US Privacy Notice
1. Introduction
- This notice describes how Ostberg Sinclair & Co. Inc collects, uses, discloses, stores and otherwise processes personal information in connection with our professional services, business operations, recruitment activities, website and related communications. It is intended to address applicable US federal and state privacy and data security requirements, including, where applicable, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”), the Federal Trade Commission Safeguards Rule (“FTC Safeguards Rule”), Internal Revenue Code Section 7216 (“IRC §7216”), and applicable US state consumer privacy laws. This notice is a general privacy notice and does not replace any more specific notice, engagement terms, consent, notice at collection or sector-specific disclosure that may apply to a particular service, product, state law requirement or regulated activity.
- Ostberg Sinclair & Co. Inc is responsible for safeguarding personal information and for determining how and why personal information is processed in connection with the services and activities described in this notice, except where we process information on behalf of another organisation. The firm’s contact details are as follows: Ostberg Sinclair & Co. Inc, 575 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022, privacy@osandco.com
- This privacy notice applies generally to personal information processed by Ostberg Sinclair & Co. Inc in connection with our professional services, business operations, recruitment activities, website and related communications. It is intended to apply to clients, prospective clients, business contacts, suppliers, job applicants, website users and other individuals whose personal information we process in the course of our business, whether they are located in the United States or, where relevant to our services, outside the United States.
- Because privacy rights and obligations may vary depending on the individual’s place of residence, the nature of the relationship with us and the applicable law, certain additional rights or protections may apply only to the extent required by applicable US federal or state law. Where we act on behalf of another organisation as a service provider, processor, contractor or similar role, contractual provisions may also govern our processing of personal information and should be read in conjunction with this notice.
2. Personal information we process
- The personal information we process about you depends on the purpose for which you have engaged us, but includes the following data:
- Full name, address, e-mail address, telephone number
- Date of birth
- Job title and company name
- Banking details if relevant to the service
- Tax filing details, including Social Security Number (SSN), Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and other tax identifiers
- Other personal information that you choose to provide
- Employment status
- Financial information where relevant to the services
- Your Curriculum Vitae (CV) where relevant
- Information from website enquiries, including IP address, geographical location, operating system and browser type
- Information collected via cookies and similar tracking technologies (see our Cookie Policy)
2A. Sources of personal information and whether you must provide it
- We generally collect personal information directly from you, but we may also collect it from your employer or business, family members or representatives acting on your behalf, professional advisers, counterparties, public records, tax authorities, regulators, identity verification and sanctions screening providers, software providers you ask us to use, recruitment contacts, referees, and other third parties where relevant to the services or activities concerned.
- Where personal information is needed so that we can provide services, establish or maintain a client relationship, comply with legal, tax, regulatory, professional, anti-fraud or anti-money laundering obligations, or process an application, failure to provide that information may mean that we cannot provide or continue providing services, complete the relevant filing, process your request, or otherwise carry out the activity concerned.
3. The purposes for which we intend to process personal information
- We intend to process personal information for the following purposes:
- To enable us to supply professional accounting, tax and advisory services to you
- To prepare, file and support tax returns and related filings
- To comply with legal and regulatory obligations, including obligations under US tax law
- To comply with professional obligations applicable to CPAs and tax preparers
- To use in the investigation and/or defence of complaints, regulatory enquiries or legal proceedings
- To invoice you and address any fee-related matters
- To contact you about other services we provide where permitted by law or with your consent
- For recruitment and employment-related purposes
- Procurement of services from suppliers
4. How we are permitted to collect and use personal information
- Under US law, we are permitted to collect and process personal information in connection with providing financial and professional services.
- We process personal information:
- As necessary to provide services requested by you
- To comply with legal and regulatory obligations
- As reasonably required to operate and maintain our business
- With your consent where required (including for certain disclosures under IRC §7216)
5. Tax return information (IRC §7216)
- Where we receive or process tax return information, we are subject to the requirements of Internal Revenue Code §7216 and related regulations.
We will not disclose or use your tax return information for any purpose other than tax preparation and related services unless:
- you provide prior written consent; or
- disclosure is otherwise permitted or required by law
Criminal penalties may apply for unauthorised disclosure or use of tax return information.
6. Sensitive personal information
- We may collect sensitive personal information such as Social Security Numbers, financial account information and tax identification numbers where necessary to provide our services.
- We will take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect such information.
7. Data sharing: Persons/organisations to whom we may give personal information
- We will only share personal information where necessary and permitted by law. We do not sell your personal information to third parties.
- We may share your personal information with:
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state tax authorities
- Tax compliance and accounting software providers
- Third parties with whom you authorise us to correspond
- Subcontractors and service providers
- Tax insurance providers
- Professional indemnity insurers
- Professional bodies or regulators
- Law enforcement and regulatory authorities
- Courts and tribunals
- If you ask us not to share your personal information where sharing is necessary to provide services or comply with law, we may be unable to continue acting for you.
8. Cross-border data transfers
- As part of our service delivery model, personal information may be accessed, processed and stored in the United States, the United Kingdom and other jurisdictions in which we or our service providers operate. In particular, personal information may be shared with and processed by our affiliated firm in the United Kingdom where this is necessary to provide services, support our operations, maintain records, or administer our business.
- Where cross-border transfers of personal information occur, we take reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect the confidentiality, integrity and security of the information. These measures may include contractual protections, access controls, confidentiality obligations, data minimisation, and other technical and organisational measures appropriate to the nature of the information and the transfer.
9. Data sharing in the event of a sale of all or part of the business
- If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, reorganisation, financing, sale of assets or similar business transaction, personal information may be disclosed to prospective purchasers, investors, advisers and other transaction participants for due diligence and transaction-related purposes. We require appropriate confidentiality and security protections for personal information disclosed in this context.
- If a transaction is completed, personal information may be transferred to the successor organisation or relevant purchaser as part of the transaction, subject to applicable law and any notice requirements that apply.
10. Retention of personal information
- We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this notice, including to provide services, comply with legal, tax, accounting, regulatory, professional, security and recordkeeping obligations, resolve disputes, enforce our agreements, and establish, exercise or defend legal claims. Retention periods vary depending on the nature of the information and the services provided.
11. Access to personal information
- You may request access to the personal information we hold about you by contacting us using the details above.
- We may require verification of identity before providing access.
- We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable laws.
12. Correction of personal information
- You may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
- Please notify us promptly if any information we hold about you is incorrect.
13. Deletion of personal information
- You may request that we delete your personal information where permitted by law.
- We may be unable to delete certain information where retention is required for legal or regulatory purposes.
14. Restricting processing
- In certain circumstances, you may request that we limit the processing of your personal information.
- We will consider such requests in accordance with applicable laws.
15. Withdrawal of consent
- Where we rely on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time.
- Please note:
- This will not affect prior lawful processing.
- We may not be able to continue providing services.
- We may continue processing where required by law.
16. Automated decision-making
- We do not intend to use automated decision-making in relation to your personal information.
17. Additional rights and disclosures under applicable US state privacy laws
- Residents of certain US states may have additional rights under applicable privacy laws, subject to exemptions and limitations. Depending on the law that applies and the context in which we process information, those rights may include the right to know or confirm whether we process personal information about you, access that information, correct inaccuracies, delete personal information, obtain a portable copy of certain personal information, and opt out of certain processing activities.
- To exercise any rights available to you under applicable law, please contact us at privacy@osandco.com. We may need to verify your identity before acting on your request.
- We do not sell personal information and do not engage in targeted advertising or profiling for legal or similarly significant effects.
- Where applicable law grants appeal rights, you may submit an appeal by contacting us and stating that you wish to appeal a decision.
18. Complaints
- If you have concerns about how we handle your personal information, please contact us at privacy@osandco.com.
- You may also have the right to complain to applicable US regulators depending on your jurisdiction.
19. Cookies
- Navigation on our website will result in cookies being placed on your computer. Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer by the websites that you visit.
- We use cookies and similar technologies on our website. Non-essential cookies are used only with your consent, and you can change or withdraw your consent at any time using the cookie settings on our website. For further information, please see our Cookie Policy.
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