Since its entry into force, LGPD - General Data Protection Law transformed the way in which companies treat personal information of customers, suppliers, partners, and collaborators. Compliance with the law is a continuous and multidisciplinary process, and it is in this scenario that accounting and auditing assume strategic roles to ensure compliance and transparency.
The LGPD establishes strict guidelines for the processing of personal data in Brazil, with the objective of ensuring greater security, privacy and respect for the rights of citizens. To this end, it requires companies to adopt policies of tata that ensure the ethical and responsible use of information. Accountants and auditors, by acting directly in financial, operational and documentary management, become natural allies in the compliance journey.
How Accounting Contributes to Compliance with the LGPD
1. Mapping financial and sensitive data
Accounting deals with the personal and financial information of employees, partners, and third parties on a daily basis. This knowledge allows identify the location, treatment, and flow of sensitive data, an essential step for any process of complying with the LGPD.
2. Structuring of internal policies
Accounting guides companies about legal deadlines for keeping tax, labor and social security documents, helping to align retention policies, access control, and secure storage, avoiding unnecessary data exposure.
3. Support in the analysis of risks and impacts
With an integrated view of the business, the accountant can identify operational risks related to data processing, contributing to the preparation of Personal Data Protection Impact Reports (RIPD).
The Role of Auditing in Compliance with the LGPD
Auditing, whether internal or external, is essential to ensure that practices related to data protection are being applied correctly and that the company is in full compliance with the law.
1. Verification of controls and processes
Auditors assess whether the company has updated privacy policies, clear consent mechanisms, and systems that ensure information security.
2. Adhesion testing and risk mitigation
Specific tests help identify flaws that could put the company at risk, such as undue data sharing or lack of mechanisms to fulfill requests from incumbents.
3. Documentation and evidence
Reports generated by audits serve as evidence for the ANPD (National Data Protection Authority) in case of questions, reducing risks of sanctions and penalties.
Integrating Areas into the Compliance Journey
Compliance with the LGPD is not the responsibility of a single sector. Accounting, Auditing, Legal, Information Technology, Human Resources, and Compliance they must act together to create a organizational culture focused on data protection.
More than complying with legislation, adaptation is an opportunity to strengthen the company's reputation, increase the trust of stakeholders, and improve internal processes. By combining the strategic vision of accounting with the careful analysis of auditing, companies achieve more governance, security and transparency — pillars of ethical and sustainable action in the corporate environment.
