With high profile Auckland Accounting firm Hayes Knight  caught fudging numbers this week it’s a reminder not to blindly trust professionals. Of course, we’re taught that little lesson pretty early on, with the Wolf-in-Gran’s-clothing in Little Red Riding Hood, but why do so many of us quickly forget?  Perhaps it’s because we’re not actually qualified to judge.  (more…)

You know that Mr Ed tune about “a Horse is a Horse of course of course”?  Well I have a similar version which goes “a Loss is a Loss of course of course (unless there’s a whopping great capital gain)”.  It comes in particularly handy when I’m cornered by some Bozo who’s droning on about how clever he is at making losses and never paying tax.  (more…)

As New Zealand propels itself into this mad global market, many of us are at risk of having our profits and wages slashed to compete with Made-In-China prices.

Personally, I’m not keen on New Zealand turning into a mini-China (living standard wise) but some Chartered Accountants (not us) are seizing this opportunity and having their work done more cheaply overseas rather than hire more expensive Kiwi staff. (more…)

A hugely talented friend of mine recently confessed to being an Accounting Hater.  I suspect it’s a common affliction but the miserable truth is that I’ve seen very few accounting haters reach dizzying heights in business.  The ones that do make astro money are either unbelievably lucky or: (more…)

So, do you have any idea of what you’re really worth?  I’m not talking about adding up everything you own and owe … although that can really hone your financial focus and up momentum (as I’m so fond of drilling into my suffering husband when I gleefully slap a net worth report on his desk every month)!

What I’m actually on about is making sure you’re not under-charging particularly if you’re one of those talented creative types that we love so much. (more…)