My Account
When economic times are challenging, businesses can benefit from accountancy advice that does more than crunch the numbers.
That’s according to the new owners of KGA Chartered Accountants in Warkworth, Jen Smith and Lize Van Schalkwyk.
“It’s tough for businesses at the moment and people are definitely looking for ways to cut costs,” Lize says. “Margins are being squeezed, and businesses have to be careful they are not making a loss without realising it.”
Jen says this is where a good relationship with your accountant can be invaluable.
“We work alongside our clients, help them set goals and achieve them,” she says.
“It can take away some of the worry and stress when you understand your accounts and what’s happening in your business on a month-by-month basis.”
KGA, which employs seven accountants and three administration staff, has been in Warkworth for nearly 50 years.
Jen and Lize have both been with the company for nearly two years, although they have come to Warkworth on quite different pathways.
Jen grew up on the Hibiscus Coast, worked for BDO in Auckland for three years after graduating from Auckland University and then spent four years overseas – a year in Brisbane working on fraud investigations and three years in London auditing charitable organisations. Prior to joining KGA, she worked for Skywork. She is passionate about “walking alongside business leaders to ensure they are making decisions on sound financial advice”.
Lize, on the other hand, immigrated to NZ with her family from South Africa four years ago, after spending 10 years working in small business lending. She says the experience gave her a wealth of experience across all facets of running a business, from risk to human resources. Her speciality is problem solving, whether that is a tax issue or improving operating systems.
