This note explains what Accounting Program (the "Software") does with your information. The Software is made by Jeremy Hillier Consulting Inc ("we", "us"). It is supplied with, and forms part of, the licence agreement.
The short version
Everything you enter in the Software stays on your own computer. We never see it, we do not collect it, and the Software does not send it anywhere.
There is no account, no sign-in, no bank connection, no cloud storage, and no advertising, analytics or tracking.
Where your information is kept
Company files. Your books are kept in a company file on your computer, in the folder you choose. It holds your general ledger, customers, vendors, projects, invoices, bills, bank statements, fixed assets, time entries, attachments you file against entries, reports and settings.
Backups. The Software makes a complete copy of your company file each time you close it, before it changes a file's structure for a new version, and when you ask for one. Copies go to a Backups folder beside the company file, or to the folder you choose in Settings, and the oldest are removed once you have more than the number you ask to keep (10 unless you change it). A backup holds everything the company file holds, so look after it the same way.
Filed documents. Invoices, reports, reconciliations, exports and the documents you attach to entries are saved in the month end folder you set in Settings, in a folder for each month. Your company logo is copied into the folder beside the company file.
Settings and error log. A settings file and an error log are kept on this computer in the folder %LocalAppData%\AccountingProgram (for example C:\Users\<your name>\AppData\Local\AccountingProgram). The settings file lists your companies by name and file location, and holds where backups go, your startup choices, and remembered window sizes. It holds none of your accounting entries. The error log is written only if the Software hits an unexpected error. Each entry records the time, the version, the name of the company file, the Windows version, and the technical details of the error, which can include file names. It is never sent to us.
Where to find it. The About screen shows the company file, the settings file and the error log folder in use, and Help describes every location under "Where your data is stored".
None of this is sent to us or to anyone else.
When the program contacts the internet
Never on its own. The Software does not check for updates, does not send usage information, and does not connect to any server. New versions are installed only when you download and run them.
Things that happen only when you ask
- Support and info links. The links on the About screen open your own email program with a new message addressed to us. The only thing filled in is the subject, "Accounting Program". Nothing is sent until you choose to send it, and nothing is attached. If you decide to include details, About has a Copy details button that puts the version and the locations above on your clipboard for you to paste.
- Website button. It opens our website in your web browser. The website is a separate service with its own terms.
- Reports, invoices and exports. PDFs, spreadsheets and printouts are saved where you choose. A preview is written to Windows' temporary folder so that it can be shown, and stays there until Windows or you clear it.
- Importing files. Bank and card files, spreadsheets and time-tracking files are read on your computer when you import them. A time-tracking database that you name in Settings is opened read-only and never changed. If you tick the choice in Settings to import time activity when the Software starts, it reads that file each time it starts, and still sends nothing anywhere.
- Error details. If an error screen appears you can copy its details to keep them or to send us yourself. Nothing is sent for you.
If you keep your company files in a synced folder
Some people keep company files, backups or filed documents in a folder that a service such as OneDrive or Dropbox copies to the internet. If you do, that service holds a copy under its own terms. The Software itself uploads nothing and has no knowledge of that service. Look after the settings of the folder you choose.
Your control over your information
You can back up, move, copy or delete your company files, backups and filed documents whenever you like. Uninstalling the Software does not remove them, or the settings file and error log; the uninstaller tells you where they are, and you can delete them yourself.
Because we hold no copy of your information, there is nothing for us to provide, correct or delete. If you email us, we keep the message to answer it, and will delete it on request.
Changes to this note
If a later version of the Software changes any of this, it will say so in an updated note, and in the What's New screen of that version. The note supplied with the copy you install is the one that applies to that copy.
Contact
Jeremy Hillier Consulting Inc
Support and problem reports: support@hillierconsulting.ca
General questions and information requests: info@hillierconsulting.ca
Web: https://hillierconsulting.ca