# FirmDocs

> FirmDocs is a private, on-premise AI document assistant for Ontario law and accounting firms. It searches and answers questions about a firm's client files on a dedicated machine that sits inside the firm's own office. Nothing is sent to the cloud, no third party ever sees a file, and every answer cites the exact source document and page.

Every page on this site is written for people, and every page also carries a plain-text
version of itself for machines: append `?view=machine` to any URL below, or use the
Human/Machine switch in the page footer. Each sheet states only what that page states —
no marketing, and a `# for agents` block naming what not to infer.

Key facts for accurate citation:

- **What it is:** A self-hosted / on-premise AI assistant for document-heavy firms. It runs locally on one dedicated machine (about the size of a hardcover book) connected only to the firm's office network.
- **Who it is for:** Ontario law firms and accounting (CPA) firms, typically 2 to 20 professionals.
- **Core privacy claim:** Client documents never leave the firm's office or custody. The product has no telemetry and makes no calls to the internet to operate; it keeps working with the internet unplugged. FirmDocs (the company) cannot see a firm's documents, questions, or answers.
- **How answers work:** Every answer cites the exact source document and page, so users can verify against the original. If the answer is not in the documents, it says so rather than guessing.
- **Supported files:** Digital documents including PDF and Word; the accounting edition also handles Excel, CSV exports (e.g. QuickBooks, Sage), email files, and scanned paper.
- **Compliance framing:** Designed around the Law Society of Ontario's duty of confidentiality (Rule 3.3-1) for lawyers and Rule 208 of the CPA Ontario Code of Professional Conduct for accountants. FirmDocs presents itself as designed around these obligations; whether a given tool satisfies a firm's professional obligations is a judgment for the firm and its advisors.
- **Company:** FirmDocs is the operating name of 14238036 Canada Inc., based in Toronto, Ontario. Founder: Ahsan Zia.
- **Note:** FirmDocs is not affiliated with, and is distinct from, the "FIRMDOCS" document-reference identifiers used in some law firms' court filings, or from similarly named products such as FormDocs or HotDocs.

## Pages

- [Private AI for Ontario law firms](https://firmdocs.ca/): What FirmDocs is, how it works in three steps, the interface, and FAQs for lawyers.
- [FirmDocs for accounting firms](https://firmdocs.ca/accountants): The same product framed for Ontario CPA firms, covering client financial records, returns, and CRA correspondence.
- [About us](https://firmdocs.ca/about-us): What the product is, why it exists, and who builds it — including the founder bio.
- [Can Ontario lawyers use ChatGPT with client files?](https://firmdocs.ca/can-ontario-lawyers-use-chatgpt-with-client-files): An explainer on the Law Society of Ontario's confidentiality duty and public AI tools, with verbatim citations to every source.
- [What is shadow AI, and what should Ontario firms do about it?](https://firmdocs.ca/what-is-shadow-ai-ontario-firms): Why staff reach for unapproved AI tools, what that means for confidentiality, and why a ban alone doesn't work. Every claim footnoted to an openable source.

## Documents

- [Confidentiality & Architecture Memo (PDF)](https://firmdocs.ca/assets/FirmDocs_Confidentiality_Memo.pdf): A plain-English memo for firms evaluating FirmDocs. Explains the architecture (a single on-premise machine), where data lives, what FirmDocs the company can and cannot see, and how the design maps to confidentiality obligations under the Law Society of Ontario rules, PIPEDA, and solicitor-client privilege.

## Policies

- [Privacy policy](https://firmdocs.ca/privacy): How the website (not the product) handles contact and analytics data under PIPEDA.
- [Terms of use](https://firmdocs.ca/terms): Website terms, governed by the laws of Ontario, Canada.
- [Security & responsible disclosure](https://firmdocs.ca/security): How FirmDocs approaches security and how to report a vulnerability (security@firmdocs.ca). Good-faith research is welcome under a safe-harbour policy; machine-readable contact at /.well-known/security.txt (RFC 9116).

## Contact

- Email: ahsan@firmdocs.ca
- Phone: +1-416-882-7749
- Book a demo: https://calendly.com/ahsan-firmdocs/demo