‘No GST’ vs ‘zero-rated GST’ transactions

If you’re a business owner or taxpayer in New Zealand, you’ve likely encountered terms like ‘no GST’ and ‘zero-rated GST’ transactions. These terms refer to specific tax treatments under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system in New Zealand. In this blog post, we’ll break down these concepts in simple terms to help you understand the difference. No GST transactions No GST transactions are those where the goods or services…  Read more

Tier 3 not-for-profit financial statements: a beginner’s guide

Many not-for-profit organisations fall under the Tier 3 standard which is a specific set of accounting standards designed for smaller entities, usually organisations with relatively simple financial structures and limited resources.  These standards are issued by the External Reporting Board (XRB) which is a Government Agency. The Tier-3 standard applies to Public Benefit Entities (PBEs) that do not have public accountability and have expenses less than or equal to $2…  Read more

Rising interest rates: impact on small businesses and mitigating those effects

In the world of business, one constant factor you are likely to encounter is change, particularly in the financial landscape. One such change that can bear significant implications for small businesses is rising interest rates. Understanding how this impacts your business and identifying solutions to counteract these effects can be key to sustaining and growing your business. With the election out of the way, business people and mortgage holders are…  Read more

5 important financial ratios for your small business

As a small business owner, you’re likely already wearing many hats. But the hat of a financial analyst might seem a little oversized, particularly if your background isn’t in finance or accounting. However, understanding financial ratios can be a game-changer for your business, helping you assess your business’s financial health and make informed decisions. Financial ratios: what are they? Think of financial ratios as a thermometer for your business’s financial…  Read more

Accounting best practices when starting out as a professional services contractor

Starting out as a professional services contractor is an exciting time. Whether you are in IT, medicine, engineering, law or something more creative, contracting provides a unique set of opportunities and challenges. And whether your goal is to just have enough work for yourself, or build a future agency, getting your accounting right from the get-go will be key to the success of your business, enabling you to make financially…  Read more

Trusts update July 2023

Over the last few years there have been several changes that alter the landscape for family trusts. These changes include a new Trusts Act 2019, new and comprehensive disclosure requirements that began for the year ended 31 March 2021 and a high profile tax avoidance case (Frucor) which did not involve trusts but which did involve the use of associated entities where all rules were followed by the taxpayer but…  Read more

Benefits of time tracking and project management software for professional services businesses

As a small business owner it’s easy to get caught up in the day to day running of your business and have little time for the bigger picture. After all, time is money and every minute counts. This is particularly true in an industry where you are either billing by the hour, or employ freelancers and contractors, and tracking every minute (or at least every 15 minutes) can play a…  Read more

Is eInvoicing worthwhile for contractors & small businesses?

If you are a small business owner or contractor you may have noticed the recent hype around eInvoicing. If you are wondering what it is all about and whether eInvoicing is right for you, read on. What is eInvoicing? eInvoicing is the direct exchange of data from one accounting system to another. By using eInvoicing you can electronically transfer an invoice at the push of a button, directly from your…  Read more

What is a fractional accounting team?

A fractional accounting team or fractional accountant, is a finance department or professional that works on a part-time, retainer, or contract basis. They bring the experience and expertise of a high-level accounting team to your business – without the cost of hiring full-time, in-house employees. Fractional accounting teams service several clients at once typically on a part-time, retainer, or contract basis. Their specialty is providing outsourced accounting, tax and bookkeeping…  Read more

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