Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy applies to Metrics’ use, disclosure, and retention of personal information in the course of commercial activities. These standards are in addition to our usual professional obligations of confidentiality relating to all client information in accordance with the rules established by CPA Canada and CPABC. This Privacy Policy applies to all subsidiaries and affiliates of Metrics Chartered Professional Accounting. References to “Metrics”, “we” or “us” in this Policy include all such subsidiaries and affiliates.
Metrics does not collect, use or disclose personal information except for the purposes of conducting its business of providing professional services to its clients. Metrics reserves the right to modify the terms and conditions of this Privacy Policy at any time, and such modifications shall be effective immediately, unless otherwise provided.
The Protection of Personal Information
Metrics collects, uses and discloses personal information in accordance with the following 10 principles, which reflect the principles articulated in the Personal Information Protection Act (British Columbia) and, where applicable, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (Canada). Metrics also adheres to the guidelines published in the CPABC Code of Professional Conduct.
Personal information (definition): information about an identifiable individual, recorded in any form, as defined under BC’s Personal Information Protection Act. This does not include the name, title, business address or business telephone number of an employee of an organization.
Our 10 Privacy Principles
- Accountability
- Identifying Purposes
- Consent
- Limiting Collection
- Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention
- Accuracy
- Safeguards
- Openness
- Individual Access
- Challenging Compliance
Principle 1: Accountability
Metrics is accountable for all personal information in our possession or control.
This includes any personal information that we receive directly, for example, from individual clients, partners and employees, as well as individuals’ personal information that we may receive indirectly, for example, through corporate clients.
We have established policies and procedures aimed at protecting personal information. We have also educated our partners and employees about our Privacy Policy and their role in protecting personal information.
If you have questions about our privacy practices, you are welcome to contact our Privacy Officer at privacy@getmetrics.ca or by calling 1-250-896-8808.
Principle 2: Identifying purposes
Metrics will inform you why we are collecting your personal information when the information is collected.
Client Information
In most instances, Metrics will collect, use or disclose personal information about clients only for the purpose of providing professional services. Each Engagement Letter includes an explanation of why Metrics requires the information, what use will be made of it and with whom it may be shared in order to provide professional services.
Client personal information may also be disclosed internally for the purpose of determining compliance with applicable professional standards, Metrics’ internal policies, or in the performance of quality reviews.
Metrics will also collect and use personal information about clients, prospective clients and alumni, for the purpose of sending news and information updates or invitations to events hosted or sponsored by Metrics. Individuals may opt out of marketing communications at any time.
Personal information may also be shared internally in order to allow us to offer services or products that may be of interest to clients, subject to applicable consent requirements.
Employee or Candidate Information
Metrics collects personal information about our partners and employees in order to pay them, comply with laws, provide benefits, administer HR management tools such as Humi, improve and manage programs, policies and employee relations, and to establish, manage or terminate the employment or partnership relationship. In certain cases, Metrics may aggregate partner and employee personal information to provide business metrics and evaluate HR programs; this aggregated information will not identify individuals.
We may also use or disclose partner and employee information in the course of investigating, negotiating or completing a sale, financing or other business transaction involving all or any part of our business.
We also collect personal information from individuals seeking employment with Metrics.
When Metrics collects personal information, we will inform individuals of the reasons why the information is required, how it will be used, and with whom it may be shared. Collection may occur without knowledge or consent where permitted by law, including in the course of an investigation.
Third Parties
Personal information collected by Metrics may be transferred or disclosed to third-party contractors, subcontractors, subsidiaries, and affiliates for the purposes for which the information was submitted and for internal administrative purposes. Personal information may also be transferred to third-party service providers for website hosting, identity verification, data analysis, data backup, security, and storage services.
As a result, personal information may be transferred outside Canada and may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is processed or stored, which may permit foreign government access and may not provide the same level of privacy protection as Canadian laws. Individuals may contact us for more information about cross-border data handling and applicable safeguards.
By submitting personal information through Metrics’ website, email, or shared Google Drive, individuals acknowledge and consent to its use for the purposes described in this Policy, subject to applicable privacy laws.
Principle 3: Consent
Metrics will obtain consent to collect, use or disclose your personal information.
Client Personal Information
The Terms and Conditions of every Metrics professional services engagement are documented in each Engagement Letter. These Terms and Conditions describe how Metrics may use and disclose personal information. By signing an Engagement Letter, clients provide consent to the collection, use and disclosure described therein.
The form of consent may vary depending on the sensitivity of the information and reasonable expectations of the individual.
Individuals may withdraw consent at any time, subject to legal, contractual, and professional obligations, including regulatory record-keeping requirements under CPABC standards. Metrics will advise individuals of any implications of withdrawing consent.
Partner and Employee Information
Forms and applications used to provide human resources services describe the purposes for which personal information is collected and with whom it may be shared.
Principle 4: Limiting Collection
Metrics limits the collection of personal information to that which is reasonably required to provide services or operate our business.
Principle 5: Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention
Metrics retains personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law, professional standards, and regulatory obligations.
Metrics will use and disclose personal information only for the purposes for which consent was obtained, unless otherwise permitted or required by law.
Metrics only uses personal information for legitimate purposes related to professional services, including carrying out client instructions, communication, billing, accounting, fraud prevention, and compliance with regulatory obligations. We may disclose personal information to government or regulatory agencies or third-party service providers where necessary to fulfill these purposes.
Retention of Personal Information
Metrics retains personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law, professional standards, and regulatory obligations.
In accordance with the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) Code of Professional Conduct, client records are generally retained for a minimum of 10 years, subject to applicable legal and professional requirements. Certain records may need to be retained indefinitely due to their legal, historical, or continuing relevance.
Records that may be retained for extended or indefinite periods include, but are not limited to:
- Financial statements
- Agreements, contracts, and leases
- Corporate minutes and governance records
- Investment and share capital documentation
- Written professional opinions
- Tax filings and assessment notices
- Detailed continuity schedules (e.g., fixed assets, deferred or future taxes)
- Estate plans, wills, and similar documents
- Other files, information, and records as appropriate based on professional judgment
Metrics reviews retention practices periodically to ensure compliance with evolving legal requirements and professional standards.
Personal information may be disclosed without consent only when such disclosure is required by law, such as in response to a subpoena, search warrant, court order, or statutory obligation. In such cases, you will be notified unless we are legally prohibited from doing so.
Metrics retains partner and employee personal information in accordance with employment laws and applicable legal, audit, and regulatory requirements.
Principle 6: Accuracy
Metrics endeavors to ensure that personal information in its possession is accurate, complete, and current.
From time to time, clients, partners and employees may be asked to update their personal information. Individuals are encouraged to advise us of any changes to their personal information that may be relevant to the services we are providing.
Clients should contact admin@getmetrics.ca or call 1-250-896-8808 to update personal information. Employees and candidates should contact the HR Team.
Principle 7: Safeguarding Information
Metrics protects personal information using physical, administrative, and technical safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information.
We require third-party processors to comply with contractual confidentiality and legal obligations consistent with this Privacy Policy. These processors may only use personal information for the purposes for which it was provided.
Third Party Links
www.getmetrics.ca may link to websites that do not operate under Metrics’ privacy practices. Visitors should review the privacy policies of external sites before disclosing personal information.
Principle 8: Openness
The most up-to-date version of our privacy policy is available in its entirety on our website, or by contacting our Privacy team at privacy@getmetrics.ca or by calling 1-250-896-8808
Principle 9: Individual access
At their request, Metrics will advise individuals of what personal information we have in our possession or control about them, what it is being used for, and to whom and why it has been disclosed.
At their request, Metrics will inform individuals what personal information we hold about them, how it is used, and to whom it has been disclosed.
Clients may contact their engagement partner to request access. Partners and employees may contact HR.
We require identity verification before granting access to personal information and data. Clients may contact their engagement partner to request access.
In most cases, requests will be answered within 30 days.
Principle 10: Challenging Compliance
Metrics will investigate and respond to complaints relating to privacy practices.
Individuals may submit complaints to privacy@getmetrics.ca. If concerns remain unresolved, individuals may contact the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia (OIPC) at www.oipc.bc.ca
Contact
We recognize the importance of protecting personal information. Questions or concerns may be directed to privacy@getmetrics.ca or 1-250-896-8808.