Common Cause QuickBooks Assistant

Last updated: 29 September 2026

The Common Cause QuickBooks Assistant (registered with Intuit as "Claude MCP") is an internal tool that lets authorised Common Cause staff query our own QuickBooks Online accounts using Anthropic's Claude. It is not offered to the public or to other businesses.

It is operated by Common Cause Co-operative Limited, a private company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (company number 02900270), registered office 26 Leicester Road, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1SX ("Common Cause", "we", "us").

Terms of use

Who may use it. The app is licensed for internal use by Common Cause only. It may connect only to Common Cause's own QuickBooks Online company. No other person or organisation is licensed to connect to or use it.

Read-only access. The app is configured to read data only. It cannot create, change or delete records in QuickBooks.

No warranty. The app is provided as is. Answers are generated by AI from our accounting data and may be incomplete or wrong. They are not accounting, tax or financial advice. Figures should be checked in QuickBooks, or with our accountant, before being relied on.

Ending access. Common Cause may disconnect the app from QuickBooks at any time, which immediately ends its access.

Law. These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales.

Privacy

What data is involved. Our QuickBooks company holds our financial records, which include personal data about customers, suppliers, members and staff, such as names, contact details, and invoice, payment and transaction details. The app can read this data when a staff member asks a question. It also stores the access credentials that connect it to QuickBooks.

Why we use it. To help us manage, understand and report on our own finances. Our lawful basis is our legitimate interest in running the co-operative efficiently, alongside our legal obligation to keep proper accounts.

Who processes it.

Intuit (QuickBooks Online) holds our accounting data. Anthropic (Claude) processes the data retrieved to answer staff questions. This processing may take place outside the UK, under Anthropic's contractual data protection terms.

We do not sell, share or use this data for any other purpose.

Security. Access credentials are stored only on a device controlled by Common Cause and are never shared. Access is limited to authorised staff, and the connection can be revoked at any time from within QuickBooks.

Retention. The app keeps no separate copy of our accounting data. Questions and answers are kept in our Claude account's conversation history, and we can delete them there.

Your rights. Under UK data protection law, you can ask what personal data we hold about you, and ask us to correct or delete it. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk. To exercise these rights, contact admin@commoncause.org.uk.