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Xero Tip: Over Payments

What to do when your client overpays an invoice and how to apply it to the next invoice....

Accounting 101: Cloud-based Vs Desktop Accounting Software

The world of technology is rapidly changing, and this includes accounting software. More and more businesses and accountants are moving away from desktop software to cloud-based systems. What is the cloud? The cloud is essentially a remote server that securely stores your data, enabling you to access this data and software online, anytime, anywhere, from any device. In a desktop application, your computer's hard drive is the central location of your data. Banklink is an example of a desktop sof...

Important employer tips for 1st April changes!

Minimum Wage IncreaseOn 1 April 2021 the minimum wage will increase to $20 per hour. This rate applies to all employees 16 years and over. The starting-out and training hourly minimum wage rates will increase to $16 per hour, remaining at 80% of the adult minimum wage.Refer here for more information. Salaried employees – check for Minimum Wage requirementsIf you have salaried employees, you need to make sure that their total remuneration meets minimum wage requirements for each individual pay ...

In the Office

We would like to welcome Sara Hall into our Accounting Team. Sara is a new graduate and is part of David Faville's team. She is bubbly and is always up for a conversation so make sure to say hi if you see her around the office! ...

Featured Partner - Cloudland

Thanks Accounted4 for choosing Cloudland as this month's featured partner! We love working with the team at Accounted4 as their trusted technology partner and look after a number of other businesses across the Waipa and Waikato regions. At Cloudland we make your business technology easy, enjoyable, secure and affordable.  Our sole purpose is to deliver extreme value to our clients through the ultimate technology workspace, backed by the best support team around. Why Cloudland?It’s a smart...

Featured Client - Elephant Ollie

The Elephant Ollie store located in the heart of Cambridge features premium-quality handcrafted products, specially-sourced from New Zealand and around the world.  We cater for children aged from newborn up to 10 years of age in toys, clothing and accessories.  At our core is our own range of products for babies, children and adults, made right here in the Waikato using materials sourced exclusively from other NZ businesses.  As a Buy NZ Made-affiliated brand, we endeavour to prom...

6 things you should know before filing your EOY tax - post COVID-19

Make sure you consider the business support and tax relief measures introduced because of COVID-19 so you can sail as smoothly as possible into the new financial year.There are some things you may not be used to thinking about when you prep for end of tax year:New rules to keep cash flowing - If money is a bit tight as the financial year draws to a close, here are four tax measures focused on providing and enabling cashflow that you might like to consider:- The tax loss carry-back rule, whi...

Xero small business sessions

As part of Xero Education month, Xero is hosting a number of informative sessions to help small business owners get a better understanding of how Xero can help power their business. These evening sessions will be in Hamilton on the 2nd of March, Auckland on the 4th of March, with Wellington and Christchurch the following week. Xero is providing two different sessions to tailor to each individual businesses level of Xero knowledge: Getting the basics rightGetting more out of Xero What to exp...

COVID-19 Support

We know these times are uncertain and daunting but as a nation, community, family and business we are strong, we are kind and we can get through it all! For up-to-date information on COVID-19 support, advice and what we are doing in the office please click here. If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to contact us - remember, we are always here to help. We can and we will unite against COVID-19!...

Tenancy Laws are changing in NZ

New legislation in NZ tenancy law brings in a number of changes for landlords and tenants. Below are some of the changes:Increasing rent - From 12 August 2020, rent increases are limited to once every 12 months. This is a change from once every 180 days (six months).Required notice periods are changing - If the landlord or a family member is moving in, the notice period is 63 days notice and if the property is being sold, landlords must give 90 days.Ending periodic tenancies&...

Bring your A game (not your O game)

Success in sport is all about playing your 'A game'. Being the best you can be through preparation and training leading up to the game, as well as through your actions during and after the game - showing modesty and humility in success and graciousness in defeat. If everyone on the team plays their 'A game' the results are impressive. So, how do we apply the 'A game' mindset from sport to the workplace? Three A’s that bring it:  Appraise: work out who will make up your dream tea...

Staying afloat and thriving through a downturn

When the future looks uncertain, what can you do to prepare and strengthen your business? Recent times have certainly shown us that the future path of your business can change in an instant – usually, due to influences that are far beyond our own control. The Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing global economic recession have both had a negative economic impact on the business world – so, when a downturn strikes, you need to be ready. The key is to be prepared, to have a ‘Plan B’ and to rea...

The Trusts Act 2019

The Trusts Act 2019 comes into force this Sunday, 30 January 2021 and it brings significant changes that trustees, settlors and anyone else involved with Trusts need to be aware of. This is the first time in over 65 years that any changes have been made to NZ’s Trust legislation. The aim of this reformed Trusts Act is; • To make Trust law more accessible and clearer to trustees and beneficiaries.• To set out the core principles of the law relating to trusts.• To strengthen the ability of...

Practice the power of acceptance this year

In a world of unpredictability and stress, our instinct brings cravings to survive, compete, and strive. But acceptance, not a comparison, is what will get us through. “There are ways to find ease in acceptance without negative inner feelings, it just takes practice,” says Nichola Stuart, Founder of the Empowerment Foundation. “Instead of sitting in the ‘uncomfortable chair’, find ways to shift your mindset and develop a sense of empowerment in your new normal.” Be your own cheerlead...

December Xero Tip

Setting up invoice reminders is key to helping you optimize your accounting processes. Instead of having the added stress of worrying about following up on your accounts receivable, let Xero take care of it. You can set up invoice reminders that will automatically send customers reminders based on how far an invoice is past its due date. See below for instructions on how to set up Invoices reminders. In the Business menu, select Invoices - you will see the Invoice Reminders button Here...

A4 In the Community

Movember is the leading charity changing the face of Men's Health worldwide. Ben Calvert, one of our CA's, took it upon himself to put on a fundraising morning tea on the 27th November, which raised a generous amount for the charity....

In the Office

On the 12th November 2020 our new Graduates joined in on the first ever online CA graduation ceremony. They celebrated with their partners and some of the A4 Team at Onyx Cambridge. Congratulations Alice, Ben, Gen, Katie and Tee on your great achievement!...

Have you got a strategy for a financially stress free holiday period?

Holiday breaks are a time to spend with family, friends & have a chance to recharge for the year ahead. But, for a business owner this time can be stressful without careful cash flow planning. Even if you do continue to operate through the holiday shutdown season, your customers' financial behavior may not remain the same.It can be pretty disappointing to work hard all year only to find that once you have paid staff, overheads and creditors, you have little or nothing left in the bank to cover y...

10 steps to achieving balance this holiday break

It's a great time to make new habits! From more sleep and exercise to reading or meditation... what will you consciously do these holidays to get balance and start 2021 in form? It's that time of year again when most of us are winding down and heading off for a well deserved break. Here's our daily top 10 things to help you maximise your holiday! Every day strive for:1 hour of exercise.2 litres of water.3 cups of tea (may be substituted for wine or beer).4 colours on the plate.5 minutes of medit...

Top tips for the company Christmas party

The company Christmas party doesn’t have to be a massive bash or a boring, box-ticking exercise. This article has lots of tips to ensure the Xmas is fun as well as being healthy and respectful.Company Christmas parties are things of lore and legend. Everyone knows the stories about employees that took the opportunity to let their hair down just a little too far.These days, most businesses understand that letting staff cut loose at the Xmas bash poses potential health & safety and even legal ri...

Small business loan scheme extended to Dec 2023

The Government has announced some changes to the Small Business Cashflow (Loan) Scheme.  No interest will be charged if the loan is repaid within 2 years.  Currently, it is 1 year.Restrictions on how the loan can be used have eased. As well spending on core operating costs, businesses will be able to choose to use the loan to invest in their business, helping it to adapt to the impact of COVID-19. Also, applications for the loan can now be made until 31 December 2023, an extension of 3...

The importance of good leadership in a crisis

When the going gets tough, your role as leader becomes even more important to the future survival, recovery and success of the business. As we’ve seen during the recent coronavirus pandemic, the 2008 economic crash and many previous downturns, having a strong leader at the helm serves to give your people and strategy some real purpose – allowing you to make the right decisions, weather the storm and guide the business along the correct course. So, what does good leadership in a crisis look l...

Events at A4

Keep an eye out on our website or in your emails for advertising for our new Xero Workshop "Intro to Xero". This new workshop will cover the basics in Xero, give you a better understanding of the system and will be a great workshop for those who are new to Xero or are considering a move from Banklink to Xero.  Like our previous Xero Workshops this will be held at the Cambridge High School staff room from 5:30pm-7pm on Wednesday 25th November. RSVP HERE for this workshop so th...

Accounting 101: ACC - CoverPlus vs CoverPlus Extra

CoverPlus vs CoverPlus Extra – Main differences, which one should I be on, and prices. The ACC cover that most of us are familiar with is CoverPlus, which is the automatic policy for everyone whether they are self-employed or on PAYE wages. This type of cover pays out 80% of your income if you have an accident, and the levies are based on what industry you are in. CoverPlus Extra (CPX) is an optional cover that you can elect to be on if you are self-employed, and it has different benefits to ...

Featured Partner: Cambridge Lifeskills

Cambridge Lifeskills is delighted to be the featured partner in this month’s newsletter. We are so grateful for the support our organisation receives from Accounted4, who believe in our cause and the work that we do in the Cambridge community. Cambridge Lifeskills is a Not For Profit agency offering free counselling for children and young people between the ages of 5 to 15 who attend a public school in the Cambridge district. Since the service began in 1992 there has been a steady increase in ...