Privacy Policy

1. Who We Are

Freelance Accountants Harrow (“we”, “us”, “our”) operates the website at https://www.freelanceaccountantharrow.co.uk. We are a referral and matching service that connects freelancers and contractors in Harrow and surrounding areas with qualified, independently vetted accountants.

We are the data controller for the personal information you submit through this website. For questions, requests, or complaints about your data, contact us at: privacy@freelanceaccountantharrow.co.uk

2. What Data We Collect

When you submit an enquiry through our website, we collect:

• Identity data: your full name
• Contact data: your email address and telephone number
• Location data: your town, area, or postcode
• Service data: the type of accountancy service you are enquiring about (e.g., IR35 advice, Self Assessment, expense management)
• Technical data: your IP address, browser type, device type, and pages visited (collected automatically via cookies)

We do not collect sensitive financial information such as your UTR, National Insurance number, income figures, or bank details through our forms. Any such information would be shared directly between you and the accountant you choose to engage.

3. How We Use Your Data and Our Lawful Basis

• To match you with accountants (Legitimate Interests / Contract): We share your name, contact details, location, and service type with up to three accountants in our vetted network who are best suited to your needs. This is the core service you requested when submitting your enquiry.
• To follow up on your enquiry (Legitimate Interests): We may contact you by phone or email to confirm your enquiry or update you on your match.
• To improve our service (Legitimate Interests): We analyse aggregated, anonymised usage data to understand how our service is used and to improve matching quality.
• Legal compliance (Legal Obligation): We retain records as required by applicable UK law.
• Marketing (Consent only): We will only send marketing emails if you have explicitly opted in. You can withdraw consent at any time.

4. How Your Lead Data is Routed to Accountants

This section is specific to our lead-generation business model and explains exactly what happens to your data when you submit an enquiry:

1. You submit an enquiry form on our website.
2. Your enquiry is received by our platform and stored securely in our enquiry management system (Google Sheets via Google Workspace, processed under appropriate data processing terms).
3. Our matching algorithm and team review your requirements and identify up to three accountants in our Harrow network whose specialism, location, and availability match your needs.
4. Your name, contact details, location, and service type are shared with those matched accountants by secure email or our platform notification system.
5. Each matched accountant will contact you directly, typically within 24 hours.
6. Once shared with an accountant, your data is subject to that accountant’s own privacy policy and data handling practices. Each accountant in our network is an independent data controller for any engagement that follows.

We do not sell your data to third parties, data brokers, or lead aggregators under any circumstances. Your enquiry is shared only with the accountants matched to your specific requirements.

5. Who We Share Data With

• Network accountants: Up to three matched accountants as described in Section 4 above.
• Google Workspace: We use Google Sheets to manage enquiry data. Google acts as a data processor under appropriate agreements.
• Google Analytics 4: Anonymised usage data is processed by Google for website analytics. You can opt out via the Google Analytics Opt-out Add-on.

6. How Long We Keep Your Data

• Enquiry data: retained for 12 months from the date of submission, then securely deleted.
• Analytics data: retained in Google Analytics for 14 months per our configuration settings.
• Legal compliance records: retained for up to 6 years as required by UK law.

7. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

You have the right to: access your data, correct inaccurate data, request erasure, restrict processing, receive your data in a portable format, and object to processing based on legitimate interests. To exercise any right, contact privacy@freelanceaccountantharrow.co.uk. We will respond within 30 days.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113.

8. Data Security

We use HTTPS encryption for all data transmission, restrict access to enquiry data on a need-to-know basis, and review our data handling procedures regularly. No internet transmission is entirely secure, but we take all reasonable precautions.

9. Cookies

We use strictly necessary cookies (required for site function) and analytics cookies (Google Analytics — consent required where applicable). You can control cookies via your browser settings.

10. Children’s Privacy

Our service is intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect data from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has submitted data through our site, please contact us immediately.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top reflects the most recent version.

12. Contact