Introduction

Blyth Accountants Limited is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly, transparently and in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and other applicable legislation.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect personal information when providing accountancy, taxation, payroll, bookkeeping, advisory and related professional services.

By engaging our services or using our website, you acknowledge that your personal information may be processed in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

 

Who We Are

Blyth Accountants Limited is a firm of Chartered Certified Accountants and business advisers based in Glasgow, providing accountancy, taxation, payroll, bookkeeping and business support services to individuals, sole traders, partnerships and limited companies throughout the UK.

We work closely with our clients to help them meet their statutory obligations, understand their financial position and make informed business decisions. Our services include the preparation of annual accounts, tax returns, VAT returns, payroll, bookkeeping, company secretarial services and business advisory support. In providing these services, we collect and process personal information relating to clients, prospective clients, suppliers, employees and visitors to our website.

Blyth Accountants Limited is regulated by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct, confidentiality and data protection.

For the purposes of UK data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, Blyth Accountants Limited acts as the Data Controller in respect of the personal information we collect and process.

Blyth Accountants Limited
Company Number: SC574766
ICO Registration Number: ZA437733

Registered Office:
Merlin House, Suite 5
20 Mossland Road
Hillington Park
Glasgow
G52 4XZ

Email: hello@blythaccountants.co.uk
Telephone: 0141 266 0468

 

Professional Regulation (ACCA)

Blyth Accountants Limited is regulated by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (“ACCA”).

As an ACCA-regulated practice, we are required to comply with professional, ethical and regulatory standards. We may collect, process and retain personal information where necessary to provide our services, comply with the terms of our professional engagement, and meet our legal and regulatory obligations. This may include:

• Compliance with ACCA regulations and professional standards.
• Practice assurance and quality monitoring reviews.
• Anti-money laundering compliance.
• Professional indemnity insurance requirements.
• Regulatory investigations or enquiries.
• Professional record-keeping obligations.

Where required, information may be disclosed to ACCA, regulatory authorities, professional advisers, insurers or other bodies with lawful authority to request such information.

 

Confidentiality

As ACCA-regulated accountants, we recognise the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of our clients’ affairs.

Information provided to us will be treated as confidential except where:

• Disclosure is authorised by the client;
• Disclosure is required by law;
• Disclosure is required by a regulatory or professional obligation;
• Disclosure is necessary to protect our legal rights or comply with court orders.

We maintain appropriate systems and controls to protect confidential information from unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration or destruction.

Our duty of confidentiality continues after our professional engagement has ended, subject to any legal, regulatory or professional obligations requiring disclosure.

What Information We Collect

The information we collect varies depending on the services we provide. We only collect information that is relevant, necessary and proportionate to the services requested and our legal and regulatory obligations.

Personal Information

This may include:

• Full name
• Home and business address
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Date of birth
• National Insurance number
• Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)
• Passport or driving licence details
• Utility bills and proof of address
• Employment information
• Pension information

Financial Information

This may include:

• Accounting records
• Bookkeeping records
• Bank account information
• VAT information
• Payroll records
• Pension contribution information
• Business performance data
• Tax returns and supporting documentation

Company Information

This may include:

• Company registration details
• Shareholder information
• Director information
• Company statutory records
• Corporation tax information
• Business contracts and agreements

Website Information

When you visit our website we may collect:

• IP address
• Browser type
• Device information
• Website usage information
• Cookie preferences
• Enquiry form submissions

 

How We Collect Information

We may collect information:

• Directly from you
• From your authorised representatives
• From HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
• From Companies House
• From banks and financial institutions where authorised
• From bookkeeping and accounting software providers
• Through our website
• Through email, telephone and correspondence
• Through identity verification providers
• From publicly available sources where legally permitted

 

Why We Process Your Information

We process personal information to:

• Provide accountancy and taxation services
• Prepare annual accounts
• Prepare and submit tax returns
• Process payroll services
• Submit VAT returns
• Provide bookkeeping services
• Deliver business advisory and consultancy services
• Verify identity for anti-money laundering compliance
• Meet legal and regulatory obligations
• Communicate with clients
• Manage client relationships
• Issue invoices and collect payments
• Improve our services and website

 

Lawful Basis for Processing

Under UK GDPR, we process personal information using one or more of the following lawful bases:

Special Category Data

In certain circumstances, we may process special category personal data where necessary for the provision of our services, compliance with legal obligations, the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims, or where otherwise permitted under UK GDPR.

We will only process such information where there is a lawful basis and an additional condition for processing under applicable data protection legislation.

Contract

Processing is necessary to provide services under our engagement with you.

Legal Obligation

Processing is necessary to comply with legal obligations including:

• Tax legislation
• Companies Act requirements
• Anti-Money Laundering Regulations
• Professional body regulations
• Regulatory reporting obligations

 

Legitimate Interests

Processing is necessary for the legitimate interests of our business, including:

• Managing client relationships
• Business administration
• Service improvement
• Risk management
• Debt recovery

 

Consent

Where required, we will obtain your consent before processing information for specific purposes such as marketing communications.

You may withdraw consent at any time.

 

Anti-Money Laundering Requirements

As a regulated accountancy practice, we are legally required to verify the identity of clients and beneficial owners.

This may require us to obtain and retain:

• Photographic identification
• Proof of address
• Company ownership information
• Beneficial ownership details

We may use electronic identity verification providers to assist with these checks.

Failure to provide required information may prevent us from acting for you.

 

Who We Share Information With

We may share personal information where necessary with:

• ACCA and Practice Assurance reviewers
• Professional indemnity insurers
• Professional advisers and legal advisers
• HMRC
• Companies House
• Pension providers
• Banks and lenders
• Payroll providers
• Software providers used to deliver our services
• Regulatory and law enforcement bodies
• Courts and tribunals

We only share information where required for legitimate business purposes, legal obligations or with your authority.

We do not sell personal information to third parties.

 

Software and Cloud Services

Artificial Intelligence and Technology

We may utilise artificial intelligence (AI) and automated technologies to assist with administrative, drafting, analytical and operational tasks.

Where AI tools are used, appropriate safeguards are implemented to protect confidential and personal information. Professional judgement, decision-making and responsibility for our services remain with Blyth Accountants Limited.

We do not use AI systems to make solely automated decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects on individuals.

To deliver our services efficiently, we use a range of secure software providers and cloud-based systems.

These may include providers of:

• Accounting software
• Payroll software
• Tax software
• Practice management software
• Cloud storage services
• Email and communication systems

These providers may process information on our behalf under appropriate contractual safeguards.

 

International Transfers

Some software providers may store or process information outside the United Kingdom.

Where this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect personal information in accordance with UK GDPR requirements.

 

Data Security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information, including:

• Secure password protection
• Multi-factor authentication where available
• Restricted access controls
• Encrypted systems and communications where appropriate
• Secure cloud storage
• Staff confidentiality obligations
• Regular software and security updates

Whilst we take reasonable precautions, no method of electronic transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

 

Data Retention

We retain information only for as long as necessary to fulfil legal, regulatory and professional obligations.

Typical retention periods include:

• Client records: normally at least 6 years after the end of the engagement, or longer where required by law, regulation, insurance requirements or professional obligations.
• Tax records: 6 years or longer where legally required
• Anti-money laundering records: 5 years after the end of the business relationship
• Payroll records: in accordance with statutory requirements
• Marketing records: until consent is withdrawn

Certain records may be retained beyond standard retention periods where required to comply with professional, legal, regulatory or insurance obligations, including ACCA requirements.

 

Your Rights

Under UK GDPR you have the right to:

• Access your personal information
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Request deletion of information where applicable
• Restrict processing
• Object to processing
• Request transfer of information
• Withdraw consent where processing relies upon consent
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

Requests should be submitted using the contact details provided in this policy.

 

Cookies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to improve functionality, analyse website usage and enhance user experience.

Full details of the cookies we use, their purpose and how to manage your preferences can be found in our Cookie Policy.

 

Automated Decision Making

We do not generally use automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects.

 

Marketing Communications

We may occasionally send information regarding services, updates or business matters that may be relevant to existing clients.

You may opt out of marketing communications at any time.

 

Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to external websites.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites and encourage you to review their privacy policies separately.

 

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect legal, regulatory or operational changes.

The latest version will always be available on our website.

 

Contact Us

If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or how we process your personal information, please contact Blyth Accountants using the following details:

Merlin House, Suite 5
20 Mossland Road
Hillington Park
Glasgow, G52 4XZ

Email: hello@blythaccountants.co.uk
Telephone: 0141 266 0468

 

Complaints

If you are dissatisfied with how we handle your personal information, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

You can find further information on the ICO website or contact them directly.