Privacy Policy

Big4 Recruit — a department of BetterBooks Accounting Services Ltd

Last updated: 29/07/2026

Big4 Recruit is a recruitment service operated as a department of BetterBooks Accounting Services Ltd ("we", "us", "our"), a company registered in England and Wales.

• Data controller: BetterBooks Accounting Services Ltd
• Registered office: 34 Clayfurlong Grove, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6AP
• Company number: 15911719
• Contact for privacy matters: patrick.kilkolly@big4recruit.com
• Website: www.big4recruit.com

BetterBooks Accounting Services Ltd is the data controller responsible for the personal data collected through the Big4 Recruit website and services.

This policy explains how we collect, use, store and share personal data when you use our website, apply for a role through us, register as a candidate, or engage us as a hiring client. It applies to candidates, clients, website visitors and anyone else who interacts with Big4 Recruit.

Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect the following categories of data:

• Name, contact details (email, phone, postal address) and date of birth
• CV/résumé, cover letters, employment history and references
• Qualifications, professional memberships and certifications (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA)
• Current and desired salary, notice period and availability
• Right-to-work information and identity documents
• Interview notes, assessment results and feedback
• Any additional information you choose to share with us

• Business contact details (name, job title, email, phone)
• Company name, address and role requirements
• Correspondence and records of our dealings with you

• Information submitted via contact or enquiry forms
• Technical data such as IP address, browser type and device information
• Usage data collected through cookies and similar technologies (see section 9)

We do not routinely seek to collect special category data (such as health, ethnicity, or religious beliefs). Where such data is necessary — for example, to make reasonable adjustments during a recruitment process — we will only process it with an appropriate lawful basis and, where required, your explicit consent.

• Directly from you (e.g. when you apply, register, or contact us)
• From third parties such as job boards, professional networking sites (e.g. LinkedIn), or referees
• From publicly available sources where relevant to a recruitment purpose
• Automatically through cookies and similar technologies when you use our website

Under the UK GDPR, we rely on the following lawful bases:

PurposeLawful basisMatching candidates with suitable roles and putting candidates forward to clientsLegitimate interests; steps prior to entering a contractProviding recruitment services to clientsContract; legitimate interestsVerifying identity and right to workLegal obligationResponding to enquiries and communicating with youLegitimate interestsMarketing our services (where relevant)Consent; legitimate interestsComplying with legal and regulatory obligationsLegal obligation

Where we rely on legitimate interests, our interest is in operating an effective recruitment service. You have the right to object to this processing (see section 8).

We may share your personal data with:

• Prospective employers/clients — where you are a candidate, we will share relevant details with clients considering you for a role. We seek your agreement before sharing your CV with a specific employer.
• Service providers — IT, cloud hosting, CRM/applicant tracking, and professional advisers who process data on our behalf under written agreements.
• Referees and background-check providers — where relevant to an application.
• Regulators, law enforcement and other authorities — where required by law.

We do not sell your personal data.

• Candidates placed or actively engaged: retained for the duration of our relationship and for 7 years afterwards to meet legal and regulatory obligations.
• Unsuccessful applicants / registered candidates not placed: retained for up to 0 years so we can consider you for future roles, unless you ask us to delete your data sooner.
• Client records: retained for the duration of the relationship and 7 years afterwards.
• Website enquiries: retained for 0 months unless a relationship develops.

Retention periods are reviewed regularly and data no longer required is securely deleted.

Under the UK GDPR you have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Request erasure of your data ("right to be forgotten")
• Restrict or object to our processing
• Data portability
• Withdraw consent at any time, where we rely on consent

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at patrick.kilkolly@big4recruit.com. We will respond within one month. You will not usually have to pay a fee.

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to help it function and to understand how visitors use it. You can control cookies through your browser settings and, where applicable, our cookie banner. 

We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, loss or misuse. Access to personal data is restricted to those who need it for the purposes described in this policy.

If you have concerns about how we handle your data, please contact us first at patrick.kilkolly@big4recruit.com. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

• Website: ico.org.uk
• Helpline: 0303 123 1113

We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on this page, with the "Last updated" date revised accordingly.