Selwyn_Times: March 13, 2024

32 Selwyn Times Wednesday March 13 2024
LET’S GO TO
LEESTON
A fun day out at the fete Questions for your accountant
Scheduled for Saturday,
March 23, Leeston’s annual
community fete will
again offer the chance for
families, neighbours and
friends to come together
and enjoy all the activities
and entertainment as they
celebrate the township’s
special community vibe.
The Main Street will
be abuzz with fun and
excitement, with a variety of
crowd-pleasing events
throughout the day.
Among these will be
carnival games, face
painting, arts and
crafts workshops,
and inter-active
exhibits, while local
performers will
provide entertainment
for everyone with
live music, dance
performances, and
theatrical acts.
There will be no reason
to go hungry either, with
plenty of tasty food and drink
offerings, from international
flavours to Kiwi favourites,
which will be available from
local vendors and food
trucks.
More than just a fun day
out, the Leeston community
fete is seen as both a way of
connecting local residents
and of supporting local
businesses. And for people
from outside Leeston, it is
an opportunity to enjoy a
true community event in
this thriving Canterbury
township.
Ellesmere Promotions Trust
present
Ideally, you and your accountant are more than just
“adviser” and “client”. With your combined skills,
expertise, and shared mission to support a thriving
business, you are more like strategic partners.
The key to achieving success in any partnership is
communication. So, be sure to ask your accountant
these four important questions.
1. What’s my best strategy for increasing revenue?
Every business owner strives to improve profit margins
– but the best way to quickly and/or sustainably grow
revenue will vary from business to business. When
reviewing your financials, ask your accountant to
suggest smart strategies for driving greater revenue.
That might mean focusing on new leads, encouraging
customers to buy more frequently, incorporating crossselling
or up-selling, and/or re-thinking pricing strategy.
2. How would you assess our financial performance
this quarter/year? It’s part of your accountant’s job to
stay current with your company’s financial statements
and reports (i.e. balance sheet, income statement, profit
and loss statement, and cash- flow reports). Some small
business owners – especially those who lack confidence
in their financial literacy skills – may only want to
know the basics. Ask your accountant for a more
thorough analysis of your finances, and for help with
understanding what the numbers mean.
Ask for key ratios, like your gross profit percentage,
and an assessment of the big picture, drawing
comparisons with past performance as well as trends in
your industry. Also, ask for insights into the reasons for
new or surprising developments, and what you can do
to correct areas where your business is falling short – as
Get back to doing the things you love.
We’ll take care of the rest.
Rental Property Accounts
• One property • Sole or couple ownership
• Includes up to 2 individual tax returns,
tax management
$350
& support
Just
+ GST*
$50 for each additional property
$100 for Company or Trust Ownership
well as what you can do to continue any positive trends.
3. How can you help me grow my business? Scaling
a business requires a company to do everything to
keep customers happy while adapting to change – such
as new staff and new systems to accommodate more
customers.
Financial systems may need to change as your
business expands; likewise, your company’s financial
management may need additional support as you
transition to a larger company.
Ask how you can work together to facilitate smooth,
sustainable growth with minimal disruption, and how
to successfully scale based on experience with other
small-business clients.
4. What are your most successful clients doing?
Chances are your accountant is a trusted advisor to a
number of clients – companies that are struggling and
others that are thriving.
Neglecting to ask your accountant about clients’
success stories is a missed learning opportunity. Even if
a business has little in common with yours, there’s value
in learning what yielded impressive results for another
company.
Alternatively, you might ask how clients overcame
challenges similar to yours to help find possible
solutions.
Final thoughts
Your accountant is an incredibly valuable resource
for your business – and not just at tax time. Be sure to
get all the up-to-date financial info you need, and your
accountant’s professional advice when making key
business decisions.
Tax & Accounting Services
• General accounting & bookkeeping
• Xero Software setup & support
• GST returns & reconciliations
• Payroll • Income tax returns ... plus more
FIXED
$99
PRICE PACKAGES
From
Just
+ GST
Per Month
* Rental information must be managed through one bank account and information provided via our rental questionaire.
Leeston Township
Saturday 23 March 2024
10am to 3pm
• StallS • Free entry •
• Food • entertainment •
Contact First Class Accounts today
Fiona Henwood P: 020 4080 2600
E: fiona@firstclassaccounts.co.nz
www.firstclassaccounts.co.nz
Leeston Consolidated School
He Puna Karumata
Educating students from Year 0 – Year 6
Enrol now for 2024
For enquiries phone 03 3243 493
email: admin@leeston.school.nz
Caring for our Environment,
Each Other and Ourselves
Ka manaakitia te Taio,
te Tangata, ko Matou
www.leeston.school.nz
Lynda Taylor
Principal / Tumuaki
MARCH FEATURED ARTIST – DAVID
LLOYD of Southbridge –Sculpture Artist
Plus a large range of paintings, ceramics, and giftware items
always available from local Canterbury artists.
Regular Tutored Workshops held throughout the year- available with
funding support from Creative Communities.
Email enquiries welcome.
Call in while visiting the Leeston Fete on Sat 23 March.
80 High Street, Leeston
email: lakelandart@yahoo.com
Phone: 027 820 3045
Open 10am to 4 pm Tuesdays to Sundays, (Closed Mondays)