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5 ways logistics companies can cope with rising fuel prices

If you’re running a logistics company, small delivery business, or a company fleet of trucks, the rising costs of fuel will no doubt be a major concern.Prices of oil have been rising since the conflict in the Middle East escalated in February 2026, with the current price of crude oil reaching record levels. With fuel prices still rising, you’ll see your profit margins slide as the cost of running your vehicles becomes ever-more expensive.Fuel prices are not something you can directly influen...

Setting goals for you and your business for the new financial year

The new financial year is a new beginning. As a business owner this a great time for you to reflect on where you are at and think about your business goals for the financial year ahead.Setting goals is an essential part of personal and professional growth. These could be lofty goals, or even setting out a plan to achieve some more mundane (but equally important) projects. Whether that is getting paid faster, reassessing expenses or bigger things like automation of processes and new markets. You ...

Getting late payments under control

Many NZ small businesses are finding late payment to be a major issue.A recent survey from payment provider, GoCardless, found that 62% of New Zealand businesses believe they’re losing money to late payments – some even reporting estimated losses of over $10,000 per month, on average.Let’s look at what late payment means for your cashflow and working capital, and what steps you can take to improve payment times and your overall cash position.Why is late payment such a problem?Your financia...

How can we support your business profitability?

Turning a profit will be high on your list of goals as a business owner. And if you want to generate the best margins, that means keeping an eye on the money that’s going out of the business, as well as what’s coming in....

What are trade tariffs and how can they affect your business?

Over the past few months, we’ve heard a lot in the news about the possibility of trade tariffs, especially in relation to the tariffs imposed by the current US administration. But what exactly is a trade tariff? What do they do? And how could high trade tariffs affect your ability to export to certain countries and territories?...

5 benefits of working with a business adviser

You know that an accountant can look after the books and keep your numbers in good order. But have you ever thought about the additional services and advice that an accountant can bring to you as a fully fledged business adviser, coach and mentor?Let’s explore what other business-critical services your adviser could offer:...

Understanding Your Statement of Cash Flows

The statement of cash flows, (also known as the cash flow statement), shows how your business has generated and used cash (and cash equivalents) within a specific time period.For each of the reporting categories, receipts and payments are listed (money in and money out), and this is reported as a net increase or decrease in cash held for that category.The net change in all categories is added to the amount of cash on hand at the start of the reporting period to arrive at the current cash on hand...

Planning for all eventualities: the benefits of scenario planning

In a business environment that's currently highly volatile and changeable, it pays to scenario-plan for all eventualities....

Small business sales figures are rising: how to boost your activity

“Q: Are sales figures up for New Zealand small businesses? And what can I do to give my own business sales a kick in the right direction?”New Zealand small businesses have experienced some tough times over the past few years. But there are some signs that things are on the up as we enter the second half of the decade.“A: Xero’s latest Small Business Insights show that sales figures for NZ businesses are on the up!”The February 2026 results from the [Xero Small Business Insights] (https...

Cash flow forecasting puts you back in control

We all know that positive cashflow is the beating heart of any successful business. And with so many external pressures on your cash right now, it’s important to have one eye on the future. Cashflow forecasting is an increasingly important tool for any finance team. With a better view of your future cashflow position, you can make well-informed decisions about your finances.But how does cashflow forecasting work? And how does it help you maintain a positive cashflow position throughout the yea...

5 key areas to plan for as a new employer

When you found a new business, it’s vital that you employ the ideal team for the job. But building that team isn’t just about finding the best talent. It’s also about laying the foundations for being an employer and ticking all the right compliance boxes.We’ve highlighted five key considerations to include in your planning as a new employer....

3 important ways to make your business attractive to lenders

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) make up over 90% of all firms and, on average, account for 70% of total employment and 50% of GDP worldwide. But MSMES are finding it increasingly difficult to access funding. According to recent figures from the International Finance Corporation, (part of World Bank Group) the MSME finance gap in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) now stands at $5.7 trillion. ...

Business credit: the importance of a good business credit score

Access to additional funds is what allows you to invest in your business and grow the company. But to be able to borrow from lenders it’s vital to have a good business credit score.So, what is a business credit score and how is it calculated? And what proactive action can you take to improve your all-important credit profile...

Five ways to keep cash on track

There’s a common saying in business: cash is king.Having a strong cash position gives a business a critical buffer when it comes to covering day-to-day operational expenses, paying suppliers and making capital purchases. However, cashflow can be notoriously difficult to manage in practice, even for profitable businesses....

Keeping your cashflow strong in tough times

Small businesses are particularly vulnerable in tough economic times. When sales are slow, there are still overheads and salaries that need to be sorted. Pre-planning and being proactive can help you weather tighter economic periods and allow you to continue to thrive. Make sure you have a clear picture of your payroll, and any other planned expenses that will need to be accounted for. If there’s even a possibility that there could be a shortfall, it’s essential to meet this head-on. Whether...

How your accountant supports business development

As your accountant, we won't just look after the financial side of your business, we can also advise you on the strategic side of your company, including the importance of business development as vital part of your growth plan.Business development (BD) is what helps your company move from slow, organic growth to fast-paced, hypergrowth. And it’s only by putting the right drive and expertise behind your BD that you can turn your strategic ideas into real success stories.So, how can we help you ...

Cut your energy usage while also cutting operating costs

One of the inescapable realities of running a small business is your [impact on the environment] (https://www.business.govt.nz/getting-started/business-planning-tools-and-tips/how-to-be-environmentally-sustainable). The carbon footprint of your delivery vans, the effect of your packaging on the natural world, or the amount of energy you consume as a company all add up over time.The good news is that the [Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority] (https://www.eeca.govt.nz/) (EECA) is ma...

Making your business work for you: the big goal

You spend a lot of time making sure your business runs like clockwork. But is your business delivering for you personally, as the owner and/or founder?In this series, we’ll look at the core ways your business can be structured to deliver on your own personal, family, philanthropic and leisure goals. A business that supports your personal vision and life goalsWhen you started your business, you’ll have had a clear idea of how this new venture would provide for you and your family. But, over t...

Liberating you and your business with AI: the potential

What’s the main thing that holds you and your business back? Chances are it’s the unavoidable manual tasks and low-level administrative responsibilities that eat into your time.But in 2025, these are tasks that artificial intelligence (AI) is more than capable of taking on. With a growing number of AI agents and assistants out there in the market, the smart business owners are the ones investing in, and learning, the potential of AI....