Effective Date: 01 Jan 2025
Introduction
At Honest & Young, we are committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and store your personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
By engaging with our services, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not provide your personal information to us.
- What Personal Information We Collect
We collect personal information that is necessary for the provision of our accounting, taxation, and advisory services. The types of personal information we may collect include:- Identity Information: Name, gender, date of birth, and contact details (e.g., email address, phone number, postal address).
- Financial Information: Tax file numbers (TFNs), banking details, income, financial statements, investments, superannuation details, and other relevant financial information.
- Tax Information: Information required to complete tax returns, business activity statements (BAS), and other compliance-related matters.
- Sensitive Information: (only when necessary and with your consent) health information, employment history, and other personal details relevant to providing specific services.
We will only collect personal information that is necessary for our business functions and will do so by lawful and fair means.
- How We Collect Personal Information
We collect personal information in the following ways:- Direct Collection: We may collect personal information directly from you when you fill out forms, engage with us through consultations, or communicate with us via phone, email, or our website.
- Indirect Collection: In some cases, we may collect information from third parties, such as your employer, other financial professionals, government bodies, or publicly available sources, with your consent or as permitted by law.
We take reasonable steps to ensure that the information we collect is accurate, up-to-date, and complete.
- Purpose of Collecting Personal Information
We collect and use your personal information to:- Provide accounting, taxation, and advisory services.
- Prepare tax returns, financial statements, and other regulatory filings.
- Comply with our legal obligations under Australian tax law and other applicable regulations.
- Communicate with you regarding our services and your financial matters.
We will not use your personal information for any other purposes without your consent, unless required or authorized by law.
- Disclosure of Personal Information
We may disclose your personal information to third parties when necessary to perform our services, including:- Service Providers: External professionals or organizations (such as auditors, software providers, or other specialists) who assist in delivering our services.
- Government Bodies: We may disclose your personal information to government agencies (e.g., the Australian Taxation Office or other regulatory authorities) as required by law.
- Other Professionals: With your consent, we may share your information with financial advisors, lawyers, or other professionals as part of our service provision.
We will ensure that any third-party service providers with access to your personal information comply with relevant privacy laws and safeguard your information.
- Security of Personal Information
We are committed to protecting the security of your personal information. We implement a range of physical, technical, and organizational measures to protect against misuse, loss, unauthorized access, or alteration of your personal information. These measures include:- Secure storage systems for physical and electronic records.
- Access controls to limit staff access to personal information.
- Encryption of sensitive information when transmitted electronically.
However, please note that no data transmission or storage system is completely secure, and while we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
- Access to and Correction of Personal Information
You have the right to access the personal information we hold about you and to request corrections if that information is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date.- Access: You can request access to your personal information by contacting us at [email protected].
- Correction: If you believe your personal information is inaccurate or incomplete, please let us know, and we will take reasonable steps to correct it.
We may charge a reasonable fee to cover the costs of retrieving and providing access to your personal information.
- Retention of Personal Information
We will retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law. Once the information is no longer required, we will securely destroy or anonymize it, wherever possible. - Use of Personal Information for Direct Marketing
We will only use your personal information for direct marketing purposes if:- You have provided consent, or
- The communication relates to services that you have previously requested from us or are closely related to the services you have already engaged with us on.
You may opt out of receiving direct marketing communications at any time by contacting us at [email protected].
- Overseas Disclosure of Personal Information
We do not routinely disclose personal information to overseas recipients. However, if necessary for the provision of our services (e.g., to a third-party service provider located overseas), we will ensure that appropriate protections are in place. - Complaints and Inquiries
If you have any concerns or complaints about how we handle your personal information or if you believe that we have not complied with the Australian Privacy Principles, please contact us using the details provided below. We will investigate the issue and respond to your concerns in a timely manner.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
Contact Details:- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 03 9943 7220
- Postal Address: Unit 403/434 St Kilda Road, Melbourne Vic 3004
- Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. Any updates will be posted on our website, and the effective date of the revised policy will be indicated at the top of the page. - Acknowledgment
By engaging with our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to this Privacy Policy.
Conclusion
This Privacy Policy ensures that your personal information is handled in accordance with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). We are committed to maintaining the confidentiality and security of your personal information, and we encourage you to contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy.