Engine Room Chartered Accountants

07/09/2025

- Staff shortages and managing team expectations
- cashflow concerns
- customer uncertainty

If any of those sound familiar, you're not alone.

One of the things business owners often overlook is their own wellbeing.

Get 3 tips on how to look after yourself better in our latest blog, and remember - help is available from various professionals if you need it.

Your wellbeing as a business owner is just as important as your bottom line. Get 3 tips on what to do to improve your personal health.

04/09/2025

Shout out to our not-for-profits!

Surf Life Saving Kariaotahi is a volunteer-run organisation that provides an essential service to our community.

In April 2024, construction began on their existing clubhouse. Demolition commenced, dismantling began and they started to make way for a new facility that would better serve them and the community.

Significant progress has been made and now they are asking for your help with their 'Buy a Brick' campaign.

You can make a difference and help this lifesaving community toward their goal of completing their clubhouse. Donate $100 and have your name displayed on their virtual wall and the actual building when complete!

Leave your mark! Read more about their campaign on their website or keep up to date on their page.

Be Part of Our Legacy – Buy a Brick & Build the Future!

SLS Kariaotahi has been protecting our coastline and community for generations. Now, we’re building a lifesaving and West Coast training facility—and you can be a part of it!

Our Buy a Brick campaign gives you the chance to leave your mark. For just $100, you can purchase a personalized engraved brick that will be laid at our new clubhouse, symbolizing your support for surf safety, community, and future generations.

This is more than a donation—it’s a legacy. Whether you’re honoring a loved one, celebrating your family’s connection to the ocean, or simply supporting the lifesavers who keep our beaches safe, your brick will stand as a testament to your generosity.

How to Buy a Brick:
✅ Follow the QR code or link - https://kariaotahi.org.nz/building-development
✅Choose your personalized engraving
✅ Make a lasting impact on our club’s future
✅ Support our lifesaving mission

Join us in building something incredible. Click the link below to secure your brick today!

03/09/2025

Are you part of a supplier rebate scheme that provides gift cards or products as rewards for purchasing goods and services?

Think gift cards, tools, or products offered when you spend with suppliers — there’s fresh guidance from the IRD you need to know.

In short: if it feels like income, the IRD wants to treat it like income — and that means you’ll need to declare it.

If your business earns gift cards or products through supplier rebate schemes, take note: the IRD now says these are taxable income.

06/08/2025

Still chasing payments? Now you don’t have to.

Xero’s new Tap to Pay feature means you can get paid on the spot, right from your phone.
No terminals. No paper. No waiting.

✔ Accept tap payments from cards, phones & watches
✔ Use your phone to send the invoice + take payment
✔ Payment auto-matches to your invoice in Xero

It’s perfect for small businesses on the move - anyone who’s tired of the runaround.

All you need is the Xero Accounting app + a Stripe account.
Set it up today and make getting paid instant.
https://www.xero.com/nz/accounting-software/accept-payments/tap-to-pay/

28/07/2025

Think your systems are working fine? They might not be — and you won’t know until it’s too late.

Your business runs on systems: quoting, job tracking, invoicing, payroll. But if they don’t flow properly from one step to the next, things start to fall through the cracks.

That’s why regular checks and balances are so important. We break it down in our latest blog:

• What system flow actually is
• Why it matters more than you think
• How to spot gaps and fix them fast

Read more here [link]
A small fix today could save you a big problem tomorrow.

17/07/2025

Boost your business – and cut your tax bill!

How can the new Investment Boost scheme announced by the Government in the 2025 Budget help you reinvest in growth and increase the competitiveness of your business?

Thinking about investing in new gear, equipment, or even upgrading your commercial building? The new Investment Boost scheme might make it a whole lot more affordable.

• Claim 20% upfront on eligible new assets
• Continue depreciating the rest as usual
• Available from 22 May 2025

Whether you’re planning to modernise operations, invest in sustainability, or expand into new markets, this tax incentive could give your business the cash flow it needs to grow.

Talk to us about how to make the most of it.

Let’s plan your next smart investment move.

06/07/2025

Subscriptions are the new norm — but are they helping or hurting your bottom line?

These days, most businesses rely on cloud-based software, apps, and tools to keep things running. It’s flexible, convenient… and sometimes quietly expensive.

When was the last time you reviewed what you’re actually paying for?

In our latest blog, we explore the rise of the subscription economy, the risks of “set and forget”, and why a quick subscription audit could save you more than you think.

https://www.engineroomca.co.nz/software-subscription/
✔️ Smarter spending starts with knowing where your money’s going. Get in touch with us at Engine Room to review your business costs and run the numbers.

26/06/2025

We’re in the news!

We’re excited to share that Engine Room Chartered Accountants now has a regular monthly column in the Franklin Times!

Each month, we’ll be unpacking key financial topics, sharing practical business advice, and keeping our local business community informed and empowered.
This month’s column, on page 27, takes a closer look at the Investment Boost scheme announced in Budget 2025 — and how it can help small businesses reduce tax and reinvest in growth.

If you’re a Franklin local, keep an eye out for our column in your next edition of the Franklin Times. Not local? No worries — you can view online and we’ll share highlights right here too.

Want to chat about how Investment Boost could apply to your business?
Get in touch — we’re here to help you make smart, informed financial decisions.

https://issuu.com/times_e-editions/docs/franklin_times_july_issue_-_issuu

27/05/2025

Budget 2025 was delivered on 22 May 2025, with a strong focus on investment into NZ infrastructure. But what do the Budget announcements mean for your small business?

We've briefly outlined the highlights below. For a more in-depth explanation have a read of our Budget 2025 blog.

• New ‘Investment Boost’ initiative to drive growth
- businesses will be able to deduct 20% of the cost of a new asset in New Zealand or imported including commercial buildings (excluding land, residential buildings and used assets) acquired on or after 22 May 2025.

• An increase to the KiwiSaver contribution rate
- the default rate of employee and employer contributions for KiwiSaver will rise from 3% of salary and wages to 4%, in two steps. From 1 April 2026, the rate will rise to 3.5% and, from 1 April 2028, it will increase to 4%.

• Capital investment in NZ infrastructure
- $1 billion has been allocated for hospitals and other health facilities, over $700 million for new schools and $2.7 billion for the New Zealand Defence Force to boost capability. Over $460 million was also committed to upgrade New Zealand’s rail network to keep people and freight moving.

• Support for foreign investment
- The Government has set aside $65 million to encourage foreign investment in New Zealand infrastructure by increasing the amount of tax deductible debt.

• Science and innovation reforms
- funding support was announced for the transformation of Crown research institutes, establishment of a gene technology regulator, and the creation of Invest New Zealand as a one-stop shop for foreign direct investment.

• Funding for the Elevate New Zealand (NZ) Venture Fund
- encouraging venture capitalists to invest in the Kiwi technology start-up sector.

• Increased funding for Inland Revenue compliance
- an additional $35 million per year was announced for compliance activities by the Inland Revenue. This is expected to generate $280 million in extra tax revenue, indicating a focus on tax enforcement that businesses should be aware of.

If you’re concerned about the increases to KiwiSaver employer contributions, or keen to use the new Investment Boost 20% deduction for new asset purchases, do come and talk to us. We’ll be glad to answer your Budget 2025 questions.

Keep an eye out for updates from us with more details on any of the policies once further information is available.

https://www.engineroomca.co.nz/budget-2025-the-impact-for-your-small-business/

27/05/2025

𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀? 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱.

When business slows down, the bills don’t stop.

It’s a reality many small businesses face—sales take a hit, but you’re still paying staff, rent, and other ongoing costs. In times like these, strong cashflow management becomes more than just good practice—it’s essential for survival.

Being proactive can make all the difference. That might mean invoicing early, chasing overdue payments, or having honest conversations with suppliers about extending payment terms. Sometimes it’s about reviewing your expenses and seeing where you can tighten things up—without compromising the core of your business.

𝘐𝘧 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩. 𝘞𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴.

21/05/2025

𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲?

As your business grows, the cracks in your tech stack can start to show — more spreadsheets, more double-handling, more time spent fixing things than moving forward.

At 𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙢, we often see businesses putting up with inefficient systems for too long. But those little frustrations? They add up — in lost time, missed opportunities, and extra costs.

Some signs it might be time for a change:
• Jumping between platforms
• Inaccurate stock or reporting
• Relying too heavily on spreadsheets
• Month-end dragging on for days

If that sounds familiar, it might be time for a tech check. We can help you streamline, automate, and get real-time insights — so your systems grow with you.

👉 Read more in our latest blog

📞 Or get in touch to chat about your setup.

15/05/2025

Reminder: Use of money interest rate change

Periodically, the IRD review the UOMI rates so they are aligned with market interest rates.

From 8th May 2025, the rates for underpayment and overpayment of tax will change to the following:

• Underpayment - 9.89% (decreased from 10.88%)

• Overpayment - 3.27% (decreased from 4.30%)