HappyBean ("the Company," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of the personal and financial information entrusted to us. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information when you use our automated bookkeeping and tax compliance platform, accessible via www.happybean.ca (the "Service").
By accessing or using the Service, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.
1. Scope and Accountability
HappyBean provides an all-in-one platform for bookkeepers and accountants to manage sales tax automation, payroll deadlines, and corporate tax compliance, including tax filing services as part of the Service.
We act as a data processor/service provider for the information you upload regarding your clients, and a data controller for information related to your account management and our business operations.
2. Information We Collect
We collect the following types of information to provide and improve our services:
- User Account Information: Name, professional email address, phone number, firm name, and billing information.
- Client Data: Financial records, transaction data, payroll details, and tax-related information you upload regarding your clients.
- Tax Filing Data (when you use tax filing services): Taxpayer identification details, tax forms and elections, notices of assessment, supporting schedules, and authorizations/consents required to submit filings or communicate with tax authorities.
- Usage Data: IP addresses, browser types, and activity logs within the platform.
- Cookies and Tracking: We use cookies to enhance user experience, remember preferences, and analyze platform traffic.
3. Use of Information
HappyBean uses collected data for the following purposes:
- To provide and maintain our bookkeeping and tax compliance tools
- To automate sales tax filings and generate deadline alerts for payroll and corporate tax
- To facilitate centralized client management and workflow optimization for your firm
- To provide tax filing services where enabled, including preparing, transmitting, amending, and supporting tax filings and related communications with tax authorities
- To process payments and manage your subscription
- To provide expert support and respond to inquiries
- To monitor platform performance, secure our systems, and prevent fraudulent activity
4. Disclosure of Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal or client data. We may share information only in the following circumstances:
- Service Providers: Trusted third-party vendors who assist in operating our platform (e.g., cloud hosting, payment processing), bound by strict confidentiality agreements.
- Tax Authorities: Where you use tax filing services, we may disclose information to applicable tax authorities (such as the CRA and provincial authorities) in accordance with the authorizations and consents you provide.
- Legal Requirements: If required by law, regulation, or legal process such as a court order or subpoena.
- Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, where data may be transferred as a business asset.
5. Data Security
The security of your data is our highest priority. We implement industry-standard technical and organizational measures appropriate to the sensitivity of financial and tax information, including:
- Encryption of data in transit and at rest
- Secure SOC 2 compliant infrastructure
- Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
- Strict access controls to ensure only authorized personnel can access sensitive systems
6. Data Accuracy, Your Responsibilities, and Tax Filing Services
Data Accuracy
We aim to keep personal information accurate, complete, and up to date. Users are responsible for the accuracy and legality of the data they upload to HappyBean, and for promptly updating information when changes are required.
Tax Filing Services
When you enable tax filing services, you and/or your firm remain responsible for reviewing, verifying, and approving the information to be filed, and for ensuring you have the authority, consents, and documentation needed to submit filings and communicate with tax authorities on your and/or your clients' behalf.
Client Consent
As a bookkeeper or accountant, you represent that you have obtained all necessary consents from your clients to process their data through HappyBean, including (where applicable) consent to use our tax filing services and to submit information to tax authorities.
7. Data Retention
We retain personal information and client data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by legal, accounting, or reporting obligations. Upon termination of an account, we will delete or anonymize data in accordance with our internal data retention policies.
8. Your Rights
Under PIPEDA, you have the following rights:
To exercise these rights, contact our Privacy Officer using the details in Section 11. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling your request.
9. Third-Party Links
Our Service may contain links to third-party websites, such as the CRA portal. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact our Privacy Officer: