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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 ...

Cyber Security - scam and phishing emails

It is Cyber Security Week this week so lets touch on scam and phishing emails.  We know at times it can be hard to spot the emails but if you are ever unsure if your email is legit follow the links below for some guidance. How to spot IRD and Xero scams.The links below explain what to look out for and show you what the latest scam emails look like for IRD and Xero. If you are worried you have received one, some of the key things to look out for are:- Incorrect email addresses and links...

Payroll Team Update

Business Shutdown – Leave Management PlanHave you worked out your team’s Leave Management Plan? If your business traditionally shuts down over the festive season you need to plan closing and opening days, check if anyone needs to work during the closedown, get your team sending in their leave requests, and start organising!  Check out People in Mind’s excellent article on ‘Planning Leave for the festive season’: https://www.peopleinmind.co.nz/planning-for-the-festive-season/ Wages...

GST due

Reminder, GST is due on Wednesday 28th of October for the period ending 30th September.  Provisional tax is due if you have a March, May or June balance date and are filing GST on a 6 monthly filing frequency. ...

Accounted4 in the community

Friday the 4th of September A4's Payroll team organised a fundraising morning tea to support Achievement House Cambridge as they were burgled last month. We all came together and created an amazing morning tea that managed to raise $405 to donate to Achievement House to help towards their insurance excess! Thank you to the wonderful payroll ladies for organising this. We take pride in supporting each other and our community!...

October Xero tip

Use the account transaction tab to search for coded transactions. Click on the transaction you want to view / edit. To edit the transaction go to Options – Edit. To undo the reconciliation so you can recode on the reconciliation screen, go to Options – Remove & Redo. Do not use the unreconcile button. If the transaction has previously been reconciled, and is part of a GST return that has been filed to IRD, it will create a late claim adjustment in your next GST return....

In the Office

We welcome back Amanda James. Amanda rejoins A4 as a Client Services Assistant and will be working with David Faville's team. We are so happy to see Amanda's smiley face around the office again!...

The New Trusts Act - changes are coming!

Accounted4, in association with Lewis Lawyers, are pleased to bring you an online presentation on the new Trusts Act 2019, which comes into force 30 January 2021. This new Act brings significant changes that trustees, settlors and anyone else involved with Trusts need to be aware of. When:   Zoom Webinar, 12pm -1 pm, Wednesday, 14 October 2020 (link to be emailed closer to the time)Cost:     Complimentary Presenters:Grant Calvert, Director, Accounted4Lucy Young...

A refreshed Xero plan to support small businesses during COVID-19

Digital transformation has driven the growth of many new small businesses in the past decade. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen new business models emerging and established businesses adapting, relying on the broad benefits of financial systems like Xero provide.They all have the same thing in common – they need quick access to financials to keep an eye on cash flow and bills. Sole traders like freelancers, gig-economy workers and tradespeople have all taken advantage of digital business models a...

Create a business plan in 10 steps

‘Fail to plan, plan to fail’, as the saying goes. If you're going to create an effective, successful and profitable business, you need to create a solid strategic plan Your business plan is the route map that defines your goals, explains your strategy and gives real direction to the everyday running of the company.So what should you include in your plan? 5 key elements to include in your business plan To create a truly robust and meaningful plan: Outline your vision – explain WHY you�...

Featured Partner: Sparkhouse NZ

Today’s workplaces are dynamic and challenging, with people experiencing constant change, heightened expectations, demanding workloads along with increased compliance and policy requirements. All this, while often working in open plan offices with multiple distractions, interruptions and overflowing inboxes. It is little wonder so many employers and employees alike, feel stressed, overwhelmed, out of control and struggling to find the work/life balance so critical to happiness and well-being. ...

Xero news, tips and tricks

From 14-17 September Xero is bringing us "Xero on Air". This is their great new way of sharing information and connecting with the Xero community around the world. To educate and inspire you, Xero on Air is bringing bite sized video episodes with a range of content and special guest speakers, one of them being Steve Vamos the Chief Executive Officer of Xero.  Anyone can register and the episodes are free to watch anywhere, anytime so if you are interested or want to know more click here!...

Payroll Update

Parental Leave On 1st July 2020, the maximum weekly rate of parental leave payments increased to $606.46 per week before tax including PAYE tax, Student Loan, Child Support or KiwiSaver payments. https://www.ird.govt.nz/topics/paid-parental-leave/paid-parental-leave-paymentshttps://www.ird.govt.nz/topics/paid-parental-leave/kiwisaver-contributions-on-paid-parental-leave From 1st July 2020 paid parental leave increased to 26 weeks from 22 weeks.https://www.employment.govt.nz/leave-and-holidays/pa...

In the Office

Larissa is the newest full time member of the A4 team. She joined Martyn Steffert's accounting team on the 17th August. Larissa has completed a Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting and is currently enrolled in her first CA module.Larissa and her husband live in Matamata with their 4 year-old son and 2 year-old daughter...