Blue Thistle Accounts is an independent bookkeeping practice based in Johnstone, Renfrewshire.
We take the privacy and security of personal information seriously. This Privacy Notice explains what information we may collect, why we need it, how we use it, and how we keep it safe.
Depending on the services you use, we may collect information such as:
Your name
Home or business address
Telephone number
Email address
Date of birth
Business and trading details
Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), VAT and other HMRC information
Bank and financial information required for bookkeeping or accounting work
Copies of identification documents
Information contained in invoices, receipts, bank statements and other accounting records
Information you provide when contacting us through our website, email, telephone or social media
We only collect information that is reasonably required to provide our services or meet our legal and professional responsibilities.
We may use your personal information to:
Provide bookkeeping and accounting services
Communicate with you about your work or enquiries
Maintain accurate financial records
Prepare information required for VAT, self-assessment and other HMRC purposes
Verify your identity
Meet anti-money laundering and other legal requirements
Keep appropriate client and business records
Manage invoices and payments
Respond to enquiries from prospective clients
Maintain the security and proper operation of our business
Under UK data protection law, we must have a valid reason for using personal information.
Depending on the circumstances, we may process information because:
It is necessary to provide the services you have asked us to provide or to take steps before entering into an agreement with you.
We are required to do so by law, including tax, accounting and anti-money laundering requirements.
It is necessary for the legitimate interests of Blue Thistle Accounts, such as managing our business, responding to enquiries and protecting our systems and records.
You have given us your consent, where consent is required.
As a bookkeeping practice, Blue Thistle Accounts is required to carry out certain checks before and during a client relationship.
This may include confirming your identity and, where appropriate, obtaining information about your business, ownership structure or source of funds.
These checks are carried out to meet our legal and professional responsibilities and to help prevent fraud and money laundering.
We do not sell personal information.
Where necessary, information may be shared with organisations or service providers involved in providing our services or meeting our legal obligations, such as:
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
Professional or regulatory bodies where required
Accounting and bookkeeping software providers
Secure cloud storage or IT service providers
Banks or payment service providers
Legal or professional advisers
Government, regulatory or law-enforcement bodies where disclosure is legally required
Where third-party service providers process information on our behalf, we take reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate security and confidentiality arrangements are in place.
Blue Thistle Accounts takes reasonable steps to protect personal and financial information from unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure.
This includes using secure computer systems, password protection, access controls and appropriate procedures for storing and handling client records.
We keep personal information only for as long as it is needed for the purpose for which it was collected and to meet legal, tax, accounting, anti-money laundering and professional record-keeping requirements.
Different types of records may need to be retained for different periods.
When information is no longer required, it will be securely deleted or destroyed where appropriate.
Under UK data protection law, you may have the right to:
Ask what personal information we hold about you
Request a copy of your personal information
Ask us to correct information that is inaccurate or incomplete
Ask for information to be deleted in certain circumstances
Ask us to restrict how your information is used
Object to certain uses of your information
Request the transfer of your information in certain circumstances
Withdraw your consent where we rely on consent to process your information
Some of these rights are subject to legal exceptions. For example, we may be required to keep certain information to meet tax, accounting or anti-money laundering obligations.
If you contact Blue Thistle Accounts through our website, LinkedIn, email or another online enquiry form, we will use the information you provide to respond to your enquiry and, where appropriate, discuss the bookkeeping services you are interested in.
Providing an enquiry does not automatically add you to a marketing mailing list.
Our website may use cookies or similar technologies provided by the website platform.
Some cookies may be necessary for the website to operate properly. Where non-essential cookies are used, appropriate information and choices should be provided by the website platform.
We may update this Privacy Notice from time to time to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements or the way we handle personal information.
The latest version will be made available on our website.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Notice or how your personal information is handled, please contact:
Blue Thistle Accounts
Johnstone, Renfrewshire
Email: K.Kelly@BlueThistleAccounts.co.uk
If you are unhappy with how your personal information has been handled, please contact Blue Thistle Accounts first so we have an opportunity to resolve the matter.
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK regulator for data protection.
Information Commissioner’s Office
Website: ico.org.uk