privacy
INTRODUCTION
Shilson, Goldberg, Cheung & Associates, LLP (“SGC”) is a national
professional services firm which provides assurance, tax, financial
advisory, and consulting services to private businesses as well as to
individuals. Maintaining the confidentiality of client information is a
core professional responsibility. This statement outlines our general
policy and practices for protecting personal information, including the
types of information we gather, how we use it, and the choices
individuals may exercise regarding our use of, and their ability to
correct, that information.
NOTICE, CHOICE AND USE
SGC informs individuals about the purposes for which it collects and
uses information about them, how to contact us with any inquiries or
complaints, the types of third parties to which we disclose the
information, and the choices and means we offer individuals for limiting
the use and disclosure of this information. In order to use this site,
you do not need to send us any personal information. You may voluntarily
provide us with personal information by submitting requests through our
“Contact Us” mailboxes or through the registration processes on some of
our sites. We do not seek sensitive personal information on our sites
except where required as part of the recruitment process. We will use
your personal information only to respond to your request (e.g., send
you information about SGC’s services or events, or match your resume to
available employment opportunities). If you no longer wish to receive
communications from us, you may at any time request that we discontinue
sending you such materials by contacting us using the contact
information listed below.
We use “cookies” which are small data files stored on a user’s computer
to enhance your on-line experience when visiting our Web site. We do not
use them to collect or track any personal information about you. The use
of “cookies” is common practice for most Web sites; however, most Web
browsers allow users to opt-out of receiving them. As is the case with
many commercial Web sites, SGC automatically logs certain information
about user access to our Web site, which may include a user’s internet
protocol (IP) address, browser type, internet service provider (ISP),
referring/exit pages, operating system, as well as date and time stamps.
This information is used to analyze usage of our Web site and we do not
link this information to any personal information.
SGC does not use personal information for any purpose other than the
purpose for which the information was originally provided to us. We
retain personal information for only so long as necessary for the
intended purpose or as required by law or our document retention
policies. By submitting personal information to us, you are consenting
to use of your personal information in accordance with the Privacy
Statement.
DISCLOSURES AND TRANSFERS
SGC will not disclose an individual's personal information to third
parties, except when we have the individual's permission to make the
disclosure, or as necessary to fulfill the purpose for which the
information was submitted or as required by law, legal process or
professional standards.
We may use third party service providers to provide services on our
behalf who may have access to the personal information of individuals.
Such service providers must be subject to law providing an adequate
level of privacy protection or have otherwise agreed in writing to
provide an adequate level of privacy protection.
In the course of performing your request, SGC may transfer personal
information, either to third parties or within SGC, and this transfer
may result in data passing from one jurisdiction to another, including
to and from the United States of America. Because privacy laws vary from
one jurisdiction to another, personal information may be transferred to
a jurisdiction where the laws may differ from the laws in the
jurisdiction in which the information originated.
DATA SECURITY
The security of your personal information is important to us. We follow
generally accepted industry standards to protect the personal
information submitted to us, both during transmission and once we
receive it. To prevent unauthorized access or disclosure, maintain data
accuracy, and ensure the appropriate use and confidentiality of
information, SGC has put in place appropriate physical (e.g., key card
office entry, locking doors), technical (e.g., password protection,
network firewalls, laptop encryption, authentication mechanisms), and
administrative procedures (e.g., confidentiality agreements, training,
procedures that limit access to and use of data) to safeguard and secure
the information we process. However, no method of transferring data over
the Internet or storing electronic data is completely secure. Therefore,
while we strive to use reasonable and appropriate means to protect your
personal information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
DATA INTEGRITY
We process personal information only in ways compatible with the purpose
for which it was collected or subsequently authorized by the individual.
To the extent necessary for such purposes, we take reasonable steps to
make sure that personal information is accurate, complete, current, and
otherwise reliable with regard to its intended use.
ACCESS AND CORRECTION
If an individual becomes aware that information we maintain about that
individual is inaccurate, or if an individual would like to update or
review his or her information, the individual may contact us using the
contact information below. We will take reasonable steps to permit
individuals to correct, amend, or delete information that is
demonstrated to be inaccurate. We may limit or deny access to personal
information where providing such access would be unreasonably burdensome
or inappropriate under the circumstances. All requests to access or
change personal information will be handled in accordance with
applicable legal requirements.
ENFORCEMENT AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
SGC utilizes the self-assessment approach to assure its compliance with
our Privacy Statement. We periodically verify that the policy is
accurate, comprehensive for the information intended to be covered,
prominently displayed and in conformity with any applicable laws. We
encourage interested persons to raise any concerns with us using the
contact information below. We will investigate and attempt to resolve
complaints and disputes regarding use and disclosure of personal
information in accordance with this policy. Any employee who we
determine is in violation of our privacy policies will be subject to
disciplinary action.
MERGER, CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP AND OTHER BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS
In the event SGC goes through a business transition, such as a merger,
or the acquisition or sale of all or a portion of its assets, your
personal information may be among the assets transferred.
PRIVACY STATEMENT CHANGES
SGC reserves the right to amend or modify this Privacy Statement from
time to time. We will post any revised policy on this Web site, or a
similar Web site that replaces this Web site.
INFORMATION SUBJECT TO OTHER POLICIES
We are committed to following all applicable laws and regulations
concerning privacy of personal information, including the Safe Harbor
Privacy Principles. Certain information including personal information
is subject to policies of the firm that may differ in some respects from
the general policies set forth in this statement but provide no less
privacy protection in any material respect. For example, personal
information obtained from or relating to clients or former clients is
further subject to the terms of any contractual arrangements with the
client, and applicable laws and professional standards. Personal
information of SGC personnel is subject to internal personnel privacy
policies, which are available to such personnel. In addition, other SGC
Web sites may have their own privacy policies, accessible on their
respective Web sites, regarding the collection and use of personal
information through those Web sites. Any questions regarding the
applicability of this Privacy Statement should be directed to the email
address below.
MINORS
This Web site is not intentionally designed for or directed at persons
17 years of age or younger, and SGC will not intentionally collect or
maintain information about anyone under the age of 17.
HOW TO CONTACT US
Questions, comments or complaints about Shilson, Goldberg, Cheung and
Associates, LLP’s Privacy Statement or data collection and processing
practices can be e-mailed to: info@sgcaccounting.com.
UPDATED: 05/2010
