Privacy Policy

Effective Date: October 16, 2026
Last Updated: October 16, 2026

1. Introduction

Akato & Associates, LLC (“Akato & Associates,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you provide to us.

This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information obtained through www.akatocpa.com (the “Website”) and related online interactions with our firm.

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through the Website. Information provided to Akato & Associates in connection with an actual professional engagement may also be subject to additional confidentiality obligations, engagement terms, professional standards, and applicable law.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

Name
Email address
Telephone number
Business or organization name
Information submitted through our contact or inquiry forms
Information provided when scheduling a consultation
Communications you send to us
Other information you voluntarily provide

Please do not submit Social Security numbers, tax identification numbers, bank account information, tax returns, or other sensitive financial information through the general contact form on this Website.

Existing clients should use our Secure Client Portal when transmitting sensitive documents or confidential financial information.

3. Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our Website, certain information may be collected automatically, including:

Internet Protocol (IP) address
Browser type
Device type
Operating system
Pages visited
Referring website
Date and time of access
General Website usage and interaction information

We may use cookies and similar technologies to operate the Website, understand how visitors use it, improve Website performance, and support analytics.

Cookies can be temporary or persistent and can be controlled through browser settings.

4. Google Analytics and Similar Technologies

We may use Google Analytics or similar analytics services to understand Website traffic and visitor interaction.

These services may use cookies and related technologies to collect information about Website activity, such as pages viewed, time spent on the Website, device and browser information, and general traffic patterns.

We use this information to evaluate Website performance, improve content, and better understand how visitors find and use our Website.

Third-party analytics providers may process information according to their own privacy policies.

5. How We Use Information

We may use information collected through the Website to:

Respond to inquiries
Schedule consultations
Communicate with prospective and existing clients
Provide information about our services
Operate and improve the Website
Analyze Website traffic and performance
Maintain Website security
Prevent fraud, misuse, or unauthorized activity
Comply with legal, regulatory, and professional obligations
Protect the rights, property, and security of Akato & Associates and others

We do not use information submitted through the Website to provide professional advice unless and until an appropriate professional relationship has been established.

We do not sell personal information submitted through our Website.

We may share information with service providers that assist us with Website hosting, analytics, scheduling, communications, information technology, security, and other business operations.

These providers may access information only as necessary to perform services on our behalf and are subject to their own contractual and legal obligations.

We may also disclose information when reasonably necessary to:

Comply with applicable law or legal process
Respond to lawful governmental requests
Protect our rights or property
Investigate suspected fraud or security incidents
Protect the safety of our firm, clients, Website users, or others

7. Third-Party Services and Links

Our Website may contain links to or integrations with third-party services, including our secure client portal, scheduling platform, Google Maps, LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and other external websites or services.

When you leave our Website or interact with a third-party service, that provider's privacy practices and terms apply. Akato & Associates does not control the privacy practices of third-party websites.

8. Secure Client Portal

Our Website provides a link to a third-party secure client portal for existing clients.

Sensitive tax documents, financial information, identification information, and other confidential materials should be transmitted through the secure client portal rather than through the Website's general contact form or ordinary email whenever appropriate.

Use of the client portal may also be subject to the portal provider's terms and privacy practices.

9. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect information under our control.

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Accordingly, we cannot guarantee absolute security of information transmitted electronically.

10. Data Retention

We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, to operate our business, to satisfy professional or contractual obligations, and to comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information and the nature of our relationship with you.

11. Your Privacy Choices

You may configure your browser to limit or reject certain cookies. Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of certain Website features.

You may also contact us regarding questions or concerns about personal information you have provided through the Website.

Where applicable law provides additional privacy rights, we will respond to qualifying requests as required by law.

12. Children's Privacy

This Website is intended for adults and businesses seeking professional accounting, tax, and business advisory services. It is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly solicit personal information from children under 13 through the Website.

13. Professional Confidentiality

Nothing in this Privacy Policy reduces any confidentiality obligations that may separately apply to information we receive while providing professional services to a client.

Client information may be subject to professional standards, federal and state law, contractual obligations, and the terms of the applicable engagement.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our Website, technology, business practices, or legal requirements.

When changes are made, the “Last Updated” date at the top of this Policy will be revised.

15. Contact Us

Questions about this Privacy Policy may be directed to:

Akato & Associates, LLC
20005 US Route 1 Hwy
Ruther Glen, VA 22546
Phone: 540-894-3777
Email: info@akatocpa.com
Website: www.akatocpa.com