Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to website owners.

Cookies can be "persistent" (remaining on your device until deleted or expired) or "session" (deleted when you close your browser). They can also be "first-party" (set by the website you're visiting) or "third-party" (set by other websites).

2. How We Use Cookies

Warm Crest Accounting Services uses cookies to:

• Ensure our website functions properly and securely
• Remember your preferences and settings
• Analyse how visitors use our website to improve user experience
• Provide personalised content and relevant information
• Remember your cookie consent choices
• Prevent fraud and enhance security

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for our website to function properly. They cannot be switched off and are usually set in response to actions you take, such as setting privacy preferences or filling in forms.

3.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting information anonymously. This helps us improve our website's performance and user experience.

3.3 Functional Cookies

These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalisation, such as remembering your preferences and choices.

3.4 Marketing and Targeting Cookies

These cookies track your browsing habits to enable us to show relevant advertisements and measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns.

4. Third-Party Cookies

Our website may contain content from third-party services that set their own cookies:

4.1 Google Services

• Google Analytics: Website performance and usage analytics
• Google Fonts: Font delivery service
• Google Maps: Interactive maps (if used)

4.2 Social Media

• Facebook: Social media integration and advertising
• Twitter: Social media sharing functionality
• LinkedIn: Professional networking integration

4.3 Content Delivery Networks

• Font Awesome: Icon font delivery
• Cloudflare: Content delivery and security

5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

5.1 Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner allowing you to:

• Accept all cookies
• Accept only necessary cookies
• Customise your cookie preferences

5.2 Changing Your Preferences

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by:

• Clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our website footer
• Clearing your browser cookies and revisiting our site
• Using your browser's cookie management settings

6. Browser Cookie Controls

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. Here's how to manage cookies in popular browsers:

6.1 Google Chrome

1. Click the three-dot menu → Settings
2. Go to Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
3. Choose your preferred cookie settings

6.2 Mozilla Firefox

1. Click the menu button → Options/Preferences
2. Select Privacy & Security
3. In the Cookies and Site Data section, adjust settings

6.3 Safari

1. Click Safari → Preferences
2. Click the Privacy tab
3. Choose your cookie preferences

6.4 Microsoft Edge

1. Click the three-dot menu → Settings
2. Go to Cookies and site permissions
3. Click Cookies and site data to manage settings

Note: Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality and your user experience.

7. Cookie Retention

Different cookies have different retention periods:

• Session cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent cookies: Remain until expiry date or manual deletion
• Analytics cookies: Typically retained for 24 months
• Marketing cookies: Usually retained for 90 days to 2 years

8. Legal Basis for Cookie Use

Our legal basis for using cookies is:

• Necessary cookies: Legitimate interest in website operation
• Analytics cookies: Your explicit consent
• Marketing cookies: Your explicit consent
• Functional cookies: Your explicit consent or legitimate interest

9. Data Protection and Privacy

Cookie data is processed in accordance with:

• UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
• Data Protection Act 2018
• Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR)
• Our Privacy Policy (available at /privacy-policy.html)

10. International Transfers

Some of our third-party cookie providers may transfer data outside the UK. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including:

• Adequacy decisions by the UK government
• Standard contractual clauses
• Binding corporate rules
• Privacy Shield frameworks (where applicable)

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect:

• Changes in our cookie usage
• New legal requirements
• Technical improvements to our website
• Changes in third-party services

We will notify you of significant changes by posting an updated policy on our website and updating the "Last updated" date.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us:

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) regarding our cookie practices. Visit ico.org.uk for more information.