Hi all,
This is my first post here, so please be gentle!
On the matter of Data Protection registration, I called the ICO sometime ago and was advised that if I was simply doing bookkeeping and not submitting self assessment returns, I did not need to register. During the conversation, I confirmed that I would be carrying out client ID checks so would have some personal information and contact details for clients but this did not change their comments.
However, reading the information on the ICO website (including taking the online assessment), it appears that if I were to keep the client ID or contact information on a computer (which almost everyone does these days), I would need to register, regardless of the work being conducted.
I have also found a self assessment guide which you can download from the ICO, in there question 5 lists a number of professions which must register. Whilst bookkeepers are not mentioned, similar professions such as accountants and auditors, consultancy and advisory, pensions administration and provision of financial services and advice were mentioned - even childminders need to register!
I have found two statements on the ICB website (not the forums), one saying they expect us to register and another saying that if you process personal information and pass it on to 3rd parties, you must notfy the ICO.
In summary, without reviewing the actual legislation, I think we definitely need to register because we are most likely going to keep some personal information on the computer and even if we didn't, I think it would be extremely diffucult to argue that we do not fall into one of the professions I mentioned above.
End of war and peace!
Cheers
Mike
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