This policy explains what personal information we collect when you use this website or ask us for a quote, how we use it, and the rights you have. We keep it in plain English on purpose. If anything is unclear, email us and we will help.
Who we are
AccountPoint operates this website. We are the "data controller" for the personal information described in this policy, which means we decide how and why it is used.
You can contact us by email at hello@accountpoint.co.uk.
What information we collect
When you request a quote or contact us, we collect what you type into the form:
- your name and email address
- your phone number, if you choose to give one
- the service and package you are interested in
- your message, if you write one
- how you would prefer us to contact you
Automatically, when you use the site, we collect a small amount of technical information to keep the site working and secure:
- a one-way scrambled (hashed) version of your IP address, used only to spot and limit abuse such as automated form spam. We cannot turn it back into your IP address.
- a session cookie that keeps the site's security checks working (see the cookies section below).
If you email or call us, we keep the messages and any details you share so that we can help you.
We do not ask for sensitive information (such as health details) and we ask you not to include it in your message.
How we use your information, and why
- Replying to your request, preparing your quote and talking through what you need. Lawful basis: taking steps at your request before entering into a contract, and our legitimate interest in running our business.
- Keeping a record of enquiries so we can follow up and improve our service. Lawful basis: our legitimate interests.
- Protecting the site and our forms from spam, abuse and security threats. Lawful basis: our legitimate interests.
- Meeting our legal and accounting obligations if you become a client. Lawful basis: legal obligation.
We only send marketing if you have agreed to receive it, and you can change your mind at any time. We do not sell your information and we do not use it for automated decision-making.
Cookies
We use one strictly necessary session cookie. It stores a security token that protects our forms and remembers a message you are shown after sending a form. It is deleted when you close your browser and does not track you.
We do not currently use analytics or advertising cookies. If that changes, we will update this policy and ask for your consent first where the law requires it.
Third-party services on this site
This site does not load fonts, scripts or trackers from third-party servers. Everything needed to show our pages is served from our own domain, so visiting the site does not send your details to advertising or analytics companies. If we add third-party tools in future (for example analytics), we will list them here first.
Who we share your information with
We share information only where we need to:
- Service providers that help us run the business, such as website hosting and email providers. They may only use your information to provide their service to us.
- Professional advisers, such as our accountants or lawyers, where necessary.
- Authorities, if we are legally required to, or to protect our rights.
If we work with you as a client, we may also need to share details with bodies such as Companies House or HMRC, but only to carry out the work you have asked us to do.
International transfers
Some of our providers may process information outside the UK. Where that happens, we make sure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as the UK's approved transfer mechanisms, so that your information stays protected.
How long we keep it
- Quote and contact requests are kept for up to 24 months unless we start working together, after which we delete or anonymise them.
- Client records are kept for as long as we work together, and afterwards for the period the law requires (for example, accounting and tax records).
How we protect it
We use sensible technical and organisational measures to keep your information safe, including encrypted connections (HTTPS), access controls, and protection against automated abuse. No system is perfectly secure, but we take this seriously and will tell you and the regulator if a breach affects you, where the law requires.
Your rights
Under UK data protection law you have the right to:
- be informed about how we use your information (this policy)
- access the personal information we hold about you
- correct anything that is inaccurate
- erase your information, in certain circumstances
- restrict how we use it, in certain circumstances
- object to us using it based on our legitimate interests
- data portability, in certain circumstances
To use any of these rights, email us at hello@accountpoint.co.uk. We will normally reply within one month, and we will not charge a fee unless a request is clearly unfounded or excessive.
Complaints
If you are unhappy with how we have handled your information, please tell us first so we can put it right. You also have the right to complain to the UK's data protection regulator, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top shows when it was last changed, and we will make any significant changes clear on this page.