My profit and loss says I made money — so why is there nothing in the bank?
The most common question we get, and one of the most important. Profit and cash are two different things: money tied up in unpaid invoices, materials bought upfront, tax provisions, loan repayments, and drawings all explain where the "profit" went. We'll show you exactly where yours is hiding — in plain English, with your real numbers — and build a cashflow rhythm so payday stops being a mystery.
I'm busy all the time but not making more money. Can you help?
Yes — it's exactly what we do. Being flat out doesn't automatically mean being profitable. We'll dig into your numbers to find out where the gap is: pricing, job costing, overheads, or simply which work is worth doing and which isn't. Busy should pay.
Do I need to be based in Christchurch to work with you?
We're proudly based in Ōtautahi Christchurch and love working with local businesses face-to-face, but with cloud tools like Xero we work with clients right across New Zealand. Most of what we do works just as well over a video call and I travel to clients as well.
Do you work with Xero? Can you tidy up the mess in mine?
Yes and yes. We work in Xero every day — from full setups for new businesses to rescuing accounts that have drifted into chaos. If your Xero is months behind or you're not sure the numbers in it are right, that's a very normal starting point. We'll get it accurate, current, and actually useful.
What is The Growth Room?
The Growth Room is our group coaching programme for business owners who feel busy but aren't growing. It combines strategy grounded in your real numbers with the momentum and accountability of a small group of owners on the same journey. If one-on-one advisory isn't the right fit yet, this is a great place to start.
What's the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant — and which do I need?
A bookkeeper keeps your day-to-day records accurate and up to date; an accountant uses those records for tax, compliance, and bigger-picture advice. Most growing businesses need both — and because we do both under one roof, nothing falls through the gap between them. You get one team that knows your whole story.
What expenses can I claim?
More than most business owners realise — vehicles, tools, home office, insurance, phone, protective gear, software, and plenty more depending on your setup. The rules have nuances (especially around vehicles and mixed-use items), so the honest answer is "it depends on your business." Bring your situation to a chat and we'll make sure you're claiming everything you're entitled to — and nothing that'll cause trouble later.
Can I afford to hire someone?
One of the biggest calls a growing business makes, and one you shouldn't make on gut feel. We model it with your actual numbers: what the hire costs all-in, how much billable work they need to cover themselves, and what happens to your cashflow in the months before they're up to speed. You'll make the decision with confidence instead of crossed fingers.
What makes Beyond Your Numbers different from a regular accountant?
Most accounting is about looking backwards — filing what's already happened. We do the compliance work too, but our real focus is forward-looking: helping you understand what your numbers are telling you, and what to do next. Think of us as the difference between a rearview mirror and a windscreen.
How do we get started?
Book a no-obligation chat. We'll talk about where your business is at, what's keeping you up at night, and whether we're the right fit. No hard sell — after 10 years in business, we know the best client relationships start with a genuine conversation.
