Fortune9 Accountants Pty Ltd (ABN 25 687 492 113) (“we”, “us”, or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and safeguarding the personal and financial information you entrust to us. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, manage, disclose, and store your personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and other applicable legal and ethical obligations, including those established by the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) and CPA Australia.
By accessing our website (https://www.fortune9accountants.com.au), engaging our services, or communicating with us, you consent to the data practices described in this policy.
1. Information We Collect
Personal Information
- Contact Details: Full name, phone number, physical address, mailing address, and email address.
- Government Identifiers: Tax File Number (TFN), Australian Business Number (ABN), Australian Company Number (ACN), Passport numbers, Driver’s Licence details, and Medicare numbers (required for identity verification and official lodgements).
- Demographic Data: Date of birth, marital status, and family/dependant details.
Financial and Commercial Information
- Financial Details: Bank account numbers, credit card information, income statements, asset/liability portfolios, and superannuation data.
- Employment Information: Income statements, payroll logs, work cover files, and employer records.
- Business Operations Data: Accounting software files (e.g., Xero, MYOB, Quickbooks), invoices, operational receipts, expenses, corporate registers, and trust deeds.
Digital and Technical Data
- Website Analytics: IP addresses, browser types, operating systems, referring URLs, and pages viewed during your visit to our website (collected via cookies and standard analytical tools).
2. How We Collect Your Information
- Complete contact, intake, or booking forms on our website.
- Consult with us in person, over the phone, or via video calls.
- Upload documents securely through our digital client portals or email channels.
- Engage us to act as your registered tax, accounting, or superannuation agent.
Collection from Third Parties
- The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) via the Online Services for Agents portal.
- The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
- Financial institutions, banks, mortgage brokers, and superannuation funds.
- Cloud accounting platforms (e.g., Xero) connected to your file.
- Your previous accountants, legal advisors, or financial planners (upon your written authority).
3. Purpose of Collection, Use, and Disclosure
- Preparing and lodging individual, company, trust, partnership, and SMSF tax returns.
- Preparing Business Activity Statements (BAS), Single Touch Payroll (STP), and financial statements.
- Providing corporate secretarial services and ASIC compliance management.
- Verifying your identity under Australian Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) requirements.
- Communicating with you regarding statutory deadlines, fee proposals, tax planning sessions, or accounting inquiries.
- Fulfilling our administrative, billing, internal audit, and professional risk management duties.
4. Disclosure to Third Parties
- Government and Regulatory Authorities: The ATO, ASIC, Tax Practitioners Board (TPB), and other government bodies as mandated by Australian law.
- Approved Software Providers: Certified cloud accounting and workflow engines (such as Xero, MYOB, and secure portal infrastructure) operating under strict data security standards.
- Independent Professional Advisors: External auditors (such as approved SMSF auditors), solicitors, or financial planners, strictly where authorized by you.
- Professional Associations: Regulatory oversight bodies (e.g., CPA Australia) strictly for quality assurance reviews or compliance audits.
5. Overseas Disclosure & Cloud Data Storage
We prioritize keeping your data hosted securely on servers located physically within Australia.
However, in limited operational circumstances, certain cloud-based software tools or data infrastructure utilized by our practice (e.g., Microsoft 365, Xero, cloud storage services) may store or process data using secure server networks located overseas.
Whenever we utilize cloud software or systems that involve offshore servers, we ensure these third-party vendors comply with international security protocols and uphold standards comparable to the Australian Privacy Principles.
6. Protection of Tax File Numbers (TFNs)
We handle Tax File Numbers (TFNs) under strict compliance with the Privacy (Tax File Number) Rule 2015 issued under section 17 of the Privacy Act 1988.
- We only collect your TFN where authorized by law to provide tax agent services.
- Your TFN is stored in secure, encrypted environments accessible strictly by authorized personnel.
- We will never disclose your TFN to unauthorized third parties or use it as a general client identifier.
7. Data Security and Storage
- Digital Protections: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), bank-grade encryption protocols, secure client portals, firewalls, and regular security updates.
- Physical Protections: Secure physical office premises, locked file storage, and restricted physical access to physical documentation.
- Administrative Controls: Staff confidentiality agreements, strict role-based data access permissions, and ongoing privacy training.
8. Accessing and Correcting Your Information
- Requests: To request access or corrections, please contact our Privacy Officer in writing using the details provided below.
- Verification: We may require proof of identity before releasing or updating sensitive information.
- Exceptions: In limited situations, we may refuse access where authorized or required by law (e.g., where granting access would breach professional legal privilege or compromise another individual's privacy).
9. Third-Party Links & Website Cookies
Our website uses “cookies” (small text files saved to your browser) to analyze visitor traffic, optimize page performance, and enhance user experience. Cookies do not identify you personally; they collect generalized technical statistics. You may adjust your web browser settings to block or disable cookies, though some features of our site or client portal may function with reduced speed.
Our site may also contain links to external third-party websites (such as the ATO portal). We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of external sites.
10. Complaints and Enquiries
- Attn: Privacy Officer
- Entity: Fortune9 Accountants Pty Ltd
- Address: Unit 2, 20 Success Circuit, Augustine Heights QLD 4300
- Email: info@fortune9accountants.com.au
- Phone: 0449 069 369
- Web: www.oaic.gov.au
- Phone: 1300 363 992