How are you different to the other accounting firms out there?
While we have focus areas, our skills are also deliberately broad. We can advise you on most things you’re likely to ask about. We encourage calls about almost anything because we’ll roll up our sleeves and help you with almost anything.
We’re flexible. If we can do it, we will do it, without any fuss.
We make suggestions to you but we don’t tell you what to do. You’re in the driver’s seat with us.
If you’re comparing us to the smaller firms, we offer a depth of commercial advice that most others aren’t able to.
That’s because our backgrounds involve assisting with negotiations, talking about strategy ideas and key performance areas. And engaging with you regarding what you’re trying to achieve (e.g. making more money, protecting what you’ve got, and making that happen in partnership with you). Not everyone’s skilled to do that.
I’m buying a business. Is this something you can help with?
Yes, this is one of our favourite areas. We can help you check the business over (due diligence), value the business, guide you on how to structure the sale and purchase agreement (note: don’t sign anything before you speak to us!); we can review the GST terms, help you obtain money from a bank or another lender, and set up a company to own the business. And then get you up and running when you take over.
Are you qualified?
Absolutely, we are degree qualified in accountancy from New Zealand universities, are registered and current members of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and hold Certificates of Public Practice. We place a lot of emphasis on having qualified, skilled, able (and nice!) people in our firm.
Can you handle large groups?
Definitely, we have vast experience with multiple companies, trusts, partnerships, tax groups, multiple shareholdings and representative interests, GST groups, loss offsets and subventions, consolidations, to name a few.
I don’t understand things like ‘shareholder current accounts’, ‘imputation credit accounts’, ‘subventions’, ‘KPIs’ and how provisional tax works. Can you explain this stuff simply?
We certainly can. Come on in and we’ll go over it. It’s common not to ‘get’ these sorts of things.
When you prepare accounts and tax returns, what is involved?
As part of our process we do it properly and smartly. We:
- Look for opportunities for you to make more money
- Consider opportunities to save tax
- Review turnover, margins, trends and significant items as your business’s critical success factors so we can talk to you about them
- Look at the big picture, risk areas and discuss these with you
- Review current account positions and consider solvency
- Check things over and reconcile the important balances
- Offer a meeting to discuss the years’ results and plan for the next 12 months
- From our experience clients get great value from our meetings. This is what we call the ‘Business Advisory Approach’ to tax compliance – as opposed to sending your accounts to you and assuming you understand everything in them, including opportunities for improvement.
Do you prepare GST returns and FBT returns etc?
Yes, if it’s a tax return we’ll do it. We can do this on an agreed regular fee.
I’m just starting up my business. Can you help with that?
Yes, we have helped many businesses who are starting out. Starting up with good structures and risk management and focussed activities is very, very important. Consider asking us about our Strategy for Businesses. You’ll find it very valuable.
Have a look at our Focus Areas for more information.
What industries do you know?
Some of the industries are listed on other pages. We deal with many different businesses doing interesting things. Our experience tells us that at a root level thoroughly understanding your key performance areas is important irrespective of your industry, and we do a lot of that. Having said that there are a few industries we’ve done a lot for.
Do you support Xero?
Yes, we are hands-on with Xero.
Do you support MYOB?
Yes, we have been hands-on with MYOB since the ‘90s.
What are your fees?
Think mid-range. We’re always happy to talk upfront about our charges. We’ll endeavour to provide a fixed price, best estimate, or a range, depending on the scope of the work and your preferences. Please always feel free to talk openly about this with us as we respect constructive conversations. We don’t want uncertainty to be an issue between us.
What are your payment terms?
Payment is required within 14 days from the date of the invoice unless another arrangement has been agreed to in writing. If you have any queries or ‘something comes up’ and you can’t pay straight away, please just talk to us. We’re in a business relationship with you and encourage open, honest conversations.
