This Cookie Policy explains how Fernside Accounting Ltd uses cookies and similar technologies on the fernsideaccounting.co.uk website. It works alongside our Privacy Policy, which covers the broader topic of how we handle your personal data.
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device (computer, tablet, or phone) when you visit a website. They allow the site to recognise your device and remember things like your preferences, login state, or whether you've visited before. They've been a standard part of how the web works since 1994.
Some cookies are set by the website you're visiting (first-party cookies). Others are set by third parties whose content is embedded in the site (third-party cookies - for example, an analytics provider or video embed).
Why we use cookies
We use cookies for two main purposes:
- To make the website work properly - these are "strictly necessary" cookies and don't need your consent
- To understand how visitors use the site - these are "analytics" cookies and only run if you consent
The cookies we use
1. Strictly necessary cookies (always on)
These cookies are essential for the website to work. They cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions you take, like setting your privacy preferences, navigating between pages, or submitting the contact form.
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| fernside_cookie_consent | Remembers your cookie consent choice so the banner doesn't reappear on every page load | 12 months |
| Web3Forms session | Used by the contact form to prevent spam submissions and ensure your message reaches us | Session only |
2. Analytics cookies (consent required)
If you accept analytics cookies, we use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to understand how visitors use the site - which pages are most useful, where people enter and leave, how long they stay. This helps us improve what we publish.
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users | 2 years |
| _ga_* | Google Analytics | Persists session state | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes users (older variant) | 24 hours |
We have configured Google Analytics with IP anonymisation enabled. Google's standard data retention is set to 14 months. We do not share data with Google for advertising purposes.
3. What we do NOT use
We have deliberately chosen to keep tracking minimal. We do not use:
- Marketing/advertising cookies (Facebook Pixel, LinkedIn Insight, Google Ads remarketing, etc.)
- Cross-site tracking for retargeting
- Behavioural profiling services
- Third-party social media trackers (sharing buttons that load Facebook/Twitter scripts)
- Affiliate tracking cookies
- Heatmap tools like Hotjar or Microsoft Clarity
If we ever start using any of these, we'll update this policy and re-prompt for consent.
Your choices
The cookie banner
When you first visit our site, you'll see a cookie consent banner at the bottom of the page. You have two clear options:
- Accept all - strictly necessary + analytics cookies will be set
- Reject non-essential - only strictly necessary cookies will be set
Your choice is remembered for 12 months. After that, you'll be asked again.
Changing your mind
You can change your cookie preferences at any time. There's a "Cookie preferences" link in our footer. Clicking it re-opens the consent banner so you can switch your choice.
Browser controls
You can also control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers let you:
- See what cookies are stored and delete individual ones
- Block third-party cookies
- Block cookies from specific sites
- Block all cookies (which will likely break many websites - including ours)
- Delete all cookies when you close the browser
Help pages for major browsers:
Opt out of Google Analytics globally
If you want to opt out of Google Analytics across all websites (not just ours), Google provides a browser add-on that blocks Google Analytics scripts.
Do Not Track
Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) signal. There is currently no industry consensus on how websites should respond to DNT signals, and major regulators have not mandated specific behaviour. We currently treat DNT as advisory information but rely on our cookie consent banner for the authoritative consent record.
Changes to this policy
We will update this Cookie Policy when we change which cookies we use or how we use them. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page tells you when the most recent change was made. Material changes (e.g. adding marketing cookies) will trigger a fresh consent prompt.
Legal basis
Our use of cookies is regulated by:
- The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR) - which require informed consent for non-essential cookies
- The UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) - which governs the handling of personal data that cookies may contain
The lead supervisory authority is the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). Fernside Accounting Ltd is registered with the ICO (registration searchable at ico.org.uk).
Contact us
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or about your data, contact us:
- Email: hello@fernsideaccounting.co.uk
- Phone: 020 3376 0933
- Post: Fernside Accounting Ltd, 520 Chigwell Road, Woodford Green, London IG8 8PA
If you're not satisfied with how we handle your data or cookies, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office: ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/.