Privacy Policy Statement
Overview
Hayton Accountancy is committed to protecting the privacy of the personal information of its employees, suppliers, business partners, members and their clients. We value the trust of the public and those we deal with, and recognise that maintaining this trust requires transparency and accountability in how we treat personal information that is shared with us. This Privacy Policy Statement (“Policy”) has been adopted to guide how we collect, use and disclose the personal information acquired in the course of conducting our business and fulfilling our professional responsibilities.
We adhere to the requirements of the law and our professional standards, and as we conduct our business operations we frequently gather and use personal information. We seek consent to use this information when it is collected and recognise your expectation that it will be carefully protected. Our privacy practices require that we only use personal information outside of the original purpose for which it is collected after obtaining appropriate consent.
Personal information is defined as any information that can be used to distinguish, identify or contact a specific individual, including information about age, income, opinions or beliefs, home location and family. However, business contact and other information about individuals that is available in the public domain, such as names, addresses and telephone numbers published in directories, are not considered personal information. Public information is not subject to privacy legislation and therefore is excluded from this policy and is not subject to the same protections as is the case with personal information. However, we do not disclose personal information about our employees, suppliers, business partners, members and their clients without consent.
We follow these policies when collecting, maintaining and using personal information:
Collection and use of personal information
We obtain personal information about you only if you choose to provide it. By providing personal information to Hayton Accountancy, you are also agreeing to the use of this information in accordance with this Policy. Your personal information is not used for other purposes, unless we obtain your permission, or unless otherwise required or permitted by applicable law or professional standards.
Sensitive Personal Information
Hayton Accountancy generally collects only the personal information required to fulfil your request. If additional information is required, you will be notified of this at the point of collection. Hayton Accountancy only collects "sensitive" personal information (i.e. personal information regarding a person's race, ethnicity, political beliefs, trade union membership, religious or similar beliefs, physical or mental health, sexual life or criminal record) if you voluntarily provide it to us, and only where it is required for a specific purpose, and is permitted to be collected by applicable law or professional standards.
Consent
Your consent is required for the collection and proposed use of personal information when information is collected. Consent can be either explicit or implied and can be provided directly to us by you or your authorised representative. We require your explicit consent in writing or electronically for the use of your personal information.
Children
Hayton Accountancy understands the importance of protecting children's privacy, especially in an online environment. Our sites are not intentionally designed for, or directed at, children under the age of 13, and our policy is never to knowingly collect or maintain children’s information except where required as part of an engagement to provide professional services.
Compliance with laws and regulations
Hayton Accountancy may be required to disclose personal information in response to requests of government or law enforcement agencies or where disclosure is required by applicable laws, court orders, or government regulations. These disclosures may also be needed for data privacy or security audits and/or to investigate or respond to a complaint or security threat.
Accuracy
Personal information will be maintained as completely, accurately and up-to-date as possible. You are encouraged to review, correct and update personal information. Under most circumstances you have the right to reasonable access to your personal information to correct any inaccuracies. You can also make a request to update or remove information about you by contacting john@haytonaccountancy.co.uk and we will make all reasonable and practical efforts to comply with your request, so long as it is consistent with applicable law and professional standards.
Information security
Hayton Accountancy has reasonable security policies and procedures in place to protect personal information from unauthorised loss, misuse, alteration, or destruction. Appropriate physical and electronic measures are also used to help ensure that personal information is secure. To the best of our ability, access to your personal information is limited to those who require the information to fulfil their job responsibilities. Those individuals who have access to the data are required to maintain the confidentiality of such information. However, despite our best efforts, security cannot be absolutely guaranteed against all threats.
Retention of personal information
Personal information will not be used or disclosed for purposes other than those for which it has been collected, except with your consent or as required by applicable law. We do not share personal information with unaffiliated third parties, except where necessary for legitimate professional and business needs, to carry out your requests, and/or as required and permitted by applicable law or professional standards. We also make reasonable efforts only to retain personal information so long as it is necessary to comply with your request and to delete personal information if you ask us to do so.
Changes to this policy
Hayton Accountancy may modify this Policy from time to time. When changes are made to this Policy, the date of the update will be provided on this page, so we encourage you to review our site periodically for changes.
Policy questions and enforcement
Hayton Accountancy is committed to protecting the online privacy of your personal information. If you have questions or comments about our administration of your personally identifiable information, please contact us by email at john@haytonaccountancy.co.uk or write to us at:
Privacy Officer
John Hayton
Hayton Accountancy
22 The Boyle
Barwick in Elmet
Leeds
LS15 4JN
john@haytonaccountancy.co.uk
0113 3935123

You may also use this address to communicate any concerns you may have regarding compliance with our Privacy Policy Statement.
Policy dated 12 December 2022