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
“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
Many NZ small businesses are finding late payment to be a major issue. A recent survey from payment provider, GoCardless, found that 62% of New Zealand businesses believe they’re losing money to late payments – some even reporting estimated losses of over $10,000 per month, on average. Let’s look at what late payment means for your cashflow and working capital, and what steps you can take to improve payment times… Read more
Overall business confidence in New Zealand has shown some tentative signs of improvement in 2025. But the economic reality for many small businesses remains challenging. Managing your financial health with cashflow forecasting Coping with weakened sales revenue and rising costs is a recipe for cashflow issues. With less income flowing into the business and higher expenses flowing out, the likelihood is that many Kiwi small businesses are facing a potential… Read more
According to statistics from the Commerce Commission, New Zealand businesses are charged around $1 billion a year to accept Visa and Mastercard payments – a cost that’s often passed onto the end customer through surcharges and higher product costs. The Commission has determined this cost is too high and has acted to reduce this cost for businesses by around $90 million a year. The Commission has also announced an outright… Read more
As part of Budget 2025, the Minister for Finance, Nicola Willis, introduced Investment Boost– a new way for Kiwi businesses to reduce the cost of investing in new assets and equipment. Investment Boost is expected to lift NZ GDP by 1% and wages by 1.5% over the next twenty years, with half these gains in the next five years. Let’s look at the benefits of the scheme and how it… Read more
Taking on more clients? Expanding your services? Launching into a new market? Ensure your financial foundations are solid enough to support what’s next. 1. Do you have enough cash flow for the next stage? Growth often means spending before you earn: stock up on supplies, hire more staff, or invest in new technology. Do you have the working capital to manage that? It could be time to explore funding options,… Read more
Are you undercharging for your services? It can be hard to tell, particularly if you’re in a niche industry or you’re a contractor. Costs have been rising, so it may be time to rethink your own pricing. Here are five signs that you might be undercharging: Nobody ever questions your quotes – Do all your new clients accept your quotes or charges without asking any questions, requesting a breakdown or… Read more