The decision to outsource bookkeeping and payroll requirements can be a big step in any company’s evolution. Allowing access to a third party to confidential details is, understandably, a leap of faith that some bosses feel nervous about.
It’s vital, therefore, to appoint a bookkeeping team that pledges to place discretion and confidentiality at its very core. Here at AMR, our staff are carefully recruited to provide just such a service.
We take confidentiality and the protection of your data incredibly seriously. And with new data protection laws due to come into force in May 2018 (GDPR), this is an area we are scrutinising more carefully than ever.
What exactly is GDPR?
GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation – an EU measure that sets out stricter rules for hosting and processing personal data. Ultimately, these rules will give individuals greater control over the personal data that companies and organisations hold about them.
As bookkeepers, we store a large amount of personal data such as employer salaries, pay rises and bonuses, as well as National Insurance numbers, addresses and contact details. GDPR is particularly relevant to our industry. As a result, we’re examining the way we store information – both physically and digitally – and combing through all our processes to ensure they are GDPR compliant, meaning your data is as secure as it could possibly be. An opportunity not a threatRest assured that the developers of the software we use – Sage and Xero – are updating their systems to make the necessary changes as the GDPR deadline looms. Xero points out that far from seeing GDPR as a nuisance or a threat, it should be regarded as an opportunity for companies to take stock of their current data and processing activities and make sure they’re protecting data appropriately. This is a positive attitude we’re delighted to adopt. Although we’re confident in our current systems, the security landscape is constantly evolving, and we recognise that rigorous ongoing training is not just recommended, but essential. So, we’re definitely seeing GDPR as a welcome step forward. Privacy and the protection of data have never been more important, and we’re happy to fine tune our processes to keep our clients’ very best interests at heart. For further information on AMR, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our services include payroll, bookkeeping, auto enrolment and credit control. Here’s how to contact us. We hope to hear from you soon.
