Accounting & Tax Compliance

Why this matters more than you think

Most business owners go into business because they’re brilliant at what they do, not because they studied accounting at university. You shouldn’t have to wake up at 3 am worrying about whether you’ve missed something with IRD, or if your numbers reflect what’s happening in your business.

We work with everyone from sole traders and mum and dad operations with rental portfolios, through to ambitious contractors building something bigger, right up to multi-jurisdiction businesses turning over millions. What they all have in common is this: without solid accounting and compliance foundations, nothing else works properly.

How we turn complexity into clarity

Most clients start with us through compliance work–it’s the bread and butter of our work. Once we’ve got your financial housekeeping sorted, we provide succession planning, business improvement strategies, and growth opportunities that naturally emerge from that foundation.

We’ve guided many clients through complete business transformations. One client started as a sole trader, and we planned their entire structure, implementing company and trust arrangements that allowed them to focus on building their business. They are now a market leader in their industry.

We’ve helped businesses negotiate with IRD when they’ve had significant debt problems, provided cash flow forecasting to secure funding, and worked through complex succession planning scenarios.

Take another client who inherited a family engineering business with outdated systems and three generations of “that’s how we’ve always done it.” We restructured their entire operation, implemented proper cost tracking, and created succession plans that protected both the business legacy and family relationships. Within eighteen months, they’d increased profitability by 40% and had clear pathways for the next generation to take control.

Then there’s the property developer who came to us drowning in compliance across multiple entities. We streamlined their structure, automated their reporting, and created cash flow forecasting that helped them secure $2M in additional funding for their next project.

Ready to turn financial complexity into clarity and build the foundation for your business success? Contact UHY Haines Norton today to arrange a discussion about how we can best assist you.

The partnership approach

What makes our approach different is that we believe in coaching our clients rather than just doing everything for them. If we can help you understand how to avoid creating financial messes, it makes life easier for everyone. This work is about financial freedom.

When your business grows enough to support your family and employees, you’re creating space and freedom to focus on what matters most.

Whether we’re handling basic compliance for a steady operation or providing strategic advice for ambitious growth plans, we’re using the numbers to paint a picture of how your business is performing and providing suggestions to help you achieve your goals.

While most accounting firms are reactive (waiting for problems to surface), we take a proactive approach that spots issues before they become expensive headaches. Our coaching methodology means we’re not just doing the work for you; we’re building your financial literacy so you can make better decisions every day. We integrate modern technology with personal service, giving you real-time access to your numbers without losing that human connection.

We believe you should understand your own numbers, not just receive reports you can’t interpret.

During our regular sessions, we’ll teach you to spot the early warning signs in your cash flow, understand what your profit margins really mean, and recognise when it’s time to make strategic decisions. Many clients tell us they feel more confident in business meetings because they understand their financial position.

Our five core capabilities

1. Accounting & Financial Statements
   Transforms your raw data into management information that tells the story of your business performance in language you can understand. Read more.
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2. Accounting Review & Support
   Provides mentoring and guidance so you learn along the way, building your confidence whilst we provide the strategic oversight. Read more.
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3. Compliance Management
   Proactively handles income tax, payroll, fringe benefit tax (FBT), and GST requirements so you never get nasty surprises. Read more.
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4. Entity Formation
   Designs and implements the right business structure for your goals, whether transitioning from sole trader or establishing new entities for expansion. Read more.
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5. Farm Accounting
   Our expert farming accountant addresses the unique complexities of agricultural businesses, from livestock valuations to succession strategies for multi-generational farming operations. Read more.

Curious about which services would benefit your business most? Let’s discuss your specific needs.

The compliance pitfalls we help you avoid

Most business owners don’t realise that keeping personal and business expenses in the same account is an IRD audit trigger, or that getting GST registration timing wrong can cost thousands in penalties. We see clients who’ve been paying PAYE when they should have been contractors, or vice versa—mistakes that compound over time.

Many directors don’t understand their legal obligations around company solvency obligations under the Companies Act 1993 or financial reporting deadlines. These are expensive problems that can derail your business plans. We’ve seen a promising startup nearly collapse because they didn’t understand their R&D Tax Incentive obligations, missing out on $150,000 in legitimate claims.

How this benefits your business

• Your data gets captured right the first time.
  With proper practices in place, your business information flows smoothly and efficiently. No more double-handling, no more hunting through multiple spreadsheets trying to reconcile different numbers. One source of financial data that everyone can rely on.

• Your management information helps you manage.
  Good accounting systems produce insights that help you make decisions and stay compliant. You’ll know exactly where your business stands financially and what’s coming next quarter.

• Your compliance risks become our responsibility.
  The right processes ensure you comply with tax laws, manage your tax burden efficiently, and meet corporate regulatory requirements on time, every time. No more scrambling at year-end or dealing with penalty notices.

• Your new ventures launch smoothly.
  When you’re ready to expand, selecting the right entity structure is critical. We minimise disruption and ensure accurate, timely execution so your growth plans aren’t delayed by administrative complications.

What working with us looks like

Your journey starts with a comprehensive consultation where we understand your business, your goals, and your current pain points. We’ll review your existing systems and provide a clear roadmap for improvements—no overwhelming jargon, just practical next steps.

Our onboarding process typically takes 2-4 weeks, during which we set up your systems, clean up any historical issues, and establish your ongoing compliance calendar. You’ll have regular check-ins scheduled in advance, access to our client portal for real-time information, and direct contact with your team when questions arise.

Ready to get started? Call us and connect to possibility.