Statements - Getting the Axe!

Feedback from our clients has been "no, thanks, we are happy without them". So, we are giving the axe to sending out monthly statements!

So unless your account is overdue (which is when we will send a sneaky reminder) or if you really have a burning desire to receive one (please let us know, no worries) this task is officially marked complete.

We hope you are happy with one less piece of mail in the mailbox or inbox.

Financial Snapshots

Xero has launched a snappy little function designed to help you keep your personal finances in order. You can choose the information that you would like to be emailed as a wee update to keep you on track with your spending and savings plans. This can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

This oughta help you keep yourself in line....brilliant!

Feesmart - 'tis Smart!

Feemart is a way to pay your professional fees that allows you to budget on a monthly basis and manage cashflow wisely. You can choose a six or twelve month payment plan and set up simple through us here at Findco. So, although you may have the capacity to pay in a lump sum you may want to save lines of credit, overdrafts or cash for other uses, Feesmart is a perfect solution.

Check it out here!

My Tour- iphone Application

Next time you are in a strange city or even your own town consider your creating your own personal tour! You can turn your city walks, museum visits and audio tours into an iphone application. Upload to sell on itunes or give it away for free. Fun!

Check out My Tours for details...and in the meantime if you are looking for a Wanaka Happy Hour in grab this app for about a dollar from Berzerk. Good to know....

Blogging and loving it!

After 9 months of dedicated blogging and tweeting we are seeing some cool results and we are stoked! Our trusty social media coach Jamie Roy has held our hand throughout the initial stages and helped us get things underway.

Social media sites Facebook, Twitter and this super duper blogging platform Blogger have proven to be fun communication tools. We follow Xero, Ben Kepes (a blogger on trends in innovation, technology and business strategies) and of course the trusty Wanaka and Queenstown business community.

If you havent already we suggest you get amongst it. Let us know if you need a hand and we can get you Mr Roys number!

Follow us on Facebook here or Twitter here, or call us on Skype today!

Mental Rental Properties!

As rental property rules change we want to make sure you are kept up to date. We have popped it all in one easy place for you to download or pass on to your mates.

The local real estate agents, mortgage brokers and Investor Associations are loving it!

Grab your copy here!

Use Paper Less!

At Findlay and Co we are paperless!

Our staff all work on two monitors to save printing, we scan and save all documents instead of copying and we think before we print!

You may have noticed we now email all invoices and statements out, which should make this easier for you to file.

This has meant we don't have oodles of filing cabinets, shelves or storage. It is all stored digitally and is double backed up. Clever and simple...

Thinking about going to Xero?

Take a quick squizz at this mini intro then try Xero for free!

It's what the world is talking about!

Trusts, they are a changing...

For those Mums and Dads out there with trusts, it seems an imminent overhaul of the current trust regulation is on the horizon. This may result in the development of the administration, compliance and regulation rules being tweaked to match those that currently govern companies. A paper due to be released next month by the Law Commission may review compliance procedures to include ‘fun and games’ like a trust register and the introduction of an ombudsman (paid for by trust levies). It is expected to outline a detailed statute of trust duties and steps that may make it easier for beneficiaries to remove non-performing trustees. It may be meaty and it may be hard to swallow.

Dot your I’s

Like its older wise cousin, the Companies Act, non-compliance of the ensuing Trust Statute could result in more than a slap on the hand for Mum and Dad trustees. More seriously, failing to carry out the duties may actually result in civil or criminal penalties. Once this new piece of legislation is detailed, more than 500,000 trusts in New Zealand will need to have a structure in place to ensure the power of the trustees and beneficiaries and the assets within it (which the Trust set out to protect in the first place) are protected.

Trust Us

Some of the nitty gritty we expect to be required is around the collection and upkeep of the correct documentation of annual gifting of settlors loans, the trust minutes, ensuring lease documentation is on file and up to date, clear documentation of the settlors wishes and intentions for the trust and a record of all Trustees, beneficiaries, gifts and events. Sound like fun? We will be keeping our ears to the ground on this one to be up to date and on top of the changes for our clients.

Audit anyone?

If your business got the proverbial 'call to the principals office' would it be in good shape for an IRD audit?

Word on the street is that the Inland Revenue is changing gear and investing a further $119 million to investigate the so called 'hidden cash economy'.

They are being open about the methods that they will use to begin the crack down and we will keep you up to date and informed. If you have any concerns or queries, don't forget we are here to help.

Why the Long Face?

Aaaah, yes the bets are going on as the team at Findlay and Co get on their marks and set to go to Wanaka Station Park for an afternoon together in the sun. Just a mini break in preparation to watch the racing of the Melbourne Cup.

A little time out together to enjoy the sunshine and bet on the GG's, it has to be done really!

Our Friends at Challenge Wanaka

You've probably noticed an increase in the folks running and cycling about the place lately - the town has gone Challenge crazy! You probably even know someone who has caught the bug and entered!

Here at Findlay and Co our crew is fairly involved. We have had staff enter in the past, we volunteer on the big day, we are part of the sponsorship team and Scott sits on the board as a Trustee. Victoria and the team at Evenz who put this mammoth event together do an amazing job and we encourage you to get involved.

Should you like to explore the opportunities available to showcase your business at the event please touch base. There is a huge opportunity to raise the profile of your business in front of the Wanaka community, competitors and their support groups. Participants in the event are like-minded, driven and successful individuals attracted to Wanaka for more reasons than to bust a gut at Ironman. To be involved and associated with an event such as this is exciting and fun.

We will be there with bells on!