In today’s digital age, data security is ever more important. At Starfish Accounting, we take your information security seriously. Here’s how we ensure your data remains safe and secure.
The Rising Tide of Data Theft
With data theft affecting 1 in 5 internet users, it’s crucial to understand how we, as your accountants, securely manage your information. We gather and use a lot of potentially sensitive information, and we’ve implemented robust systems to protect it.
Riding the Wave of Paperless Operations
At Starfish, we’re a paperless office – or at least as close to one as practically possible! Here’s how it works:
- Incoming paperwork is date-stamped and scanned.
- Electronic documents are filed or sent to our digital ‘post cabinet’.
The Triple Benefit of Going Paperless
Our paperless approach gives us three key benefits:
- It’s Greener: We’re reducing our carbon footprint, helping both us and our clients contribute to environmental sustainability.
- Reduces Mistakes: Electronic documents allow for quicker error correction compared to paper-based systems.
- Enhanced Security: Digital storage provides additional security for both client and business data.
Secure Data Transfer: Our Client Upload Portal
Email isn’t always the safest method for transferring sensitive data. That’s why we’ve developed a secure, encrypted client upload portal. To use our portal you can visit it here.
You’ll need:
- Your Account Reference
- Your entity/tax status
- The type of document you’re uploading
We handle the rest, ensuring your data remains protected throughout the transfer process.
Two-Way Street: How We Send Your Data Back
When it comes to returning your data, such as accounts, tax, or VAT returns, we use Xero document packs. This process includes:
- Electronic signature requests for approval
- Secure transmission via Xero’s cloud-based accounting software
As one of the top 250 Fintech Companies globally, Xero shares our commitment to data security.
Extra Protection for Payroll Files
For payroll-related documents, including payslips, we add an extra layer of security:
- Encryption
- Password protection
Data Storage: Leaving it to the Experts
When it comes to storing clients’ data we recognise it’s best to leave that to the experts. That’s where our IT team come in. They handle everything, from backing up our online storage and emails to make sure nothing gets lost right through to cyber security cover to ensure we’re not at risk of downloading evil viruses.
Riding the Digital Wave: Future Developments
We’re constantly evolving to stay ahead in the digital age. We are actively working on developing a self-serve portal which will act as a one-stop shop for client document access. Stay tuned for updates!
