Lydia Chadfield and Jess Patterson started Apex Accounting over a glass of wine, with a spark of an idea to create a service that could benefit other businesses using their extensive accounting and business skills. After two short years in operation, they are now proud winners of the Start Up Business section of the 2024 Nelson Pine Industries Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
“We are thrilled with our win,” says Jess. “We put a lot of emphasis on our strategy and systems to ensure we had a solid plan going forward and we are thrilled the judges recognised that. Our goal is to fill the gap in the market for the small businesses who have felt disengaged from their accountants. We are finding that many people feel they are just a number, and we really want to change their opinions about accountants because there is so much we can do to help them succeed and reach their goals.”
Lydia was born with an aptitude for numbers and has been an accountant for 14 years. She likes nothing more than tidying up client’s accounting lives so they can get on with doing what they do best.
Jess worked in a few different industries and discovered that she had an ability for finding ways for businesses to increase profitability. She has been a farm manager and a successful business owner with her husband which has provided an abundance of practical experience.
Together the pair have formidable skills but operate in a warm and engaging way. “We aim to provide a safe and encouraging environment which can take the stress away from what can be the most challenging aspect of many businesses,” says Jess.
“We thoroughly enjoy getting to know our clients on a one-to-one basis,” says Lydia. “No one is just a number here. Relationships are so important, and we work together with all our clients on the basis that ‘two-minds are greater than one.’”
As ATAINZ accredited accountants and tax agents, the pair bring a high level of accounting expertise to their roles as well as practical business experience from their personal business success which is a strong point of difference from many other more traditional accounting firms.
“Initially we provide a free consultation to potential clients to assess their needs, establish a starting point and see that we are the right fit for each other,” explains Jess.
Lydia and Jess can take care of all financial requirements including end of year accounts, GST returns and reconciliations, company office administration and PAYE and payroll systems, along with insights and ideas for improving business outcomes...
