North Canterbury News: September 30, 2021

FARM FOCUS
32 North Canterbury News, September 30, 2021
Putting Kiwi farmers in the driving seat
Back in 1981, three Wairarapa farmers
decided to create asystem for farmers
to improve the way they manage their
farming business.
At that time, record­keeping was very
much about looking back, using
accounting methodology.
The company founders wanted to be
able to look ahead, to plan for the next
season.
This radical approach proved to be
highly successful.
Forty years later this business, now
known as Farm Focus, is still going
strong.
Key to the company’s success, is that
its specialised software meets farmers’
specific management accounting
requirements, but also makes it easy to
transfer transactions into tax­focused
accounting systems used by
accountants.
CEO, Brian Eccles has been involved
with the company from the early days,
and says that while software has
changed massively over the 40 years, the
successful formula established all those
years ago still holds true.
Managing cashflow through great
planning was important then and
continues to be vital.
‘‘Running afarm is full of
uncertainty,’’ says Brian.
‘‘That can come from weather, pricing
changes or awide range of on and off
farm regulations.
‘‘Plans help you manage adversity
because you can quickly pivot when the
plan isn’t quite working.’’
Technology is constantly evolving and
the company continues to invest in
major upgrades to ensure the product is
relevant in the modern world. It is
currently supporting customers to move
from its previous application,
Cashmanager RURAL, to its new cloudbased
application, Farm Focus.
‘‘Not everyone loves change’’ says
Brian,‘‘but once customers begin to see
the value of investing in the new they
never look back.’’
Customers moving across to the new
platform, such as Hawkes Bay farmer,
Caroline Smith, notice the
improvements.
“Cashmanager RURAL was agreat
package in its day but farming practices
and requirements have changed greatly
over the years.
‘‘Focus’s automated technology
makes budgeting much easier which has
definitely helped cut down time spent in
the office.’’
Caroline says the ability to budget
three or four years ahead has been
especially helpful during Covid and
drought events.
‘‘It’s way easier to look ahead. It has
given us confidence in our planning and
shows we can weather the storm’’
Brian says that while the world is full
of generic accounting systems designed
for city businesses, asystem like Farm
Focus, uniquely designed to meet the
special needs of farmers, is extremely
rare.
‘‘What might be ideal for an
accountant might be entirely unsuitable
Farm Focus ... Brian Eccles is keen to support kiwi farmers.
for afarmer. Software like ours that can
drive improved management can
increase revenue massively.
‘‘Potential savings in accountancy
costs are minor by comparison’’ says
Brian.
In addition to marking 40 years in
business this year, Farm Focus is also
celebrating its recent win in the Cyber
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Gold category at the Wellington Gold
Awards.
‘‘This award really belongs to our
customers as we wouldn’t be where we
are without their support. Helping New
Zealand farmers to stay at the top of
their game and retain their number one
spot in the world is what drives us!’’ he
says.
Successfully
supporting
NewZealand
Farmers for
over40years
farmfocus.co.nz
Call 0800 888 080