BrightOak ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our services.
Information We Collect
Information You Provide
We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:
- Name and contact information (email address, phone number, mailing address)
- Business information (company name, business type, industry)
- Financial information necessary to provide accounting and tax services
- Information submitted through contact forms or service requests
- Payment information for billing purposes
Automatically Collected Information
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information, including:
- IP address and browser type
- Pages visited and time spent on pages
- Referring website addresses
- Device information and operating system
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Provide accounting, tax, and compliance services
- Respond to your inquiries and service requests
- Process payments and manage billing
- Send you important updates about our services
- Improve our website and services
- Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
- Protect against fraud and unauthorized access
Information Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:
Service Providers
We may share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as:
- Cloud storage and data hosting providers
- Payment processors
- Email service providers
- Software vendors necessary for service delivery
Legal Requirements
We may disclose information when required by law, including:
- In response to court orders or legal processes
- To comply with tax and accounting regulations
- To protect our rights and property
- To prevent fraud or security threats
Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information, including:
- Encryption of sensitive data in transit and at rest
- Secure access controls and authentication
- Regular security assessments and updates
- Employee training on data protection
- Secure data storage and backup procedures
However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Your Rights and Choices
You have certain rights regarding your personal information:
Access and Correction
You may request access to and correction of your personal information by contacting us.
Opt-Out
You may opt out of receiving marketing communications from us by following the unsubscribe instructions in our emails or contacting us directly.
Data Deletion
You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal and regulatory retention requirements.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience. You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings.
Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.
Children's Privacy
Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Data Retention
We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide our services and comply with legal, regulatory, and accounting requirements. Financial and tax records are typically retained for seven years as required by law.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
- Email: privacy@brightoak-cpa.ca
- Phone: (613) 604-5434
- Address: 112 KENT STREET, Ottawa, Ontario K1A0W8
Compliance with Regulations
We comply with applicable data protection regulations, including but not limited to:
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for EU residents
- California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) for California residents
- Professional standards for accounting and tax services