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Liberating you and your business with AI: the business benefits

Looking around at the business landscape, it’s evident that [Artificial intelligence Artificial intelligence (AI) is starting to make meaningful changes to the way the average small business works.Over a third (38%) of small businesses have used, or are considering using, AI according to new research from Small Business Britain and the global hiring platform Indeed.AI may be the new kid on the block, but what are the actual, tangible benefits?Let’s dive deeper into the advantages of u...

Understanding Your Balance Sheet

To understand the financial position of a business at a specific point of time, look at the balance sheet. The balance sheet may also be called the statement of financial position. Together with the Profit and Loss Statement, and possibly other reports such as the Statement of Cash-flow, these reports provide a complete understanding of the financial position and business performance.So what’s involved? - The balance sheet has three sections: assets, liabilities and equity.What are Assets?Ass...

In the Office

What do you get when you mix four competitive teams, a pit stop in Tirau, a round of golf at Okoroire, and a quiz showdown in Matamata? Accounted4’s Annual Big Day Out, of course!We hit the road early, with our four teams dressed to impress (and in some cases, confuse). There’s nothing like a bit of dress-up rivalry to set the tone for the day. First stop: Tirau. Coffee was essential, we stretched the legs, and surprisingly, didn’t get a single photo in front of the famous corrugated iron ...

In the Community

Last week a team of four from Accounted4 traded in their office chairs for golf carts to attend the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce networking event and fundraising day for St John’s. The event brought together local professionals for some friendly competition, good conversation, and, most importantly, a chance to raise money for a great cause.The day was packed with action as we played two exciting formats: Ambrose and the infamous Yellow Ball. Ambrose, which mixes strategy and skill, kept thin...

Go Cardless for Xero Business Edition Subscriptions

In March 2024 we moved to GoCardless Direct Debit for all Xero Business Edition subscriptions. With the recent Xero price increase we thought it was timely to remind you of the benefits of not having to manually update you payments to us, for your Xero subscriptions. Why the move to Direct DebitMoving to GoCardless Direct Debit takes the pain away from our clients having to change Automatic Payments each time Xero adjust their fees, which is normally annually. By switching to Dire...

Featured Client - Titoki Landcare

Aotearoa New Zealand is recognised as one of Earth’s 25 biodiversity hotspots. We have over 18,000 recognised species native to our country and most of these species are found nowhere else.Unfortunately, since the arrival of humans, our unique biodiversity has become threatened. In many areas, more than 97% of indigenous habitats have been cleared and, across the country, more than 90% of wetlands have been drained. As a result, we face a national biodiversity crisis with nearly half of our na...

Featured Partner - The Little Acre

Liora Pine is the founder and creative director of The Little Acre, a strategic design studio based in Cambridge, New Zealand. Originally from Palo Alto, California, she made New Zealand her home in 2007, bringing with her a love for clean, thoughtful design and a knack for helping businesses visually showcase their stories.The Little Acre specialises in branding and website design, with a particular focus on the Rocketspark platform. Liora's work has been recognised with multiple Rocketspark aw...

Get to know Liam

I joined Accounted 4 in June 2024 and work under Martyn in the accounting team. Since starting, I’ve enjoyed getting to know the team and diving into the world of accounting. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to learn, which keeps things super exciting!I grew up on a farm in Matamata before moving to Hamilton to study, completing a Bachelor of Business majoring in Finance and Economics and graduating in 2023. I currently still live in Hamilton with my wife, Bella, and to be fai...

From the PAYROLL desk - Important Employer Tips for the 1st of April Changes

Minimum Wage IncreaseThe Adult minimum wage will increase from $23.15 to $23.50 per hour. This rate applies to all employees 16 years and over.The Starting-out and Training minimum wage will Increase from $18.52 to $18.80 per hour, remaining at 80% of the adult minimum wage.Refer to website: Read MoreSalaried employees – check for Minimum Wage RequirementsIf you have salaried employees, you need to ensure that their Gross Earnings meet minimum wage requirements for each individual pay period.A...

Financial Year-End: are you ready?

With 31 March fast approaching, now’s the time to get organised for year end. Acting early saves time, reduces stress, and ensures your business is set up for success in 2025. If you’d like a checklist, ask us where to start.Don’t forget provisional tax! If you’re a provisional taxpayer,  typically anyone who earns income where no tax is deducted at source, like sole traders or contractors, your final payment for the 2024 tax year is due on 7 May 2025 (if we prepare your tax returns...

Team Vacancy - Senior Accountant

If you are an experienced professional ready for a new challenge in an authentic and supportive team environment, we’d love to hear from you! We’re looking for a skilled Senior Accountant with either a CA qualification or long-term experience, to join our vibrant team in Cambridge. In this new key role, you will help care for a diverse range of clients and assist in a wide range of high-level accounting, tax, advisory, and review work—all while maintaining the highest professional sta...

Are You Suffering from Business Burnout?

Recent years have been demanding and exhausting for many business owners. Are you one of them?The challenges have been relentless, and we know many small business owners have had to navigate unprecedented challenges first because of the pandemic and then from inflation and other market impacts.Burnout results from long-term stress and can manifest in emotional and physical exhaustion, which may affect your enthusiasm for running the business you once loved.So, What Can You Do About it?We underst...

IRD Changing third-party card payment processor to Worldline

From 12 February 2025, IRD has changed the third-party card payment processor from Windcave to Worldline.There will be minor look and feel changes for customers making payments in myIR, including being redirected to a new Worldline hosted payment page to complete their payment.Customers that have previously saved their card information will need to re-enter their full card details the first time they make a payment after the change to Worldline. They will have the option to save their card detai...

Costs are rising: what can you do?

The ANZ Business Outlook survey for December 2024 shows that some Kiwi companies are reporting a [significant increase in activity] (https://www.interest.co.nz/business/131325/latest-anz-business-outlook-survey-shows-companies-reporting-significant-increase). But there was also a rise in expected costs, with 70% of surveyed businesses expecting their running costs to rise as we start the new year. Costs are one of those external factors that can have a major impact on your cashflow. But what can...

Minimum wage is increasing on 1 April 2025. Are you ready?

The details of the increase are:Adult minimum wage will go up from $23.15 to $23.50 per hour.Starting-out and training minimum wage will go up from $18.52 to $18.80 per hour.All rates are before tax and any lawful deductions, for example, PAYE tax, student loan repayment, child support.If you have not yet talked to your accountant, payroll provider or your finance/HR teams now is the time. It is also an opportunity to check your employment records, processes and systems are current.How to prepar...

Happy Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas and very well deserved end-of-year break.We are grateful for the opportunity to work with you and be a part of your business journey.It has been another year of hard work and challenges, we hope you will be able to take some time at Christmas to connect with family and friends, to recharge and relax.Our office will be closing 4pm on Friday 20th December and reopening at 8.30am on Monday 13th January 2025.From the Directors at Accounted4....

Get to know Steff

Steff McNamara has been the friendly face of Accounted4 in Cambridge since 2017, bringing her warm personality and organisational flair to her role as receptionist. She loves meeting clients, catching up with the team, and keeping reception running smoothly.Steff moved from Auckland to Cambridge almost 30 years ago, drawn to the town's sense of community and family-friendly vibe. She’s a proud mum to three adult sons, all working in engineering, and an even prouder grandma to three grandsons a...

In the Community

It's that time of the year again when our Business Manager, Chris and her husband Craig volunteer to gear up for the Santa Parade as Mr. & Mrs. Claus. Another wonderful tradition that brings so much magical Christmas Joy to our community. Well done team Stevenson! ...

In the Office

Celebrating 10 years with Alex Lamont at A4! It’s been a privilege to work alongside you and to watch your progress and achievements, both professionally and personally, over the past decade. Here’s to many more fantastic years with you in our team! ...

Do You Have Direct Debits and Online Payments Set Up for Your Business?

Do you have direct debits and online payments set up for your business? Making it easy for your customers to pay you is vital to business success. Getting direct debits and alternative payment methods linked to your business is so easy these days there's no excuse not to give your customers multiple ways of making payment.Many service-based businesses choose direct debit arrangements with their clients to avoid late payment. If you’re often chasing overdue payments, consider implementing direc...

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?

The upcoming Public Holiday Season and Christmas Payrolls Planning!Public HolidaysChristmas is almost upon us highlighting that the public holiday season is about to begin.Your employees are entitled to a paid day off if a public holiday falls on an otherwise working day for them.If you require your employee to work on a public holiday, you are required to pay them at least time and a half for the hours they work. In addition you must also give them an alternative holiday, even if only part of t...

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 ...