Privacy Policy of Advanced Accounting

Advanced Accounting is committed to handling personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles outlined in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act). This policy describes how Advanced Accounting manages personal information. It does not cover personal information exempted under the Privacy Act, such as employee records. Our privacy policy is regularly reviewed to align with legislative changes, technological advancements, and updates to our operations. We will notify you of significant changes to this policy as necessary. Our approach is grounded in transparency about how we use and protect your information.

For a copy of Advanced Accounting’s Privacy Policy, please visit our website or contact our Privacy Officer for an alternate format.

1. Purposes for Collecting Personal Information: We collect, hold, use, and disclose personal information solely to deliver services tailored to your needs. We will specify these purposes when you engage our services.
2. Types of Personal Information Collected: We may collect a range of personal information including names, contact details, financial information, and sensitive data such as health status or criminal records if necessary for specific services. Providing this information is voluntary, but refusal may affect our ability to provide the requested services.
3. Collection Methods: Personal and sensitive information is collected through various means such as forms, correspondence, and interactions. We obtain information directly from you whenever possible and ensure that the collection is lawful and fair.
4. Security Measures: We employ secure storage and protection measures for personal information, and train our staff on confidentiality. Information is destroyed or de-identified when no longer needed.
5. Overseas Disclosure and Sharing: Personal information may be disclosed within the Advanced Accounting Group and to overseas service providers under specific conditions. We ensure such disclosures comply with privacy laws and contractual obligations.
6. Website Privacy: We use web analytics tools like Google Analytics to collect non-identifiable data to improve our website. Personal information is only collected if explicitly submitted.
7. Direct Marketing: We may use your personal information for direct marketing where appropriate. You can opt out at any time by contacting us.
8. Access and Correction: You have the right to access and correct your personal information. Requests can be made in writing to our Privacy Officer, who will respond within a reasonable timeframe.
9. Handling Refusals: If access or correction requests are refused, we will provide a written explanation and information on how to make a complaint. You may also submit a statement regarding any refusal.

For further information or to make a request, please contact our Privacy Officer.

Australian Privacy Principles

Advanced Accounting is dedicated to handling personal information in compliance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) established under the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012. We are committed to transparency about how we use and protect your personal information.

Collection of Personal Information

Advanced Accounting collects personal information only when necessary to provide our financial and advisory services. As a financial services provider, we are required by legislation and regulations to gather detailed information that identifies you and reflects aspects of your financial situation. The types of personal information we may collect include:

• Name and address
• Date of birth
• Contact details
• Occupation and employment details
• Financial goals and objectives
• Current financial position, including salary, income, expenditure, assets, liabilities, risk protection, superannuation, and investments
• Risk preferences
• Health details
• Social security eligibility
• Estate planning requirements

In accordance with the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act (AML/CTF Act), we may also need to verify your identity using identification documents such as a driver’s licence or passport.

Sensitive Information

We do not actively seek sensitive information unless necessary for our business purposes, such as applications for personal insurance or managing insurance claims. If we need to collect sensitive information, we will do so in line with privacy laws.

We primarily obtain information directly from you, through methods such as face-to-face meetings, phone calls, electronic communications, data collection forms, and records from ongoing financial services. We may also act as an intermediary to collect information on your behalf, with your consent.

If you provide information about another individual (e.g., nominated beneficiaries), you must inform them of this Privacy Policy and ensure they are aware of how their information will be used.

Use and Disclosure of Collected Information

The personal information we collect is used to deliver financial and advisory services. Disclosure to third parties may occur when necessary, including to:

• Financial institutions for products like investments, superannuation, and life insurance
• Organisations conducting compliance reviews or maintaining IT services
• Service providers for research, technical support, or paraplanning
• Employees and contractors associated with our services
• Any party acquiring an interest in our business
• As required or permitted by law

We may also use your contact details to send information that could be of interest to you. You can opt out of these communications by contacting us.

Data Quality

We strive to ensure that the personal information we hold is accurate, complete, and up-to-date. During annual reviews, we will confirm the accuracy of the information we hold. If you believe any information is incorrect, please contact us with evidence of the inaccuracy. We will correct any errors as necessary.

Accessing Collected Information

You can request access to the personal information we hold about you by contacting us. We will verify your identity and reason for the request and will facilitate access in a manner that suits your needs. You may also request corrections to the information we hold.

Data Security

We prioritize the security of your personal information. It is stored securely in computer-based storage facilities and physical files. We protect this information from misuse, loss, unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure. Once information is no longer needed, we will securely destroy or de-identify it.

Identifiers

We will not use identifiers such as Tax File Numbers or Medicare Numbers as our own identifiers.

Anonymity

Our financial services require specific personal information; therefore, anonymity is generally not feasible. To provide our services, we need details about the individual involved.

Transborder Data Flows

We will only send personal information overseas with your consent, if we believe the other country has comparable privacy protections, or in other situations that offer similar protection.

Cookies

Our website may record details of your visit, including time, date, server address, pages accessed, and browser type, for statistical purposes in an anonymous form. This data cannot identify you personally.

Links to Third-Party Websites

Our website may include links to external websites, which are not covered by our privacy policy. We recommend reviewing the privacy policies of these third-party sites.

Queries and Complaints

For further information about our privacy policy or to make a complaint regarding privacy breaches, please contact our Compliance Manager at 02 9734 0777. We aim to resolve complaints to your satisfaction, but if you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for further investigation.