Privacy Policy – Lynda Stevenson Chartered Accountants
1. Introduction
Lynda Stevenson Chartered Accountants ('we', 'our', 'us') is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information in accordance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020.
2. Information We Collect
We may collect personal information including, but not limited to: - Full name, contact details, and address - IRD number and financial information - Employment and business details - Records of communication with us - Identity documents (e.g., passport, driver’s license) for electronic identity verification - Any other information necessary for accounting, tax, and advisory services
3. How We Collect Information
We collect personal information through: - Direct interactions (e.g., meetings, phone calls, emails) - Online forms and questionnaires - Third parties (e.g., Inland Revenue, APLYiD identity verification, banks, payroll providers) with your consent. We will obtain your explicit consent before submitting your personal information to either the NZ DIA or the Australian DVS for verification.
4. Purpose of Collection
We collect and use your personal information to: - Provide accounting, tax, and business advisory services - Communicate with you regarding your financial matters - Comply with legal and regulatory obligations - Improve our services and client experience - Verify your identity using electronic identity verification services - Meet our legal obligations under New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML/CFT Act).
When verifying identity documents, we may use:
- the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (NZ DIA), and/or
- the Australian Government’s Document Verification Service (Australian DVS) through an approved gateway provider.
We will only submit your personal information to these services with your explicit consent and solely for the purpose of verifying your identity.
5. Disclosure of Information
We may disclose your personal information to: - Inland Revenue and other government agencies as required by law - Third-party service providers (e.g., software platforms like Xero or MYOB) - Electronic identity verification services - Legal or professional advisors - Any other party with your consent or as permitted by law.
For identity verification, we may disclose personal information (such as passport or driver licence details) to:
- the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs or its approved gateway provider, and
- the Australian Government’s DVS via an approved gateway provider,
for the sole purpose of confirming the validity of your identity documents.
These parties will not retain your information except as required to complete the verification
6. Retention and Destruction
We retain information obtained for identity verification only as long as necessary to complete the verification and meet legal and regulatory obligations. After that period, the information is securely destroyed or permanently de-identified in accordance with the NZ Privacy Act 2020
7. Data Security
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from loss, misuse, unauthorised access, or disclosure. This includes secure storage systems, password protection, and staff training.
8. Access and Correction
You have the right to access and request correction of your personal information. To do so, please contact us at:
Email: info@lstevensonca.co.nz
Phone: 03 307 2022
Address: 8 Park Street, PO Box 263, Ashburton 7740
8. Website and Cookies
Our website may use cookies to enhance user experience and collect anonymous usage data. You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies if you prefer.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website.