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Leading The Charge

There is a saying that your biggest market is the one you currently have - most of your sales are likely to be repeat business from existing clients. The reason these clients keep coming back may be partly about what you sell, but chances are that customer service plays a big part. The people you employ can greatly affect the business you do. You can guide your team to greatness. Here are a few simple steps: Teach adaptability Every client is different and ...

Featured Client

Do you have a gluten-free household? You don't have to compromise on taste or convenience anymore! Skye Blue Kitchens, established by Irene Fitz-John, is a new local business that has made life so much easier for those with Coeliac disease, by creating convenient and delicious gluten free baking mixes which are so easy to use! I am originally from Scotland but our family have lived in Cambridge for the last 21 years. My father had Coeliac disease, then about three years ago our son was d...

Featured Partner

Figured is an online farm accounting tool that is providing farmers with a better way to financially manage their farming operation. Its production planning and farm budgeting tools work seamlessly with online accounting software, Xero, enabling you to plan ahead with confidence and easily re-forecast when conditions change. Figured uses the power of the cloud to provide one set of real-time financial information, so your whole farming team - the farmer, accountant, banker and farm consulta...

Business Advisory Update

Accounted4, in association with Phil Wicks of Thexton Armstrong Wicks 'business success programme' Are pleased to host a business workshop: 'Good to Great' - Taking your business to the next level This interactive, no-nonsense workshop for SMEs will cover those key fundamentals that make businesses more successful, more profitable and more valuable The important strategic elements of a business that create a solid foundation for business success in any industry •Building a B...

Get to Know: Katie Jones

Katie started working for Accounted4 ten years ago when it was formally Shannon Wrigley and Co. She is part of Martyn Steffert's team and is in the final semester of completing the Bachelor of Applied Management degree at Wintec. The final task in this degree involves a research project and Katie has chosen to research Work Life Balance and any changes that have occurred over the years, especially in relation to technology. She is also an enthusiastic equestrian rider and has got the eventing...

In the Office

Christine joined our team on the 29th August and she comes to us with 20 years experience in Chartered Accountancy firms. She is passionate about the dairy farming industry and it is great to have her in our A4 team. ...

Accounts Team Update

Do you pay yourself from your business? Do you take regular cash drawings from your business profits to meet personal living costs? You need to be aware of how your personal drawings sit with your tax position. Sole traders Sole traders complete an IR3 tax return at the end of the year. Include all business income and expenses in your tax return. This includes drawings. They are not a deductible business expense. It's much easier to track this if the cash drawings are taken like a regular sala...

Payroll Team Update

MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT – Paid higher than IRD Prescribed Rate Do you use the mileage rate set by the IRD, and did you leave it at the higher rate when it dropped this year? Did you know that if you decided to leave the mileage rate at either 77c (2014 rate) or 74c (2015 rate) per kilometre and didn't reduce it to 72c (2016 rate), every cent above the 72c is taxable as it is a Fringe Benefit? It should be taxed either by PAYE or FBT. Our recommendation is that you use the actual prescribed ra...

In the Industry

In September David, Martyn, Geoff and Jamie attended Xero's annual conference,which this year was held in Brisbane. This conference was a massive event held over two days with 2300 attendees from NZ, Australia, and Asia. The conference featured a wide range of presentations with some really interesting speakers. A major theme of the conference was the growing impact of technology changes affecting traditional business models. Rod Drury (Xero CEO) and a number of his team spoke, providing updates...

In the Community

Accounted4 participated in Loud Shirt Day 2016 on the 23rd September, which supported Cochlear implants in deaf children. Check out the 'Loud' shirts that team members wore for the day! ...

Provide GST Registration Details To Remote Vendors

From 1 October 2016 non-resident businesses must charge and return GST where they meet the criteria to register for GST and they supply remote services (including online services) to New Zealand residents. As a New Zealand resident business, you won't be charged GST on these supplies, if You are GST registered The supplies are part of your taxable activity, and You let the non-resident supplier know you're GST registered and provide your New Zealand GST registration number or business numbe...

Marketing Toolkit

Stuck for ideas? Think about different ways to market your business. Host an event This could be a fundraiser, charity event or quiz night. It's a great way to raise your profile. Events can focus attention on you and your brand, giving you more exposure where needed. You can also target your audience more specifically by selecting the people you invite. The bonus is, they can't simply delete you as they would an email. Make the most of having the audience focus on ...

Breaking Free From Idle Mode - Top Tips For Business Growth

It's easy to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labour and become comfortable with your current business position. But don't become too comfortable. Isn't that why you got into business in the first place? To step away from that zone and challenge your way of thinking? Always be aware of and listen to your market. It's easier to swim with the current than against it so make sure you are offering a product or service that people are actually buying. Do your research and find ...

Office Energy Boosters

Business Forward Issue 68 Is there a dead spot in your day? It's probably a good time to look at boosting your energy. Lack of energy is a motivation crusher for you and those around you. It's unhealthy too - it leads to bad posture which in turn can cause workplace injuries. And of course lack of energy shows up in your office output or, rather, lack of output. Everyone's different but sometimes it can help to run interference on your daily routine. Here are some simple ways to go from bl...

Richard Edge - Winner of Outstanding Services to Business in the Waipa

We are excited and honoured to announce that Accounted4 Consultant, Richard Edge, received the award for Outstanding Services to Business at the Waipa Networks Business Awards last Friday evening Richard (Ritchie) Edge, born and bred in Cambridge, is highly deserving of this award as he has dedicated more than 50 years to supporting businesses in the Waipa with high level accountancy and business advice. In 2014 Ritchie was recognised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants NZ for reaching 5...

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 don't think ...

Get to Know: Ben Langton-Burnell

Ben began throwing a javelin 7 years ago and from the very beginning has wanted to compete at the Olympics and represent New Zealand on the world stage. Ben is coached by Debbie Strange – Stuart Farquhar's coach and long term coach of Beatrice Faumuina. To date 2016 has been the most challenging year with a back injury and an appendix removal meaning that Ben did not qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. His 2020 sport campaign has begun and all efforts are moving towards qualifying for th...

In the Office

We are pleased to announce another new member to our team; Marko Molnar. Marko joins us as an Accounts Analyst – he has a Bachelor of Management Studies Degree and is aiming to become a Chartered Accountant. ...

2016 Seminar programme

Education, training and growth is important to the team at Accounted4. From our Client Feedback Survey and from last years seminars, we found that our clients are interested in a wide range of topics. We have devised a seminar programme for 2016 which provides clients the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge. •Wednesday 31st August – Banklink Training - with Martyn Steffert as presenter •Tuesday 27th September – Social Media in your business •Thursday 27th October – ...

Featured Client

Cambridge Locksmiths Ltd began over 15 years ago and as the town has grown, so has the business. We are the only mobile locksmithing service in Cambridge that specialises in home and business security throughout the region, offering free quotes and advice. Most locks can be altered to suit new keys; maybe even get the locks keyed-alike for added convenience. We can also provide 'restricted profile' keys for additional security; often a requirement for businesses that require limited key access...

Featured Partner

Still using 'old school desktop – non internet based payroll? iPayroll makes it easy to change Some small businesses are still using desktop software (i.e. not internet based) or manual systems. Whilst these may work for you, as you have always done payroll that way, it's important to embrace technology, move from old school ways and make your life easier. Accounted4 are pleased to be a Bronze Partner with iPayroll. iPayroll is New Zealand's premier online payroll provider that allows you to ...

Business Advisory Update

Scams are any schemes that are designed to con you out of your money or steal your personal data. Scammers can use your personal data to commit identity fraud. While most people can spot the obvious scams, scammers are trying more and more sophisticated ways of getting your money or personal details. Be alert and protect yourself by watching out for the signs and not trusting appearances. Online scams include email, internet and social media sites. The number of phishing or fake email scams i...

For Your Office - Payroll Team Update

From 1 July 2016 the maximum rate of paid parental leave for eligible employees and self-employed parents increased from $516 to $527 gross per week. The parental leave payment is a weekly payment for one continuous period of up to 18 weeks. It is important that employers are aware of this increase so you can correctly advise your employees as to their parental leave entitlements. The Government has decided against extending paid parental leave to 26 weeks. For further information, go to: htt...

Accounts Team Update

Inland Revenue have signalled they will be looking at businesses' record keeping systems. Key targets will be that all jobs and all income are being recorded and that GST is being handled properly. Recent prosecutions indicate that PAYE records are another hot topic, along with the corresponding employment records. If sketchy records are a quick way to set off the IRD alarm bells, this could be a great time to do a sense check on your records and systems. As a business owner you're required by...

In the Industry

Recently there has been an IRD scam going around where scammers claiming to be from IRD are cold calling people to say that they are being investigated for tax fraud. The scammer requests personal information including the person's IRD number, before threatening them with legal action. In some cases people are told they must pay a debt urgently or face jail. Some people have also reported scammers leaving voicemails stating the recipient is subject to criminal action for tax fraud, leaving a ...