit documents, speak with us in person or over the phone, send us emails or postal mail, or enter information on our website or client portal. For example, during initial consultations or engagement processes, we will ask for relevant personal and financial details. We may also collect information when you engage with us on social media or via our online chat and support tools.

Through Your Use of Our Services

We collect certain information automatically as you interact with us. If you visit our website or use our mobile applications, we use cookies and similar technologies (described in more detail below) to gather technical data and usage patterns. Our systems and servers may record information such as your IP address, browser type, pages you visit and when, and other analytics data as you use our online services. If we offer an online tax preparation tool or calculators, those tools may collect the data you input (e.g. financial figures) and usage metrics. We collect this information to monitor and improve our services and to personalize your experience.

From Third Parties

We may also obtain personal information about you from third-party sources, but only as permitted by law. For example:

• Authorized Third Parties: With your consent or where otherwise lawful, we might collect information from third parties such as your financial adviser, broker, mortgage provider, or other professionals you have engaged.
• Government Agencies and Institutions: In the context of providing tax or accounting services, we sometimes receive information from government bodies such as the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
• Public Sources and Identity Verification Services: To protect your identity and prevent fraud, we may verify the personal details you provide us against publicly available records.

How We Use Your Information

We collect and hold personal information primarily so that we can effectively provide our accounting and tax services to you. The following are the main purposes for which we use your information:

• Providing Services to You: We use your personal and financial information to deliver the services you have engaged us for.
• Managing and Supporting Your Account: We use your contact information to manage our relationship and communicate with you.
• Identity Verification and Security: We may use your information to verify your identity when you contact us or access our services.
• Improving and Personalizing Services: We may analyze the information we collect about how clients use our services in order to improve our offerings.
• Marketing and Offers (Direct Marketing): As permitted by law, we may use your contact details to inform you about new or additional services.
• Compliance and Legal Obligations: We may use your personal information as needed to comply with our legal and regulatory obligations.

How We Protect Your Information

We understand the importance of safeguarding your personal information. We maintain appropriate physical, electronic, and administrative security measures designed to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and misuse. These measures include:

• Secure Systems and Encryption: We use industry-standard security technologies to protect data.
• Access Controls: We restrict access to personal information to those staff or contractors who need it to perform their duties.
• Physical Security: Personal information stored in physical form is kept in secure, access-controlled premises.
• Third-Party Safeguards: When we use third-party service providers, we choose reputable providers and require them to have robust security practices.

Direct Marketing & Opting-Out

We may from time to time use your personal information to send you marketing communications about our services. However, we respect your choice and control over your personal information. You have the right to opt out of receiving marketing communications from us at any time.

How to Opt Out: If you prefer not to receive promotional emails, newsletters, or other marketing messages from us, you can opt out by using the "unsubscribe" link in the footer of any marketing email we send, or by contacting us directly.

Accessing and Correcting Your Personal Information

Under the Australian Privacy Principles, you have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you, and to request corrections if you believe that information is inaccurate, out-of-date, incomplete, or misleading.

You may request access to your personal information at any time by contacting us. We will need to verify your identity before fulfilling any access request. If you believe any personal information we hold about you is incorrect, incomplete or not current, you have the right to request that we correct it.

Complaints and Further Privacy Information

We take privacy compliance seriously. If you have a concern or complaint regarding how we have handled your personal information, we want to hear from you so we can address the issue.

To lodge a privacy complaint, please contact us using the details below. If you are not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) by calling 1300 363 992 or visiting their website.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please do not hesitate to contact us:

When you contact us, we may need to verify your identity before discussing personal information to ensure we protect your privacy. We will address your inquiries or requests as promptly as possible.