Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy Details
Introduction
Akonu & Partners ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our accounting, tax advisory, and audit services, or when you visit our website at akonuandpartners.com.
We operate in accordance with the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) of Ghana and other applicable data protection regulations. By engaging our services or using our website, you consent to the practices described in this policy.
Please read this policy carefully. If you disagree with any part of this privacy policy, please do not use our services or website. If you have questions, contact us using the information provided at the end of this document.
Information We Collect
Information You Provide Directly
When you engage our services or contact us, we may collect:
- Personal identification: Name, email address, phone number, postal address
- Business information: Company name, business registration details, TIN (Tax Identification Number), industry sector
- Financial records: Bank statements, invoices, receipts, payroll data, tax returns, and other financial documents necessary for our services
- Communication records: Emails, meeting notes, and correspondence related to our engagement
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:
- Device information: Browser type, operating system, device type
- Usage data: Pages viewed, time spent on pages, links clicked
- Location data: General geographic location based on IP address
- Referral information: How you arrived at our website
Information from Third Parties
We may receive information from:
- Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) - for tax compliance purposes
- Registrar General's Department - for company registration verification
- Banks and financial institutions - with your authorization
- Professional referral sources - with your consent
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
Service Delivery
- Providing accounting, bookkeeping, and financial reporting services
- Preparing and filing tax returns with Ghana Revenue Authority
- Conducting audits and assurance engagements
- Managing payroll and statutory compliance on your behalf
- Advising on tax planning and business structuring
Communication
- Responding to your inquiries and requests
- Sending service updates, reminders, and important notices
- Providing newsletters and educational content (with your consent)
- Scheduling appointments and consultations
Business Operations
- Processing payments and maintaining billing records
- Improving our services and website
- Ensuring compliance with professional and regulatory requirements
- Protecting against fraud and unauthorized access
Information Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:
With Your Consent
We will share your information with third parties when you have given us explicit permission to do so, such as when filing returns with GRA on your behalf.
Regulatory and Government Bodies
We may disclose information to:
- Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) - for tax filing and compliance
- Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) - for pension contributions
- Registrar General's Department - for statutory filings
- Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG) - for professional compliance
- Courts or legal authorities - when required by law
Service Providers
We work with trusted service providers who assist in our operations:
- Xero: Cloud accounting platform (data stored in secure data centers)
- Google Workspace: Email and document collaboration
- Calendly: Appointment scheduling
- Formspree/Netlify: Contact form processing
These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the purposes we specify.
Professional Obligations
As chartered accountants, we may be subject to professional body reviews and quality assurance processes that require limited disclosure of anonymized or aggregated information.
Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information:
Technical Safeguards
- SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit
- Encrypted storage for sensitive documents
- Secure cloud infrastructure with industry-standard certifications
- Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments
- Multi-factor authentication for system access
Organizational Safeguards
- Staff training on data protection and confidentiality
- Access controls limiting data access to authorized personnel
- Confidentiality agreements with all team members
- Regular review of security policies and procedures
While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but commit to notifying you promptly if a breach affecting your data occurs.
Your Rights
Under the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) and our commitment to transparency, you have the following rights:
Access
You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
Correction
You may request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete information.
Deletion
You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal and professional retention requirements.
Restriction
You may request that we restrict processing of your information in certain circumstances.
Objection
You may object to processing of your information for direct marketing purposes.
Data Portability
You may request your data in a commonly used, machine-readable format.
Exercising Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@akonuandpartners.com. We will respond to your request within 30 days. We may ask for verification of your identity before processing your request.
Data Retention
We retain your information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law.
Retention Periods
- Client records: 7 years after the end of the engagement (as required by Ghana tax law and professional standards)
- Tax returns and supporting documents: 6 years minimum (GRA requirements)
- Audit working papers: 7 years (ICAG requirements)
- Website analytics data: 26 months
- Marketing consent records: Duration of consent plus 2 years
After the retention period expires, we securely delete or anonymize your information.
International Data Transfers
Some of the third-party services we use may store or process data outside Ghana. When this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place:
- Data processing agreements with service providers
- Selection of providers with strong security certifications (ISO 27001, SOC 2)
- Use of providers who comply with international data protection standards
Services that may involve international data transfer include cloud accounting (Xero), email (Google Workspace), and website hosting.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, services, or legal requirements. When we make changes:
- We will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page
- For significant changes, we will notify you by email or through a prominent notice on our website
- Your continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy
We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your data protection rights, or have concerns about how we handle your information, please contact us:
Privacy Inquiries
Akonu & Partners
Email: privacy@akonuandpartners.com
Phone: +233 (0) XX XXX XXXX
Address: [Office Address], Accra, Ghana
For complaints about our data handling practices, you may also contact the Data Protection Commission of Ghana:
- Website: dataprotection.org.gh
- Email: info@dataprotection.org.gh