Accounting for Builders, Construction Companies & Trades Businesses in New Zealand
Practical accounting, tax, GST, Xero and payroll support for builders, construction companies, contractors and established trades businesses throughout New Zealand.
Construction businesses often manage multiple jobs, supplier accounts, subcontractors, employees, vehicles, equipment and significant cash-flow commitments. We provide accounting support based on how your business actually operates.
Accounting Support for Your Construction Business
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Annual accounts, income tax returns and ongoing tax compliance for construction and trades businesses.
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GST returns, bookkeeping and Xero support to help keep your accounting records organised.
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Payroll accounting, PAYE and payday filing support where included in the engagement.
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Accounting information to help you understand job costs, business expenses, customer payments and overall cash flow.
Who We Help
We provide accounting support for:
Builders
Construction Companies
Building Contractors
Subcontractors
Renovation Businesses
Electrical, Plumbing and Other Trades
Established Trades Businesses
Construction Businesses Managing Multiple Jobs
Online accounting support is available throughout New Zealand.
Starting, Buying or Growing a Construction Business
Construction businesses can grow quickly when larger jobs are secured, new staff are employed, additional subcontractors are engaged or more vehicles and equipment are required.
We can discuss accounting matters relating to:
business structure and accounting setup
GST and tax obligations
payroll
subcontractor records
materials and supplier costs
vehicles and equipment
finance arrangements
cash-flow requirements
Xero and bookkeeping systems
If you are planning a significant change in your business, talk to us about the accounting information you may need before making important financial decisions.
Where finance is required, lending decisions are made by the bank or lender.
Job Costing and Project Performance
Where suitable accounting records are available, we can help organise and review information relating to:
income by job or project
materials and supplier costs
employee wages
subcontractor costs
equipment hire
vehicles and fuel
insurance
tools and equipment
other overheads
One construction job can be very different from another.
A contract may involve materials, labour, subcontractors, equipment hire, travel and other costs before final payment is received.
It does not guarantee the profitability of any particular project or future business performance.
This can help you better understand where income and costs are arising within your business.
Progress Payments, Deposits and Customer Accounts
Clear accounting records can help track:
amounts invoiced
amounts received
outstanding customer accounts
progress payments
deposits
job-related expenses
GST information
expected customer receipts
Construction businesses may receive deposits, staged payments or progress payments during a project.
Good records are particularly important where business costs need to be paid before customers make their next payment.
We can assist with the accounting and record-keeping side of these transactions within the agreed engagement.
Employees, Payroll and Subcontractors
Construction businesses may use employees, subcontractors or both.
The accounting and filing requirements can differ depending on the arrangement.
Please discuss your employee, payroll and subcontractor arrangements with us so we can understand what accounting and filing support may be required.
For subcontractor costs, keep appropriate invoices, payment records and supporting business documents.
We provide payroll accounting, PAYE and payday filing support where agreed.
We do not provide employment-law advice or employment-dispute services.
Materials, Suppliers and Business Expenses
Materials and supplier costs can represent a significant part of a construction business.
Good records should be maintained for items such as:
building materials
trade supplies
hardware
equipment hire
subcontractor invoices
merchant accounts
fuel
site-related expenses
insurance
administration costs
Keeping appropriate invoices and supporting records helps maintain accurate accounting and GST information.
Vehicles, Tools and Equipment
Builders and trades businesses may invest significantly in business assets.
These can include:
utes and vans
trailers
machinery
power tools
specialist equipment
computers and technology
fuel
repairs and maintenance
insurance
equipment finance
We can assist with accounting records for business vehicles, tools and equipment.
The appropriate accounting and tax treatment depends on the nature of the purchase, finance arrangement and business use.
We can assist with:
GST returns
bookkeeping
Xero setup and support
bank reconciliations
sales records
supplier invoices
subcontractor records
payroll accounting
year-end accounting information
Good record keeping becomes increasingly important as a construction business takes on more jobs, suppliers, employees and subcontractors.
GST, Xero and Record Keeping
Do not send online banking passwords, Xero passwords or security codes.
Multiple Jobs and Growing Construction Businesses
As your business grows, it can become harder to see where money is being earned and spent.
Where your accounting system and records allow, information may be organised to help review:
individual jobs or projects
customer income
materials
labour
subcontractors
equipment costs
overheads
customer balances
cash flow
The level of reporting available depends on the quality and structure of the accounting records.
Support in English, Punjabi and Hindi
Clear communication can make accounting matters easier to understand.
We can discuss your construction or trades business requirements in:
English | Punjabi | Hindi
This may include GST, tax, Xero, payroll, subcontractor records, job costs and general accounting matters.
How We Work
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Tell us what type of construction or trade work you do and what accounting support you need.
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We discuss the accounting records, information and access that may be required.
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We agree the scope of the engagement and any further information required before work proceeds.
The services provided depend on your circumstances and the agreed engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. We can provide accounting support for builders, construction companies, contractors, subcontractors and established trades businesses.
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Yes. We can assist with GST returns, bookkeeping and Xero support where included in the engagement.
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Where suitable accounting records are available, we can help organise and review income and costs relating to individual jobs or projects.
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Yes. We can provide payroll accounting, PAYE and payday filing support where included in the engagement. We do not provide employment-law advice.
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Keep appropriate invoices, payment records and supporting information relating to the services provided. Please discuss your arrangements with us if you are unsure what accounting information may be required.
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Yes. We can assist with accounting records relating to business assets, finance arrangements and operating costs. The appropriate accounting and tax treatment depends on your circumstances.
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We can assist with the accounting and record-keeping side of customer invoicing, payments received and outstanding balances within the agreed engagement.
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Yes. Online accounting support is available throughout New Zealand.
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Yes. Support is available in English, Punjabi and Hindi.
The information on this page is general in nature.
Accounting and tax treatment depends on your circumstances, the information available and the agreed scope of engagement.
We do not provide legal or employment-law advice.
No particular tax saving, finance approval, project profitability or business outcome is guaranteed.
Important Information
Need Accounting Support for Your Construction Business?
Talk to us about annual accounts, GST, Xero, payroll, subcontractor records, job costs, progress payments, vehicles, equipment and other accounting requirements for your construction or trades business.