For accountants operating in Limerick, data protection isn’t just paperwork — it’s a legal requirement that protects both your customers and your business. From client pps numbers, dates of birth, and personal identification data to bank account details, mortgage information, and investment records, you’re processing personal data that falls squarely under GDPR. Here’s your complete compliance guide.
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Absolutely. Under the GDPR and the Irish Data Protection Act 2018, all accountants in Limerick that collect, store, or process personal data must be fully compliant. This covers everything from booking details and payment information to CCTV footage and staff records. The DPC can impose fines of up to €20 million for non-compliance, and Irish businesses of all sizes are subject to enforcement.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Client PPS numbers, bank details, and tax returns stored in unencrypted shared drives or legacy accounting software
Payroll bureau data containing employee PPS numbers, salaries, and bank details for hundreds of client employees processed without adequate security
Client financial documents received via unencrypted email and retained in inboxes indefinitely
Tax return data retained for decades beyond the six-year Revenue requirement without a retention review
Audit working papers containing sensitive third-party data (e.g. employee details, customer lists) retained after audit completion without clear authority
DATA INVENTORY
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REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Every Accountant in Ireland needs these documents to demonstrate GDPR compliance.
STEP BY STEP
Implement encrypted file storage for all client data, moving away from unencrypted shared drives and local storage on individual laptops.
Establish a secure client portal or encrypted file transfer system for receiving sensitive documents, replacing unencrypted email as the default.
Create a data retention schedule that distinguishes between the six-year Revenue requirement, professional body obligations, and GDPR minimisation principles.
Review payroll bureau operations to ensure Data Processing Agreements are in place with each client and that employee data is segregated by client with appropriate access controls.
Audit all cloud-based accounting software (Sage, Xero, QuickBooks) to confirm Data Processing Agreements are in place and data is stored within the EU/EEA.
Train all staff on the sensitivity of financial data, phishing risks specific to accounting firms, and the procedures for handling data subject requests.
COMMON PITFALLS
Retaining client tax files for 15-20 years or more when the Revenue requirement is six years, creating an unnecessary store of sensitive personal data.
Receiving client PPS numbers and bank details via unencrypted email and leaving them sitting in email inboxes with no plan for secure deletion.
Failing to have formal Data Processing Agreements with payroll clients, despite processing their employees' PPS numbers and salary data.
Assuming that professional confidentiality obligations automatically satisfy GDPR requirements, when in fact they are separate legal frameworks.
FAQ
Everything you need to know about GDPR compliance for your business.
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Every day your Accountant in Limerick operates without proper GDPR compliance is a risk. The DPC is increasing enforcement across Ireland — get ahead of it today.
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