Sidekick Dunedin

12/05/2026

“The single best thing I’ve done for my business.”

That’s how Brett Wooffindin, co-director of Sidekick Lawson Avery describes joining the Sidekick group.

When Lawson Avery joined Sidekick in 2025, it changed what was possible for their business. They gained access to a wider network, deeper expertise, and the systems to support future growth.

When firms join Sidekick, they don’t lose their identity… they gain capability.

They get more support, more opportunities for their team, and more ways to deliver value to clients.

If you know someone thinking about starting their own firm, planning succession, or simply want to grow with the backing of a like-minded group, share this post with them.

We’re on the hunt to add more like-minded people to the Sidekick team.

Find your people, grow your firm with Sidekick
www.skca.co.nz/jointhegroup

10/05/2026

At the start of a new financial year it’s always helpful to set aside an hour or two to give your business a quick ‘audit’.

Not the kind of audit your accountant does, but a health check to lay the groundwork for a successful year ahead.

1. Define your PURPOSE | Why does your business exist?
If you’re struggling to answer, revisit your ‘why’ and long-term goals. A strong sense of purpose will motivate your team, deepen client connections, and guide financial decisions.

💡 Pro tip: Before approving expenses, ask: Does this drive us closer to our goals?

2. Look after your PEOPLE | Your team is your greatest asset!
Are the right people in the right roles?
Are workloads manageable?
Is there a way to further unlock staff potential?

💡 Pro tip: Invest in tax-deductible training programmes that upskill your staff and strengthen your business.

Example - At Sidekick we invest heavily in our people & culture with quarterly challenges, and something we call ‘Sidekick Squads’ where individuals from different locations meet throughout the year to share ideas and manage projects that help drive our business forward

3. Identify key PERFORMANCE DRIVERS | Pinpoint areas that fuel your success.
Sales. Customer Satisfaction. Operational Efficiency.
Centre time and resources around these priorities.

💡 Pro tip: Review last year’s financial reports. What worked? What didn’t?

4. MEASURE what matters | Tracking performance metrics consistently will help you meet your targets and stay on course.
Use tools to help you capture key data and spot issues early.

💡 Pro tip: Not sure where to start? Contact us to build a KPI framework for your business.

5. PLAN for success | Define top priorities for the year.
Break them into actionable steps, and map deadlines to stay on track.

💡 Pro tip: Download our free business planning guide and break your big goals up into achievable actionable 90 day goals.
https://www.sidekickca.co.nz/business-planning-guide/

05/05/2026

Think your crypto is under the radar? It’s not.

IRD now has access to international reporting tools that give them visibility over crypto activity and they’re actively reviewing it.

Crypto-assets are treated as property for tax purposes.
That means selling, trading or exchanging can create taxable income.

A lot of people still assume their investments are invisible on blockchain, but that’s not the case anymore.

If you hold or have traded crypto, it’s important we know about it so we can make sure everything is declared correctly and you stay compliant.

Sound like you? Have a chat with Tyler, your local Sidekick advisor.
No one wants an expensive surprise down the line.

03/05/2026

A lot of Otago businesses are feeling the pinch, and with Provisional Tax due 7 May, anxiety levels could be rising.

The key is knowing your tax position early and having a plan for how you’re going to fund it.

That’s where we come in…

We’ll help you understand the numbers, map out what’s coming, and put a plan in place to reduce stress (and avoid unnecessary interest and penalties).

You have more options than you think. Book a tax review with Tyler today.

The earlier we start, the more we can do. Send us a message and let’s get your tax sorted.

23/04/2026

How many goals have you set… and then quietly forgotten about?
That’s where we come in.

For our clients, we’re not just the accountant, we’re the accountability partner.

Forget checking in just once a year. At Sidekick we like to work with you in 90-day cycles.

Because real progress happens when big goals are broken into smaller, meaningful actions.

Every quarter, we’ll sit down and:
• Look at what worked (and what didn’t)
• Call out what got in the way
• Build on what’s going well
• Set clear goals for the next 90 days

So you’ve always got a plan… and someone keeping you on track.

Our free Business Planning Guide includes a 90-day sprint template to help you break down your big annual goals that we can track.

→ Download the free guide linked below
→ Lock in your quarterly meetings with your Sidekick Advisor
→ And back yourself to nail the year ahead

https://www.sidekickca.co.nz/business-planning-guide/

21/04/2026

The IRD recently announced that tax pooling can now be used to help settle existing income tax debt, not just provisional tax.

We’ve broken it down in our latest blog ⬇️

To check whether you’re eligible to take part in the pilot, or learn more about Tax Pooling, talk to your Sidekick advisor.

Send us a message to get started.

IRD Tax Pooling Pilot Announced: Manage Income Tax Debt April 14th, 2026| View Larger Image A New Way to Manage Income Tax Debt The Government has introduced a new initiative that expands the use of tax pooling beyond its traditional role in provisional tax. This is a significant shift in how income...

16/04/2026

Be honest… do you have a clear plan for the year ahead?

What’s this year got in store for you? We know you’ll have goals…but do you have a clear roadmap to actually achieve them?

A solid business plan gives you:
• Direction
• Better clarity
• Momentum across the year

That’s why we’ve created a free Business Planning Guide with a printable annual plan and 90-day sprint templates to help you break big goals into real, achievable actions.

👉 Download the guide and nail the year ahead.
https://www.sidekickca.co.nz/business-planning-guide/

14/04/2026

When global pressure builds, it flows straight through to your costs, your margins, and your cashflow.

Fuel goes up, margins get squeezed, and insurance & interest rates increase.

The businesses that handle it best are the ones that get proactive early.

In this video, Jen & Jaimi from Sidekick Wairarapa offer some practical tips to help you prepare for uncertainty.

It’s time to:
• Review costs and cut what’s not delivering value
• Revisit pricing and protect your margins
• Strengthen customer relationships and retention
• Get clear on cashflow for the months ahead

If you’re not 100% sure where things are heading for your business this year, that’s where we come in.

Book a 1:1 with a Sidekick advisor and get a plan in place. We’ll work alongside you to help your business be more successful

www.skca.co.nz/dunedin

08/04/2026

A strong year doesn’t happen by accident. This is a great time to define the year ahead and do things differently.

These are the conversations we’re having with our clients right now in our quarterly meetings.

A strong year comes from:
• Knowing your numbers early
• Having a clear plan
• Checking in regularly and adjusting as you go

👉 Download our Free Business Planning Guide with 90 day Sprint
https://www.sidekickca.co.nz/business-planning-guide/
👉 Save this post for your next meeting
👉 Share it with someone who needs to get organised this year

And if you haven’t locked in your quarterly meeting yet, now’s the time.
Book a chat with your Sidekick advisor and start the financial year with clarity.

08/04/2026

We’ve shared our story with the NZ Herald — from our early days as one of the first Xero partners, to building a network of people-driven accounting firms across New Zealand.

It’s a look at how we’re growing, what we stand for, and why more firms are choosing to be part of Sidekick.

If you’re a business owner thinking of making a switch to a new accountant, it’s a chance to see what drives us, and how helping people be more successful is at the core of what we do.

Have a read 👇

A different kind of accounting firm taking shape in New Zealand.

01/04/2026

A reminder that Terminal Tax is due April 7…

If you haven’t already, book a tax planning session with your Sidekick advisor

We’ll look at your budget and cashflow, and help you forecast your tax position for the new financial year, so there are no surprises.

Let’s use this moment to get ahead, not play catch-up.
Send us a message to get started