Igniting Financial Clarity for Tomorrow's Leaders
Look, we get it. Privacy policies can be pretty dry reading, but this stuff matters - especially when you're trusting us with your financial data. At Embervynther Accounting Solutions, we're not just another accounting firm throwing around corporate speak. We work with tech startups and innovators, so we actually understand how important your data is.
This policy lays out exactly what we do with your information, how we protect it, and what rights you've got. We operate under Canadian privacy laws (specifically PIPEDA - Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act), which means we take this seriously.
Bottom line? Your data is yours. We're just borrowing it to help you manage your finances better. If something here doesn't make sense or you've got questions, just call us at (604) 789-3421. We'd rather have a five-minute conversation than leave you confused.
Alright, let's break down what info we actually need from you:
We only collect what's actually necessary for providing accounting services. We're not gonna ask for your favorite pizza topping or your cat's birthday unless it's somehow relevant to your tax strategy (spoiler: it's not).
Here's the deal - we use your info to actually do the job you're hiring us for. Nothing sneaky, nothing weird. Specifically:
We won't sell your data to third parties or use it for unrelated marketing campaigns. That's not our style, and frankly, it's pretty sketchy.
We're pretty protective of your data, but there are specific situations where we need to share information. Here's when that happens:
Sometimes we work with trusted third-party vendors who help us deliver services - think cloud storage providers, payroll processors, or tax software companies. These folks are bound by confidentiality agreements and can only use your data for the specific purposes we've outlined.
Obviously, we need to share info with the CRA when filing your taxes or responding to audits. We might also have to disclose information to provincial tax authorities, Service Canada, or other regulatory bodies when legally required. This isn't optional - it's part of the job.
If you've got lawyers, financial advisors, or other professionals we're working with on your behalf, we'll share relevant info with them (with your permission, of course). This helps everyone stay on the same page.
If we're legally compelled to disclose information through a court order or subpoena, we'll comply. We'll also notify you unless we're legally prohibited from doing so.
Working with tech startups means we're pretty familiar with cybersecurity. Here's how we keep your data locked down:
All data transmission uses 256-bit SSL/TLS encryption. Files at rest are encrypted using industry-standard protocols. Basically, your data looks like gibberish to anyone who shouldn't see it.
We use Canadian-based cloud servers with regular security audits, automated backups, and redundancy systems. Your data's stored in facilities with physical security measures too.
Only authorized team members can access client data, and only what they need for their specific role. We use multi-factor authentication and monitor all access logs.
Our team signs confidentiality agreements and receives regular training on data protection. We follow CPA Canada's professional standards for client confidentiality.
That said, no system's 100% bulletproof. If we ever experience a data breach that affects you, we'll notify you ASAP and tell you exactly what happened and what we're doing about it.
Like pretty much every website these days, we use cookies and similar tech. Here's what's happening behind the scenes:
These keep our site working properly - they remember your login session, maintain your preferences, and help with basic functionality. You can't really disable these without breaking the site.
We use these to understand how people use our site - which pages are popular, where folks are getting stuck, that kind of thing. This helps us make the site better. The data's anonymized, so we're not tracking individual users around the web.
We might use services like Google Analytics or similar tools. These have their own privacy policies, and you can opt out through browser settings or extensions if you want.
Managing Your Cookie Preferences:
Most browsers let you control cookies through their settings. You can block or delete cookies, though this might affect site functionality. Check your browser's help documentation for specific instructions.
Under Canadian privacy law (PIPEDA), you've got some solid rights when it comes to your personal info. Here's what you can do:
You can request a copy of all the personal data we have about you. We'll provide it within 30 days (sometimes takes a bit longer for complex requests, but we'll keep you updated).
If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it. This is important for accurate financial records anyway.
You can ask us to delete your info, though we might need to keep some records for legal or regulatory reasons (like tax documentation). We'll explain what we can and can't delete.
If we're processing your data based on consent (not legal obligation), you can withdraw that consent. Note that this might affect our ability to provide certain services.
Want to move your data elsewhere? We'll provide it in a commonly-used format so you can transfer it to another provider.
If you think we've mishandled your data, you can complain to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. We'd prefer to resolve issues directly, but that's your right.
We don't keep your data forever, but we can't just delete everything the moment our engagement ends either. Here's the reality:
CRA requires us to keep certain records for at least 6 years from the end of the tax year they relate to. Some corporate records need to be kept even longer. This isn't our rule - it's the law, and we don't have much wiggle room here.
As CPAs, we're required to maintain working papers and documentation for a minimum period under professional guidelines. This protects both you and us if questions come up down the road.
While we're working together, we keep all the info needed to provide services. This includes historical data that helps us spot trends and provide better advice.
Once we're no longer working together, we'll keep records for the legally required period, then securely dispose of them. We use certified data destruction methods - no just tossing stuff in the regular recycling.
Typical Retention Periods:
Privacy laws and best practices evolve, so we might need to update this policy from time to time. Here's how we'll handle that:
If we make minor changes (like fixing typos or clarifying existing practices), we'll just update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. You can check back periodically if you're curious.
For major changes that affect how we collect, use, or share your data, we'll notify you directly via email at least 30 days before the changes take effect. This gives you time to review the updates and decide if you're comfortable with them.
If you don't agree with the new policy and it's a material change, you'll have the option to end our engagement and we'll discuss how to handle your data going forward.
Got questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your data? We're here to help. Seriously - don't hesitate to reach out.
Address:
1240 Burrard Street, Suite 502
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Z1
Phone: (604) 789-3421
Email: info@embervynther.info
Our privacy officer is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time. We'll respond to privacy-related inquiries within 2 business days.
If you're not satisfied with our response to a privacy concern, you can contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada:
Website: www.priv.gc.ca
Toll-free: 1-800-282-1376
Look, privacy policies aren't exactly thrilling reading, but this stuff matters. We've tried to be straight with you about what we do with your data and why. If anything here doesn't sit right with you or you've got questions, just give us a shout. We'd much rather have a conversation than leave you wondering. Your trust means everything to us, and we don't take it lightly.