Diane Gill is the managing director of Omokoroa Accounting a small, local accounting company based in Ōmokoroa who specialise in working with self-employed people and small businesses. Diane is very community focused, big on building relationships, and likes to support local. We asked Diane to tell us a bit more about her business.
#1. Tell us about you and your background.
I am Diane Gill; I’ve worked in accounting for 35 years. I worked as a management accountant in the U.K. managing small teams in large multi-national corporations, the largest being AKZO Nobel. I have now lived in New Zealand for 16 years, and I started my own practice in May 2008. We started our New Zealand life living and working in Katikati, before moving to Ōmokoroa.
#2. Tell us about your business.
We are a small team made up of friendly local people offering an approachable and experienced service to a wide variety of clients. From small businesses to family trusts and everything in between.
#3. What makes your business unique?
We are community focused and are very much about promoting local. We live local, we work local, we employ local, and we support local. There are a lot of voluntary groups in Ōmokoroa to which we offer support either by assisting as treasurer, preparing annual reports, or reviewing the work carried out by the treasurer. We also have special not-for-profit discounts for these groups.
#4. How is your business different now from when you first started?
Very different. I started on my own working part-time from home, with no real intention to grow the business. So, it has taken quite some time to get to the size the business is now, by just allowing it to grow organically mainly from referrals. We are now a small team of four, with the intention to grow to five or six, once we have moved into our new, bigger premises.
#5. What is your greatest success in business/what are you most proud of?
I feel very proud of the many relationships I have built with my clients. It shows me how much they trust me when they start to discuss personal matters. I also love it when we get flowers delivered from a client, who appreciates the support we have given them. I was told by a client quite recently that the difference between me and a larger firm that he’d used to, not only work at but deal with; was the fact that I cared. This gives me a nice warm feeling.
I am also very proud of my role as a Trustee for the Omokoroa Centre Trust, which operates the opportunity shop in Ōmokoroa. All the funds raised get passed back to the community to a variety of groups. My role is a finance role, managing the bank account and preparing the year-end financials.
#6. What is a significant challenge facing your business/industry right now?
I think along with a lot of businesses right now, it’s the uncertainty of how deep and long the recession will last, and how many small businesses will be impacted.
#7. What is one common misconception about your industry?
That all accountants are boring.
#8. If you could share one piece of advice with the business community, what would that be?
Be real, open, and honest.
Diane Gill is the managing director of Omokoroa Accounting based in the Bay of Plenty. She is an Associate Tax & Business Advisor (ATBA) member of the Accountants and Tax Agents Institute of NZ (ATAINZ). Diane and her team can help you manage every aspect of your business, from bookkeeping and budgeting to tax and specialist services for trusts and rental properties. For more information or to get in touch email info@omokoroaaccounting.co.nz or visit her website.
