1. Introduction

At ABF Accounting Services Ltd ("ABF", "we", "us", or "our"), we take your privacy seriously. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal data, in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and other applicable laws.

By using our services and accessing our website, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

2. Key Definitions

3. About ABF Accounting Services Ltd

ABF Accounting Services Ltd is a private limited company registered in England and Wales. We offer professional accounting, tax advisory, payroll, bookkeeping, company formation, and related business consultancy services. Our registered office is located at 18 Thrickenlls Close, Luton, LU3 3RP.

4. Scope of This Policy

This policy applies to personal data collected via our website, email communications, phone interactions, in-person meetings, or any other method of engagement. It does not cover third-party websites linked to our website. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites before submitting personal data.

5. Our Data Protection Principles

We commit to the following principles when processing your data:

• Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency
• Purpose limitation
• Data minimisation
• Accuracy
• Storage limitation
• Integrity and confidentiality
• Accountability

6. Types of Personal Data We Collect

We may collect the following categories of personal data:

7. Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data

We process your data under one or more of the following lawful bases:

8. How We Use Your Personal Data

We use your personal data to:

• Deliver the services you request (e.g. accounting, tax filings)
• Register companies with Companies House
• Fulfil our legal and regulatory obligations
• Respond to inquiries and requests
• Maintain accurate records
• Communicate with you about updates or service changes
• Send you relevant marketing (only with your consent)

9. Sharing Your Personal Data

We may share your data with:

• Regulatory bodies (e.g. HMRC, Companies House)
• Third-party service providers (e.g. IT support, cloud storage, ID verification)
• Banking and financial institutions, with your permission
• Our professional advisors (e.g. legal counsel, auditors)
• Affiliated partners for outsourced services, where applicable

All third parties are required to handle your data securely and only for the specified purpose, under a Data Processing Agreement.

10. International Transfers

We do not routinely transfer your data outside the UK or EEA. Where it becomes necessary (e.g. using cloud providers), we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:

• Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
• Data processing agreements
• UK adequacy decisions

11. Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary to:

• Fulfil our service obligations
• Meet legal and regulatory requirements
• Defend or establish legal claims

Retention periods include:

• Financial records: 6 years from the end of the relevant financial year
• AML documentation: 5 years from end of the business relationship
• Marketing preferences: until you opt out

12. Data Security

We implement robust security measures to protect your personal data including:

• Firewalls and encrypted storage
• Access controls and password protection
• Regular security audits and staff training

In the event of a data breach, we will notify affected individuals and relevant regulators as required by law.

13. Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Right to be informed
• Right of access – request a copy of your data
• Right to rectification – correct inaccurate or incomplete data
• Right to erasure (right to be forgotten)
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object – to direct marketing or data processing
• Rights related to automated decision-making (ABF does not use such methods)

To exercise your rights, contact our Data Protection Officer using the details below.

14. Cookies and Analytics

Our website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and collect usage statistics. You can control cookie preferences via your browser settings. For more details, refer to our Cookie Policy.

15. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights:

16. Complaints

If you believe your data protection rights have been breached, you can file a complaint with:

17. Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect legal, regulatory, or operational changes. The latest version will always be available on our website. We encourage you to check back regularly.