Privacy Policy – Step Bookkeeping & Financial Services

Step Bookkeeping & Financial Services ("Company," "we," "our," or "us") values your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your information when you visit our website (https://stepbookkeeping.com/) or use our services.

By accessing our website or engaging with our services, you agree to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please refrain from using our services.

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal and business information to provide financial and bookkeeping services. The types of information we collect include:

1.1 Personal Information

  • Full Name

  • Email Address

  • Phone Number

  • Mailing Address

1.2 Business & Financial Information

  • Business Name & Registration Details

  • Accounting & Bookkeeping Records

  • Bank Account Information (for transactions and record-keeping)

  • Tax Identification Numbers (e.g., GST/HST, T4, T5)

  • Payroll Information

1.3 Website & Technical Information

  • IP Address

  • Browser Type & Version

  • Device Information

  • Pages Visited & Time Spent on Website

We collect this information when you:
✅ Fill out contact forms on our website
✅ Subscribe to newsletters or updates
✅ Engage our services for bookkeeping or financial support
✅ Contact us via email, phone, or in person

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal and business information for the following purposes:

🔹 Providing Services – To offer bookkeeping, financial coaching, GST remittance support, and other services.
🔹 Compliance & Legal Obligations – To comply with Canada’s Income Tax Act, Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), and Alberta’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).
🔹 Processing Payments – To send invoices, process transactions, and manage billing.
🔹 Communication – To respond to inquiries, schedule consultations, and provide service updates.
🔹 Security & Fraud Prevention – To protect against unauthorized access or fraudulent activity.

We DO NOT sell, rent, or trade your personal data to third parties.

3. How We Protect Your Information

We take reasonable steps to safeguard your personal and financial data, including:

✔ Data Encryption – Securing sensitive information during transmission and storage.
✔ Access Control – Limiting access to authorized personnel only.
✔ Regular Security Audits – Monitoring for potential security breaches.
✔ Compliance with Legal Standards – Adhering to PIPEDA and Alberta’s PIPA for data protection.

However, while we take strong precautions, no online system is 100% secure. We encourage users to take necessary precautions when sharing personal information online.

4. Sharing & Disclosure of Information

We may share your information under the following circumstances:

✅ With Consent – If you authorize us to share your data with third parties.
✅ Legal Compliance – If required by law, CRA (Canada Revenue Agency), or regulatory authorities.
✅ Service Providers – If we work with trusted partners (e.g., cloud accounting software, payment processors) to enhance our services.

All third-party service providers must adhere to strict confidentiality and data protection standards.

5. Retention of Information

We retain your personal and financial information only as long as necessary to:

  • Comply with tax and legal requirements.

  • Maintain accurate financial records.

  • Provide ongoing bookkeeping and financial services.

Once no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize your data.

6. Your Rights & Choices

Under PIPEDA and Alberta’s PIPA, you have the right to:

🔹 Access Your Information – Request copies of the data we hold about you.
🔹 Correct Your Information – Update any inaccurate or outdated details.
🔹 Withdraw Consent – Request that we stop processing certain types of personal data.
🔹 Request Deletion – Ask us to remove your data when no longer required by law.

To exercise your rights, contact us at:
📧 STEPBOOK@PROTONMAIL.COM
📞 +1 403 877-7569

7. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Cookies help us:
✅ Analyze website traffic
✅ Improve site functionality
✅ Provide personalized content

You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may affect certain website features.

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on our website with the "Effective Date" updated accordingly.

By continuing to use our website and services, you agree to the revised Privacy Policy.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or your data, please contact:

📍 Step Bookkeeping & Financial Services
📞 +1 403 877-7569
📧 STEPBOOK@PROTONMAIL.COM
🌐 https://stepbookkeeping.com/

We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring your data is handled responsibly.