Terms of Service

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern access to and use of the Practice Management Portal (the "Service") provided by Shiwam Agarwal & Associates ("the Firm", "we", " us", or "our"), GSTIN 20AFRFS8644G1ZN. By logging into or otherwise using the Service, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.

1. Who Can Use the Service

The Service is provided to (a) our engaged team members for internal practice management, and (b) our clients and their authorised representatives, for the purpose of managing compliance filings, document exchange, billing, and communication related to engagements with the Firm. Access is granted at our discretion and tied to an active engagement or employment relationship.

2. Accounts and Access

• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity under your account.
• Notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorised access to your account.
• We may suspend or terminate access if credentials are compromised, if these Terms are violated, or on termination of the underlying engagement or employment relationship.

3. Nature of the Service

The Service is a practice management and client communication tool. It tracks compliance due dates, workflow status, documents, and billing, and delivers notifications by email and WhatsApp (and, within the Firm, Microsoft Teams). It does not itself constitute professional advice; all professional judgments, filings, and advice remain governed by the Firm's separate engagement letter with each client and applicable professional standards for Chartered Accountants in India.

4. Communications, Including WhatsApp

We send service-related messages, including filing deadline reminders, document requests, invoices, and status updates, by email and, where you have opted in, over WhatsApp. We send business-initiated WhatsApp messages only to numbers for which your opt-in has been recorded. You may withdraw that opt-in at any time, for example by replying "STOP", as described in our Privacy Policy; opting out does not end the underlying engagement. How we process personal data, including your rights under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, is described in the Privacy Policy.

5. Client Portal Use

• Use the client portal only for legitimate purposes connected to your engagement with the Firm.
• Do not attempt to access data belonging to other clients, or to circumvent access controls.
• Documents and information you upload must be accurate to the best of your knowledge; the Firm relies on the information provided to prepare filings.

6. Fees and Billing

Fees for professional services are governed by the applicable engagement letter and any fixed, per-service, or hourly billing arrangement agreed with you. Invoices and payment status are reflected in the Service for your reference. Amounts payable are exclusive of applicable taxes deducted at source (TDS) unless stated otherwise.

7. Intellectual Property

The Service, including its software, design, and workflows, is owned by or licensed to the Firm. You are granted a limited, non-transferable right to use the Service for its intended purpose. You retain ownership of documents and data you upload.

8. Confidentiality

We handle client information in accordance with professional confidentiality obligations applicable to Chartered Accountants in India and our Privacy Policy.

9. Disclaimers

The Service is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied. We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or that automated reminders will substitute for your own tracking of statutory obligations — ultimate responsibility for timely compliance rests with the client per the applicable engagement letter.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Firm shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of the Service. Liability for professional services rendered is governed exclusively by the applicable engagement letter, not by these Terms.

11. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Service at any time, including on termination of your engagement or employment with the Firm. Provisions that by their nature should survive termination (e.g. confidentiality, limitation of liability) will survive.

12. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of India. Courts at Dhanbad, Jharkhand shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms.

13. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

14. Contact Us

Shiwam Agarwal & Associates
LGF-B, OM Sharday, Kusum Vihar, Ring Road, Saraidhela, Dhanbad, Dhanbad – 826005, Jharkhand, India
Email: shiwam@saaindia.in