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Owning a business can be incredibly fulfilling — but let’s be honest, it can also be mentally and emotionally draining. As accountants, we spend a lot of time talking about profit margins, cash flow, and financial forecasts. But today, we want to shine a light on you. Because your health and energy are just as important as your business’s financial performance. Burnout often doesn’t come with an obvious warning—it can sneak up in subtle ways, like: Trouble sleeping Feeling overwhelmed or stuck in making decisions Increased frustration or impatience Losing enthusiasm for things or people you used to enjoy The reality is, YOU are the heart of your business. Taking care of yourself is just as critical as balancing your finances. Step outside for a moment of clarity Don’t hesitate to ask for support when needed Give yourself permission to rest Remember, success isn’t just about the bottom line If you’ve been running on empty, consider this your reminder: it’s okay to pause and admit when things feel heavy. Rest is productive. Taking a moment to breathe and prioritise your health is never a step back — it’s part of the journey forward. And we’re here, supporting you every step of the way.
KiwiSaver Is Changing – Here’s What You Need to Know The Government has announced several updates to KiwiSaver as part of Budget 2025, aiming to improve long-term savings while adjusting who receives government support. These changes will affect contribution rates, eligibility for young people, and government contributions for higher-income earners. Contribution rates are increasing: From 1 April 2026, the default employer and employee contribution rate will rise to 3.5%, and again to 4% from 1 April 2028. Members will be able to apply for a temporary rate reduction from 1 February 2026 if they need to, in advance of the rate increase coming into effect. Employers will be able to match the rate reduction if they need to. 16 - and 17-year-olds will be eligible for more support: From 1 July 2025, young KiwiSaver members aged 16 and 17 will qualify for government contributions, and from 1 April 2026, they’ll also be eligible for employer contributions - helping them start their savings journey earlier. Government contributions are being scaled back: From 1 July 2025, the annual government contribution will be halved, and it will be completely removed for individuals earning over $180,000 in taxable income. For more information and full details, visit budget.govt.nz
A business budget is one of the essential tools in managing your finances and actively building your business. A budget shows what you plan to do with your cash over the next year. For a complete picture of your business health, you need to review the profit and loss statement, the balance sheet, the cash flow forecast and the budget. Taken together, these reports allow you to make informed business decisions and monitor performance. Why have a Budget? Forecast sales and expenses according to monthly or quarterly variations. Evaluate performance over time, including changes or patterns. Get really familiar with where your money goes and where it comes from. Clarify targets and goals and use the budget to help you focus and achieve those goals. Comparing actual figures to budgeted figures allows you to see potential problems early and plan for unexpected costs. A budget will help you to see the big picture and stay motivated over the long term. Where to start A basic budget takes known income and expenses, then makes certain assumptions about the timing of income and planned expenditure. The basic budget is based on cash in and out of the business. Over time, as you start to see the benefits of using a budget, your budget should evolve into a more sophisticated version that includes non-cash elements such as provisions and depreciation. Most businesses will start with one budget but soon move to having three budgets: Business as usual – the next year’s budget is based on current year income and expenses, with perhaps a small adjustment for consumer price index increases. Worst case – budget is based on a pessimistic view of next year’s performance. Best case – budget is based on an optimistic view of performance over the next year. A budget is usually for a financial year, but you can also set up budgets for two to five years. Once you have one budget (or more) set up, you can then run your current financial reports against the budget to see how you are tracking. This allows you to make rational business decisions in real time to adjust accordingly. Your can run your financial reports monthly and adjust your budget as needed. What Next? Now is a great time to put a budget into place for the coming financial year. Book a time with us to help you create a meaningful budget in your accounting software so that you can use it as a proactive part of your business management, strategy and your success.
