Privacy Policy

Balanced Accounting Services (BAS)

Effective Date: October 17, 2026

1. Introduction

Balanced Accounting Services ("BAS," "we," "us," or "our") respects the privacy of individuals and organizations that interact with our business.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose, and protect personal information through our website, www.balanced-as.com, and our accounting, consulting, administrative, communication, and outsourced back-office services.

This policy applies to website visitors, prospective clients, existing clients, representatives and employees of client organizations, and other individuals whose personal information BAS processes in connection with authorized business activities.

When BAS processes personal information on behalf of a client organization, that organization may independently determine the purposes and permitted uses of the information. Its own privacy notices and policies may also apply.

2. Information We Collect

Depending on the nature of our interactions and services, BAS may collect the following categories of information.

A. Contact and Identification Information

• Names and business affiliations

• Email addresses

• Telephone and mobile phone numbers

• Mailing or business addresses

• Job titles and professional contact details

• Other information voluntarily provided through inquiries or communications

B. Business and Financial Information

• Accounting and financial records

• Invoices and payment information

• Business transaction details

• Payroll and related employment records

• Tax information and supporting documentation

• Financial statements, budgets, and operational reports

• Other information required to perform authorized professional services

C. Administrative and Service-Related Information

When providing outsourced back-office services, BAS may receive information concerning:

• Employee and staff scheduling

• Service coordination and administrative requests

• Billing and payment inquiries

• Contact information for individuals served by client organizations

• Service-related records necessary for authorized administrative activities

• Other information supplied by client organizations within an agreed service scope

BAS seeks to limit its collection and use of personal information to what is reasonably necessary for legitimate, authorized business purposes.

D. Website and Technical Information

When visitors interact with our website, information may be collected automatically through website hosting services, cookies, analytics tools, or similar technologies.

This information may include IP addresses, browser characteristics, device information, referring websites, pages visited, and general website usage data.

The information collected depends on the technologies enabled on our website.

E. SMS and Electronic Communication Information

When individuals communicate with BAS through SMS, email, or other electronic channels, we may collect:

• Mobile phone numbers

• Message content and related attachments

• Communication dates and times

• Message delivery or response status

• SMS consent and opt-in records

• Opt-out preferences

• Information voluntarily shared during conversations

We use this information to support communications, maintain business records, respond to requests, and manage applicable consent preferences.

3. How We Collect Information

We may receive information through:

• Website contact and inquiry forms

• Consultation and appointment scheduling

• Client onboarding and engagement agreements

• Direct telephone, email, and SMS conversations

• Written, verbal, or electronic authorizations

• Information supplied by client organizations

• Authorized business software and third-party service platforms

• Website technologies and analytics tools

Where consent is required, BAS seeks to obtain appropriate consent before initiating SMS communications.

Information provided by one organization about another individual does not automatically establish that individual's SMS consent.

4. How We Use Personal Information

BAS may use personal information for the following purposes:

• Providing accounting, financial, and consulting services

• Delivering authorized administrative and back-office support

• Managing client relationships and responding to inquiries

• Communicating with client representatives, staff, and other authorized individuals

• Scheduling appointments and coordinating services

• Preparing financial reports and business documentation

• Handling billing, invoicing, and payment inquiries

• Maintaining financial and operational records

• Supporting business security and preventing unauthorized activity

• Meeting contractual, legal, tax, and regulatory obligations

• Improving our website, customer experience, and service processes

• Managing communication preferences and SMS consent

BAS does not use personal information supplied by client organizations for unrelated purposes without appropriate authorization or another lawful basis.

5. SMS/Text Messaging Privacy

Balanced Accounting Services uses SMS for two-way, conversational communications related to accounting, consulting, administrative support, outsourced back-office operations, and general customer service.

SMS recipients may include existing clients, prospective clients requesting communication, client employees and staff, and individuals served by client organizations when BAS has appropriate authorization and consent.

Messages may concern scheduling, document requests, billing inquiries, operational coordination, customer support, and other authorized administrative activities.

SMS Consent

BAS obtains SMS consent through appropriate methods, which may include documented verbal consent, written or electronic authorization, website opt-in forms, or recipient-initiated conversations.

Message frequency varies based on ongoing business activities and individual interactions.

Message and data rates may apply.

Recipients may reply STOP to opt out of SMS communications or HELP for assistance.

Consent to receive SMS communications is not a condition of purchasing services.

SMS Information Sharing and Protection

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.

All other categories of personal-information sharing described in this Privacy Policy exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent. SMS opt-in data and consent information will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing, promotional, or lead-generation purposes.

BAS does not sell, rent, or disclose mobile phone numbers or SMS consent information to third parties for advertising or lead generation.

Authorized communications technology providers may process mobile numbers, messages, and related technical information solely as necessary to provide messaging services on BAS's behalf, subject to applicable contractual and confidentiality safeguards.

BAS does not transfer SMS consent obtained for its messaging program to unrelated businesses for their independent messaging activities.

6. Information Sharing and Disclosure

BAS does not sell personal information.

We may disclose information in limited circumstances, including:

A. Authorized Service Providers

We may use third-party providers for website hosting, communication systems, accounting software, payment processing, scheduling, secure file storage, and related operational functions.

These providers may access information as necessary to perform authorized services for BAS, subject to applicable contractual restrictions.

B. Client Organizations

When BAS provides outsourced support, information may be exchanged with the client organization that has authorized BAS to perform the relevant work.

Such sharing is limited to legitimate business purposes and applicable service arrangements.

C. Professional Advisers and Legal Obligations

We may disclose information to authorized professional advisers or when necessary to comply with applicable law, legal process, regulatory obligations, or valid governmental requests.

D. Protection of Rights and Security

Information may be disclosed when reasonably necessary to investigate fraud, protect business systems, enforce agreements, or address potential security threats, subject to applicable law.

These disclosures do not authorize the sale or sharing of SMS opt-in information for third-party advertising, marketing, or lead generation.

7. Confidential Financial and Client Information

BAS may process confidential accounting, financial, payroll, tax, and administrative information as part of its professional services.

We seek to maintain appropriate confidentiality and access restrictions and to use information only for authorized service purposes.

Clients remain responsible for confirming that information supplied to BAS may be lawfully disclosed and processed.

Where specialized privacy, financial, health-information, or regulatory requirements apply, BAS and the relevant client organization may establish additional contractual safeguards or data-processing agreements.

8. Information Security

BAS uses reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures intended to protect personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and loss.

Such measures may include access restrictions, authentication controls, appropriate software security features, and confidentiality procedures.

However, no internet-based system, electronic transmission, or data storage method can be guaranteed completely secure.

Individuals should avoid sending passwords, Social Security numbers, detailed medical records, payment-card details, or similarly sensitive information through ordinary SMS unless an appropriately secure method has been established.

9. Data Retention

BAS retains personal and business information for as long as reasonably necessary to:

• Perform contracted services

• Maintain required business and financial records

• Comply with applicable legal and regulatory obligations

• Resolve disputes and address client inquiries

• Meet legitimate security and administrative needs

Retention periods may vary based on the type of information, contractual requirements, and applicable law.

Information that is no longer required will be deleted, de-identified, or securely disposed of when reasonably practicable, subject to applicable retention obligations.

10. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to support functionality, security, performance, and website analytics.

These technologies may collect certain technical and usage information.

Visitors can manage cookies through available browser controls and, where provided, website cookie preferences.

Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

Third-party website services may have separate privacy notices governing their own processing activities.

11. Individual Privacy Choices and Requests

Depending on applicable law and the nature of the information BAS maintains, individuals may request:

• Access to personal information

• Correction of inaccurate information

• Deletion of personal information where permitted

• Information about certain uses or disclosures

• Changes to communication preferences

• Withdrawal of consent where processing depends on consent

Requests may be submitted to info@balanced-as.com.

BAS may need to verify an individual's identity or authority before responding.

Certain records may need to be retained under applicable legal, contractual, or professional obligations.

Where BAS holds information on behalf of another organization, a request may need to be directed to that organization.

12. Communication Preferences and Opt-Out

Individuals may request to stop receiving nonessential electronic communications from BAS.

For SMS communications, reply STOP to the message received.

For SMS assistance, reply HELP or contact info@balanced-as.com.

An SMS opt-out does not necessarily prevent BAS from contacting an individual through another appropriate channel regarding legitimate contractual, administrative, or legally required matters.

BAS will respect applicable communication preferences and legal requirements.

13. Children's Privacy

Our website and professional services are intended primarily for adults and business organizations.

BAS does not knowingly solicit personal information directly from children through its public website without appropriate authorization.

In certain outsourced administrative arrangements, BAS may process information concerning minors or other individuals receiving services from client organizations, where appropriately authorized and legally permitted.

Such information will be handled according to applicable contractual, privacy, and legal requirements.

14. Third-Party Websites and Services

Our website may contain links to external websites, software applications, or service providers.

BAS is not responsible for the independent privacy practices of those third parties.

Visitors should review the privacy policies of external services before providing personal information.

15. Cross-Border Data Processing

Depending on the location of authorized personnel and service providers, information may be accessed or processed from locations outside the state or country in which it was originally collected.

Where applicable, BAS will seek to implement appropriate confidentiality, security, and contractual safeguards for such processing.

Additional restrictions may apply to regulated or confidential client information.

16. Changes to This Privacy Policy

BAS may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in services, communication practices, technology, or applicable requirements.

The updated policy will be posted on our website with a revised effective date.

Where legally required, additional notice or consent will be provided.

17. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, the handling of your information, or your SMS communication preferences, please contact:

Balanced Accounting Services (BAS)

Website: www.balanced-as.com

Email: info@balanced-as.com

SMS Support: Reply HELP to a BAS text message.

SMS Opt-Out: Reply STOP to a BAS text message.