Policy

Engagement, compliance & ethics

Our obligations as registered tax agents, the terms on which we act, and how we handle your information.

This page summarises the practice’s professional obligations, standard terms and privacy handling. The operative document for any particular piece of work is the engagement letter signed for it.

Part one

Compliance

How we meet the Code of Professional Conduct under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009.

Quality management: In providing tax agent services we uphold and promote the Code of Professional Conduct under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009, we do not engage in conduct that undermines public trust in the tax profession or the tax system, and we hold each registered tax and BAS agent in the practice accountable for their individual conduct.
Public interest: The partners and team members who provide tax agent services acknowledge their responsibility to uphold and promote the ethical standards of the profession.
Integrity, objectivity and independence: Where a partner or team member undertakes work for an Australian government agency in a professional capacity, any material conflicts of interest — real or apparent — are identified, disclosed and managed.
Confidentiality: Information received in the course of work for an Australian government agency is treated as confidential, and is not disclosed further unless that agency has authorised the disclosure or there is a legal duty to disclose.
Professional standards: Where a team member becomes aware that a client’s return or other statement is materially incorrect, the matter is addressed in accordance with the Determination under the TPB Code.
Breach reporting: Team members follow the practice’s TASA breach reporting process. A significant breach — as defined in section 90-1(1) of the Act — is reported to the Tax Practitioners Board and to the relevant professional association, with legal advice sought where the position is unclear.

Part two

Terms of engagement

The standard terms on which Oxley Partners provides professional services.

Scope of services: We provide the services set out in your engagement letter, in accordance with the relevant professional and ethical standards. Unless expressly stated, our services do not include audit or review services, and no assurance is provided.
Unanticipated services: Only the services listed in your engagement letter are within scope. If additional work is required — an audit, an amended return, or a financial statement needed for another purpose — we will discuss the fee arrangements for it at that time.
Period of engagement: The engagement begins on the commencement date set out in your engagement letter and continues until it is ended by mutual agreement or superseded by a newer engagement.
Service and price guarantee: Oxley Partners stands behind the quality of its work. If at any point you are not satisfied, tell us — we will work towards an agreed position on payment for the services completed.
Ownership of documents: All original documents you provide remain your property. We reserve the right to retain reasonable copies for our records.
Your responsibilities: You are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the records, particulars and information provided to us, and for disclosing all material matters. We are entitled to rely on that information in providing our services.
Outsourced services: We may involve third-party contractors or outsourced providers in aspects of your work. Accepting our services indicates your acceptance of that arrangement. We take available measures to protect the security and privacy of your data, and follow the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme.
Limitation of liability: Our liability is limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. Further information is available from the Professional Standards Councils.
Termination: Either party may end the engagement on reasonable notice. On termination you remain liable for our charges for work done and expenses incurred up to that date.
Electronic communication: We communicate by email and other electronic means. Both parties recognise that email and the internet are inherently insecure, and accept the associated risks.
Billing: Services are billed either at a fixed rate or an hourly rate, as set out in your engagement letter. Where a fixed quote is not possible, we quote an hourly rate.

Part three

Privacy policy

Oxley Partners Chartered Accountants is committed to protecting your privacy and to the confidentiality and security of your personal information.

What we collect

Name, date of birth and contact details
Tax file number
ABN and business details
Bank account and financial details
Employment and income details
Superannuation information
Details of your spouse and dependants, where relevant
Government identifiers such as Medicare or Centrelink references

How we collect it

Directly from you in meetings, by phone, email or through forms on this website; from your authorised representatives; from government agencies such as the ATO and ASIC; from third-party service providers such as payroll software and banks; and from publicly available sources where lawful.

Why we use it

Provide accounting, tax, BAS and business advisory services
Prepare and lodge tax returns and other ATO forms
Communicate with the ATO, ASIC and other regulators on your behalf
Perform audits and compliance work
Issue invoices and manage payments
Meet our legal and professional obligations

Who we disclose it to

The Australian Taxation Office
The Tax Practitioners Board
Superannuation funds
Banks and financial institutions, with your consent
Software providers such as Xero, MYOB and BGL
Legal and professional advisers
Other third parties where required by law

Storage and security

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification and disclosure, and we follow the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme under the Privacy Act 1988.

Access, correction and complaints

You may request access to the personal information we hold about you, and ask us to correct it if it is inaccurate. To do so, or to raise a privacy concern, contact the practice on 02 4868 6100 or at admin@oxleypartners.com.au. Written correspondence may be sent to Suite 106, Springetts Arcade, 302 Bong Bong Street, Bowral NSW 2576.