If the answer to any of these is yes then you need to see the friendly, professional, knowledgeable and helpful team at Lifestyle Accounting.

Principal and chartered accountant Ian Parker, says his company can help anyone with their accounting in a simple and concise manner whether it is end of year returns, financial reports, tax returns, tax advice, rental property structuring and/or business matters.

He particularly enjoys helping those in small businesses or sole traders as they are often the ones so busy running the physical side of their operation that they don’t have the time or skills to attend to bookkeeping matters.

Lifestyle’s aim is to keep things simple, fresh and friendly and Ian’s advice to anyone in business or with investment portfolios is to seek professional accounting advice.

“It’s quite important as there can be a lot of fishhooks in the legislation and the IRD can be heavy handed,” he says.  “It’s imperative to have experienced accounting knowledge to guide you through the minefield and offer expert help and advice. The biggest thing with some of our clients is having us deal with the IRD for them.”

Dealing with the IRD can be challenging for individuals whereas there is a dedicated tax agents’ line that Lifestyle Accounting has access to.  Experienced accountants also know how to frame questions and present cases in a professional manner.


For small businesses, Ian says it is essential for the books to be handled professionally.


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“There is a bunch of data that needs to be formatted properly and we can look and see if the profit levels are where they should be,” he says.  “We know what we are doing and have got the time to do it, unlike many business owners who are tied up with running the business.  It’s better they pay us a fee to take care of the accounting and get on with running their business – they will save money in the long run.”

Landlords can benefit from Lifestyle Accounting’s help to ensure they are getting the maximum tax benefits and ensuring the ownership entities are structured properly.

For prospective clients, Lifestyle Accounting offers a no obligation no charge meeting where an open and honest round table discussion is held for all parties to see if they can have a working relationship.

“We have to decide whether we can work together as it’s quite a special relationship that you want to develop over time,” says Ian.  “From this initial meeting we can move forward deciding whether to take this route or that – it’s a very free flowing first conversation just tossing ideas around.  We want to see if we can make it all work.”

Once a working relationship is established, meetings can be as frequent as either the client or Lifestyle Accounting deems fit.  Some people are happy with a once a year check in while others require much more – depending on the business.

Lifestyle Accounting offers limited financial advice with Ian pointing out there are more specialised companies he is happy to recommend.

“We have a really good network and so if there is something I can’t help with – for example insurance – then we can make a recommendation elsewhere for a seamless transition.” he says.

 
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About ian

Ian Parker moved to Nelson last year to take over ownership of Lifestyle Accounting, a well-established accountancy business with a solid existing client base including rural and town sectors.

Ian trained and graduated in Auckland where he worked specialising in financial reports, tax returns and tax advice. He also spent time working overseas in the United Kingdom before returning to work in Hamilton.

Historic family connections brought Ian back to Nelson along with the opportunity to take over Lifestyle Accounting.

Ian and his wife Hayley and their young son and daughter enjoy the lifestyle Nelson offers, particularly the climate.

Lifestyle Accounting is a small, friendly and close knit team and includes Ian, accountant Denise Coughlan and receptionist Heather Gunn.