Last week we announced that from 1 April 2017, AOV Chartered Accountants will merge with Kendons Chartered Accountants Limited.
The merger will bring no disruption at all to the services we offer you. You may notice we are able to help you manage the challenges of business in more ways than ever before.
The merged firm will retain the name “Kendons Chartered Accountants Limited”, and will continue to be based in Kendon House, 69 Rutherford Street, Lower Hutt.
If you have any queries, please give us a call.
Talk soon, The Kendons Team
Working with us, from any location
Business is becoming more and more mobile these days, and we want to help you run things from anywhere. Here are two ways we can help this month:
Tax payment advice direct to your inbox
Kendons can now send all your tax payment advices direct to your email inbox. This means you can get your provisional and terminal tax payment advices as soon as we send them, and wherever you have access to your emails.
Our Operations Manager, Jamie Weddell, is sending out information to clients who are receiving tax payment advices this month. If you haven’t received this letter, but still want to sign up to receive your tax payment advices by email, please contact Jamie: jamie@kendons.co.nz
Important documents, all on your mobile device
You may have heard about Kendons digital document portal, but did you know that there is an app for this?
We use our digital portal to securely send you documents, to read, electronically sign and to hold as storage. Using the app to access the portal makes it easier to open and view documents on a mobile device. Imagine being able to sign your tax return, while across the other side of the world!
If you’d like to know more about the portal, contact Kendons on 04 566 4399 or kendons@kendons.co.nz.
Or check out the app in either the Google Play store and the iTunes App Store
Kendons takes on coaching role at Fitzbeck Creative
Kendons is playing an increasingly important role in supporting award-winning communications and resource development company, FitzBeck Creative.
After many years of providing the Wellington-based business with comprehensive tax and accountancy advice, Kendons has taken on an expanded coaching role with FitzBeck over the last year.
FitzBeck Creative has a strong track record in providing strategic communications advice, and creating a wide range of print, video and web-based resources.
“We help clients get their message across creatively,” says Nigel Beckford, FitzBeck Director. “We ensure there is a strategic communications plan in place. We design brands, create websites and videos, we tell powerful stories – we do whatever is required to get a client’s message across in a way that grabs attention and is memorable. For example, one recent publishing commission – a book of poems and blessings – ended up in the hands of Pope Francis.”
As well as satisfying clients for more than 20 years, FitzBeck has also forged an impressive reputation as a high-quality creative publisher of its own material. Several of its illustrated publications – the Wellington Book and the NZ Book – have sold well over 12,000 copies and been recognised in New Zealand’s Best Design Awards. The Wellington Book was also a finalist in the Wellington Gold Awards. A new book on Wellington, Wellington in your pocket, has just topped the best-seller list in Unity Books.
“Our field is dynamic and diverse,” says FitzBeck Director, Michael Fitzsimons. “We chose Kendons in a business coaching role to keep us on target in achieving the goals we have set ourselves. It’s so easy to get lost in the busyness and not develop the business as a whole."
“Pat (Sheehan) has worked with us for years and knows the business intimately. He is the ideal person to challenge us, help us set realistic targets and keep us on track."
“When you are really busy, you need support. Kendons provides us with the kind of practical support that means we act, not just sit round and talk. We have tried different business development strategies over the years, but Kendons quarterly coaching sessions are working very well for us in helping us to improve performance. The business plan we are working to has become a living document.”
Wellington in your pocket, Fitzbeck’s latest tribute to Wellington, is a fresh and funky guide to Wellington’s leading attractions. It’s available from Unity Books and online at http://shop.nzbook.co.nz/products/wellington-in-your-pocket
Team Update
We are very pleased to welcome Liz Eveleigh to the Kendons team.
Liz joined us in November as Practice Manager, replacing our former Practice Manager, Liz Barrett. Liz Eveleigh has over 25 years experience in accountancy firms in Brisbane, London and Wellington. Prior to joining Kendons, Liz worked for 20 years with a Wellington based firm. She has extensive knowledge in all areas of administration including tax management, payroll, company secretarial, office management and employee management. Liz will be a great asset to the Kendons team.
We are continuing our Grad programme with two new Accounting Graduates, Jia Lee and Joshita Alipuria, joining the team last month.
How will you ensure your Trust is compliant with the new Trusts Act?
Connectworks provided a 2-minute update recently on the long-anticipated draft Trusts Bill issued by the Ministry of Justice for consultation. There's a copy available here. The Bill sends a clear signal about the need to improve record-keeping and compliance, especially for non-professional trustees. The proposed requirements include:
Each trustee must keep copies of:
The Trust Deed and any variations
Lists of all assets and liabilities of the trust
Any records of trustee decisions
Any written contracts
Any accounting records and financial statements
Details of appointment, removal or discharge of trustees
Memorandum of wishes
Documents kept by former trustees
Trustees must keep, as so far as is reasonable, the above documents for the duration of the trustee’s trusteeship and must pass on these documents.
A requirement for trustees to make available sufficient information to beneficiaries to enable the terms of the trust to be enforced against the trustees.
A duty to keep proper records of the trust property that identify the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of the trust, and are appropriate to the value and complexity of that property.
A duty to know the terms of the trust.
Connectworks provide an online platform to manage Trust affairs to ensure compliance with necessary legislation. Contact your lawyer or us if you are interested in learning more about this service.
Merry Christmas from the Kendons Team
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! We hope you have a safe and relaxing holiday season and thank you for contributing to a great 2016.
The Kendons office will close at midday on Friday 23 December 2016 and re-open on Monday 16 January 2017.
