Who we are
Balanced Bear Bookkeeping (“Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit https://balancedbearbookkeeping.com/ or use our bookkeeping services. By using our website or services, you consent to this Privacy Policy.
Information we collect
We do not collect or store any Protected Health Information (PHI), client lists or sensitive business data, HIPAA-protected data, Social Security numbers, bank account login credentials or direct access to client funds, or patient records or medical information.
Information from Prospective Clients (Leads)
We collect basic personal information through website contact forms and lead magnets, email forms used to provide quotes, and phone consultations and scheduling interactions. This information includes your name, email address, phone number, and basic business details for quote purposes.
Information from Active Clients
After becoming a client, we may collect information needed to provide our bookkeeping services, including financial records and transaction data, business operational information, tax-related documentation, and other information required for accounting and bookkeeping services.
HIPAA and Protected Health Information
We serve healthcare and allied health businesses but do not collect, store, access, or handle PHI as defined under HIPAA. Our services are designed to maintain HIPAA compliance by focusing solely on financial and business operational data, not patient information or medical records.
Providing Visitors with Anonymous Access
You can access our Web site home page and browse our site without disclosing your personal data.
How we use your information
4.1 Lead Information
We use lead information for marketing communications and follow-up, scheduling consultations and assessments, providing service quotes and proposals, and determining service compatibility.
4.2 Client Information
We use client information to provide contracted bookkeeping services, create historical financial records, ensure compliance with tax regulations, and communicate regarding your account and services.
Website Technologies
Links
Our Web site does not enable our visitors to communicate with other visitors or to post information to be accessed by others. Our Web site may include a link to a third party Web service provider. Such third party Web service providers may collect personal data about our visitors.
Cookies and Tracking
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to enhance user experience and analyze performance. You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings.
Third-Party Content
Our website may contain links to third-party websites or embedded content. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those external sites.
Information Sharing and Disclosure
Prospective Clients
We do not share, sell, or disclose information collected from prospective clients to third parties.
Active Clients
We share client information only with your written consent, when necessary to provide the services you have requested, or when required by law or legal process. Third parties may include software providers necessary for bookkeeping services, tax preparers with written authorization, and other professional service providers as directed by you.
Data Collection and Purpose Specification
We collect the personal data that you may volunteer while using our services. We do not collect information about our visitors from other sources, such as public records or bodies, or private organizations. If we wish to use your personal data for a new purpose, we offer you the means to consent to this new purpose: by indicating in a box at the point on the site where personal data is collected.
These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with that embedded content, including tracking your interaction with the embedded content if you have an account and are logged in to that website.
Data Retention
If you leave a public comment, the comment and its metadata are retained indefinitely. Otherwise, we retain collected information for seven (7) years in accordance with IRS regulations. After this period, we securely dispose of the information unless the law requires longer retention
Data Security
We implement technical and organizational measures to protect your information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Measures include secure data storage systems, employee confidentiality agreements, limited access protocols, and regular security assessments.
Confidentiality / Security
We have implemented security policies, rules and technical measures to protect the personal data that we have under our control from:
- unauthorised access
- improper use or disclosure
- unauthorised modification
- unlawful destruction or accidental loss
All our employees and data processors, who have access to, and are associated with the processing of personal data, are obliged to respect the confidentiality of our visitors’ personal data. We ensure that your personal data will not be disclosed to State institutions and authorities except as required by law.
Your Rights
You may request access to your personal information, request correction of inaccurate information, request deletion subject to legal retention requirements, opt out of marketing communications, and withdraw consent for processing.
Children’s Privacy
We do not take specific steps to protect the privacy of children who disclose their personal data to us. Our services are not intended for individuals under 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18.
