Encrypting Client Data at Rest and in Transit

Accountancy firms process large volumes of personal and financial data, which puts UK GDPR compliance squarely in scope. Beyond the legal obligation, clients increasingly expect firms to be able to explain clearly how their data is protected, retained, and shared.

The practical basics

Firms need a lawful basis for processing client data, clear retention periods that don't just default to 'keep everything forever', and a documented process for handling subject access requests. Reportable breaches under UK GDPR have a 72-hour notification clock attached, so knowing in advance what counts as reportable — and who makes that call — matters more than it might seem.

Working with third parties

Most firms rely on third-party software — practice management systems, cloud accounting platforms, document portals — and each of those relationships needs a data processing agreement and some due diligence on how that provider protects data. GDPR responsibility doesn't transfer just because the data sits in someone else's cloud.

If you'd like a plain-English review of where your firm stands on data protection, we're happy to help.