Cookie Policy
Ola Accountancy — Self Assessment Workflow · Last updated: June 2026
This policy explains how the Ola Accountancy workflow system uses cookies and similar technologies (such as your browser's local storage). It should be read alongside our Privacy Notice.
Our approach
We keep this simple: we use only strictly necessary cookies — the ones required to sign you in and keep your session secure. We do not use advertising, marketing or third-party tracking cookies, and we do not build advertising profiles. Because we set only strictly necessary cookies, we do not ask for opt-in consent to store cookies; the notice we show is for transparency.
Cookies we set
| Name | Type | Purpose | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
oa-session | Strictly necessary | Keeps you signed in to the staff workflow or client portal. Holds a hashed, server-verified session token — never your password. First-party, HttpOnly and Secure. | 8 hours (or when you sign out) |
| HMRC OAuth cookies | Strictly necessary | Short-lived cookies set during HMRC agent authorisation to secure the OAuth handshake (set by HMRC's secure sign-in). | End of the authorisation flow |
Local storage we use
To make the app work smoothly we store a small amount of information in your browser's local storage. This is not a cookie and is never sent to advertisers:
| Key | Purpose |
|---|---|
oa-cookie-consent | Remembers that you have seen this cookie notice, so we don't show it on every visit. |
Third-party services
We load fonts (Google Fonts), icons (Font Awesome) and styling (Tailwind) from content-delivery networks, and process card payments via Stripe. When your browser loads these resources, your IP address is shared with those providers solely to deliver the content securely — it is not used for tracking or profiling, and they may set their own strictly necessary cookies to serve the request. Card details are entered on Stripe's own secure checkout and never touch our systems. See our Privacy Notice for the full list of processors.
Managing cookies
Because our cookies are strictly necessary, blocking them may stop you from signing in or completing HMRC authorisation. You can control or delete cookies at any time through your browser settings — see your browser's help pages for instructions. Clearing your browser's local storage will reset the cookie notice.
Changes to this policy
If we ever introduce analytics or other non-essential cookies, we will update this policy and ask for your consent first. Any changes will be reflected by the "Last updated" date above.
Contact
Questions about cookies or privacy? Email privacy@ola-accountancy.co.uk.