Privacy Policy

We are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data when you engage with our accounting services.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information:

• Personal Identification Information: Name, address, email address, phone number, date of birth.
• Financial Information: Bank account details, income, expenditure, tax information, financial statements, and other relevant data related to accounting services.
• Business Information: Business name, registered office address, tax registration number, company financial information.

We collect this information when you contact us, request our services, or interact with our website.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal data to:

• Provide accounting, tax, and financial advisory services.
• Manage our relationship with you, including communication and customer service.
• Fulfill legal obligations, including compliance with UK tax laws and regulations.
• Send you updates or information related to your financial affairs.
• Improve the quality of our services.

3. Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data

We process your personal data under the following legal bases:

• Contractual necessity: To provide you with accounting services as outlined in our service agreement.
• Legal obligation: To comply with UK laws and tax regulations.
• Legitimate interests: To manage our business operations, improve services, and communicate effectively with clients.
• Consent: Where necessary, we may ask for your consent to process certain data, which you can withdraw at any time.

4. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your data with:

• Third-party service providers: We may use third-party companies to assist us in delivering our services (e.g., cloud hosting, software providers, email services).
• Regulatory Authorities: We may share your personal information with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) or other relevant authorities to comply with legal or regulatory obligations.
• Professional Advisors: In some cases, we may share information with legal, financial, or other professional advisors when necessary.

5. Data Retention

We will retain your personal data for as long as it is necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, including compliance with legal, regulatory, and accounting requirements.

6. Your Rights

Under the UK Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you have the following rights:

• Right to Access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: You can request corrections to any inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
• Right to Erasure: You can request that we delete your personal data, subject to legal limitations.
• Right to Restrict Processing: You can request that we limit the processing of your personal data.
• Right to Object: You can object to certain types of data processing.
• Right to Data Portability: You can request your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided at the end of this policy.

7. Security of Your Data

We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, loss, or destruction. However, no data transmission over the internet is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. International Transfers

We do not transfer your personal data outside of the UK. If this changes in the future, we will ensure that adequate safeguards are in place to protect your data.

9. Cookies

Our website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience. These cookies may collect data to improve website functionality and analyze usage patterns. By continuing to use our website, you consent to the use of cookies. You can manage cookie settings through your browser.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. We will notify you of any significant changes via email or through our website.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights, please contact us at:

Smith & Hayes
1 Tidal Basin Road
+44788 423 7969
enquiries@hayesco.co.uk