Sidekick

29/05/2026

Budget 2026 was announced yesterday, so naturally… we asked our wider team what they thought.

The overall feeling?

The Government is tightening, modernising, and enforcing with a goal to get into surplus faster.

That means there’s more pressure on businesses to define their numbers and stay ahead.

The businesses that review their position now will be in a far better spot than the ones waiting for Inland Revenue to tap them on the shoulder.

Now’s a good time to:
• Review your structure
• Understand your tax position
• Tighten up cashflow forecasting
• Make sure your budget actually reflects reality

If you haven’t looked closely at your numbers lately, this is your sign to book a planning session with your Sidekick advisor.

Let’s make sure your business is set up properly for the year ahead, and the two ticks are for you!

25/05/2026

Tax due dates can have a habit of sneaking up on us when we’re busy running a business.

We’ve put together a free 2026/2027 Tax Calendar so you know what payments are due, and when.

It’s a simple way to stay organised, plan cashflow better, and define what’s coming up so you’re not reacting at the last minute.

Download, print (we designed it for A2, but A3 will work too!), stick it on the wall, and lock in.

Grab your free tax calendar (Balance Date 31 March) ⬇️
https://www.skca.co.nz/taxcalendar-26-27/

21/05/2026

Cam and Lisa, leaders of our Christchurch team, were thrilled to see such a strong turnout for Jandalnomics.

With NZ economist Cameron Bagrie delivering his straight-talking take on what’s really going on in the economy.

The room was full of engaged business owners leaning into the conversation with the big takeaway being Christchurch isn’t just holding its own, it’s moving.

Missed it? We’re bringing Jandalnomics to Rangiora and Selwyn next month - go to www.skca.co.nz/events to find out more.

19/05/2026

Most business owners don’t spend much time thinking about their business structure… until something changes and suddenly the structure might not fit anymore.

Choosing the right structure can make a big difference to:
• How you’re taxed
• How profits are shared
• Your level of personal risk
• How easy it is to grow or sell later on

We’ve put together a free Tax Cheat Sheet and blog that explains the common business structures in NZ in plain English.

Read the blog and download the cheat sheet on our website:
https://www.sidekickca.co.nz/tax-cheat-sheet/

And if you’re wondering whether your current setup is still the right fit, have a chat with your Sidekick advisor.

Choosing the right business structure in New Zealand can impact your tax, cashflow, liability and future growth. Download our Tax Cheat Sheet to understand your options in plain English.

18/05/2026

Last week, members of the Sidekick team were proud to be part of Enterprise North Canterbury’s first Business Summit — bringing together local businesses, advisors, and industry leaders for practical conversations about growth and business success.

Sidekick Rangiora Director Jason Stapley presented “Define the Numbers That Matter”, alongside Sidekick Project Coordinator Helen Pauley, helping business owners better understand the numbers that drive smarter decisions and stronger businesses.

At Sidekick, we believe good accounting is about more than compliance. It’s about helping people feel confident in their business, understand what’s happening behind the numbers, and plan for what’s next.

That’s why we continue to invest in events, workshops, and education opportunities for the business communities we’re part of.

We’ve got more coming up across the South Island and Wairarapa
Find an event in your area at:
www.skca.co.nz/events

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 Brett & Co-Director Jen 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 your Sidekick advisor.
No one wants an expensive surprise down the line.

05/05/2026

Join us for Jandalnomics - a pragmatic and unbiased look at the good, bad and the ugly of a flip-flopping economy in an election year.
Get your ticket here:
https://events.humanitix.com/jandalnomics-with-cam-bagrie

03/05/2026

A lot of kiwi 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 your Sidekick advisor.

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