Privacy Policy

Nth Degree CPAs
 Effective Date: January 12, 2025
 Last Updated: January 12, 2025


Your Privacy and Confidentiality Are Our Priority

At Nth Degree CPAs, we understand that you are entrusting us with your most sensitive financial and personal information. As certified public accountants, we are bound by professional ethics and legal obligations to protect your privacy and maintain the confidentiality of your information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and maintain your information.


At a Glance

If you prefer a quick overview, here's what you should know:

  • Professional Confidentiality: We are bound by professional standards and ethics that require us to maintain strict confidentiality of all client information.
  • No Third-Party Sharing: We do not sell, rent, or share your personal or financial information with any third parties for marketing or any other purposes, except as required by law or with your explicit consent.
  • Internal Use Only: Your information is used solely to provide accounting, tax preparation, consulting, and related professional services to you.
  • Secure Infrastructure: Our technical infrastructure and security are managed by Rightworks, a leading provider of cloud hosting solutions for accounting professionals. For details about their security practices, please review the Rightworks Privacy Policy.
  • Limited Access: Only authorized personnel who need access to your information to perform services on your behalf can view your data.
  • Your Rights: You have the right to access, correct, and request deletion of your information, subject to our professional and legal retention requirements.


About Nth Degree CPAs

Nth Degree CPAs provides comprehensive accounting, tax preparation, financial consulting, and advisory services to individuals and businesses. Our practice is built on trust, accuracy, and confidentiality.

Contact Information:
Nth Degree CPAs
Website: nthdegreecpas.com
Email: questions@nthdegreecpas.com
Phone: (206) 682-0281
Address: 4025 Delridge Way SW, Ste 320, Seattle, WA 98106

When we refer to "we," "us," or "our" in this Privacy Policy, we mean Nth Degree CPAs and our authorized personnel.


Information We Collect

To provide you with professional accounting and tax services, we collect various types of information, including:


Personal Information

  • Full legal name and any business names or aliases
  • Date of birth and Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Contact information (address, email, phone number)
  • Driver's license or other government-issued identification
  • Family member information (for tax preparation and estate planning purposes)


Financial Information

  • Income information (W-2s, 1099s, K-1s, and other income documents)
  • Bank account information and financial statements
  • Investment and retirement account information
  • Real estate holdings and transactions
  • Business financial records (profit and loss statements, balance sheets, general ledgers)
  • Credit card and payment information for billing purposes
  • Expense records and receipts


Tax and Compliance Information

  • Prior year tax returns
  • IRS correspondence and notices
  • State and local tax documents
  • Estimated tax payment records
  • Documentation supporting deductions, credits, and other tax positions


Business Information (for business clients)

  • Entity formation documents
  • Payroll records
  • Vendor and customer information (as needed for accounting services)
  • Business licenses and registrations
  • Employee information (for payroll and benefits administration)


Communication Records

  • Emails, letters, and other correspondence with our firm
  • Notes from meetings and phone conversations
  • Portal messages and file uploads


How We Collect Information

We collect information through various means:

  • Directly from you through intake forms, questionnaires, and document uploads
  • Through our secure client portal where you upload documents and information
  • Via email, mail, phone, and in-person meetings
  • From third parties with your authorization (such as financial institutions, attorneys, or prior accountants)
  • From public records when necessary for research or compliance purposes


How We Use Your Information

We use your information exclusively for professional purposes, including:


Service Delivery

  • Preparing tax returns (federal, state, and local)
  • Providing accounting and bookkeeping services
  • Offering financial consulting and advisory services
  • Performing audits, reviews, and compilations
  • Assisting with business formation and compliance
  • Representing you before tax authorities
  • Estate and succession planning


Legal and Professional Obligations

  • Complying with IRS regulations and tax law requirements
  • Meeting state board of accountancy requirements
  • Fulfilling professional standards established by the AICPA (American Institute of CPAs)
  • Responding to lawful subpoenas, court orders, or regulatory requests
  • Preventing fraud and ensuring the integrity of our services


Internal Business Operations

  • Quality control and peer review
  • Professional development and training (with all identifying information removed)
  • Billing and payment processing
  • Maintaining our professional liability insurance
  • Record-keeping and file management


Communication

  • Providing updates on your projects and services
  • Sending tax deadline reminders and regulatory updates
  • Responding to your inquiries
  • Notifying you of changes in tax laws that may affect you


How We Protect Your Information

Professional Standards

As CPAs, we are subject to:

  • AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, which requires confidentiality of client information
  • State accountancy board regulations governing privacy and confidentiality
  • IRS Circular 230 requirements for tax practitioners
  • Federal and state privacy laws, including relevant provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act


Technical Security

Our technical infrastructure and data security are managed by Rightworks, a leading provider of secure cloud hosting solutions specifically designed for accounting professionals. Rightworks implements:

  • Enterprise-grade firewalls and intrusion detection systems
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • End-to-end encryption for data in transit and at rest
  • Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
  • 24/7 network monitoring
  • Redundant backup systems
  • Disaster recovery protocols

For comprehensive details about these technical safeguards, please review the Rightworks Privacy Policy.


Operational Security

Within our firm, we maintain security through:

  • Restricted access: Only staff members working on your engagement have access to your files
  • Secure client portals: Encrypted portals for document exchange
  • Confidentiality agreements: All employees and contractors sign confidentiality agreements
  • Physical security: Locked file storage and restricted office access
  • Secure disposal: Shredding of physical documents and secure deletion of electronic files when appropriate
  • Regular training: Ongoing staff education on privacy and security best practices


Information Sharing and Disclosure

Our Commitment: No Third-Party Sharing

We do not sell, rent, trade, or share your personal or financial information with any third parties for marketing, commercial, or any other purposes.

Your information remains confidential and is used solely for providing professional services to you.


Limited Exceptions

We may disclose your information only in the following limited circumstances:

1. With Your Explicit Consent

  • When you specifically authorize us to share information with a third party (such as a lender, attorney, or financial advisor)
  • We will only share the specific information you authorize

2. Service Providers Acting on Our Behalf

  • Rightworks (for secure cloud hosting and technical infrastructure)
  • Payment processors (for processing credit card payments)
  • Professional liability insurance carriers (in the event of a claim)

These service providers are contractually obligated to maintain confidentiality and use your information only for the specific services they provide to us.

3. Legal and Regulatory Requirements

  • In response to a valid subpoena, court order, or other legal process
  • To comply with IRS summons or state tax authority requests
  • When required by law or professional standards
  • To respond to state board of accountancy investigations or peer review requests

4. Protection of Rights

  • To protect against fraud or unauthorized transactions
  • To enforce our engagement agreements
  • To protect the safety and security of our clients, employees, or others

In all cases where disclosure is required or permitted, we will disclose only the minimum information necessary and will notify you when legally permitted to do so.


Data Retention

We retain your information in accordance with:

  • Professional standards: Generally requiring retention of working papers for at least 7 years
  • IRS requirements: Tax returns and supporting documentation must be available for audit statute periods
  • State law requirements: Varying by state, typically 3-7 years
  • Engagement agreements: As specified in our service contracts

Even after your engagement ends, we maintain records to:

  • Respond to regulatory inquiries or audits
  • Defend against potential claims
  • Provide you with historical information upon request
  • Meet our professional obligations

Upon expiration of required retention periods, we securely destroy information through shredding of physical documents and secure deletion of electronic files.


Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your information:

Right to Access

You may request copies of the information we have about you, including tax returns, financial statements, and supporting documentation.


Right to Correction

If you believe any information we have is inaccurate or incomplete, you may request that we correct it.


Right to Restriction

You may request that we limit how we use your information, though this may affect our ability to provide certain services.


Right to Object

You may object to certain uses of your information, subject to our professional and legal obligations.


Right to Data Portability

You may request your information in a commonly used electronic format to transfer to another service provider.


Right to Deletion

You may request deletion of your information, subject to:

  • Our professional record retention requirements
  • Legal and regulatory retention requirements
  • Statute of limitations for potential claims
  • Other legitimate business needs


How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the "Contact Us" section below. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe and verify your identity before processing your request.


Cookies and Website Technologies

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to:

  • Improve website functionality and user experience
  • Understand how visitors use our site
  • Remember your preferences

We do not use cookies to collect personal information without your knowledge, and we do not use cookies to track your activity across other websites. You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences.

For information about cookies used by Rightworks in our client portal, please refer to their Cookie Policy.


Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors except when included in tax returns or family financial information provided by parents or legal guardians.


Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, such as tax authorities, financial institutions, or professional organizations. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.


Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will post the updated policy on our website with a new "Last Updated" date. Material changes will be communicated to active clients via email or through our client portal.


State-Specific Privacy Rights

Washington Residents

As a Washington-based firm serving Washington residents, we comply with all applicable Washington State privacy laws and regulations, including those established by the Washington State Board of Accountancy.


California Residents

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

  • The right to know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose
  • The right to request deletion of personal information
  • The right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (note: we do not sell personal information)
  • The right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights


Other States

Residents of other states may have additional privacy rights under state law. Please contact us to learn more about rights specific to your state.


Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

Nth Degree CPAs
Email: questions@nthdegreecpas.com
Phone: (206) 682-0281
Address: 4025 Delridge Way SW, Ste 320, Seattle, WA 98106


For questions specifically about technical security and infrastructure, you may also contact Rightworks:



Professional Standards and Licensing

Nth Degree CPAs is committed to upholding the highest professional and ethical standards. We are:

  • Licensed by the Washington State Board of Accountancy
  • Members of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
  • Subject to professional ethics requirements and quality control standards


Our commitment to your privacy and confidentiality is not just a policy—it is a fundamental professional obligation that we take seriously.


Last Updated: January 12, 2025

This Privacy Policy supersedes all previous versions and is effective as of the date listed above.