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Handing over the family farm: the need for succession planning.

As the owner of a family farm, you’re not just running a business. You’re responsible for the future of the family’s legacy and the financial security of your nearest and dearest. You’re also the custodian of the land, livestock and environment that makes up your land.So, do you have a plan in place for handing over this vital asset when you choose to retire?With the [average age of Kiwi farmers now at 58 years old] (https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-country/news/succession-rural-families-u...

What’s News in the World of Payroll?

Did you know you’re in Certified Payroll Consultant Hands?The Accounted4 Payroll Team each hold a NZPPA (New Zealand Payroll Practitioners) Payroll Certificate.To maintain their certification, they are required to complete CPD training (Continuing Professional Development) and undergo annual re-certification.Anne Bland                   Level 5 Certified Payroll Leader (the highest level)Kate Crookston  &...

Understanding your revenue drivers

For your business to make money, you need to generate revenue.You produce revenue through your usual business activity, by making sales, getting your invoices paid, or taking cash from paying customers. So, the better you are at selling your products/services and bringing money into the business, the higher your revenue levels will be.But what actually drives these revenue levels? And how do you get in control of these drivers?Knowing where your cash is coming from is more crucial than everAs a ...

In the Community

At a recent Women’s Wealth event hosted by Milford Asset Management, one of our Directors, Kim Antonio, shared her valuable insights on navigating financial markets, investing, and tax strategies.Kim, who became a Director at Accounted4 in April 2021, making history as the first woman in this role, engaged attendees in discussions about how financial markets impact investments and effective tax strategies. Her approachable style and depth of knowledge created a welcoming environment, encouragi...

Featured Client - Greenfern Les Asperges

After spending informative years working at Boyds Asparagus, Bill set up Greenfern Asparagus at 491 Bruntwood Road concentrating on export and local markets.  During that period he also packed for two local organic growers and once they moved away they, as a family, decided to also become organic on part of their land growing both asparagus and globe artichokes. With the export market basically stopping and the local market often being flooded with asparagus they downgraded areas ...

Featured Partner - GoCardless

Simplify Your Xero Fees Payments with GoCardless Direct DebitImagine never having to worry about managing your Xero fees Invoice payment again. With GoCardless direct debit, paying your Xero fees becomes effortless and reliable.This innovative service securely debits payments directly from your bank account, so you don't have to remember to pay your Xero fees invoice on time or update your AP if the invoice amount changes.By automating your Xero fees payments through GoCardless, you can enjoy pe...

Xero Plan Changes

On 12 September 2024 Xero launched three new business plans; Xero Ignite, Xero Grow and Xero Comprehensive. They also enhanced the Xero Ultimate Plan in New Zealand. These new plans are designed to provide you with easier access to the tools to help you run your business efficiently. They include more key features and no add-ons to navigate.As a result of the introduction of these new plans, the Starter, Standard and Premium Plans will no longer be an option for new subscribers and any...

In the Office

At Accounted4, we love an excuse to brighten up the office, especially when it’s for a great cause. This year, we took part in Loud Shirt Day, an annual event dedicated to raising funds and awareness for children with hearing loss. It’s all about fun, color, and making a difference for kids who are learning to hear and speak, with the help of cochlea implants....

Get to know Alex

Alex started at Accounted4 in 2014 and celebrates her 10 year anniversary with us this year – although she never thought she would be working at an accounting firm back then! Alex manages our Client Services Team and works directly for David Faville and his team. Outside of work Alex is kept fairly busy with her two young daughters; Ziggy, aged 4 who is a firecracker and Marnie, about to turn 2 and who is following closely in her sisters footsteps! There is also the family cat Bert. They live ...

IRD Shut down over Labour Weekend

IRD - Labour Weekend Shutdown for System UpdatesIRD are updating their tax and social policy system updates over Labour weekend and during that time myIR, IRD phone services, including self-service options, and gateway services will not be available. We recommend filing your returns by Friday 25th October.Shutdown datesIRD will close for the full 3 days over the Labour weekend, from 5pm, Friday 25 October 2024.Services are planned to re-open from 8am, Tuesday 29 October 2024.IRD will advise when...

Managing debtors and cashflow

You analyse your numbers month by month. Your overheads are reasonable and there’s no wastage. But what about your debtors? Good debtor management can make a real difference to cashflow in your business while poor debtor management can be a major roadblock. 'Remember that credit is money' Benjamin FranklinIf your business isn’t strictly ‘cash over the counter’ you probably already understand how much work it takes (and how frustrating it is) to chase money from late payers. You can hav...

Rocketspark Case Study - Accounted4 Website Design

Our Business Manager, Chris Stevenson, was recently interviewed by Hayden at Rocketspark for their latest case study."It’s just so important to have a good website. It’s the first place you go to find out about someone,"Read on for the full blog, courtesy of our friends at Rocketspark. ...

The value of cashflow forecasting for your business

Projecting your cashflow pipeline forwards is vital. To be able to navigate the future path of your cashflow, you need to start forecasting – so you can map out your financial position over the coming months and can take the appropriate action to safeguard your cash position. Plus, when you have access to detailed forecasts you can scenario-plan, search for cost-savings and look for strategies that will preserve your cashflow position.Forecasting your future cash pipelineRemaining in control o...

6 Powerful Reasons To Watch Your Financial Reports

Making time to look over your financial reports each month is an important task for any business owner. If you are not taking time to do this, either because you’re too busy, or perhaps you don’t really understand what you’re looking at and it doesn’t make sense to you, then here are 6 reasons we recommend you should start to.But before we get our 6 reasons, let’s talk very quickly about which reports to look at. At a bare minimum, and depending on the complexity of your business, you ...

In the Community

At Accounted4, we believe in giving back to our community, we’re excited to share how our Social Club is making a difference. Recently, we made donations of $200 each to five incredible charities that are close to our hearts. Gumboot Friday, St John Ambulance, Cambridge Riding for the Disabled, Waikato Rescue Helicopter, and Kids in Need.Gumboot FridayGumboot Friday is an initiative that provides free counseling for young people in need. Mental health is a critical issue, especially for our yo...

In the Office

We’re super excited to welcome Lydia to the Accounted4 team! Originally from Auckland, Lydia graduated with a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Accounting, back in 2018. She made the move to Waikato in 2021 and joined us in June 2024. We’re so glad she’s here!When she’s not at work, Lydia is all about spending time with her two dogs, getting her hands dirty in the garden, or diving into a good book.Lydia has already made a fantastic impact on our team. We’re excited to see all the grea...

Featured Partner - NZDDS

Our ServicesWhen you need to dispose of paper based information like documents, files and records containing sensitive or confidential information, New Zealand Document Destruction Services can help. NZDDS has been in business since 1999, providing 100% safe and secure shredding throughout the Bay of Plenty and Waikato areas.NZDDS provides peace of mind at all levels of documentation handling and disposal. Our friendly, licensed staff offer you a service you can trust. Choose from a range of doc...

Featured Client - Inspirit Studio & Gallery

It started with a dream and vision to create a destination art gallery and sculpture garden showcasing the best of Aotearoa Art and Design in our stunning rural location in Tamahere.Seventeen years later Inspirit Studio & Gallery is now listed on Trip Advisor as one of the best art galleries to visit in the Waikato Region and often pops up on the top of the google search lists for must see galleries in Cambridge and Hamilton. This brings a wide variety of visitors from all over the country t...

What’s News in the World of Payroll?

Progress for Fixing the Holidays Act 2003A draft bill targeted to be released for consultation September 2024The lack of clarity and certainty provided by the Holidays Act 2003 has been a longstanding issue, and non-compliance has resulted in employees not receiving their entitlements, and high remediation costs to employers. Focus Points:a proposed approach to pro-rating sick leave so that there is some proportionality to how an employee worksmoving from a weeks-based entitlement system to...

Get to Know Steffi

I’m originally from India and was raised in Dubai. After completing my B.Com and ACCA in 2019, I began my career in audit and later moved to Australia to pursue a Master’s in Accounting at QUT, Brisbane, which I completed in 2021 and worked in accounting and taxation. In 2023, I proudly became a fully qualified ACCA member. I also do internal audit for Sacred Heart Syro Malabar Catholic Church in Hamilton.Outside of work, I stay active by going to the gym and enjoying walks with my husband, ...

Xero Roadshow Hamilton

A team of 6 from the office recently attended the Xero Roadshow in Hamilton. The place was packed with accountants, bookkeepers, and small business owners, all ready to soak up some knowledge and connect with like-minded people. There was lots of learning and even a few surprises thrown into the mix.So, what did we learn? First off, Xero is doubling down on automation. They’re rolling out some seriously cool tools to make your life easier, think streamlined data entry and more accurate financi...

Keeping your tax and expenses in check when you are self-employed

Contracting or freelancing requires you to wear a lot of hats. Relationship-building, keeping track of your time, marketing your skills and actually doing the work. But one of your priorities should also be establishing how you handle your money and setting the groundwork for good habits.Understand your deductionsBefore you start, it’s essential to understand what expenses you can and can’t claim. This means you’ll keep the right receipts and track the right expenses. Figuring out what’s...

Another Successful Xero Training Workshop

On the evening of Wednesday 14 August we held a very successful and popular Xero Training Workshop covering Invoicing and Accounts Receivable. We hosted this workshop in association with the Cambridge Business Chamber as part of their Annual Digital Business Series. Our presenters, Alex Lamont, Samara McKenzie and Katie Jones (left to right) did an outstanding job and we are very proud of them. They are currently planning a recording of their presentation to share with any of our A4 cl...

Livestock special alert 2024: herd values

Inland Revenue determines each year’s herd scheme values (National Average Market Values or NAMV) by reviewing the livestock market.The herd values for dairy this year have seen a very small fall in values on average across all female classes, but a small increase in values on average across all male classes.The outlook for the farm gate milk price at the beginning of last season looked bleak but has improved through the course of the season. On-farm inflation remains high. The availability of...

Why Productivity Matters and what you can do about it.

Productivity is a term associated with strong economies, robust businesses and the efficiency gains of clever staff. If only businesses were efficient, then we would have fewer of them failing, more employment and better incomes for owners and workers alike. In New Zealand, according to The Xero Small Business Insights Special Report, Small Business Productivity: Industry and Regional Trends 2023, Kiwi business productivity fell by 6.1% in 2023.Unfortunately, not all businesses get to the heady ...