In the current economic climate, covering your operational costs and overheads can be a major challenge. Higher running costs are affecting all businesses, from large down to small. In Australia, a recent survey from Prospa shows that nearly half (46%) of SMEs have raised prices over the past three months to offset rising costs. And stats from the UK’s Federation of Small Businesses show that 85% of small businesses have… Read more
Being the boss means you get to make all the big decisions about your business – including how much to pay yourself in wages, salary or drawings. As the owner, you might need to underpay yourself in the early stages of building your business, so you can reinvest the profits. But your time is valuable – and you need enough money to pay the bills. So how can you find… Read more
We are proud to support one of our clients, who is sharing his inspiring story through the short documentary No One Rides Alone. The film follows his journey of living with a rare disease and how cycling, determination, and the support of others have helped him face life’s challenges with courage and hope. It’s a powerful reminder of the strength that can be found in community and perseverance. The premiere… Read more
You spend a lot of time making sure your business runs like clockwork. But is your business delivering for you personally, as the owner and/or founder? Let’s look at the core ways your business can be structured to deliver on your own personal, family, philanthropic and leisure goals. A business that supports your personal vision and life goals When you started your business, you’ll have had a clear idea of… Read more
The less expenditure you have as a company, the bigger your profit margin. It sounds incredibly simple, doesn’t it? – The smaller your costs, the larger your profit. But if you’re not fully in control of your financial management, it’s very difficult to know WHERE you’re spending money, and WHY you’re not achieving your profit targets. Turning a profit means keeping a close eye on money going out as much… Read more
“At a time when many New Zealand families and businesses are still under pressure from higher living costs and global uncertainty, this Budget takes careful steps to support New Zealanders now while strengthening the economy for the years ahead” Hon. Nicola Willis, Finance Minister, Budget 2026 On 28 May 2026, the Finance Minister, Nicola Willis, stood to deliver Budget 2026 to the House of Representatives. The Budget was heralded as… Read more
Inland Revenue has released an information sheet (dated 28 May 2026 outlining a package of proposed changes affecting charities and not-for-profits as part of Budget 2026. These are still proposals and may change as the legislation works its way through Parliament. Most of these changes will have limited or no impact on our clients. The one exception we want to flag now is the proposed change to the tax treatment of… Read more
Need a hand managing cash flow? You’re not alone. The key is getting your invoicing right, by invoicing customers as soon as possible and using tools like Xero’s invoice reminders to move payments along. That said, there are a few other simple rules you can apply to manage your cash flow and get your invoices paid even faster: Keep your books accurate and up to date – so you can… Read more
“Q: Why do I need an evolving strategy for my small business?” You’re a business owner or CEO. And that means it’s your responsibility to take care of the business, invest in the right places and make the company a success story. However, to do this, you need an agreed business strategy that lays out your goals, your mission and your plan for taking the company to the next level.… Read more
To understand the financial position of a business at a specific point of time, look at the balance sheet. The balance sheet may also be called the statement of financial position. Together with the Profit and Loss Statement, and possibly other reports such as the Statement of Cash-flow, these reports provide a complete understanding of the financial position and business performance. So what’s involved: The balance sheet has three sections:… Read more
In light of the rising cost of petrol your employees might be looking for an alternative. Inland Revenue has an approved scheme that lets employers help staff purchase an e-bike, bike, e-scooter, or scooter through their wages. The arrangement works as a salary sacrifice, meaning the employee agrees to have the cost paid off from their gross wages over 12 months. Because the payments come out before tax, it can… Read more
Inland Revenue has recently signalled a much tougher stance on PAYE compliance, and it’s something business owners shouldn’t brush off. A new alert from IRD makes it clear: if you deduct PAYE from employee wages and don’t pass it on, you could be heading into criminal territory. This isn’t just a routine reminder. It’s a clear message that Inland Revenue is actively watching for this behaviour — and is prepared… Read more
The new financial year is a new beginning. As a business owner this a great time for you to reflect on where you are at and think about your business goals for the financial year ahead. Setting goals is an essential part of personal and professional growth. These could be lofty goals, or even setting out a plan to achieve some more mundane (but equally important) projects. Whether that is… Read more
“Q: What expenses can I claim as a Kiwi small business? And what’s the financial advantage of claiming for business expenses?” When you’re running a small business, there’s a multitude of operational costs and business expenses that you’ll incur in the everyday running of the company. But which of these costs are classed as business costs and are therefore tax-deductible at year-end? “A: The short answer is that you can… Read more
Payroll Changes from 1 April 2026: What You Need to Know With the end of the financial year approaching, a few key payroll changes are coming into effect from 1 April 2026. Most of them aren’t dramatic, but they will affect take-home pay, employer contributions, and payroll systems. Here’s a straightforward breakdown of what’s changing — and what you need to do. Minimum Wage Increase From 1 April 2026: Adult… Read more
A written proposal should be provided to a customer following a discussion where you gained conceptual agreement for the business deal and its general terms. ‘A proposal should be a SUMMATION, not an EXPLORATION.’ – Alan Weiss Providing a proposal allows the customer to reaffirm what you have already discussed, get clearer on the options that can meet their objectives and the fees associated with these. Most importantly, a proposal… Read more
We love questions. Truly we love helping you to understand your numbers, make good decisions, and stay compliant. Asking good questions and answering your questions is a big part of what we do — and we want you to feel comfortable reaching out whenever something isn’t clear. But there’s one phrase we hear often: “Just a quick question…” Because what feels quick from your side can take more time than… Read more
Your accountant just does your annual accounts and tax return, right? Wrong! A good accountant is in touch with you and your business throughout the financial year, checking in, finding out where they can help and offering solid, practical advice. Here are five areas of your financial management where talking regularly to your accountant is a must – and where we, as a firm, can make a real difference. 1.… Read more
As a business owner, it’s never been more important to have a good grasp on your finances. For many businesses, priorities have changed, customer behaviours have mutated and revenue streams have had to evolve and pivot in order to maintain a profitable business model. To track, monitor and drive your financial performance in this updated business environment, it’s increasingly important to have a handle on your key financial reports and… Read more
Are you spending enough time working on your business strategy? Past research from The Alternative Board found the average entrepreneur spends 68.1% of their time working ‘in’ their business (tackling day-to-day tasks, putting out fires, etc.) and only 31.9% of the time working ‘on’ their business (e.g., long-term goals, strategic planning). Revisiting and updating your business strategy is vital for a growing business – and that means making more time… Read more