About Us

Cloud Accountants use technology to help grow your business faster.

The new breed of accountants

Traditional accounting firms, and the way that they operate, are a thing of the past. Cloud Accountants have been at the forefront of this change for years now. We get it!

We live for the online world and by using current software in the Cloud we can provide efficient advice to you. We can advise on these systems to create efficiencies in your business too. We assist businesses from Start Up stage right through to more established business looking at more regular advice and strategic planning. Please note - dealings with the tax man is a given!

how we can make a difference

We are finding that our clients who have more regular contact with the team through reporting and analysis, are giving themselves a better chance to grow and are receiving great results.

We believe that the success of any business comes down to setting goals and planning. We can help you with this, as well as monitoring your progress. And....you don't have to be around the corner from your accountant anymore! We have happy clients all around NZ and organise regular Skype calls to catch up.

Meet the team

Please meet the Cloud Accountants crew, which is being added to constantly as we grow. We are a friendly bunch so drop us a line any time.

Justin Keen

Director/Founder and Head Honcho

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justinLargeTrying hard not to be an accountant….in the traditional/stereotypical sense of the word…! I see myself more as leading the charge in the evolution of the profession.

I am passionate about helping our clients and using technology to do this smarter and having fun at the same time. I empower the team to deliver results to our clients by being focused on their success. Upfront fees, no surprises, no nonsense.

The important (or boring) stuff:

  • Chartered Accountant and member of the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants
  • Over 15 years’ experience in the accounting world, both in practice and the commercial field
  • Worked for Xero in the UK office 2008/2009 and this was the ‘light bulb’ moment and the birth really of Cloud Accountants.
  • Cloud Accountants formed in 2010 and we have enjoyed great success with 2 awards at Xero conferences (Website – 2010, Innovation – 2011), and great growth with clients coming on board

Other (not so boring) stuff I like:

  • Love to travel
  • Going out for dinner and a nice bottle of plonk
  • Spending time in the Matarangi at the beach
  • Footy, golf, fishing
  • Armchair sports enthusiast
  • Crime TV shows
  • Music – indie, DnB, live music

Michelle Catherwood

Chartered Accountant

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michelleLargeA chartered accountant with 25 years’ experience in public practice, dealing with a wide variety of industries.

After so many years in chartered accounting it has become obvious to me that the way forward is to introduce efficiencies so the main focus is on client service.

Believe me I have worked in old school accounting firms which could be termed as ‘sausage factories’. Their clients are usually disgruntled at the fact that they have no choice but to engage the services of an accountant to file their tax returns and end up with a big bill to pay for at the end of it all.

I share Justin’s enthusiasm to build a practice which provides exceptional service based around the use of Xero, with no nasty surprises when it comes to cost.

Jacinta Joe

Chartered Accountant

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jacintaLargeI am a qualified chartered accountant with more than 13 years experience in a variety of roles and industries both in New Zealand and overseas.

I joined Cloud Accountants because I wanted to be part of an innovative, forward-thinking team who isn’t afraid to embrace new ideas (I can confirm that no one here has a comb over!).

We are hearing more and more about how the accounting industry is evolving with the use of online and cloud based technologies to enable real-time reporting and a more streamlined service for clients. I am excited to be working with products like Xero and its add-ons to achieve this goal.

Sianne Olphert

Chartered Accountant

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sianneLargeA Chartered Accountant with nine years’ experience in Chartered Accountancy firms including some time with one of the big four Sianne is glad to be part of Cloud Accountants.

Having recently returned to the workforce after looking after her 1 year old daughter she is happy to be working for a firm with a difference.

I have a passion for technology and using that technology to create efficiencies. I have always felt that the accounting profession is rather backward looking.

I think a shift in focus is required from using historical information to prepare year end accounts to how do we use financial information to help companies. By using technology such as Xero we can spend time on improving clients businesses rather than waste time on tasks that have little added value to clients. The world of accountancy is changing and I’m glad to be part of that change.

Emma Laing

Xero Guru

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emmaLargeI am a Xero Consultant and have been using Xero for over 5 years now.

I help set up a variety of organisations on Xero and then train them on how to use this great Accounting Software. Along with Xero, I also assist clients with the integration of WorkflowMax and iPayroll.

Once I became Xero certified I decided that I wanted to work for an Accountant who was a Xero partner and through a mutual friend, I discovered Cloud Accountants. I loved Justin’s simple but effective approach to the Accounting world. Not only is it refreshing but it’s simple at the same time and in a language we can all understand, which believe me is not always the case in my experience!

Helping Cloud Accountant’s clients get set up on Xero is something I enjoy doing and get great satisfaction from. Changing accounting software packages or setting yourself up from scratch doesn’t need to be a daunting task when you are using Xero and Cloud Accountants.