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Featured Client

When was the last time you stretched out well through your whole body, or took the time to slow down in your busy day and notice yourself breathing? Do you spend an unhealthy portion of your work day sitting down? Would you like to alleviate stress and tension? A busy lifestyle needs to be balanced with making sure you keep your health and wellbeing in check. Balance Yoga Cambridge is Cambridge's only purpose-built, professional yoga studio, and can help you keep in balance in both body and mi...

Featured Partner

Based in Cambridge, OSHbox provide customised and cost effective Health and Safety systems for small to medium businesses (in any industry) to ensure compliance with the new Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Whether you are after a paper based system or cloud based, new system or update to your old, OSHbox have a variety of solutions to suit everyone. We are locals who are passionate about helping small to medium businesses implement easy to manage systems and most of all 'make safety simpl...

Business Advisory Update

Business is good. Customers love your products. You provide a superb service. So why is your cashflow trickling not gushing? You have analysed the numbers. Your overheads are reasonable and there's no wastage. But what about your debtors? If your business isn't strictly 'cash over the counter' you probably already understand the work - and the pain - of chasing money from overdue payments. Good debtor management can make a real difference to cashflow in your business. Poor debtor management...

Farming Forum

On the 24th May we held our annual Farming Forum. This year we held it in a woolshed on the O'Brien's Farm in Roto–O-Rangi. The main topics for discussion were 'Health & Safety on the Farm' presented by Angie Williams of OSHbox (our featured Partner in this issue) and 'Farm Accounting Technology' presented by the A4 Farming Team. ...

Please Remember to Count your Stock!

Reminder that if you have a May balance date, you need to count your livestock on Tuesday 31st May. Please make a note of the figures and keep them in a safe place. The figures will need to be recorded on your questionnaire. ...

Software Applications in Business

One of the most important things for a business is to have the right software in place. Buying software is no longer as simple as it used to be. Accounting software is key to any business and generally includes debtor and creditor management, invoicing and GST. There is a larger number of small business accounting packages available for Windows computers. Your accountant can recommend the best solution for your business. There are fewer options for Mac users, many of whom prefer Xero' s cloud s...

Into the Swing of Things

Here at Accounted4 we are in the swing of the new financial year and continuing our focus on sustainability and efficiency. As mentioned in our previous newsletter there has been a change in the process of receiving the information that we require from you for your end of year financials. So keep an eye out in your inboxes for an electronic version of the updated questionnaires requesting the information we require from you. As well as our updated questionnaires, we have to fulfil the requirem...

"Tis the Season"

If you have watched any TV lately, it is likely you will have seen advertisements for tax refund companies. Yes, it's that time of year when people begin to wonder whether they might be eligible for an income tax refund. You don't need a tax refund company to find out if you have a refund owing, or to get it paid to you if there is. You can call IRD, or check the IRD website yourself. But tax jargon can be hard to understand and sometimes it might seem easier to let someone else do the work. A ...

Record Keeping Checklist

BENEFITS If you're going to make a success of running your business, you need to keep good accurate records. There are legal reasons as well as good business reasons to keep these records. MAKING TAX COMPLIANCE EASIER Reduce your tax bill: You can claim business expenses against your income, reducing your tax bill. If we audit you, good records will support your expense claim. Complete returns easily: Keeping records up to date makes it easier to file your GST and income tax returns an...

Team Vacancy

Due to increased growth we are looking for a dynamic Accounting Analyst / Client Manager to join our successful, energetic, accounting team fulltime, in the vibrant, cafe and sport culture town of Cambridge. For this position formal qualifications are not essential, but you need to have; Experience in the preparation of Financial Statements & Tax / GST returns (preferably in a CA environment) Intermediate level knowledge of Excel and Word A strong work ethic and attention to detail E...

FREE Business Training on Financials, Cashflow and Xero

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Promote Creativity and Innovation Within Your Business

Whether you're planning a new product, a new business venture or simply brainstorming, here are some tips to help boost creativity and innovation within your business: 1. Don't assume the current way is the right way. Challenge long standing processes that are currently used within your business and promote evolution of new systems and ideas for your business. Be as innovative as you like. 2. Ask the questions - what are you doing and why? Don't stray from your original mission unless it's ...

The R Words: Relationships, Rapport, Retention.

There is a saying that the best customers are the ones you already have. So once you've schmoozed and wooed someone into your client base, how do you go about keeping their business? Establishing trust and maintaining rapport in your business will be critical to building strong client relationships. When you're getting to know your clients, it's important to identify common ground. The easiest way to start doing this is by listening. Learn about people by asking questions and from here you'll ...

Making The Most Of Your Business Mentor

If you're a business owner, chances are you've considered seeking out a business mentor. Some business owners swear by the help and encouragement they've received by doing so. But what do you need to look for and how do you guarantee you're getting the best advice? Shop around. Can any of your peers recommend someone who comes with a reputable track record? Ask at your local chamber of commerce or business hub. It may be that business mentors are provided free of charge to ne...

Learning The Art Of Referral Business

Much like cold calling, asking for referrals can seem daunting. However unlike cold calling, referral business usually comes off the back of having done a good job for someone, so you're already on the front foot. The first step is asking for the referral. Before that you need the confidence to ask and, of course, to know how to ask for it and who to ask. Your best customers are your current ones. Assess your client database. Have you had a recent success with a client? Most people...

Who are you going to call?

How often are you able to really work on your business, as opposed to working in it? Day to day demands can swamp the bigger picture. It can help put it all in perspective to call on a specialist so you can focus your energies on taking that next step up. There are many advisory services out there. It can be confusing to try and sort through all the marketing to make sure you connect with someone who can really help. For instance, what's the difference between a business mentor and a business...

Turn on the Charm

It is one thing to have good leadership skills, but charisma is something else. To be compelling enough to inspire employees and those around you requires awareness and skill. There are small but meaningful steps you can take. By doing so, you are likely to improve the attitude of your employees and those you come in contact with and, most importantly, yourself. Be aware of any chip on your shoulder. No one likes attitude. Perhaps you don't feel you've got a bad attitude to begin with but be aw...

Receptionist Marie to retire

After joining the firm in 2005, Receptionist Marie Buchanan is retiring. Marie will be greatly missed here at Accounted4. She hopes to travel to Scotland to meet her husbands family in the near future, spend more time with her grandchildren and continue playing bowls. Marie wanted to make a special note of thanks to all the clients whom she has met over the past eleven years. Marie's last day is Thursday 31 March....

Featured Client

Keyte Automotive was established in 2001 by Matt and Sonya Keyte. They service all makes and models, as well as being a Mitsubishi Parts and Service Dealer. The team of highly trained technicians are all Authorised Warrant of Fitness Inspectors and have a wealth of more than 130 years collective experience. Their workshop is well-equipped with specialist tools and equipment and conveniently located at 104 Queen St, Cambridge, handy to town where clients can shop or work while Keytes take care ...

Featured Partner

Situated in the heart of Cambridge, Kaz Graphic Dezign has created great design solutions since 2002, including business branding: logos, brochures, newsletters, pull-up banners, signage (building and vehicles) and websites – so it's a one-stop business for all your design requirements. With three innovative and creative designers – Karen, Kylie and Penny – the business has grown through the passion of helping other businesses succeed by transforming their ideas into creative designs tha...

In the Community

We recently had a Networking over Coffee event at our office as part of our involvement with the Chamber of Commerce. We decided to do something a little different this year. After all, it's not just about the numbers! We held a mini expo which highlighted everything that encompasses Accounted4 and what we can offer our clients! This involved stands run by team members on topics such as; Xero, Banklink, Business start ups, payroll, our client service plans, team culture and many more. It wa...

For your Diary

31 March 2016 2015 tax return due to be filed for those with extension of time 7 April 2016 Terminal tax 7 May 2016 3rd instalment of 2015 Provisional Tax (March balance date) •GST for March 2016 Easter Office Hours - Heads Up Our office will close at 5pm on Thursday 25th March and reopen 8.30am on Wednesday 30th March. We will also be closed on Monday 25th April for Anzac Day. ...

Accounts team Update

As usual, when the end of the financial year is approaching it's a good idea to make sure everything's in good order. Take a look at: How much stock you are carrying at the end of the year. Dispose of any obsolete lines or write the stock down to its net realisable value Planned dividend payments and the company's imputation credit account balance. We will be reviewing these in March. Be aware that some DWT may be payable in April for this! Debtors: If you have taken reasonable steps to...

Online with the IRD

IRD has begun to make their statements and notices available electronically on your my IR account. You will notice these letters come through as e-documents. Your accountant will still receive a paper copy of this information....

Shorts for Hospice Day

Friday 4th March was the Waikato Hospice wear shorts to work day. There were a few of us who were brave enough and wore our shorts to work for the day. We raised $91 which will be donated to the Waikato Hospice....