Blog

If enhancing your business strategies is on your list of New Year’s resolutions, now is a good time to revitalise your approach and set the stage for success in the upcoming year. In the unpredictable world of business, finding a little certainty can make all the difference and tools such as budgeting and cash flow forecasting can significantly reduce the level of uncertainty, allowing you to anticipate challenges, learn from…  Read more

In the unpredictable world of startups, maintaining a cash surplus can be a lifesaver. It provides a safety net in case sales don’t meet expectations or unexpected expenses arise. Aside from providing security, surplus cash also paves the way for expansion opportunities, handling large bills, or purchasing essential equipment. While injecting personal capital or taking out a loan can aid in creating a cash surplus, let’s explore some other effective…  Read more

If you operate as a self-employed lawyer, IT specialist, architect, manage a firm or agency, or provide professional services in any capacity, your time is your most valuable asset. As such, it’s crucial to ensure that you’re charging appropriately for your services, not only to maximise your income but also to maintain fair wages for your staff and strike a healthy work-life balance for yourself. In this post we look…  Read more

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

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

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

Depreciation is basically a reduction in the value of an asset over time. What this means for your business is that if you buy a substantial asset like a computer or a car, you can claim a certain amount of the loss of value over time as a business expense. It’s also a method of spreading the costs of large assets over time. It’s important that your business claims the…  Read more

Taxes – there’s no avoiding them. But there are ways to reduce the amount you have to pay so that your business is more profitable. All it takes is some preparation, planning, and the advice of a good tax specialist. So one of the first things you need to do is talk to your accountant about all the legal strategies available for minimising your tax bill. Here are some examples.…  Read more

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