Balanced Books - Qualified Accountant

A few weeks on, and I'm finally sitting back at my desk, and right beside me are my ICNZB awards, cheering me along.

So I'm just taking a moment. Life has been full, and I haven't really had the chance to let it all sink in until now, but we're getting there.

At the ICNZB Excellence Awards in Napier, Balanced Books NZ was named 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 iPayroll 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿, and I was named 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 MYOB 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿.

The truth is, I was only just beginning to absorb it all when the next leg of what has been a real rollercoaster of a year began. The weeks since have been full, in ways some of you will know and others can probably guess. 𝕀𝕐𝕂𝕐𝕂. We're home now, and I'm so glad to be here, back at my desk and ready to get stuck into what I love.

& what a night it was to look back on. We frocked up Gatsby-style, celebrated alongside some truly wonderful people, and I got to share the moment with fellow winners and friends from across our profession. My cup was, and still is, very full.

I just wanted to take another chance to thank the Institute of Certified NZ Bookkeepers for the honour, for the community, and for being exactly what a professional home should be, for bookkeepers, by bookkeepers.

There was so much packed into the conference too, especially around resilience, a theme that has landed differently for me this year than I ever expected. My notebook is full, and my head is still buzzing, so I'll be back with some of those reflections once I've had a chance to catch up on where I want to be at this time of year.

For now, it's time to get my head down and back into the work, with a heart full of gratitude. Let's get on with it. I'm really looking forward to what this year brings, with this as the foundation.

Onwards & Upwards

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿!

As we 𝕊𝕡𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘 into the new month, here are some 𝙠𝙚𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 to keep in mind.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars and stay on top of important events.
📅 𝟬𝟭 - Random Acts of Kindness Day
📅 𝟬𝟲 - Father’s Day
📅 𝟭𝟳-𝟮𝟬 - Balanced Books > Traveling for VA NZ Awards
📅 𝟭𝟵 - VA NZ Awards Night (Wish me luck!)
📅 𝟮𝟮 - 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗗𝗘𝗗) 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲
📅 𝟮𝟱 - School Holidays Begin
📅 𝟮𝟲 - Blossom Festival (Alexandra)
📅 𝟮𝟳 - Daylight Savings starts - spring those clocks forward one hour
📅 𝟮𝟴 - Canterbury (South) Anniversary

𝙒𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙖 𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙! 🌻

𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿: If you file & pay 𝗚𝗦𝗧 and/or pay 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗮𝘅, it is ᴅᴜᴇ 𝟮𝟴 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

If you haven't already, now's the time to get your GST return filed and your payment scheduled.

✔ GST return filed
✔ Provisional tax amount confirmed, if applicable
✔ Payments scheduled for 28 August

I know it's been a few days now, but I'm excited to share that on Friday last week I was named the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗡𝗭𝗤𝗕𝗔 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 & I'm still taking it in...

This year's NZQBA Conference had a Mission: Impossible theme, and to borrow a quote from their Fallout movie (& doesn't that title just describe my year😅):
"𝘍𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘳, '𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘮.' 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬, '𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘮.'"

Here I am, with plans to do exactly that. This year may have been a rollercoaster that keeps giving extra, but we're pulling through, with plans to carry on bigger and better than before. Watch this space.

The New Zealand Qualified Bookkeepers Association gave me the opportunity to advocate for change in our industry and raise our profession, and I grabbed it with both hands. That's what bookkeeping does: it makes what might look impossible to a business owner; possible. It turns chaos into clarity, behind the scenes of thousands of New Zealand businesses every single day. And I am keen to keep bringing us into the light and the forefront, so everyone understands what we do and why they need us.

The conference photos dropped today (thank you to Nigel from White Door Photography) - the FOMO is very real; on Friday & again today seeing them all come through. It looks like an incredible day was had by all. I have put together a little collage from the highlights just to share some of the fun.

Thank you to everyone who celebrated on my behalf. It meant more than you know.

A special shoutout to Amanda, my proxy phone holder on the day, and to my fellow finalists: Jaymie, who also joined from afar via FaceTime (thanks to Heidi for her phone holding), & to Mel and Tiffany, who organised beautiful Thank-You flowers to Kenn and Sandi for all their hard work. Thank you again, NZQBA.

And to those in the extended NZQBA team and wider community who sent the loveliest messages: Chantelle, Kellie, Amber, Marianne, Toyah-Maree, Christine, Zoe, Claire, to name a few (PS - I just loved all your outfits!). You all made the distance feel a little smaller.

Congratulations to the Bookkeeping Business of the Year Winner: Mrs Tradie Office Lady. We are all here to build the future of this profession together.

Thank you to the judges, exhibitors, sponsors and everyone who made the conference happen.

To the wider NZQBA community, who have stepped up to accept the mission: let's change the world. One Balanced Book at a time.

Mission: Possible. For everyone.

Today is the 𝗡𝗭𝗤𝗕𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 and while I can't be there in person (& I am genuinely gutted!), I am right where I need to be, with my family. I am STILL incredibly proud and thankful to have been named a 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

Being recognised alongside such talented, values-driven bookkeepers across Aotearoa is such an honour.

A huge thank you to the New Zealand Qualified Bookkeepers Association for continuing to champion our profession, and congratulations to all the finalists and award winners being celebrated today. Your hard work, care, and professionalism truly raise the standard for us all.

To my wonderful clients and my family - thank you for your trust, patience, and support through every season. You're the reason I get to do what I love.

A special thanks also to the sponsors, exhibitors, keynote speaker and MC for helping make today's event possible and for celebrating the impact bookkeepers have across New Zealand businesses.

Even from afar, I'm cheering everyone on - soak up every moment, and I can't wait to hear all about it.

Here's to Balanced Books, Brilliant Bookkeepers, and the people who make it all worthwhile!

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁!

As we head into the last month of winter, here are some 𝙠𝙚𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 to keep in mind.
Don’t forget to mark your calendars and stay on top of important events.

𝟭𝟰 - NZQBA Conference (Awards Announcement)
𝟮𝟬 - 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗗𝗘𝗗) 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲
𝟮𝟴 - 𝗚𝗦𝗧 & 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗱𝘂𝗲
𝟮𝟵 - Daffodil Day - join the fight against cancer

𝙒𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙖 𝘀𝗺𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙!

Well... they say things come in threes, & if it doesn't rain, it pours! 😄

I'm honoured to share that I've also been named a Finalist for the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗡𝗭𝗤𝗕𝗔 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 Award.

New Zealand Qualified Bookkeepers Association is the association that has given me a channel to use my voice - including a place on the IRD Relationship Team, where bookkeepers have a genuine seat at the table in conversations that shape our profession. Earlier this year I contributed to two submissions to Inland Revenue - one on GST improvements and one that included the recognition of bookkeepers as intermediaries. Getting to play a part in those conversations, on behalf of bookkeepers across New Zealand, was genuinely one of the highlights of my year.

𝒞ℴ𝓃ℊ𝓇𝒶𝓉𝓊𝓁𝒶𝓉𝒾ℴ𝓃𝓈 to my fellow Bookkeeper of the Year finalists:
Tiffany Hubbard (Inner Circle Consulting), Jaymie Morgan (Omnitude), Mel Weston (Virtual Mel) & to the Bookkeeping Business of the Year finalists too.

To the judges, speakers and exhibitors who make the NZQBA Conference - & the awards within it - possible: 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂!

& finally: 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂, Kenn, Sandi & the whole NZQBA team.

After what has been a massive year personally and professionally, I'm quietly over the moon to share that I'm a finalist in TWO categories at the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗡𝗭 𝗩𝗔 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀. ✨

𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 - Sponsored by Institute of Certified NZ Bookkeepers
𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗿 – Sponsored by Juicy CRM

Virtual Assistant Network New Zealand and The VA Foundry were the first communities I found when 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗡𝗭 was just getting started - they gave this business its foundation and me my people. When I decided to make a real go of my chosen Niche, I reached out to the Institute of Certified NZ Bookkeepers and found another incredible home. Together, these communities have shaped me into a more well-rounded bookkeeper and businesswoman than I ever could have been alone.

Being recognised across both pillars of that journey means more than I can say right now.

Thank you to the VA Foundry team for running these awards, to the ICNZB & Juicy CRM for sponsoring my categories, and to all the judges.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 to my fellow finalists:
Top Performing Bookkeepers: Mel Weston – Virtual Mel, Tiffany Hubbard – Inner Circle Consulting
Community Contributors: Tash Budd – Admin Collective, Nikki Bollen – Nota Bene, Kathryn Hill – One Echo Alpha

To my clients and everyone who has shown up for me this year - I feel this one!𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓀 𝓎ℴ𝓊 🥰🤩

✨

This weekend, bookkeepers from all over Aotearoa gathered in Napier for and the 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀, and I am still a little shook as I write this.

On Saturday night, 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗡𝗭 was named the 2026 iPayroll 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿, and I was named the 2026 MYOB 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿.
𝘽𝙤𝙩𝙝... I keep having to re-read that.

This one (well, these two!) means more than I can properly put into words. To be recognised like this by my own profession, by the very people who understand exactly what this work takes, is something I'd quietly hoped for but never quite let myself expect. IYKYK.

There are far too many people to thank individually, so a few groups, in no particular order.
To ALL my incredible clients, who trust me with the thing that keeps their businesses running, thank you.
To my biz besties and my wider online network (& my Power Hour crew) - You know who you are.
To my local network here in Central Otago. And to Ina, my helping hand, thank you.
And to my whole ICNZB community. One of the things I love most about our profession is getting to hear the story behind the face, every single one. The support, the connection, the generosity. How could I ever feel alone in this, surrounded by people like you.

What a weekend it was, too. The speakers, the themes, the kōrero, my head is still spinning with new ideas and learning. & The MC and entertainment kept the energy high all night (and yes, we frocked up Gatsby-style, photos to come!). It was so good to catch up with fellow bookkeepers and make a few new friends along the way.

A huge thank you to ICNZB for creating such an uplifting event and community, 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗯𝘆 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀, and to iPayroll and MYOB for sponsoring these awards.
Thank you also to the judges, the speakers, the sponsors and the volunteers who made it all happen.

A massive congratulations to all the finalists and winners.
It was an honour to celebrate alongside so many talented professionals.

And to my family (all of them). Ed especially, who makes it possible for me to do what I do. And my boys, who I love showing what is possible.

(I wish I'd delivered a more eloquent speech on the night... but public speaking still isn't my thing 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 😅! I had hoped, but I really didn't think...
If I didn't thank you in person, know that I'm thanking you here, loudly and proudly.)

Here's to another year of growth, connection and community. 🥂 Success feels even better when it's shared.

Changing the world, one 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 at a time.

Tomorrow I’m heading away to 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗖𝗼𝗻26, followed by the Institute of Certified NZ Bookkeepers 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗮 𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 this weekend.

This year, I’m incredibly honoured to be attending as a finalist in two categories:

𝗜𝗖𝗡𝗭𝗕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿
sponsored by MYOB

𝗜𝗖𝗡𝗭𝗕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿
sponsored by 𝗶Payroll

Being recognised in both categories is something I’m very proud of, but what I also really value is being part of a professional community that continues to lift the standard of bookkeeping in New Zealand.

For me, being involved with 𝗜𝗖𝗡𝗭𝗕 is about more than membership. It’s about connection, learning, accountability, and staying surrounded by people who care deeply about doing this work well.

Bookkeeping has such an important role in small business. When it’s done well, it gives business owners clarity, confidence, and a much stronger foundation to make decisions from.

I’m looking forward to catching up with peers, learning, celebrating the profession, and cheering on all the finalists this weekend.