Northspire Finance ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose and safeguard information when you visit northspirefinance.com or engage our bookkeeping, payroll, tax and financial advisory services.

By using our website or services, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy.

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

• Contact details: name, email address, phone number, business name
• Financial and accounting records you share with us to perform our services (bank statements, invoices, payroll data, tax documents, etc.)
• Messages submitted through our website contact form or AI chat widget
• Service preferences and package selections

Information Collected Automatically

• Browser type, device type and operating system
• IP address and approximate geographic location
• Pages visited, time spent on pages, and referring URLs
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 6)

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, operate and improve our bookkeeping, payroll, tax, CFO advisory, audit and business advisory services
• Respond to enquiries and schedule consultations
• Prepare and file tax returns, GST/HST filings and other CRA submissions on your behalf
• Process payroll and make remittances to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
• Send service-related communications, invoices and account updates
• Comply with legal, regulatory and professional obligations
• Detect, investigate and prevent fraud or unauthorized access
• Analyze website usage to improve our site and user experience

We do not sell, rent or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

3. How We Share Your Information

We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

• Service providers: Trusted third-party vendors who assist us in delivering services (e.g., QuickBooks Online, Xero, secure file-sharing platforms, email services). These providers are contractually required to protect your information.
• Government authorities: The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and other regulatory bodies as required for tax filings, payroll remittances and compliance obligations you have engaged us to fulfill.
• Legal requirements: When required by law, court order or government authority.
• Business transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. You will be notified of any such change.
• With your consent: For any other purpose, with your explicit consent.

4. Data Retention

We retain your personal and financial information for as long as necessary to provide our services and to comply with our legal, regulatory and professional obligations. For Canadian tax and accounting purposes, we generally retain records for a minimum of seven (7) years in accordance with CRA requirements. After the applicable retention period, we securely delete or anonymize your information.

5. How We Protect Your Information

6. Cookies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience and analyze site traffic. We use:

• Essential cookies: Required for the website to function properly.
• Analytics cookies: Used to understand how visitors interact with our site (e.g., Google Analytics, if enabled). These are anonymized and do not identify you personally.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect certain features of the website.

7. Your Rights (PIPEDA & Provincial Privacy Laws)

Under Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable provincial privacy legislation, you have the right to:

• Know what personal information we hold about you
• Request access to your personal information
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Withdraw consent for use of your information (subject to legal or contractual restrictions)
• Lodge a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at the details in Section 9.

8. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero, CRA portal). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies.

9. Contact Us

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page will reflect the most recent revision. We encourage you to review this page periodically. Continued use of our services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.