Privacy Policy
Last updated: 01 July 2026
Harbourlight Accounting and Advisory Ltd ("Harbourlight", "we", "us" or "our") is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect personal information when you visit our website, contact us, or engage us to provide accounting, tax, bookkeeping or advisory services.
1. Who We Are
Harbourlight Accounting is a trading name of Harbourlight Accounting and Advisory Ltd.
Registered Office: 11 Lilliput Road, Poole, BH14 8JU
Company Number: 17265065
ICO Registration Number: ZC195374
Email: hello@harbourlightaccounting.co.uk
We act as a Data Controller for the personal information we collect and process.
2. Information We Collect
We may collect and process information including:
Information you provide directly
· Name
· Business name
· Email address
· Telephone number (if provided)
· Website address
· Details about your business
· Information contained within enquiries or correspondence
Information collected through our website
· IP address
· Browser type
· Device information
· Pages visited
· Website usage information
· Cookie preferences
Information collected when providing services
Depending on the services we provide, we may process:
· Financial records
· Payroll data
· Tax information
· Contact information
· Accounting records
· Identity verification documentation
· Other information necessary to fulfil our professional obligations
3. How We Use Your Information
We use personal information to:
· Respond to enquiries
· Provide accounting, tax and advisory services
· Manage client relationships
· Comply with legal and regulatory obligations
· Verify identity where required
· Improve our website and services
· Communicate with clients and prospective clients
· Maintain business records
We will only use your information for legitimate business purposes and where we have a lawful basis for doing so.
We may also process personal information as part of our obligations under anti-money laundering regulations and professional requirements.
4. Lawful Bases for Processing
We process personal information under one or more of the following lawful bases:
Contract
Where processing is necessary to provide services requested by you.
Legal Obligation
Where we are required to comply with legal, regulatory or professional requirements.
Legitimate Interests
Where processing is necessary for the legitimate operation and improvement of our business, provided your rights do not override those interests.
Consent
Where specific consent is required, such as for certain marketing communications.
5. Sharing Information
We do not sell personal information.
Where necessary, we may share information with:
· HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
· Companies House
· Professional advisers and consultants
· Software providers and cloud platforms
· Regulatory bodies
· Third-party service providers who support our business operations
Examples may include accounting, bookkeeping, communication, document storage and practice management systems.
All third parties are expected to process personal information securely and only for legitimate purposes.
6. Cloud Accounting and Technology Providers
As a modern cloud-based practice, we use trusted software providers and secure online systems.
These may include platforms such as:
· Xero
· QuickBooks
· Sage
· FreeAgent
· Microsoft 365
· Squarespace
Personal information may be stored and processed within these systems where necessary to provide our services.
7. International Data Transfers
Some of our technology providers may store or process personal information outside the UK. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place and that information is protected in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
8. Data Security
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information from unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure.
Measures include:
· Secure cloud-based systems
· Password protection
· Multi-factor authentication where appropriate
· Restricted access to data
· Regular software updates
· Secure communication channels
No online system can ever be guaranteed completely secure, but we take data security very seriously and work to maintain appropriate safeguards.
9. Data Retention
We retain information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected and to comply with legal, regulatory and professional requirements.
Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information and the services provided.
Where information is no longer required, it will be securely deleted or anonymised.
10. Your Rights
Under UK data protection law, you may have the right to:
· Access your personal information
· Correct inaccurate information
· Request deletion of information
· Restrict processing
· Object to certain processing activities
· Request transfer of information where applicable
· Withdraw consent where processing relies on consent
Some rights may be limited where we are required to retain information to meet legal or regulatory obligations.
11. Website Analytics and Cookies
Our website may use analytics tools and cookies to help us understand how visitors use the website and improve the user experience.
Further information can be found in our Cookie Policy.
12. Complaints
If you are unhappy with how we handle personal information, please contact us first so we can try to resolve the issue.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with:
Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
Website: https://ico.org.uk
13. Contact
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we process personal information, please contact:
Harbourlight Accounting and Advisory Ltd