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We’re your trusted business partner, here when you need us
Blair Jarvis, Director
BUSINESS ADVICE
We don’t just see a bunch of numbers when we work through your records. We see potential to grow. If you want practical solutions to business problems, or even full business coaching, we make it happen. There are a lot of ways to make your business run smoother and save you time and money. Or, if you’re looking to step away from the business, then we work with you to get the best possible result.
What We Do
Starting up
If you’re starting or buying a business, there’s a lot to do. It’s new and exciting, but you need to make the right decisions. Set up systems. Minimise your risk. Get help with due diligence. Get running smoothly. We’ve helped a large number of business get off the ground and have some incredible success stories.
Growing your business
Nobody knows your business better than you. But it can help to have another perspective – which is where we come in. We’ll help by identifying new opportunities for your business and showing you how to take advantage of them.
Exit strategy
Looking to retire but don’t feel ready to hand over the reins yet? We can help with succession planning, so that your business will be in safe hands when you leave. Alternatively, we can help maximise the value of it if you’d prefer to sell it on. Our personal touch means that you can retire or move on to your next adventure without worry.
Expert business advice
Drawing on our expertise and resources, we work to understand your business and identify any underperforming areas. We’ve helped countless clients refine their sales systems and processes so that they could have clarity when it came to decision-making and handling more work going forward. Save time, money, and stress! We’re also experts at identifying key risks to your business, including many you may not be aware of.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is included in your “Business Advice” service?
Our business advice service can cover many areas, including:
Strategic planning and goal setting
Business structure review and optimisation
Cash flow planning and forecasting
Budgeting and financial modelling
Business growth and scaling strategies
Risk management and mitigation
Succession planning
Exit planning and business sale
Mergers, acquisitions, and investment decisions
2. Who can benefit from your business advice?
We work with a broad range of clients, such as:
Small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs)
Sole traders and startups
Established businesses needing strategic refresh
Businesses considering re-structuring or growth phases
Owners planning to exit, merge, or sell
3. How is your business advice tailored to my situation?
We don’t offer one-size-fits-all advice. We begin with a listening phase to understand:
Your business model, goals, challenges, and resources
Your financial position, market context, and risks
What opportunities and constraints you face
From there, we offer actionable, customised advice — not generic templates.
4. What is the process of engaging for business advice?
Here’s our usual workflow:
Initial consultation to assess needs and challenges
Data gathering (financials, operations, market, strategy)
Diagnostic review and analysis
Presentation of strategic recommendations and options
Implementation support (if required)
Monitoring, refinement, and follow-ups
5. How do you charge for business advice?
Fees typically depend on:
The depth and breadth of the engagement
The complexity of your business
Whether ongoing or one-off advice is needed
The time, resources, and expertise required
We’ll provide a clear fee proposal before work begins.
6. Will you help implement the advice or just offer direction?
Yes, we can assist with implementation. While some clients prefer just strategic guidance, many also engage us to help with execution — whether that’s financial systems, operational changes, or project management support.
7. How do you stay current with business trends and regulation?
Our team continually monitors legislative changes, market trends, and business research. We commit to bringing the most up-to-date knowledge and best practices into our advice so your strategies remain relevant.
8. Can you help with funding, grants, or investment sourcing?
Yes, part of our advisory work includes assessing funding needs, advising on potential capital sources, helping with grant applications, and structuring investment proposals.
9. What are the first steps to get business advice from you?
You can start by getting in touch using the “Contact Us” or “Talk to An Expert” form. From there, we’ll schedule an initial consultation to explore your needs and determine a path forward.
Our Services
“The team at Humphries Associates has been helping me with my various businesses and personal accounting activities for about 20 years now and that really says something. I’ve enjoyed the relationship and the easy banter.”
Robert Gardien, Gardien Construction Limited & GK Solutions Limited
“Michael Humphries is an outstanding person and a very fine accountant. He provides a first class service, and he’s been very good to my business and me. Michael is reliable and impeccably honest and efficient.”
Stewart Matthews
“They were always there to assist me and my businesses when it was tough, and I’ve been able to set up a couple of different businesses with their help. It’s hard to name all of the things that they’ve done because there have been so many.”
Kevin May, Integrated Technology Partners NZ Limited
“I can be confident that they’ll take care of all my IRD paperwork without being too ‘creative.’ They do things by the book – everything is black and white – which, I think, is the right way to approach it.”
Christine, Onehunga Jewellers
“They’ve provided my business with an all-round, holistic service that meets our needs. They’ve become an integral part of the team at Waitiri Creek Wines thanks to their ready knowledge and helpfulness.”
Alistair Ward, Waitiri Creek Wines
“Humphries Associates were instrumental in letting us know the legal aspects of taxation and accounting for selling property. My brother and I inherited the business, but we were novices. However, Humphries Associates were able to guide us and let us know how it should be run.”
Christine Inglis
“Many years ago I spoke with an ADA, who advised me to stay as an employee. But after talking to the people at Humphries Associates, I decided to venture out on my own, and I now own several companies with revenues over $10m and over 50 employees.”
Tony Portland
“I would certainly recommend Humphries Associates because they’re very knowledgeable and helpful; you can feel safe with them. It doesn’t matter that they’re located in Onehunga, because they become a part of your business, and Angela has always been very helpful and quick to give me answers when I need them.”
Pisila Maka, Maka Civil Contracting Limited

MEET Blair
Director
Blair is a director of Humphries Associates. With over 25 years’ experience, Blair has a meticulous eye for detail, a strategic mindset, and a commitment to delivering results. His approach to accounting goes beyond numbers. He believes in forging lasting relationships with his clients based on open communication, trust, and mutual growth. When he’s not working he loves cycling, golfing, fishing, boating, snow skiing, and water skiing, and is part of the music team at his local church. Blair has been happily married to his wife Susan for over 25 years, and they have 2 children in their 20’s.

MEET Angela
Manager
Numbers maestro by day, culinary adventurer by night! Angela has a passion for helping clients understand their accounts and the numbers. Whether she is preparing financial accounts, filing tax returns, or helping clients with their accounting systems, Angela loves working with clients to provide solutions and valuable business insights. Outside of work, she is always on a journey to try the latest and greatest culinary delight and, much to her co-worker’s delight, she regularly brings in delicious baking creations to try.

MEET Shalini
Manager
Growing up in an expatriate family travelling around the globe, Shalini has loved experiencing new cultures and making friends. Her strengths are in connecting with people and she values her role as a trusted advisor. Part of the team for over 12 years, Shalini is committed to helping her clients achieve business success through candid conversations and discussing their needs to find effective solutions. When she’s not at work Shalini juggles a busy daily routine with her young family. She enjoys getting involved with children’s liturgy at their catholic parish, school PTFA fundraising events, and chairs the finance committee at the school board of trustees.

MEET Leanne
Accounting Technician
It was a rather unconventional path that brought Leanne to Humphries Associates. Leanne has previously co-owned a building company, so of course she needed to learn all about MYOB in order to run it successfully. After having children, Leanne made up her mind to upskill and train in accounting, since that was where her real passion lay. After working in accounting for over a decade, she’s pleased to report that she still loves it! Leanne takes care of a portfolio of clients managing their processing and payrolls, and is proficient in MYOB, Xero and Plusfactor. Leanne’s favourite pastime is spending time with her four young granddaughters. Whether it’s cheering from the sidelines at their sports games or sitting in the audience of their gym and play performances, Leanne is the proudest Nan there!

MEET Michael
Director
Michael is a director of Humphries Associates. He has over 40 years’ experience in both commercial and Chartered Accounting. His passion is to help clients achieve their business and personal goals and make a difference in their lives whether it be financial freedom or better work life balance. Michael is married to Joanne, has three adult daughters, and four grandchildren – Daisy, Milly, Esme, and Oliver. Michael will tell you that becoming a “poppa” has been awesome and he enjoys spoiling and spending time with them. He is involved with his local church and enjoys participating in a number of sports including gym, golf, bike riding and fishing.

MEET Yvette
Accountant
Yvette joined the team as an Accountant in 2019 after graduating from The University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Commerce. She confidently prepares financial statements and tax returns for all businesses. As a certified Xero Advisor, she leverages her knowledge of Xero to simplify clients’ bookkeeping processes and is always prepared to provide comprehensive assistance. Outside of work her creative side blossoms in the art of baking and cake decoration, whipping up delights for special occasions and celebrations.

MEET Susan
Communications
Susan has a strong background in insurance and business systems, and an eye for detail. She uses these skills working part-time to put our newsletters together. She also contributes to marketing aspects where needed. Susan is married to Blair, and they have two children. In her free time, she volunteers at her local church, likes to go cycling, and working on paper crafts – mainly card making.

MEET Rachna
Office Manager
Rachna is an office management professional with more than 7 years’ experience. She joined Humphries Associates in 2021 and is responsible for managing every aspect of the day-to-day running of the office. Rachna, together with Katie, are the ones who greet you with a smile when you step into our office. Rachna makes things run so smoothly behind the scenes that our clients may not notice her influence, but we sure do. She has a real passion for people – more specifically making sure everyone has what they need to be successful. Away from work Rachna loves to travel and she always overpacks out of excitement! She enjoys yoga and on a lazy day you will find her watching her favourite programmes on Netflix with family.

MEET Tangi
Admin Support
Tangi has joined Humphries Associates in a part time administration support role. Previous work for many years with a government department means Tangi brings a lot of experience to the office. Outside of work Tangi enjoys quality time with her grandboys at school pick up and drop off, and after school football practices. To maintain her health and fitness she goes for long walks and challenges herself to go up the summit at either One Tree Hill or Māngere Mountain.

