Privacy Policy

Effective Date: November 12, 2024

Introduction

Scoggins CPA Accounting and Advisory ("the Firm") is deeply committed to preserving and safeguarding the privacy of our clients, website visitors, and professional contacts. We collect and utilize personal information with a high level of responsibility, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and industry standards, including those established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). This Privacy Policy outlines our methodologies for the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of personal information. Our aim is to maintain full transparency regarding our data practices, addressing potential concerns diligently, while ensuring compliance with both regulatory and ethical standards.

Client privacy is fundamental to our operations, and we endeavor to protect your data throughout every step of our engagements—whether you are a prospective client visiting our website, an existing client involved in ongoing financial advisory activities, or a business partner collaborating with us on specialized projects. Trust forms the foundation of our relationships, and we implement rigorous procedures to ensure the careful and appropriate management of client information. We recognize that maintaining client trust is paramount, and our privacy practices are structured with this commitment in mind.

1. Information We Collect

The Firm collects and processes various categories of personal information that are directly relevant to the provision of our professional accounting, tax, and advisory services. This information may include:

• Contact Information: Names, residential and business addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses. This information facilitates efficient and timely communication with our clients.
• Financial Information: Bank account details, tax identification numbers, payroll data, and other financial records. Such information is essential for our ability to provide precise financial planning, tax preparation, and advisory services.
• Identifiers: Social Security numbers or other government-issued identifiers may be required for tax compliance, regulatory filings, or client verification purposes. These identifiers ensure that tax obligations and reporting requirements are met accurately and in compliance with regulatory standards.
• Engagement Information: Information provided by you regarding your business operations, financial standing, and objectives. This data enables us to understand your unique needs, allowing us to provide tailored advisory services that align with your business goals.

Our methods for collecting personal information include direct engagements through forms on our website, email correspondence, in-person client consultations, and other methods of direct communication. Additionally, we gather information indirectly from third-party financial institutions, payroll service providers, or publicly accessible sources when necessary to fulfill our obligations or enhance service delivery. Our data collection processes are designed for thoroughness, efficiency, and transparency, minimizing any unnecessary inconvenience to our clients.

2. How We Use Your Information

The Firm processes personal information solely to provide, improve, and enhance our professional services, including:

• Professional Services: We use the personal information collected to perform tax preparation, prepare financial statements, conduct bookkeeping, provide business advisory services, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Handling such data accurately and efficiently is critical to delivering high-quality services.
• Communication: We leverage your contact information to facilitate communication regarding ongoing engagements, upcoming deadlines, opportunities for financial strategy optimization, and other pertinent matters. Our communication strategy is proactive, ensuring our clients are consistently well-informed about all relevant aspects of their financial engagements.
• Due Diligence: Personal data is used to conduct due diligence to meet our regulatory obligations, verify client identities, and confirm the legitimacy of engagements. Compliance with regulatory mandates is a core aspect of our business model, and personal information is instrumental in fulfilling these responsibilities.
• Service Improvement: We continually strive to refine our processes, technological infrastructure, and service offerings. To achieve this, we analyze client feedback, engagement data, and service delivery performance to identify and implement improvements.

We unequivocally do not engage in the sale of personal information to third parties. All usage of personal information is strictly confined to the scope of our professional engagements and in accordance with the highest ethical standards. Our ethical code is integral to our operations, ensuring that client information is used solely to deliver and improve our services.

3. Sharing Your Information