Data Protection – Accountants and Book-keepers, Are You Playing Safe?

As an accountant or book-keeper, your client holds you in a position of trust. Not only do you have access to a host of confidential information regarding their business finances and business performance, but if you’re managing payroll services too, you’ll have in-depth knowledge of their employees’ personal information.

It’s vital to the success of your own business that you set out clear obligations and assurances to your clients – both old and new – that their data is fully protected. The media is full of unsettling stories about confidential information being left unsecured - or left on laptops or data sticks which then go missing – and contrary to popular belief, there definitely is such a thing as bad publicity.

You have a duty of care to your client to maintain high levels of confidentiality and security – and can be fined heavily for breaches of security surrounding personal data which lead to individuals suffering loss or fraud. It’s not just worth the risk when there’s so much at stake.

So what can you do to ensure that your customers’ information is secure – and how should you advise clients to secure information at their end of the business transaction? More...