GDPR Compliance for Accountants

Solicitors and law firms in Ireland handle some of the most sensitive personal data of any profession — from criminal records and family law disputes to financial settlements and medical reports. Legal professional privilege adds complexity to data protection, and the Law Society of Ireland requires firms to maintain client records for specific periods. GDPR compliance must be balanced with professional obligations, making data protection a core governance issue for every Irish legal practice.

Financial advisors in Ireland process highly sensitive personal and financial data including income details, investment portfolios, pension records, and health information for life assurance. Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, financial advisors must comply with both GDPR and financial services regulations, including anti-money laundering requirements. The fiduciary nature of the relationship demands the highest standards of data protection.

Insurance brokers in Ireland act as intermediaries between clients and insurers, processing detailed personal, financial, and health data across multiple insurance products. From motor claims involving accident details to health insurance requiring medical histories, brokers handle data that is both voluminous and sensitive. Regulated by the Central Bank, brokers must balance GDPR with insurance distribution regulations and AML requirements.

Architects in Ireland process personal data about clients, building occupants, and project stakeholders throughout the design and construction process. From residential projects involving detailed information about homeowners' lifestyles and accessibility needs to commercial developments requiring stakeholder data, GDPR applies at every stage. RIAI-registered architects must also consider professional obligations around record-keeping that intersect with data protection requirements.

Engineering firms in Ireland — whether civil, structural, mechanical, or environmental — process personal data about clients, site personnel, and affected communities across a range of project types. From residential building inspections to large infrastructure projects, engineers collect data that extends beyond basic client contact details to include health and safety records, site access information, and environmental impact data that may identify individuals. Engineers Ireland members must navigate GDPR alongside professional obligations.

Surveyors in Ireland — including quantity surveyors, land surveyors, and building surveyors — process personal data about property owners, occupiers, and project stakeholders. Property valuations, boundary disputes, and building surveys all involve collecting and sharing personal data. Members of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) must comply with GDPR alongside professional standards that require detailed record-keeping of client instructions and property data.

Management consultants in Ireland process client organisation data that frequently includes employee personal data, customer databases, and sensitive business information. Consulting engagements involving restructuring, HR reviews, or digital transformation often require access to large volumes of personal data. The project-based nature of consulting means data is often stored across multiple devices, cloud platforms, and shared spaces, creating GDPR risks that need active management.

Recruitment agencies in Ireland process large volumes of candidate personal data including CVs, employment history, references, salary information, and sometimes health data and Garda vetting results. The speculative nature of recruitment — where agencies hold data for candidates who may not be placed for months or years — creates significant GDPR challenges around retention and consent. Irish recruitment agencies must also consider Employment Equality Act implications when processing candidate data.

PR and marketing agencies in Ireland handle personal data on behalf of their clients across a wide range of activities — from managing customer databases and running email campaigns to social media management and media contact lists. As both data controllers (for their own contacts) and data processors (for client data), agencies must navigate a dual GDPR role. The fast-paced nature of agency work and frequent staff turnover can create data management gaps that pose compliance risks.