You share important information with your accountant. We take that responsibility seriously.

This policy explains how Bon Conseil Pty Ltd, trading as Bon Conseil Advisory Group (ABN 59 641 044 555), collects, holds, uses and shares personal information, and how you can access your information or raise a concern.

In this policy, “Bon Conseil”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to that business. The policy covers our website, enquiries and professional services.

We are committed to meeting our obligations under applicable Australian privacy laws, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Australian Privacy Principles where they apply, and the Privacy (Tax File Number) Rule 2015.

1. The information we collect

The information we collect depends on how you deal with us and the services you need. It may include:

• Your name, date of birth, address, email address and phone number.

• Identification documents and information needed to verify your identity.

• Tax, income, expense, banking, investment and superannuation information.

• Business records, ownership details, payroll information and financial statements.

• Relevant information about your family, dependants, beneficiaries or authorised representatives.

• Information you provide in enquiries, appointments, correspondence or feedback.

• Website usage information, such as your IP address, device, browser and pages visited.

We collect personal information that is reasonably necessary for our services and business activities. Where sensitive information, such as health information relevant to a tax matter, is needed, we seek your consent unless the law permits otherwise.

We collect, use and disclose tax file numbers only for purposes permitted by law. We explain the basis for requesting your TFN and the consequences of not providing it when we ask for it. Please do not include your TFN or identity documents in a general website enquiry.

2. How we collect information

We usually collect information directly from you through conversations, emails, website forms, social media enquiries, appointments, client portals and documents you provide.

Where authorised or otherwise permitted by law, we may also collect information from your representatives, previous accountant, financial institutions, superannuation funds, government agencies or public registers.

If you give us information about another person, please make sure you have authority to do so and let them know about this policy where appropriate.

You can make a general enquiry without identifying yourself, or use a pseudonym where practical and lawful. However, we usually need to verify your identity and obtain relevant records to provide professional services. Without necessary information, we may be unable to assist or may only be able to provide limited assistance.

3. How we use your information

We use personal information to:

• Understand your circumstances and provide the services you engage us for, including accounting, tax, business advisory, business management, private wealth, SMSF, R&D tax incentive and audit and assurance work.

• Prepare documents, reports and lodgements, and communicate with authorised parties on your behalf.

• Respond to enquiries, manage appointments and maintain our client relationship.

• Verify identity, administer billing and maintain appropriate records.

• Meet legal, regulatory and professional obligations.

• Improve our services and website, and send permitted marketing communications as explained below.

We use or disclose information for the purpose it was collected, or for another purpose where you consent or the law permits or requires it.

4. Who we share information with

Where needed for the purposes above, we may share relevant information with:

• Team members and contractors involved in providing your services.

• Technology and administration providers, including accounting software, client management, document storage, website hosting and IT support providers.

• The Australian Taxation Office, ASIC and other authorities where authorised or required.

• Your authorised representatives and other professionals involved in your matters, such as lawyers, financial advisers, lenders and independent auditors.

• Our insurers, legal advisers or professional bodies where disclosure is permitted or required.

We limit disclosure to information appropriate for the purpose. If you ask us to arrange a referral to another business, we obtain your authority before sharing your details for that referral.

5. Overseas handling of information

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Where we disclose personal information overseas, we take the steps required by applicable Australian privacy law to protect it. This generally includes reasonable steps to ensure overseas recipients handle the information consistently with the Australian Privacy Principles, unless a lawful exception applies.

6. Cookies, analytics and online advertising

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality, understand how visitors use the site and measure marketing activity. Depending on the tools used, information may include device identifiers, IP addresses, pages visited and interactions with the website or advertisements.

[Before publishing: identify the tools actually used, their providers, what information they collect or receive, whether they support targeted advertising, and the available consent and opt-out controls. Include relevant provider links and overseas locations in section 5. Remove any purposes that do not apply.]

You can manage cookies through your browser settings. Blocking cookies may affect some website features. Browser cookie controls may not stop every form of tracking; the tool-specific options described above explain any additional choices available.

7. Marketing communications

Where you have consented, or where otherwise permitted by law, we may send updates about our services, events or relevant tax and business topics.

You can opt out at any time using the unsubscribe option in a message or by contacting us. Opting out of marketing does not stop communications needed to manage your engagement, such as appointment confirmations or requests relating to your work with us.

8. How we store and protect information

We hold information in electronic systems, including systems operated by service providers, and in physical records where needed.

We take reasonable technical and organisational steps to protect information from misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, alteration or disclosure. Access is restricted to people who need it for an authorised purpose. No storage or transmission method is completely secure.

We retain records for as long as needed for lawful business purposes and applicable legal or professional requirements. When information is no longer needed and retention is not required by law, we take reasonable steps to securely destroy or de-identify it.

If a data breach occurs, we assess and respond to it and notify affected people and regulators where legally required.

9. Accessing or correcting your information

You can contact us to request access to personal information we hold about you or ask us to correct information that is inaccurate, outdated, incomplete, irrelevant or misleading. We may need to verify your identity first.

We respond within a reasonable period, generally within 30 days. There is no charge to make a request or seek a correction. If a reasonable fee applies to providing access, we explain it beforehand.

If we cannot provide access or make a requested correction, we explain why, unless the law prevents us, and tell you how to complain. You can also ask us to attach a statement recording a correction you believe is needed.

10. Privacy questions and complaints

If you have a question or believe we have mishandled your information, please contact us using the details below. For a complaint, include what happened, when it happened and the outcome you are seeking.

We will acknowledge your complaint, investigate the concern and aim to provide a response within 30 days. If more time is needed, we will explain why and keep you updated.

If you are not satisfied with our response, or have not received a response within 30 days, you may be able to complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). Visit oaic.gov.au for eligibility, complaint steps and information about any external dispute resolution process that should be used first.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as our services, practices or legal obligations change. The current version will be available on our website with its last-updated date. You can contact us for a free copy in another format.

12. Contact us

For privacy enquiries, access requests, corrections or complaints, please contact:

Bon Conseil Advisory Group — Privacy enquiries
Email: info@bonconseil.com.au
Phone: (03) 7037 6059
Address: G1/112 High Street, Kew VIC 3101