Privacy Statement

Bredeweg & Zylstra, PLC (or “us” or “our”) provide professional services including, without limitation, assurance, tax, financial advisory, and consulting services to privately held businesses as well as to individuals. This Privacy Statement outlines our general policy and practices for protecting personal information that we collect through our Web site at bzcpas.com (“Site”). This Privacy Statement applies solely to information collected by or on behalf of us through the Site. This Privacy Statement does not apply to information we may collect from you in person or in connection with events, programs, or by any other means outside the Site or any link provided on the Site. This Privacy Statement explains the types of information we gather through our Site, how we use that information, and the rights individuals may exercise in relation to that information.

By submitting personal information to us, you consent to our use of such personal information in accordance with this Privacy Statement.

Privacy Statement Changes

We reserve the right to amend or modify this Privacy Statement from time to time, as determined at our sole discretion, by publishing an update version on the Site. If the alterations constitute a material change to the Privacy Statement, we will notify you by posting an announcement on the Site. What constitutes a “material change” will be determined at our sole discretion, in good faith and using common sense and reasonable judgment. We encourage you to periodically review this Privacy Statement. You can access the most current version of this Privacy Statement on the Site.

Information We Collect

In order to use this Site, you do not need to submit or provide any personal information. You may voluntarily provide us with personal information. Personal information that you may submit to us includes, without limitation, your name, job title, address, email address, screen name, telephone and fax number, and other personal information.

Use

We may use the personal information you submit through the Site for our business purposes, including without limitation, to manage your requests, to improve the Site or services offered, to process payment, send you administrative information or notices, send you information about our services, events, and other relevant information, and any other purpose stated at the point of collection.

We use the data we collect for security, compliance, and enforcement purposes. Specifically:

  • To protect the safety and security of our users and our Services.
  • To detect and prevent abuse, fraud, or other unlawful or unauthorized activities.
  • To resolve disputes.
  • To enforce our agreements, including our policies and terms of service that govern your use of the Services.

We may also use your data in any other manner as disclosed at the time of collection, or when we have otherwise obtained consent.  Please also note that this Policy is not intended to place any limits on what we do with aggregated, pseudonymized, or anonymized data.

Disclosures

We may disclose personal information to third-parties under certain circumstances, including, without limitation: when required to deliver publications or reference materials requested by you.

In the event of a sale, merger, acquisition, reorganization, or similar event, or in contemplation of such an event (e.g., due diligence), your data may be among the transferred assets.

We may also disclose your personal data when we believe that disclosure is necessary to:

  • Comply with applicable laws or respond to valid legal process.
  • Protect the safety and security of our users or our Services.
  • Prevent fraud, abuse or other unlawful or unauthorized activities.
  • Protect the rights or property of us or third-parties, including enforcing the terms of our agreements.

We may disclose your personal information when we, in good faith, believe disclosure is appropriate to comply with the law, a court order, or a subpoena. We may also disclose your personal information to prevent or investigate a possible crime, such as fraud or identity theft; to protect the security of the Services; to enforce or apply our Terms of Use or other agreements; or to protect our own rights or property or the rights, property, or safety of our users or others.

We may also share your data for any other purpose as disclosed at the time of collection, or when we have otherwise obtained consent.  Please note that this Policy is not intended to limit our ability to share or disclose aggregated, pseudonymized, or anonymized data.

Third-Party Sites and Social Media Applications

The Site may facilitate certain links to third-party websites, such as websites to process payments and websites to upload financial information and personal data. This Privacy Statement does not address, and we are not responsible for, the privacy, information, or other practices of any third-parties, including any third-party operating any web site or service to which the Site links or any claims or damages that result from use or inability to use such third-party websites. The inclusion of a link on the Site does not imply endorsement of the linked site or service by us. We encourage you to carefully review each site’s privacy policy before disclosing any personally identifiable information.

Data Security

The security of your personal information is important to us. We seek to use reasonable physical, technical, and administrative safeguards to protect 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. By using the Site, you acknowledge that the transmission of data over the internet is inherently insecure and assume all risks associated with such transmission. Further, you acknowledge and agree that we have no control over the security of data being transmitted over the internet.

Data Integrity

We process personal information only in ways compatible with the purpose for which it was collected, as subsequently authorized by the individual, or as otherwise permitted by applicable law. By using the Site, you acknowledge and agree to be solely responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the information and data that you provide and submit on the Site.

Record Retention

We will retain your personal information only for as long as is necessary for the intended purpose, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law, regulation, professional standards, or our document retention policies.

Children Privacy Protection

This Site is not intentionally designed for or directed at children 13 years of age or younger. It is our policy to refrain from intentionally and knowingly collecting or maintaining personally identifiable information about children under the age of 13. If you are under 13, please do not use the Site or send any password information.

How to Contact Us

For questions, comments, or concerns about our Privacy Statement or data collection and processing practices, please contact us at (616) 698-2000.

Users may opt-out of receiving certain communications from us by following the unsubscribe process described in an email communication, or by contacting us using the contact information provided above.

Please note requests to delete or remove your information do not necessarily ensure complete or comprehensive removal of the content or information posted, and removed information may persist in backup copies indefinitely. Please note that if you choose to delete your information or opt-out of the collection and use of your information, you understand that certain features, including but not limited to access to the Services, may no longer be available to you.