Privacy Policy

Effective Date: February 6, 2025

Last Updated: October 6, 2026

Southern Heritage Financial Group (“SHFG,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects the privacy and confidentiality of the personal, financial, accounting, tax, and business information entrusted to us.

This Privacy Policy explains how SHFG collects, accesses, uses, processes, protects, retains, and discloses information when you visit our website and associated subdomains (“Website”), communicate with us, receive professional services from us, use the SHFG Client Accounting Integration (“Integration”), connect third-party services such as QuickBooks Online, or otherwise interact with SHFG.

This Privacy Policy should be read together with our Terms & Conditions and any applicable engagement letter or service agreement.

1. Information We Collect

Depending upon your relationship with SHFG and the services you use, we may collect or access the following categories of information.

A. Website and Device Information

When you visit our Website, we may collect:

IP address;
browser and device information;
pages visited;
website activity and usage information;
referring pages or websites;
cookie and similar technology information;
interests and preferences you provide; and
other information regarding your interaction with our Website.

This preserves the website-data categories contained in your existing policy.

B. Contact and Identity Information

We may collect information such as:

name;
email address;
telephone number;
mailing or business address;
company or organization name;
job title or role;
account or client identifiers; and
other contact information you provide.

C. Client and Professional-Service Information

When you engage SHFG for professional services, we may collect or receive information necessary to perform those services, including financial, accounting, tax, payroll, business, transaction, and supporting-document information.

The particular information collected depends upon the services SHFG has been engaged to provide.

D. Connected QuickBooks Online Information

If you authorize the SHFG Client Accounting Integration to connect to your QuickBooks Online company, SHFG may access information made available through the permissions granted through Intuit.

Depending upon the authorization and services being provided, this information may include:

company information;
chart of accounts;
account balances;
general-ledger activity;
financial transactions;
journal entries;
purchases and expenses;
deposits and transfers;
customer information;
vendor information;
invoices;
payments;
accounts receivable;
accounts payable;
financial reports;
supporting accounting information; and
other accounting information made available through the authorized QuickBooks connection.

SHFG does not require you to provide your QuickBooks password to establish an OAuth-authorized QuickBooks connection.

E. SMS Information

If you elect to receive SMS communications, SHFG may collect your mobile telephone number, carrier information, consent information, communication dates and times, message content, and information you provide through SMS.

SMS opt-in information and phone numbers collected for SMS communications will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing purposes.

That carries forward the SMS protection expressly contained in your current Privacy Policy.

2. How We Collection Information

Depending upon your relationship with SHFG and the services you use, we may collect or access the following categories of information.

A. Website and Device Information

When you visit our Website, we may collect:

IP address;
browser and device information;
pages visited;
website activity and usage information;
referring pages or websites;
cookie and similar technology information;
interests and preferences you provide; and
other information regarding your interaction with our Website.

This preserves the website-data categories contained in your existing policy.

B. Contact and Identity Information

We may collect information such as:

name;
email address;
telephone number;
mailing or business address;
company or organization name;
job title or role;
account or client identifiers; and
other contact information you provide.

C. Client and Professional-Service Information

The particular information collected depends upon the services SHFG has been engaged to provide.

D. Connected QuickBooks Online Information

If you authorize the SHFG Client Accounting Integration to connect to your QuickBooks Online company, SHFG may access information made available through the permissions granted through Intuit.

Depending upon the authorization and services being provided, this information may include:

company information;
chart of accounts;
account balances;
general-ledger activity;
financial transactions;
journal entries;
purchases and expenses;
deposits and transfers;
customer information;
vendor information;
invoices;
payments;
accounts receivable;
accounts payable;
financial reports;
supporting accounting information; and
other accounting information made available through the authorized QuickBooks connection.

SHFG does not require you to provide your QuickBooks password to establish an OAuth-authorized QuickBooks connection.

E. SMS Information

SMS opt-in information and phone numbers collected for SMS communications will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing purposes.

3. Why We Collect and Use Information

SHFG may use information for legitimate business and professional purposes, including:

providing accounting, bookkeeping, tax, advisory, financial reporting, consulting, and other agreed professional services;
maintaining and servicing client relationships;
preparing and analyzing accounting records;
preparing financial reports and schedules;
supporting account reconciliations;
analyzing transactions and account activity;
identifying missing information or accounting exceptions;
supporting tax preparation and tax planning;
managing engagements and workflows;
communicating with clients;
scheduling appointments;
processing and administering services;
billing and account administration;
improving our services, systems, and Website;
maintaining security and preventing unauthorized access;
complying with legal, regulatory, contractual, and professional obligations;
maintaining required records; and
sending marketing or promotional communications where permitted and where the recipient has provided any consent required by applicable law.

4. How We Use QuickBooks Online Information

Information obtained through the SHFG Client Accounting Integration is used to provide or support services authorized by the client.

Depending upon the engagement, SHFG may use connected accounting information for:

bookkeeping and accounting preparation;
transaction analysis;
general-ledger analysis;
financial statement preparation;
management reporting;
accounts receivable and accounts payable analysis;
reconciliation support;
preparation of accounting schedules;
identification of unusual, incomplete, or unsupported accounting activity;
engagement-readiness procedures;
tax preparation and tax-planning support;
advisory services; and
professional review.

SHFG will not use access to your QuickBooks Online company to expand the scope of a professional engagement beyond the services SHFG has agreed to provide.

SHFG does not sell or rent QuickBooks Online data obtained through the SHFG Client Accounting Integration.

5. Artificial Intelligence and Automated Processing

SHFG may use artificial intelligence, automation, machine learning, and other technology-assisted systems as part of its internal operations and delivery of services.

These technologies may assist with:

retrieving authorized financial information;
organizing accounting information;
identifying missing information;
identifying unusual activity or exceptions;
analyzing account and transaction activity;
preparing schedules and summaries;
monitoring engagement status;
evaluating engagement readiness;
managing workflow and administrative activities; and
preparing information for professional review.

Automated processing may therefore involve personal, business, financial, or accounting information when reasonably necessary to perform an authorized service or business function.

SHFG uses technology-assisted systems to support, rather than replace, professional judgment where professional judgment is required.

AI-generated or automated output does not, by itself, constitute an audit opinion, accounting determination, tax determination, legal opinion, certification, attestation, or other professional conclusion.

6. QuickBooks Authorization and Access Credentials

The SHFG Client Accounting Integration may use authorization credentials or access tokens provided through Intuit's authorization process to maintain an authorized connection to a QuickBooks Online company.

These credentials are used for purposes such as establishing authorized connectivity, retrieving authorized information, maintaining the connection, and renewing authorized access when permitted.

SHFG maintains authorization credentials through controlled systems designed to prevent their exposure through ordinary user interfaces.

SHFG does not sell authorization credentials or use them to access QuickBooks companies that have not been properly authorized for connection.

7. Client-to-Company Access Controls

SHFG maintains controls designed to associate a connected QuickBooks Online company with the appropriate authorized SHFG client.

The Integration is designed to access accounting information through an authorized client-to-company connection rather than selecting or inferring a company based solely upon names or other unverified information.

SHFG maintains access controls intended to prevent one client from accessing another client's connected accounting information.

This gives your public policy a meaningful description of the realm-isolation principle without publishing the technical architecture behind it.

8. How We Share Information

SHFG does not sell or rent personal information or connected QuickBooks Online information.

SHFG may disclose information when reasonably necessary to:

provide services requested or authorized by the client;
operate, host, maintain, or secure our systems;
work with service providers that perform functions on our behalf;
work with professional advisers, contractors, or other authorized providers;
comply with applicable laws, regulations, subpoenas, court orders, or governmental requests;
satisfy professional or regulatory obligations;
protect SHFG, our clients, or others against fraud, security threats, or unlawful activity;
establish, exercise, or defend legal rights; or
complete a transaction involving SHFG where permitted by law and subject to appropriate protections.

Service providers receiving information on SHFG's behalf are expected to process information for authorized purposes and subject to applicable contractual, confidentiality, privacy, and security requirements.

Your existing policy currently says SHFG will not “lease, sell or distribute” personal information to third parties without permission except where required by law. Southern Heritage This revised provision preserves the no sale/rental commitment while clarifying that SHFG necessarily uses service providers to operate a modern accounting practice.

9. SMS Privacy

If you consent to receive SMS communications from SHFG, your telephone number and SMS consent information will be used to provide communications you have authorized, which may include appointment scheduling, appointment reminders, service notifications, billing notifications, and other service-related communications.

SMS opt-in data and consent will not be shared, sold, rented, or disclosed to third parties or affiliates for their own marketing purposes.

Message frequency may vary. Message and data rates may apply.

You may reply STOP at any time to opt out of SMS communications or HELP for assistance.

Additional SMS terms are available in SHFG's Terms & Conditions.

10. Cookies and Website Technologies

SHFG may use cookies and similar technologies to understand Website traffic, determine how visitors use our Website, improve functionality, and customize the Website experience.

Cookies do not give SHFG control over your computer.

Information obtained through cookies may be used for analytics and Website-improvement purposes.

You may disable or restrict cookies through your browser settings. Doing so may affect the functionality of certain Website features.

This preserves the substance of the cookie provisions currently published on your site.

11. Information Security

Southern Heritage Financial Group is committed to protecting the confidentiality and security of information entrusted to us.

SHFG maintains administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect information against unauthorized access, acquisition, disclosure, alteration, loss, misuse, or destruction.

Safeguards may include, as appropriate:

access controls;
authentication and authorization controls;
secure credential management;
restricted system access;
secure communications;
system monitoring;
vendor and service-provider controls; and
other administrative and technical safeguards appropriate to the information processed.

No electronic information system, transmission method, or security measure can guarantee absolute security. SHFG therefore cannot guarantee that unauthorized access, disclosure, loss, or misuse will never occur.

12. Data Retention

SHFG retains information for only as long as reasonably necessary or permitted for legitimate business, professional, contractual, legal, regulatory, security, and recordkeeping purposes.

Retention periods may depend upon:

the nature of the information;
the services provided;
the applicable engagement agreement;
accounting and tax recordkeeping requirements;
professional standards;
applicable statutes of limitation;
regulatory obligations;
contractual requirements;
security and fraud-prevention needs; and
the need to establish, exercise, or defend legal rights.

Different categories of information may therefore have different retention periods.

13. Disconnecting QuickBooks Online

You may revoke SHFG's authorized connection to your QuickBooks Online company through functionality provided by Intuit or by contacting: info@shfgglobal.com

Revocation generally prevents future retrieval of information through the revoked authorization.

Disconnecting QuickBooks Online does not necessarily delete information previously obtained by SHFG.

SHFG may retain previously obtained information where necessary or permitted for professional services, legal or regulatory compliance, accounting or tax recordkeeping, professional standards, contractual obligations, security, dispute resolution, or other legitimate purposes described in this Privacy Policy.

14. Requests to Access, Correct, Restrict, or Delete Information

You may contact SHFG to request access to, correction of, restriction of, or deletion of personal information maintained by SHFG, subject to applicable law and SHFG's professional, contractual, regulatory, security, and record-retention obligations.

SHFG may need to verify your identity and authority before processing a request.

Certain information may not be eligible for immediate or complete deletion where SHFG is required or permitted to retain it.

To submit a privacy request, contact: info@shfgglobal.com

15. Marketing Communications

Where permitted by applicable law, SHFG may use contact information to provide information regarding products, services, educational opportunities, events, or other offerings that may be of interest to you.

Where consent is required, SHFG will send such communications in accordance with the consent provided.

You may unsubscribe or opt out using the mechanism provided in the applicable communication.'

Opting out of marketing communications does not prevent SHFG from sending transactional, service-related, legal, security, or other communications necessary for an existing client relationship.

16. Links to Other Websites

Our Website may contain links to websites or services operated by third parties.

SHFG does not control the privacy, security, or data-processing practices of independent third-party websites. When you leave SHFG's Website, your interaction with another website is governed by that website's terms and privacy policy.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of third-party websites you visit.

17. Third-Party Platforms

Certain SHFG services rely upon or interact with third-party technology providers.

When you independently use a third-party platform, that provider may process information according to its own terms and privacy policy.

Where SHFG engages a service provider to process information on SHFG's behalf, SHFG seeks to use providers appropriate for the nature of the services and information involved and expects such providers to handle information in accordance with applicable contractual and legal requirements.

QuickBooks Online is provided by Intuit Inc. Your use of QuickBooks Online remains subject to Intuit's applicable terms and privacy practices.

Intuit and QuickBooks are trademarks and service marks of Intuit Inc., registered in the United States and other countries.

18. Professional Confidentiality and Engagement Agreements

Information provided to SHFG in connection with professional services may also be subject to confidentiality requirements arising under professional standards, applicable law, engagement agreements, or other contractual obligations.

This Privacy Policy does not diminish those obligations.

Where an executed professional engagement agreement establishes additional confidentiality or data-handling requirements applicable to a particular engagement, SHFG will also handle information in accordance with those requirements.

19. Children's Privacy

SHFG's Website and Client Accounting Integration are not directed to children under 13, and SHFG does not knowingly solicit children under 13 to use the Integration.

SHFG may receive information concerning minors when legitimately necessary to provide tax, accounting, financial, estate-planning support, or other professional services to a parent, guardian, business, trust, estate, or other authorized client. Such information is handled in connection with the applicable professional engagement.

20. Changes to This Privacy Policy

SHFG may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, technology, business practices, legal requirements, professional obligations, or privacy and security practices.

The “Last Updated” date at the top of this Privacy Policy identifies the most recent revision.

Where required by applicable law or contract, SHFG will provide additional notice regarding material changes.

21. Relationship to SHFG Terms & Conditions

This Privacy Policy describes how SHFG handles information.

SHFG's Terms & Conditions, including the SHFG Client Accounting Integration End-User License Agreement and Terms of Use, govern use of the Integration and certain other SHFG services.

The Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions are intended to be read together.

The Terms & Conditions are available at: https://www.shfgglobal.com/termsandconditions

22. Contact Us

Questions concerning this Privacy Policy, the SHFG Client Accounting Integration, QuickBooks disconnection, or SHFG's handling of personal information may be directed to:

Southern Heritage Financial Group
3800 Camp Creek Parkway
Bldg 1400 Ste 116B #1104
Atlanta, GA 30331

Telephone: 404-445-6258
Email: info@shfgglobal.com
Website: www.shfgglobal.com