Privacy Policy

Last updated: December 25, 2024
 

1. Introduction
 

This Privacy Policy describes how AccountNext LLP ("Company," "We," "Us," or "Our") collects, uses, discloses, and protects your personal information when you use our website (https://accountnextglobal.com) and related services (the "Service").
 

By using our Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. We are committed to protecting your privacy and operating in compliance with Canadian privacy laws, including the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and the federal Privacy Act (PIPEDA where applicable).
 

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at the end of this document.
 

2. Interpretation and Definitions
 

Account means a unique account created for you to access our Service or parts of our Service.
 

Company refers to AccountNext LLP, located at 1925 - 18th Street NE, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 7T8, Canada.
 

Cookies are small files placed on your device by a website, containing details of your browsing history and preferences.
 

Device means any device that can access the Service, such as a computer, mobile phone, or tablet.
 

Personal Data means any information that relates to an identified or identifiable individual.
 

Service refers to our Website and any professional services we provide.
 

Service Provider means any individual or company that processes data on behalf of the Company to facilitate or provide the Service.
 

Usage Data means data collected automatically from your use of the Service, including IP address, browser type, pages visited, time spent on pages, and device identifiers.
 

Website refers to AccountNext, accessible at https://accountnextglobal.com.
 

You means the individual accessing or using the Service, or the company/legal entity on behalf of which an individual is accessing the Service.
 

3. What Personal Data We Collect
 

3.1 Information You Provide Directly
 

When you use our Service, we may ask you to provide personally identifiable information, including:
 

• Contact Information: Email address, first name, last name, phone number

• Account Information: Username, password, account preferences

• Communication Data: Messages, inquiries, feedback, or complaints

• Professional Data: Financial information, business records, and tax information (only when you engage us for professional services under an Engagement Letter)
   

3.2 Information Collected Automatically
 

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information:
 

• Device Information: Device type, operating system, device identifiers, IP address

• Browser Information: Browser type, version, language preference

• Usage Data: Pages visited, time and date of visits, time spent on pages, links clicked

• Location Data: General geographic location (country/province level) based on IP address

• Mobile Device Information: Mobile device type, mobile OS, mobile browser type, unique device identifiers
   

3.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies
 

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity and enhance your experience:
 

Types of Cookies We Use:
 

• Essential/Necessary Cookies (Session): Required for website functionality, authentication, and fraud prevention

• Functionality Cookies (Persistent): Remember your login details, language preference, and settings

• Analytics Cookies (Persistent): Track website usage patterns and performance (via Google Analytics or similar)

• Marketing Cookies (Persistent): Used to deliver targeted content and advertisements
   

Your Cookie Choices:
 

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or alert you when a cookie is being sent. However, blocking cookies may limit your ability to use certain website features.

To opt out of Google Analytics tracking, visit: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
 

4. How We Use Your Personal Data
 

We use your Personal Data for the following purposes:
 

Service Delivery:
 

• Providing and maintaining our website and services

• Processing your requests and inquiries

• Creating and managing your account

• Sending service updates, security alerts, and technical notifications
   

Communication:
 

• Contacting you regarding your account or service inquiries

• Responding to your questions or feedback

• Sending newsletters or promotional information (only if you've opted in)

• Notifying you of changes to our policies or services
   

Service Improvement:
 

• Analyzing usage patterns and identifying trends

• Evaluating the effectiveness of our website and services

• Improving website functionality and user experience

• Conducting research and developing new services
   

Legal and Compliance:
 

• Complying with legal obligations, court orders, or government requests

• Protecting our legal rights and the safety of our users

• Preventing fraud, abuse, or unauthorized access

• Resolving disputes and enforcing agreements
   

Professional Services:
 

• When you engage us for accounting, tax, or advisory services, we use your data to provide those services in accordance with your separate Engagement Letter and Professional Services Terms & Conditions
   

5. How We Share Your Personal Data
 

We do not sell your personal information. However, we may share your data in these circumstances:
 

Service Providers: We may share data with third-party service providers who assist us with:
 

• Website hosting and maintenance

• Email and communication services

• Analytics and performance monitoring

• Payment processing

• Customer support platforms
   

Service providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the purposes we specify.

Business Transfers: If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, bankruptcy, or asset sale, your Personal Data may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will provide notice before your data becomes subject to a different Privacy Policy.
 

Legal Requirements: We may disclose your Personal Data if required by:

• Court order or legal process

• Government agency or regulatory authority (e.g., CRA, provincial regulators)

• Law enforcement requests

• Compliance with applicable laws
   

With Your Consent: We may share your information for other purposes with your explicit written consent.

Professional Obligations: When you engage us for professional services, we may share information with other professionals (lawyers, accountants, consultants) as necessary to provide services or comply with professional standards.
 

6. Data Retention
 

6.1 Website Usage Data
 

• Usage Data is retained for analysis purposes for up to 13 months

• Cookie Data expires according to cookie settings (session cookies deleted upon browser close; persistent cookies typically retained for 12 months)

• Account Information is retained as long as your account is active
   

6.2 Professional Services Data
 

When you engage AccountNext LLP for professional accounting or tax services:
 

• Client Files are retained for a minimum of 7 years in accordance with accounting standards and tax law requirements

• Financial Records are retained for 7 years following the end of the engagement

• Tax-Related Information is retained in accordance with CRA requirements and Alberta tax legislation

• After 7 Years: We may securely destroy or delete records unless legally required to retain them longer

6.3 Legal Obligations
 

We retain Personal Data longer if required by:
 

• Tax laws and regulations (CRA requires 6 years; we retain 7 for safety)

• Accounting standards and professional requirements

• Legal disputes or litigation

• Court orders or regulatory investigations
   

7. Security of Your Personal Data
 

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your Personal Data, including:
 

• Encryption of data in transit (SSL/TLS)

• Secure password storage and authentication

• Access controls and authorization limits

• Regular security assessments

• Employee confidentiality agreements

• Secure backup and recovery procedures
   

Important Limitation: No method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You use our Service at your own risk.
 

Data Breach Notification: If we experience a confirmed data breach affecting your Personal Data, we will notify you without unreasonable delay in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
 

8. Your Privacy Rights
 

You have the following rights regarding your Personal Data:
 

Right to Access: You may request access to the Personal Data we hold about you. We will provide this information within 30 days of your written request.
 

Right to Correction: You may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete Personal Data. We will update records within 30 days where reasonable.
 

Right to Deletion: You may request deletion of your Personal Data, subject to:

• Legal obligations to retain data (tax records, accounting standards)

• Active professional engagement with us

• Ongoing disputes or litigation
   

Right to Opt-Out:

• Marketing Communications: You may unsubscribe from promotional emails at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link

• Cookies: You may disable non-essential cookies through browser settings

• Analytics: You may opt out of Google Analytics tracking
   

Right to Withdraw Consent: You may withdraw consent for data processing at any time. However, this does not affect data processing that occurred before withdrawal.
 

Right to Portability: You may request a copy of your Personal Data in a portable, machine-readable format.
 

How to Exercise Your Rights: Contact us using the information in Section 11. Include "Privacy Request" in your subject line and specify which right you're exercising. We will respond within 30 days.
 

9. Transfer of Your Personal Data
 

Your Personal Data may be processed at our offices in Calgary, Alberta, or by service providers located in Canada or other jurisdictions.
 

By using our Service and providing Personal Data, you consent to:
 

• The transfer of your data to locations outside your province

• Processing in accordance with this Privacy Policy and Canadian privacy laws
   

Cross-Border Transfers: If we transfer data outside Canada, we ensure:
 

• Adequate legal protections exist in the receiving jurisdiction

• Standard contractual clauses or similar safeguards are in place

• Compliance with Canadian privacy law requirements
   

10. Children's Privacy
 

Our Service is not directed to children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from anyone under 13.
 

If you are under 18: You may use our website with parental/guardian consent. If you engage us for professional services, a parent or legal guardian must execute the service agreement.
 

If we learn we have collected Personal Data from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information promptly. Parents or guardians who believe their child has provided us with information should contact us immediately.
 

11. Third-Party Links
 

Our Service may contain links to third-party websites and services not operated by AccountNext LLP. We have:
 

• No control over third-party content, privacy policies, or practices

• No responsibility for third-party websites or services

• No endorsement of third-party sites or their practices
   

We strongly recommend reviewing the privacy policies of any third-party site before providing your information.
 

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
 

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect:
 

• Changes in our practices

• New legal requirements

• Feedback from users

• Technological developments
   

How We Notify You:
 

• Material changes will be communicated via email to your registered address

• A prominent notice will be posted on our website

• The "Last updated" date at the top will be revised
   

Your Responsibility: You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Continued use of the Service following notification of changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.
 

13. Legal Basis for Processing (PIPA/PIPEDA Compliance)
 

We process your Personal Data based on:
 

• Consent: You have provided explicit consent (e.g., signing up for communications)

• Contract Performance: Processing is necessary to provide services you've requested

• Legal Obligation: Processing is required by law (e.g., tax records, regulatory compliance)

• Legitimate Interest: Processing is necessary for our business operations (e.g., fraud prevention, website analytics)

• Public Interest: Processing is required in the public interest
   

You have the right to know the legal basis for processing your data. Contact us if you have questions.
 

14. Regulatory Framework
 

This Privacy Policy is designed to be consistent with Canadian privacy legislation, including:
 

• Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) - Alberta privacy law governing how private organizations collect, use, and disclose personal information

• Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) - Federal legislation where applicable

• CPA Alberta Code of Professional Conduct - Professional standards for accounting practitioners
   

Your Privacy Rights: Under PIPA, you have the right to request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information. Contact us to exercise these rights.
 

Complaints: If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with:
 

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (Alberta)
Phone: 1-888-878-4944
Website: www.oipc.ab.ca