Frequently Asked Questions — Auckland Accounting & Advisory

At UHY Haines Norton Auckland, we offer a comprehensive range of services including audit and assurance, tax accounting, business advisory, succession planning, international tax, and business valuation. With offices in Henderson, Kumeu, and Auckland CBD, our team of chartered accountants and business advisers is ready to support your business at every stage.

We have three convenient Auckland locations: our head office at 22 Catherine Street, Henderson; our northwest office at 329A Main Road, Kumeu; and our city office at Level 4, 11 Wellesley Street West, Auckland CBD. Together, these locations allow us to serve clients across West Auckland, the northwest, and the Auckland central business district.

UHY Haines Norton Auckland was established in 1955, making us one of Auckland's most experienced accounting firms. What started as a small Henderson practice has grown into a diverse team of over 50 professionals, with three Auckland locations and membership of the UHY ANZ network and the global UHY International network.

Yes, UHY Haines Norton Auckland is an independent member firm of the UHY Haines Norton association across Australia and New Zealand and UHY International — one of the world's top 20 accounting networks, spanning 100 countries and almost every major financial centre globally. Clients should note that neither the UHY ANZ association or UHY International provides services to you.

We work with a broad range of clients — from individuals and small businesses to mid-market companies, family groups, not-for-profit organisations, and subsidiaries of multinational groups. Our chartered accountants and advisers tailor their approach to the specific needs, goals, and complexity of each client.

You can reach our Auckland team by phone at +64 9 839 0087, by email at info@uhyhn.co.nz, or through the contact form on our website. We’ll connect you with the right director or adviser based on your needs and location — whether that’s Henderson, Kumeu, or Auckland CBD.

Our Auckland audit team provides a comprehensive range of audit and assurance services including external audits for large private companies, not-for-profit organisations, and subsidiaries of multinational groups. We also provide regulatory and compliance audits, agreed-upon procedures, internal audit, and sustainability and ESG assurance. Our audit division is one of New Zealand’s largest.

Whether you require an external audit depends on your organisation’s size, structure, and any regulatory or contractual obligations. Large private companies, not-for-profit organisations, subsidiaries of multinational groups, and entities with specific statutory requirements often have mandatory audit obligations. Even where an audit is not compulsory, it can provide valuable assurance to stakeholders and directors. Our Auckland audit team can assess your situation and advise on your obligations.

Yes. Our Auckland team has extensive experience auditing not-for-profit organisations, charities, incorporated societies, and community trusts. We understand the specific reporting requirements and compliance obligations that apply in the NFP sector under New Zealand law, and we provide audit services tailored to your organisation’s needs.

An internal audit is an independent review of your organisation’s internal controls, risk management processes, and operational efficiency — distinct from the statutory external audit. At UHY Haines Norton Auckland, our internal audit service helps management identify risks, strengthen controls, and improve processes before they become problems. It’s particularly valuable for growing businesses and organisations with complex operations.

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) assurance is an independent verification of your organisation’s sustainability reporting. As investor and regulatory expectations around sustainability disclosure increase in New Zealand, ESG assurance is becoming increasingly relevant for businesses of all sizes. Our Auckland team provides sustainability and ESG assurance services to help you build credibility with stakeholders.

Agreed-upon procedures (AUPs) are a targeted form of assurance engagement where we perform specific, agreed steps and report our factual findings — without expressing an overall opinion. They are used when stakeholders need assurance over a specific area, such as grant expenditure verification, specific compliance requirements, or due diligence on particular financial information. Our Auckland assurance team can tailor an engagement to your exact needs.

Our Auckland advisory team provides a wide range of business advisory services including strategic planning, cashflow management, KPI development, better business workshops, and management reporting. We work alongside you as a trusted business adviser — helping you understand your numbers, make confident decisions, and identify opportunities for growth.

Yes. Succession planning is one of the most important — and often most overlooked — aspects of business ownership. Our Auckland advisory team works with business owners to develop a clear succession plan, covering ownership transition, management handover, business valuation, and tax-effective structuring. Whether you are transitioning to family members, selling to management, or preparing for an external sale, we help you protect value and ensure continuity.

Yes. Our Auckland team provides independent share and business valuations for a range of purposes including succession planning, mergers and acquisitions, shareholder disputes, buy-sell transactions, and independent expert reports. Our valuations are grounded in rigorous methodology and can be relied upon by all parties.

Our Auckland international advisory team assists businesses and individuals with cross-border tax matters including international tax planning, transfer pricing, doing business overseas, and foreign inbound advisory for companies looking to establish operations in New Zealand. As a member of the UHY International network spanning 100 countries, we can connect you with experienced advisers in virtually any jurisdiction.

Yes. Our transaction advisory team in Auckland provides comprehensive M&A support including business valuations, due diligence, buy-sell mandates, independent expert reports, investigating accountants reports, and merger support. Whether you are buying, selling, or restructuring, we provide independent, experienced guidance throughout the process.

A buy-sell mandate is a formal engagement where UHY Haines Norton Auckland acts as your adviser in a business sale or acquisition process — managing negotiations, coordinating due diligence, and helping you achieve the best possible outcome. Whether you are a buyer or seller, having an experienced adviser in your corner significantly improves the likelihood of a successful transaction.

Our Auckland business team helps you manage the fundamentals — from financial statement preparation and accounting review through to GST compliance, tax compliance, entity formation, and ongoing business advisory. We handle the essentials accurately and on time, so you can focus on running and growing your business.

Yes. We assist Auckland entrepreneurs and business owners with entity formation and effective structuring from day one. Choosing the right structure — whether that’s a company, trust, partnership, or sole trader — has significant implications for tax, liability, and growth. Our team provides practical, plain-English advice to help you start on the right foundation.

Yes. Our Auckland team works with all major cloud accounting platforms. We help businesses transition to the cloud, set up efficient workflows, and get the most out of their accounting software. We work with your existing systems — we don’t require you to change platforms to suit us. Cloud accounting gives you real-time visibility of your financials, wherever you are.

Yes. Cashflow management is a core part of our business advisory service. Our Auckland team helps you build realistic budgets and cashflow forecasts, identify pressure points before they become problems, and put strategies in place to maintain healthy liquidity. Whether you are a growing startup or an established Auckland business, we provide practical guidance tailored to your situation.

Tax compliance for an Auckland business covers the preparation of financial statements, income tax returns, GST returns, employer obligations (PAYE), and other Inland Revenue requirements. At UHY Haines Norton Auckland, we manage all aspects of your compliance obligations accurately and on time — ensuring you meet your IRD obligations while identifying any opportunities to improve your tax position.

Yes. Going into business with others is an exciting step, but it requires careful planning from the outset. Our Auckland team helps you structure the arrangement effectively — from choosing the right entity type and drafting shareholder or partnership agreements to establishing clear roles, responsibilities, and exit provisions. Getting this right at the start protects everyone involved.

Our Auckland tax team provides a comprehensive range of tax services including income tax compliance, GST, tax planning, effective structuring, transaction tax advisory, transfer pricing, and international tax. We help individuals and businesses meet their Inland Revenue obligations accurately while identifying lawful opportunities to optimise their tax position.

A qualified tax accountant does far more than file your return. At UHY Haines Norton Auckland, our tax advisers work proactively with you throughout the year — reviewing your structure, identifying deductions, planning for major transactions, and ensuring you are not paying more tax than necessary. All while keeping you fully compliant with Inland Revenue.

Yes. Our international tax team in Auckland assists businesses and individuals with cross-border tax matters including international tax structuring, transfer pricing, doing business overseas, non-resident withholding tax, and foreign inbound advisory for overseas companies operating in New Zealand. As part of the UHY International network, we can draw on specialist expertise in virtually any jurisdiction.

Effective tax structuring means arranging your business and personal affairs in a way that is tax-efficient, legally sound, and aligned with your long-term goals. At UHY Haines Norton Auckland, our tax advisers review your current structure and recommend improvements — whether that involves trusts, companies, or other entities — to legally minimise your tax exposure and protect your wealth.

Transaction tax advisory covers the tax aspects of buying or selling a business, restructuring, mergers, property transactions, and other significant commercial events. At UHY Haines Norton Auckland, our tax advisers work alongside our transaction advisory team to identify and manage tax risks, structure transactions tax-effectively, and ensure your obligations are met throughout the process.

Transfer pricing refers to the rules governing transactions between related parties in different tax jurisdictions — for example, between a New Zealand subsidiary and its overseas parent company. If your Auckland business has cross-border related-party transactions, Inland Revenue’s transfer pricing rules may apply and require documentation. Our tax team can assess your obligations and help you establish compliant, defensible transfer pricing policies.