Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information:

• Information you provide voluntarily — your name, email address, phone number, business name, and any details you submit through contact forms, scheduling tools, or email inquiries.
• Automatically collected information — IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages viewed, and time spent on pages. This data is collected through standard server logs and analytics tools.
• Cookies and tracking technologies — small data files placed on your device to improve site functionality and analyze usage. You may disable cookies through your browser settings.

We do not collect Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, or sensitive personal financial data through this website.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Respond to your inquiries and schedule consultations
• Provide and improve our accounting and bookkeeping services
• Send service-related communications (not marketing emails without consent)
• Analyze website traffic and improve user experience
• Comply with applicable laws and professional obligations

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

3. Disclosure of Your Information

We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

• Service providers — third-party vendors who assist in operating our website or conducting business (e.g., scheduling platforms, email services, cloud storage). These parties are contractually required to keep your information confidential.
• Legal compliance — if required by law, subpoena, court order, or government authority.
• Business transfers — in the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of business assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
• Professional obligations — as a CPA candidate practice, we adhere to applicable professional confidentiality standards under state and AICPA guidelines.

4. Third-Party Links and Services

Our website may link to third-party services such as Calendly (scheduling) and Canopy (client portal). These services have their own privacy policies, and we encourage you to review them. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites.

5. Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, or as required by law or professional regulations. Client engagement records may be retained for a minimum of seven (7) years in accordance with standard accounting practice requirements.

6. Security of Your Information

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but are committed to protecting your data.

7. Children's Privacy

Our website and services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you believe a minor has provided us with information, please contact us immediately and we will delete it.

8. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have rights regarding your personal information, including:

• The right to access the personal data we hold about you
• The right to request correction of inaccurate data
• The right to request deletion of your data, subject to legal or professional retention requirements
• The right to opt out of non-essential communications

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at the information below.

9. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal data we collect, the right to delete your data, and the right to opt out of the sale of your data. We do not sell personal information. To submit a request, contact us directly.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. Continued use of our website after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights, please contact us:

• Business: Westen Accounting
• Email: info@westenaccounting.com
• Phone: (904) 870-6887
• Service Area: Texas and Florida