“We are here to help.” This simple philosophy drives everything Bhavin Sanghavi does as UHY’s Audit Director. In a profession often viewed with apprehension, Bhavin has built one of New Zealand’s most respected audit practices by approaching every engagement with genuine care for client success rather than compliance checking.
His passion runs so deep that he checks emails at 2am—not from obligation, but from genuine love for solving complex business puzzles. “I love auditing. I love what I do, and therefore I can do this better because I really love it.”
The audit transformer
Under Bhavin’s leadership over the past eight years, UHY’s audit department has grown from three team members to 25 people across New Zealand and India—one of the largest teams in any mid-tier accounting firm in the country. But growth isn’t the real story; transformation is.
Bhavin understands that ‘audit’ comes from the Latin ‘auditory,’ meaning ‘to listen.’ This etymological foundation shapes his entire approach:
“We are here to understand the business, understand the controls, and provide assurance that whatever is stated in their financial statements is correct.”
It’s about creating confidence. When management can tell stakeholders that a qualified independent professional has reviewed everything, it provides the peace of mind that allows businesses and organisations to focus on their mission rather than worry about compliance.
The school audit specialist
Bhavin’s most remarkable achievement lies in transforming UHY into New Zealand’s premier school audit firm. Starting with 30 school audits nine years ago, the practice now handles 125 schools across Auckland, with additional clients in Taupo and other North Island regions.
“We live and breathe schools because we do 125,” Bhavin explains. “When you’re doing so many, you get experience with each different type of school and different scenarios.” This volume creates unmatched expertise; UHY understands the unique challenges facing boards of trustees, the complexities of government funding, and the systems needed to ensure proper stewardship of educational resources.
The systems innovator
Bhavin’s success stems from his systematic approach to complex challenges. Recognising that school audits required specialised expertise and efficient processes, he developed comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that allow any new team member to quickly understand and follow proven methodologies.
When logistics became a barrier to growth, Bhavin spent three consecutive years developing and training a dedicated team of specialists in India. This innovation allowed UHY to handle 125 school audits efficiently while maintaining quality standards that exceed industry benchmarks.
“Our systems are so well developed that we can provide good and efficient audits and good advice,” he notes. It’s all about creating repeatable excellence that scales with growth.
The charity champion
Bhavin’s approach to charity audits reflects his deeper philosophy about adding value beyond compliance.
“There are so many times I’ve said, ‘Why are you doing an audit? You don’t need an audit if you change this little bit of wording in your constitution.’”
This honest advice has built extraordinary trust. Board members regularly refer other organisations, knowing that Bhavin prioritises their success over his fee income. “We want the best outcome for the charity. They’re doing charitable work, and they’re all volunteers.”
The educator and mentor
Bhavin takes pride in educating clients rather than just evaluating them. “We actually take the time to have debrief meetings with boards, explaining what they need to concentrate on.” He regularly attends AGMs and Audit Risk Committee meetings, presenting findings and recommendations that help organisations improve their operations.
This educational approach extends to his professional relationships with other accounting firms. As technical lead for several practices around Auckland, Bhavin provides guidance on complex audit matters while building referral partnerships that benefit everyone involved.
“Generally, the charity sector is learning as they go. They don’t have professional accountants or resources,” he explains. “We pride ourselves on educating them to get a better understanding of their accounts, systems, and financial matters.”
The complex problem solver
While schools and charities form the foundation of Bhavin’s practice, he also handles sophisticated for-profit audits, including major construction projects making headlines across New Zealand. These complex engagements—involving legal matters, contingent liabilities, and technical construction accounting—provide learning opportunities that strengthen his entire team’s capabilities.
“It has all the live issues, all the legal matters. It’s like reading a good book because my team gets to learn all these technical matters,” Bhavin explains. This appetite for complexity ensures that UHY can handle whatever challenges clients present.
The passionate professional
Bhavin’s energy and enthusiasm permeate every aspect of his practice. Whether he’s checking emails in the early morning hours or developing new systems to handle growth, his genuine love for auditing drives continuous improvement.
This passion translates into client confidence. They’re getting a partner who cares about their success and has the expertise to help them achieve it. His approach removes the fear typically associated with audits.
“We explain the process, reassure them we are actually here to help build their business or charity—to help them get better.”
The community builder
Outside work, Bhavin channels his limitless energy into family and cricket—often simultaneously. This balance reflects his understanding that sustainable success requires passion projects alongside professional excellence.
Through his work with schools, charities, and community organisations, Bhavin contributes to building stronger communities across Auckland and beyond. Every successful audit helps ensure that educational resources are properly managed, charitable work continues effectively, and businesses operate with the confidence that comes from proper oversight.
In Bhavin’s hands, auditing becomes what it was always meant to be: a tool for building trust, improving systems, and creating the foundation for organisational success. His combination of technical expertise, systematic thinking, and genuine care for client outcomes has made UHY the preferred auditor for organisations that understand the difference between compliance checking and strategic partnership.
